Position Groups to Target: Saints QBs

As we progress through the summer, I'll recommend some team position groups to target in Dynasty formats. These are players who I believe provide great value in drafts, and could be major assets to your fantasy teams. In the second article in this series, I'll go over the Saints Quarterbacks. This will be an interesting situation to watch and depending how it unfolds, one that could pay dividends.

Drew Brees

We know that Drew Brees will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Career passing yards, career completions, career passing touchdowns, career passing attempts, seasons passing for 5000 yards, single season completion percentage, the most seasons with at least 30 touchdowns, and most career fantasy points by a QB: these are some of the records Brees owns, or could break by the end of 2019. Sure, this all looks pretty, but what does it mean for fantasy?

Brees’ 2018 was to be a telling season. Coming off of his lowest passing touchdown output in 13 years, and his first year being under 4500 yards since 2009, this would be the year that told us whether he could keep playing, or whether he needed to get out while the getting was still good. Brees came out with a bang. After an opening day loss that saw him throw for 439 yards and 3 touchdowns, the Saints rattled off 10 wins in a row. A span in which Brees threw for almost 2700 yards and 25 touchdowns. At the age of 39, he finished as fantasy QB8 on the season, his 15th consecutive inside the top 10. Over the past 5 seasons Brees’ average finish is the QB6. So, at a position with such a low variance, why target Brees over some younger options for your dynasty roster?

Age is the biggest factor in Brees’ mini buying opportunity. In a 1 QB Dynasty format, Brees is currently going as QB17, drafted at the 12.06 per www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com’s ADP data. Drafted behind players such as Lamar Jackson, Mitchell Trubisky, Jimmy Garroppolo, and Jameis Winston, Brees presents top 10 positional upside with the added ability to wait 2-3, rounds building stronger depth. Yes, he may be in the final moments of his career, but 2 more seasons is a possibility considering the talent this team has, and especially if the Saints come close again without bringing home the Lombardi. I am happy to “set it and forget it” with Brees rather than endure the weekly question marks provided by his younger, higher drafted counterparts.

In a Superflex format, Brees’ value increases. You can feel confident that you will be able to get him as your QB2, insulating your top QB with a weekly startable option. In recent Superflex Startup drafts, I’ve seen Brees paired with Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold and Dak Prescott. To me, this is the perfect situation. You’ve got a young QB with upside for the future, and a stop-gap option in Brees who can give top 5 results on any given week. Brees can essentially buy you 1 or 2 more seasons to find your QB2 of the future, while still giving you the numbers to keep your team in the playoff hunt. In any format, based on his draft value alone, I’ll be targeting Brees to step into my weekly starters’ slot, and you should too!

Teddy Bridgewater

The curious case of Teddy Two-Gloves.

What we know: Bridgewater is a former first round pick who showed game manager traits in his time with Minnesota. His accuracy and poise were ideally suited for Mike Zimmer’s “run the ball and play defense” style of play. After a gruesome knee injury, a cup of coffee with the Jets, and a signing up for his second season as the Saints’ backup, Teddy hopes to be the successor to Drew Brees in New Orleans.

What we don’t know: Is “Game Manager” going to be Bridgewater’s ceiling? He finished QB22 and QB23 in his first 2 seasons respectively, a backend fantasy starter for Superflex and 2 QB leagues. If (it’s a big if) he does take over the starting role in Sean Peyton’s offense, with the weapons they have and Peyton’s ability to adjust his offense according to his players, Bridgewater could improve to within the QB14-20 range, a solid asset for the above noted formats, and solid backup or streaming option in 1 QB leagues. Let’s not forget, in Minnesota, Bridgewater shared a backfield with Adrian Peterson, and his top receivers were a past his prime Greg Jennings (2014) and a just blossoming Stefon Diggs (2015). Neither topped 800 yards receiving.

The receiving weapons in New Orleans are much more dynamic and provide Teddy with a floor as good as any other “futures” quarterback you may draft. Drafted in the 17th round or later in recent Startups I’ve been in, near guys like Mason Rudolph and Ryan Fitzpatrick. In Superflex and 2 QB leagues, if you can afford to stash him on your bench, his outlook 2-3 years from now could make him a steal at his current price. In 1 QB leagues you can leave him on waivers but be ready to pounce when his opportunity becomes clearer. He could be a great second option on your team if you like to stream from within.

Taysom Hill

This is purely a deep…deep 2 Quarterback option but this enigma had to be mentioned. Last season, in my first 2 QB league, I was royally stuck for a second QB. I drafted the position poorly and paid for it all year. There were multiple weeks when Hill was my only option in lieu of starting a goose egg as my QB2. He would likely be an emergency waiver add, throwing up a prayer that he finds a goal like rushing score but like I said…he’s better than starting a zero.

While not “sexy” options compared to some of the young rising quarterbacks in the league, the Saints QBs offer solid value in the right format. Drafting them should allow you to add stronger depth earlier in drafts on the way to winning your Fantasy Championship!

Travis Seel

@TSeel14