Exit Interview, QB: Downward trend for running passers leaves many questions

Entering the season, two different schools of thought dominated how drafters should approach the quarterback position. Streaming advocates preached patience. High-floor seekers stressed early-round. Sadly, due to the untimely downfalls of Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, the latter group likely experienced an early exit. To put a bow on top of the season and with an eye toward 2015, here are our prevailing feelings about signal-callers in the New Year. 

Other Exit Interviews: Running Backs, Wide Recievers, Tight Ends 

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Much has been made about the potential death of the multidimensional quarterback. Although Russell Wilson proved skeptics wrong, others only fueled the fire. Out of fantasy failures Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel, who has the best chance to right the ship in 2015? 

Andy – For me, it's GRIFFIN. He's closing this season on a decent note (unlike Manziel), and he'll presumably benefit from year-to-year system continuity in 2015 (unlike Kaepernick). RG3's cast of receivers is excellent as well. I have to think the 2012 version of Griffin will make another appearance someday.

Brandon – KAEPERNICK. The 49ers' QB regressed this season, as his (mostly errant) passes lost any semblance of finesse. And, for most of the season, he stuck to trying to be a pocket passer, going through a 10 game stretch in which he failed to reach 50 rushing yards. Like Russell Wilson, Kapernick actually does a pretty good job of self-preservation in the running game, and any new head coach would be wise to not mitigate that aspect of his game. He'll never likely be a great passer, but a fresh start could very likely return him to the QB1 level he finished at in '13.

Brad – Give me KAEPERNICK. No doubt, he regressed in 2014. Persistent misreads and misfires reduced his value to rubble in many leagues. However, it's important to understand he'll only be entering his fifth season. He'll likely have to learn a new system with Jim Harbaugh expected to go elsewhere this offseason, but, as witnessed against San Diego Week 16, he remains one of the virtual game's best dual threats. Buy on the bear next August.

Among majority drafted passers, Ben Roethlisberger was arguably the most profitable. Taken on average at pick No. 114 (QB16) in Yahoo drafts, the Steeler finished inside the position's top-five on a per game basis. It's crazy early, but what QB will likely be the best value pick in 2015?  

Brandon – CAM NEWTON. Injuries sunk his fantasy value in '14, and I expect that his resulting fantasy line will be a drag on his '15 ADP. And if that's the case, I'll be a happy buyer. Newton is a proven top 5 fantasy QB asset, which is where he finished in each of his first three seasons in the league. Health prevented him from running like he has in the past, but I'd expect him to be in much better shape heading into next season. And with likely improvements in the offensive line in the offseason, not to mention a year of seasoning under the belt of his sensational go-to rookie Kelvin Benjamin, Newton could very well have that upper level QB1 look once again.

Brad – RYAN TANNEHILL. He finished erratically down the stretch, including letdowns against the pass D soft Jets and Ravens. Still, he showed major improvements across the board, has a better-than-advertised arsenal and contributes meaningful stats on the ground. Joe Philbin apparently won't get canned, but one would think the 'Fins would bring in a pass-minded guru who can continue to develop Tanny. Roughly 4,200 combined yards with 25-plus touchdowns are in his immediate future.

Dalton – WHOEVER STARTS FOR THE EAGLES. Philly’s QBs managed a modest 7.3 YPA this year, but Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez were both QB1s when starting. The Eagles have averaged 29.3 points this year, which is the third-most in the NFL, and while some of that can be attributed to the team’s defense, that actually hurt the team’s signal callers' stats this year and shouldn’t be expected to repeat in 2015. I remain a believer in Chip Kelly’s offense.

Alongside Kaepernick and RG3, Nick Foles, primarily due to injury, left investors high and dry. Though bust rates at the QB position are considerably smaller compared to RBs and WRs, what is the one QB you will avoid like the plague in 2015 drafts?  

Dalton – I will avoid any quarterback who costs a pick inside the top six or seven rounds. I just don’t see the point of taking one before then unless it’s a 2QB league. If forced to pick a specific name, I’ll say MATTHEW STAFFORD, who has a 6:6 TD:INT ratio over seven road games this year, and Calvin Johnson looks continually tough to rely upon.

Andy – Honestly, I don't see any names in the likely consensus top-12 that I'm determined to avoid. But I can tell you that it's gonna be a long while before I trust KAEPERNICK again, even in two-QB leagues. He's a reckless thrower, off-target way too often, and the rushing stats don't make up for his passing deficiencies.

Scott – I have zero faith in MATTHEW STAFFORD, I don't care who he's throwing to. He trusts his arm too much, throws from bad platforms, doesn't add a thing on the ground. I'm confident I will rank him lower than anyone else on staff. (Note: I didn't consider Kaepernick. When even Dalton Del Don ranks him out of the Top 12, you know the stock has flatlined.)

Marcus Mariota, pending landing spot, will likely be the most desired first-year passer in dynasty league drafts next summer. Who do you feel should be No. 2 on owner big boards? 

Brad  – BRYCE PETTY. Many will be turned off because he's a shotgun quarterback from a one-read spread system, but the Baylor product moves around the pocket well, sports plus arm strength, possesses NFL size (6-foot-3, 230-pounds) and is deadly accurate downfield. No question he has warts, but if thrust into the right system (Philly anyone?) he'll likely be incredibly productive. Look for him to land a home somewhere in the Round 3-4 range in this spring's draft.

Brandon – BRETT HUNDLEY. I want no part of Jameis Winston. I can't stand his mechanics, and it doesn't look like he'll consistently pad his numbers on the ground. With eight rushing TDs and five games of 72-plus rushing yards, that is an area where Hundley should definitely contribute. And he can spin it pretty well, too, completing 70 percent of his passes and delivering a 21:5 TD-to-INT ratio this season at UCLA.

Scott  – I'm another Jameis Winston skeptic, so my answer here is really NOT WINSTON. For now, I'll lean with BRETT HUNDLEY, who has the size, arm strength and accuracy you want in your franchise player. A lot of his college value came through his running ability, but I have little doubt he can adopt to a heavier dose of pocket life in the NFL.

List your top 15 quarterbacks for '15. 

Andy – 1) Aaron Rodgers, 2) Drew Brees, 3) Andrew Luck, 4) Tom Brady, 5) Peyton Manning, 6) Russell Wilson, 7) Ben Roethlisberger, 8) Tony Romo, 9) Matt Ryan, 10) Cam Newton, 11) Matthew Stafford, 12) Ryan Tannehill, 13) Eli Manning, 14) Philip Rivers, 15) Robert Griffin III.

Scott – 1) Aaron Rodgers, 2) Andrew Luck, 3) Tom Brady, 4) Russell Freaking Wilson, 5) Drew Brees, 6) Peyton Manning, 7) Ben Roethlisberger, 8) Matt Ryan, 9) Tony Romo, 10) Cam Newton, 11) Ryan Tannehill, 12) Eli Manning, 13) Phil Rivers, 14) Nick Foles, 15) Matthew Stafford

Dalton – 1) Aaron Rodgers 2) Andrew Luck 3) Peyton Manning 4) Drew Brees 5) Russell Wilson 6) Tom Brady 7) Tony Romo 8) Nick Foles 9) Matt Ryan 10) Matthew Stafford 11) Cam Newton 12) Philip Rivers 13) Ben Roethlisberger 14) Colin Kaepernick 15) Robert Griffin

Brandon – 1) Andrew Luck, 2) Aaron Rodgers 3) Drew Brees, 4) Ben Roethlisberger, 5) Tom Brady, 6) Russell Wilson, 7) Peyton Manning, 8) Matt Ryan, 9) Cam Newton, 10) Tony Romo, 11) Matthew Stafford, 12) Eli Manning, 13) Philip Rivers, 14) Ryan Tannehill, 15) Nick Foles

Brad  – 1) Aaron Rodgers, 2) Andrew Luck, 3) Drew Brees, 4) Peyton Manning, 5) Tom Brady, 6) Ben Roesthlisberger, 7) Cam Newton, 8) Russell Wilson, 9) Matt Ryan, 10) Tony Romo, 11) Matthew Stafford, 12) Ryan Tannehill, 13) Eli Manning, 14) Philip Rivers, 15) Nick Foles