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These 2016 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2016 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2016 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates. |
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2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-35
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Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. Bye: 7.
Cam Newton was the top fantasy quarterback in 2015. That was shocking, given that he didn’t even have his No. 1 receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, at his disposal. Benjamin being back will provide a huge boost, and it’ll perhaps negate Carolina’s tougher schedule in 2016. It was disappointing that Carolina didn’t address its offensive line in the draft, but Newton is still the No. 1 fantasy quarterback.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 3,800 passing yards. 32 passing TDs. 16 INTs. 520 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 332.
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Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. Bye: 4.
JULY 26 UPDATE: Mike McCarthy said that Aaron Rodgers is in the best shape of his life. Rodgers is a good bet to have a bounce-back season after he struggled so much (by his standards) in 2015. There’s a good argument for him to be the first quarterback chosen in fantasy. It’s either him or Cam Newton for sure.
Aaron Rodgers is coming off his worst full season to date, but that makes him a great buy-low option. Rodgers was dealing with a shoulder issue, offensive line problems and an inept receiving corps. With Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and the offensive linemen being healthy (and the latter being deeper in the wake of the Jason Spriggs pick), Rodgers could conceivably bounce back and have his best year yet.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,600 passing yards. 35 passing TDs. 9 INTs. 230 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 331.
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Andrew Luck, QB, Colts. Bye: 10.
Andrew Luck is also a great buy-low candidate. He had a disastrous 2015 campaign, but it was revealed that he was dealing with torn cartilage on two of his ribs during the season. Provided he stays healthy – it helps that general manager Ryan Grigson upgraded his offensive line with center Ryan Kelly – Luck could have a great 2016 campaign.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,600 passing yards. 36 passing TDs. 16 INTs. 250 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 329.
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Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
Thanks to changes made on the offensive line, as well as the emergence of Doug Baldwin, Russell Wilson caught fire at the end of the season. This bodes well for his 2016 outlook. If you extrapolate Wilson’s numbers from Weeks 11-17 over a full 16-game slate, you would get 4,357 yards, 55 touchdowns (!!), two interceptions, 453 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Crazy, right? Those stats aren’t realistic, but it just goes to show that Wilson’s stock is pointing up. The offensive line is an issue, however. Germain Ifedi was drafted, but the tackle spots remain problematic.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 3,600 passing yards. 32 passing TDs. 10 INTs. 560 rushing yards. 4 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 328.
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Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Bye: 5.
SEPT. 2 UPDATE: Drew Brees went 3-of-6 for 40 yards against the Ravens. This occurred on just a single drive, but it was discouraging because his offensive line had trouble pass protecting against the Baltimore practice squad fodder; Brees had to throw two passes away because he was under duress. Left tackle Terron Armstead is not healthy, and it’s definitely going to impact Brees’ season. Brees is now 37, so it shouldn’t completely surprise anyone if he didn’t make it through all 16 games this year. At his ADP (5.08), I’d recommend staying away.
Despite the team’s issues, Drew Brees still threw for 4,870 yards and 32 touchdowns. He had some strong showings at the end of the year, thanks to Ben Watson emerging as a viable option. However, Brees turned 37 this offseason, so it’s difficult to be too optimistic. If you draft him, make sure you spend a mid-round choice on a solid backup. That said, I still like Brees, as second-round rookie Michael Thomas should be an upgrade over the decaying Marques Colston.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,750 passing yards. 35 passing TDs. 18 INTs. 50 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 305.
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Eli Manning, QB, Giants. Bye: 8.
Eli Manning threw a career-high 35 touchdowns last season. Manning’s in a great system and has the luxury of throwing to Odell Beckham Jr., so there’s no reason to think his numbers will regress. At 35, Manning should have another strong year or two remaining, and it’ll obviously help out if second-round rookie Sterling Shepard thrives.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,550 passing yards. 34 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 50 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 295.
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Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars. Bye: 5.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: Blake Bortles was terrific in his first exhibition appearance. Stats aren’t always accurate, but they happen to be the case in this instance. Bortles went 6-of-7 for 105 yards, and the sole incompletion was a dropped touchdown by Julius Thomas. Bortles hit Allen Robinson on numerous occasions with some beautiful back-shoulder throws, and perhaps more importantly, he called three audibles on the opening drive alone. This means that he’s recognizing what the opposing defense is doing, and he did a great job of putting his team in position to have success whenever he did so. Things seem to be clicking mentally for Bortles, which sounds about right because he’s in his third season. He could easily be a top-five fantasy quarterback this year, though that depends on how bad his defense is.
Blake Bortles predictably thrived under offensive coordinator Greg Olson, and it also helped that he had two dynamic receivers to throw to. The Jaguars improved their offensive line this offseason, meaning Bortles could take a major step forward in 2016. However, that could mean that he’ll play better all while his numbers will decline. That’s because the defense has improved markedly, meaning Bortles won’t be able to pile up the same sort of garbage-time stats.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,300 passing yards. 30 passing TDs. 19 INTs. 280 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 294.
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Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers. Bye: 11.
Philip Rivers got off to a solid start in 2015, but things quickly fell apart for him when he lost his entire offensive line. That said, he still threw for nearly 4,800 yards, making him a viable QB1. The Chargers should have better luck with injuries next year, and at 34, Rivers still has a Pro Bowl-caliber season or two left in the tank. Rivers actually looks promising for 2016, thanks to the additions of Travis Benjamin, Hunter Henry and Matt Slauson.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,600 passing yards. 33 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 30 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 289.
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Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
The Steelers had the season from hell last year, sustaining countless injuries to key players. Ben Roethlisberger missed some time and played hurt in numerous games. He’ll obviously be better in 2016, but all of the injuries he has sustained could begin to take their toll. Martavis Bryant getting suspended doesn’t help either.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,400 passing yards. 33 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 50 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 285.
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Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers. Bye: 6. 
AUG. 27 UPDATE: Not only did Jameis Winston rebound in the preseason dress rehearsal; he was completely dominant, as the Browns stood no chance of stopping him and the rest of Tampa’s offense. Winston went 16-of-25 for 259 yards and two touchdowns in slightly more than a half of action. The thing is, Winston’s numbers would’ve been even better had Mike Evans managed to maintain his balance on a 49-yard reception, which was a beautiful touch pass. Evans inexplicably drifted out of bounds, which was a shame because he would’ve scored an 85-yard touchdown had he managed to remain on the field. Winston’s first touchdown, a throw to Charles Sims, was a very nifty play, as Winston danced around pass-rushers beautifully, buying enough time for himself to find Sims. Winston is being drafted late, but he has a good chance of posting QB1 numbers.
Jameis Winston threw for 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns as a rookie, and he also scored six times on the ground. Winston got off to a slow start, so he should be able to post much better numbers in 2016, especially if his top weapons actually stay healthy.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 4,200 passing yards. 25 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 210 rushing yards. 4 rushing TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 283.
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-35
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Draft - 5/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
2016 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Quarterbacks and Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Jordan Matthews Profile - 5/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rookie Dynasty Draft Wrap-up - 5/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Wide Receiver Values - 4/28 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Tight End Strength of Schedule - 4/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Strength of Schedule - 4/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Strength of Schedule - 4/20 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Injured/injury risk
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Potential bust
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank lower in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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