Saints Fantasy 2015: The 5 Players Ready to Make an Impact
By Mike Delayo
Dec 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Drew Brees:
ESPN: QB 5
Yahoo!: QB 4
NFL: QB 6
We here at the Big Easy Believer have not let the national media’s disrespect of quarterback Drew Brees go unnoticed. However, it seems that the leading fantasy sports analysts in the country have gotten it right.
Brees’ average rank comes out to the fifth best quarterback in fantasy, a ranking I believe to be a good fit though still a bit low. It is not hard to argue that Brees could have a better season than the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, but the cases of those four are just as formidable.
Of these top quarterbacks, Brees may have it the worst in terms of receiving corps. Wilson lacks depth at receiver in Seattle as well, but their addition of Jimmy Graham gives them the slight edge over the Saints. Brandin Cooks does have a nice chance to become Bree’s first option this season, a prospect that would benefit both parties significantly.
Brees averaged 18.1 points per week (using ESPN standard fantasy scoring), sixth among quarterbacks last year. His total passing yardage (4952), touchdown passes (33) and interceptions (17) ranked first, fourth and third respectively. These numbers definitely keep Brees in the conversation among the other elite quarterbacks.
However, the caveat here is Jimmy Graham. Over the last few years, Graham has been the unquestionable number one target for Brees. Since 2011, Graham has been on the receiving end of 28.6% of Brees’ touchdowns and 21.2% of his total yardage. The departure of that caliber of a weapon will surely not go unnoticed, but Brees has made lemonade out of lemons with his receivers before.
Perhaps the most valuable asset Brees carries as a fantasy asset is his health. Since he was given the starting job with San Diego back in 2002, Brees has not missed a start (201 straight games). Rodgers and Manning have struggled with injuries over the past few seasons, and the fantasy teams that drafted these guys with a top pick likely did not fair well with them on the bench.
Though his ceiling is a bit lower this season thanks to the departure of Graham, a track record of great health and consistently elite stats make Drew Brees a safe selection among the elite quarterbacks of the NFL for the upcoming fantasy season.
Next: Going to the Next Level