Shuffle Up: The Andrew Luck problem
Okay, here are the Shuffle Up rules.
We are talking rest-of-season value. Everything to this point is an audition. If you want leaders to this point, you’ll find them elsewhere. If you want Week 9 rankings, click over here.
Today, we do quarterbacks. Next week, new position.
You’ll disagree with stuff because that’s why we have a game. Try to stay grounded and rational with your players, it’s one of the most important skills in your fantasy toolbox.
The prices are unscientific and just a way to compare the players. When players are at the same price, it means they are considered even. I do not compare prices with other shuffles (or outside positions), and I do every shuffle from scratch.
[Yahoo Daily Fantasy Football: First place wins $100K in our $500K contest for Week 9]
Assume a half-point PPR scoring format. I will eventually comment on many (perhaps most) players, but I do not promise a comment on everyone.
If you have a constructive piece of criticism, I’ll consider it. See something out of place? Offer some reasoning. I may alter the list between initial post and the next 12 horus or so.
And now we shuffle, shufflers.
$30 Tom Brady: Worst fantasy game of year still netted 23 points.
$27 Aaron Rodgers: Bet on generational talent figuring it out.
$27 Philip Rivers: Allen news hurts but still in perfect setup (bad defense, mediocre run game).
$26 Andy Dalton: Tons of weapons and he's been too good for too long.
$26 Andrew Luck
As poorly as Luck is playing right now, keep in mind he's still putting up points. He's fourth in fantasy points over the last three weeks – ahh, garbage time – and the Colts defense will force him to keep the volume up.
Maybe new OC Rob Chudzinski will provide a spark. Perhaps the Colts will start playing with a faster tempo early in games, trying to replicate the late-game success they've shown recently. The remaining schedule isn't bad. The offensive line isn't very good but the support pieces are respectable.
$25 Carson Palmer: Still worry about injury, but Arians and toys set high ceiling.
$25 Ben Roethlisberger: Has hisory of slow returns, don't fret it.
$24 Drew Brees: Volume sets a very high floor, finally healthy now.
$21 Cam Newton: Rushing tailwind partially offsets the lousy receivers.
$17 Ryan Tannehill: Rushing yardage down; at least Philbin is gone.
$17 Tyrod Taylor: Spotty targets, but can get there with his legs.
$17 Matt Ryan: Matty Floor, but no three-touchdown games yet.
$16 Russell Wilson: No game-changing wideouts, never allowed to be volume monster.
$15 Derek Carr: Carving up the Jets pushes him up; nine TDs outside red zone.
$15 *Tony Romo: Good idea for playoffs, but keep hopes in check before then.
$14 Blake Bortles: Not playing that well but has easy path to consistent points.
$14 Eli Manning: Pray for Beckham's hamstrings to stay healthy.
$14 Peyton Manning: Big step forward in Week 8, but still not an automatic starter.
$12 Jameis Winston: More controlled in recent weeks, which actually hurts fantasy value.
$12 Joe Flacco: Helped by rotten defense, but receiver group holds him back.
$12 Brian Hoyer: Clicking with Hopkins and Washington, so don't question it.
$11 Jay Cutler: Two super talents and not as bad as the haters think.
$10 Sam Bradford: That third preseason game poisoned everyone's expectations.
$10 Marcus Mariota: Won't miss Whisenhunt, but how healthy are knee and ankle?
$9 Matthew Stafford: London game was stone setup; watch closely Week 10.
$8 Teddy Bridgewater: Another team that hides QB, though Diggs is special.
$7 Ryan Fitzpatrick: At least it's non-throwing thumb, but I'm concerned.
$6 Alex Smith: Still won't give his receivers a shot for contested catches.
$5 Kirk Cousins: Up and down year, but Jackson return gives him a chance.
$4 Josh McCown: At what point should Browns evaluate and develop Manziel?
$3 Nick Foles: Rams trying to hide him every week; one game over 200 yards
$2 Blaine Gabbert: Worth a shot, can't be any worse than Kaepernick.
$2 Johnny Manziel
$2 Mark Sanchez: Fair to wonder how long Bradford leash is.
$1 Geno Smith
$0 Matt Cassel
$0 Colin Kaepernick
$0 Colt McCoy
