Fantasy football rankings, 2017: Quarterbacks for Week 1

Andrew Luck missing Week 1 has been a possibility throughout the preseason. We now have confirmation that he will miss at least Week 1 and maybe longer. Scott Tolzien will start for Indianapolis in Week 1. He shouldn’t be looked at as a starter unless you’re in a two-QB league. Even then you probably have better options.

The Colts have very good receivers and an adequate running back but those all need to be downgraded. Over his career, Tolzien has passed for two touchdowns and seven interceptions. The one game that he passed for over 300 yards included three interceptions and zero touchdowns. He’s facing a strong Rams defense and it’s a road game. We’re all hoping that Luck can make a quick recovery.

Only one rookie quarterback is currently opening the season as a starter. DeShone Kizer will face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kizer was considered by some as the most NFL ready of all the quarterbacks available in the 2017 draft. Cleveland will lean on its running game and not ask a lot of Kizer this week. The Browns offense has many young pieces and flashes potential. I’m going to keep my eye on this game and see what Kizer is able to do.

I stated that currently one rookie quarterback is starting because another may get the call. Tyrod Taylor remains in the concussion protocol. He’s progressing, but concussions are such a tricky injury. If he can’t play, rookie Nathan Peterman would start. Similar to the Browns, Buffalo would lean heavily on its ground attack.

Another injury situation to track is Joe Flacco. He has finally returned to practice and that is a great sign. Any setback will probably cause him to miss Week 1. I think he has a challenging matchup against Cincinnati. On the other hand, the Ravens have provided him with two great targets in Jeremy Maclin and Danny Woodhead. I’m looking forward to seeing what this passing offense is capable of.

My sleeper for Week 1 is Sam Bradford. I haven’t been impressed with the Minnesota offense during the preseason. The offensive line looked as bad as last season. Stefon Diggs didn’t look sharp at times. I did like what I saw out of Dalvin Cook and the running game. The Vikings offense has a great matchup against New Orleans at home in Week 1. I believe Bradford will pass for 250 yards and two touchdowns. I’m taking the preseason performance with a grain of salt and think the offense will have cleaned things up.

(SK: Scott Kaliska; JG: Jeff Goldberg; DG: Derek Gordon; KB: Kyle Bennett ZS: Zach Senvisky; JM: Jason Marcum)