The NFL season has reached the end of its first quarter and already there are signs of fraying around the edges for some fantasy owners. While four weeks doesn’t make a season, in fantasy football, it goes a long way in establishing how your year is going.
At this point in time, many questions have been answered while many more have risen to take their place. In an effort to help solidify potential rosters, let’s take a look at three quarterbacks that were fairly high on draft boards but haven’t quite shown that they can get you to where you are going. Also included is who I’d rather have, so if you can make some sort of trade now to get those guys, your roster will thank you for it later.
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers
As a lifelong Steelers fan I would love nothing more than to tell you that Ben is the best of the best and deserves a first round grade so far this season. However, the reality is that behind an offensive line that gives up sacks quicker than Miley Cyrus makes you think sleazy, the talented Roethlisberger is currently relegated to spot starter at best.
With 1,231 yards, five touchdowns and an equal number of interceptions as well as numerous fumbles, it’s just not a good time to be Ben.
Who I’d Rather Own: Colin Kaepernick (SF), Alex Smith (KC)
Matt Schaub – Houston Texans
Elite is a very tricky subject when it comes to fantasy football quarterbacks because there are very few guys who could be considered so. Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning top a very exclusive list of those signal callers that fall under that elite label.
For Matt Shaub, the best you can say about him is that he is usually solid. A perfect example of a Schaub fantasy day was presented to us this past weekend when going up against a tough Seattle defense, he tossed for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for two interceptions, one of which cost the Texans a win.
Overall, Schaub has shown so far with his 1,193 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions that while he can put up points, you have to take the bad with the good because he will cost you some as well.
Who I’d Rather Own: Jay Cutler (CHI), Andrew Luck (IND)
Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals
Gag me with a spoon — that would be preferable than reliving the performance Andy Dalton put up against the Cleveland Browns this past weekend. 23-of-42 for 206 yards with no touchdowns, an interception and a fumble — those are numbers I could put up against the Browns and I’m about 5000 Egg McMuffins past any sort of playing shape.
Dalton is not even worth a spot start. Having not topped 19 fantasy points in a game this year and netting me 2.17 this week, I say drop Dalton from every format except the one where you are so desperate that you are checking the waiver wire hoping Kordell Stewart has somehow made a roster again.
Who I’d Rather Own: Brian Hoyer (CLE), Geno Smith (NYJ)
James LeBeau is an avid fantasy football participant and a sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @Jlebeau76 or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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