Monday Mini-Mock: A backup QB plan

So here's how this works. Each Monday, the Yahoo fantasy crew jumps on a conference call to discuss the week that was/will be. As part of this process, we've decided to include a short mock draft - roughly, one-eighth the size of a normal draft, I shall call it mini mock. This week's mini mock draft (four rounds) is an exploration of the backup fantasy QB class. We've asked our Yahoo experts to each draft four quarterbacks from a player pool that excludes our consensus top 12 signal callers, a group that spans from Peyton Manning to Russell Wilson.

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Round 1 Pick 1 — Tony Romo, DAL (Andy Behrens)

Behrens says – Dallas has plenty of dangerous weapons in the receiving corps, plus a sketchy defense that should give us plenty of shootouts. Romo's fantasy setup is ideal.

Round 1 Pick 2 — Philip Rivers, SDG (Brad Evans)

Noise says – Head coach McCoy wants to run more, but with Keenan Allen and ultra-dangerous LaDarius Green in tow, the Bolo has a great shot at another 27-30 TDs, 4,000-4,200 yards.

Round 1 Pick 3 — Colin Kaepernick, SF (Dalton Del Don)

3D says – With a defense likely to decline and much better weapons on offense, I fully expect SF to throw more this year. Kaepernick has just 23 career starts, which include a 7.9 YPA mark. He could explode in 2014.

Round 1 Pick 4 — Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (Brandon Funston)

Funston says – Big Ben has averaged more than 250 passing YPG in each of the past five seasons and has produced a 16-game pace of 26.6 TD passes in that span. He's cut from QB1 cloth.

Round 1 Pick 5 — Andy Dalton, CIN (Scott Pianowski)

Pianowman says – The OC change is a concern, but there are playmakers everywhere. Every piece of this offense feels like it's still on the escalator.

Round 2 Pick 1 — Josh McCown, TB (Pianowski)

Pianowman says – Last year's breakout was out of nowhere, but Tampa's weapons are intriguing (and monstrous), too.

Round 2 Pick 2 — Ryan Tannehill, MIA (Funston)

Funston says – Thought about Eli here, but I decided to go with Tannehill's upside potential in a Philly-styled offense. For a fantasy backup QB, it's really all about the possible ceiling.

Round 2 Pick 3 — Eli Manning, NYG (Del Don)

3D says – He was awful last year, but Manning averaged 4,226 passing yards with 28.3 passing TDs over the previous four seasons. He has three potential dangerous weapons to throw to, and the NFC East should feature a bunch of shootouts.

Round 2 Pick 4 — Johnny Manziel, CLE (Evans)

Noise says – Fully expect him to nail down the starting gig during the preseason. No stretch to think he leads NFL QBs in rushing, tosses 20-22 TDs, even sans Josh Gordon. Party on.

Round 2 Pick 5 — Joe Flacco, BAL (Behrens)

Behrens says – He's coming off a terrible season, he has only one legit receiver, and his OC wants to run all day. What I'm saying is, I would never draft Joe Flacco outside this mock.

Round 3 Pick 1 — Carson Palmer, ARI (Behrens)

Behrens says –  Here's another guy you'll only own to cover a bye. I don't even want my next pick. If possible, I'd like to trade it for a future fourth rounder in an upcoming mini-mock.

Round 3 Pick 2 — Alex Smith, KC (Evans)

Noise says – There's nothing particularly flashy about the Chief, but he commits few turnovers and posts appreciable rush yards in a favorable system. Scored at least 20 fantasy points (Yahoo default scoring) in four of last six games in '13.

Round 3 Pick 3 — Sam Bradford, STL (Del Don)

3D says – I'm not a big fan, although he has the top pedigree and did post a 14:4 TD:INT ratio over seven games before a season-ending injury last year. The pickings are slim here.

Round 3 Pick 4 — Jake Locker, TEN (Funston)

Funston says – Throw out his early injury exit in Week 10 and the dual-threat Locker was top 15 in QB fantasy PPG. Of course, injury risk is the major rub, as is the fact that his accuracy issues look like a permanent condition.

Round 3 Pick 5 — Geno Smith, NYJ (Pianowski)

Pianowman says – A bunch of rushing scores helped him sneak into the QB top 20 last year. Michael Vick hasn't been a threat this spring.

Round 4 Pick 1 — E.J. Manuel, BUF (Pianowski)

Pianowman says – Hard to say who he is after an uneventful rookie year, but they've stocked the fridge for him. Could be a fun offense.

Round 4 Pick 2 — Michael Vick, NYJ (Funston)

Funston says – Even when the performances are ugly, they are often useful for fantasy purposes, thanks to the rush yards. And with the Jets' QB situation on shaky footing, Vick has a good chance to start a handful of games in '14.

Round 4 Pick 3 — Ryan Fitzpatrick, HOU (Del Don)

3D says – He's starting for a Houston team one season removed from winning 12 games. Wouldn't be the worst option in a 2-QB format.

Round 4 Pick 4 — Teddy Bridgewater, MIN (Evans)

Noise says – Like Manziel, it's only a matter of time before Touchdown Teddy gets his shot. A strong showing in training camp could have him under center in Week 1. Have to like Norval's air-it-out system.

Round 4 Pick 5 — Chad Henne, JAC  (Behrens)

Behrens says –  Update: I was unable to find anyone to trade for this pick, so I took Chad Henne. He should not be drafted in your league. If Bridgewater would have fallen, I'd have written a better blurb.