Mark Sanchez has had quite an offseason. First, the Jets appeared to be interested in free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. When that failed, the Jets gave Sanchez a nice three-year contract extension for $40.5 million in March. Two weeks later, the Jets traded for Tim Tebow after Manning went to the Broncos. The Jets now plan to rotate quarterbacks with Tebow possibly getting up to 20 plays per game according to coach Rex Ryan. That would take Sanchez off the field, with the expectation being that he could sit deep in the red zone. Sanchez was actually the No. 10 Fantasy quarterback last year in standard leagues with 3,474 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions with six rushing touchdowns. But those stats should decline dramatically with Tebow entering the picture (the return to a ground and pound offense won't help either). He should only be considered a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback in deep leagues, and don't be surprised if Sanchez goes undrafted based on the changes for the Jets this offseason.
Kevin Kolb did not enjoy a good first year with the Cardinals in 2011, and now he will compete for the starting job with John Skelton in training camp. Kolb signed a huge contract with Arizona prior to last year but played in just nine games and passed for less than 2,000 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. Kolb might have the upper hand in the competition by virtue of his contract, but Fantasy owners need to see what develops in training camp. If Kolb is the No. 1 quarterback for the Cardinals, throwing to the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, then he would be a No. 2 Fantasy option at best on Draft Day. He's worth a pick in leagues that start multiple quarterbacks.
Tim Tebow was traded from the Broncos to the Jets this offseason, and he's now expected to be part of a quarterback rotation with Mark Sanchez. The Jets have said they would like to get Tebow about 20 plays a game, and that might not necessarily be all at quarterback. Plans are reportedly in the works to get Tebow time as an H-back, fullback, running back and as a protector on punts. He might be a jack-of-all-trades but it could mean minimal and unpredictable stat production. There's always the chance Tebow beats out Sanchez for the starting job, or simply plays well enough to earn more snaps, but that's tough to figure unless Sanchez falters during the year. That's what happened in 2011 -- Tebow opened the season behind Kyle Orton, got the chance to play and led the Broncos to the playoffs. He had at least 18 Fantasy points in six games with 11 starts and was a star in one playoff victory against the Steelers. But now he has to prove himself again. Tebow should not be drafted in the majority of leagues if he's coming off the bench, but he is someone to monitor. If Sanchez struggles then don't be surprised to see Tebow start. And even in his limited roles he could be a decent source of rushing yards, which could make him worth a late-round pick in leagues that start multiple quarterbacks.
John Skelton will enter this season with the chance to start for the Cardinals if he's able to beat out Kevin Kolb. Skelton stepped in for Kolb for seven starts in 2011 and passed for 1,913 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Kolb has more talent than Skelton, but Skelton could still win the starting job with a strong training camp. If that were to happen, Skelton would be at the controls of an offense that includes vet Larry Fitzgerald and new rookie Michael Floyd. He'd be a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback worth a late pick in deeper leagues in that case, though there wouldn't be any certainty he'd hold the job for a full season with Kolb peeking over his shoulder.
Promising young quarterback Jake Locker will be given an opportunity to win the Titans' starting job in training camp, but it's believed to be an uphill battle for him given the season teammate Matt Hasselbeck had in 2011. Locker didn't do too bad himself, throwing for 542 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 56 yards and a touchdown without a turnover and without starting a game (he attempted 66 passes but completed just 34 for a gross 51.5 completion percentage). Locker's mobility and youth gives him an edge over Hasselbeck, but his accuracy might be too big a detriment for him in this camp battle. We like Locker long term and would consider him a great bench option in dynasty/keeper leagues (middle- to late-round pick in drafts). But in standard play, he'll only warrant consideration as a No. 2 Fantasy passer if he beats out Hasselbeck in camp. Locker's breakout year might not come until 2013.
Tarvaris Jackson is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job in Seattle with Matt Flynn, but Flynn will likely win the job based on the free agent contract he signed this offseason. Jackson was the starter for the Seahawks last year, and he struggled as a Fantasy option, barely topping 3,000 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with just 108 rushing yards and one rushing score. If Jackson manages to beat out Flynn he wouldn't even be a reliable No. 2 option in standard Fantasy leagues. He's pretty much limited to one-week use off of the waiver wire and a No. 3 quarterback in two-QB leagues -- and that's all if he's not holding a clipboard.
David Garrard didn't play in 2011; a back injury forced him to the sidelines and off the Jaguars roster before the start of the season. However, he's fully recovered and will compete for a job with the Dolphins this summer with rookie Ryan Tannehill and veteran Matt Moore. Garrard has averaged 216 passing yards and 1.15 passing touchdowns per game over his last three years in the league, but with his competition potentially decided by virtue of the draft, he might not get a shot. He's only worth a late draft choice in leagues that start multiple quarterbacks.
Kyle Orton went from the starter in Denver to begin 2011 to now being the backup to Tony Romo in Dallas this year. Orton isn't expected to see the field much barring an injury to Romo. If Romo does go down then Orton would be among the most sought after free agents in every Fantasy league if he had the chance to run that offense in Dallas, but we'd rather see Romo remain healthy. Unless you're in a deep league that starts multiple quarterbacks, ignore Orton on Draft Day.
Matt Moore is expected to compete with rookie Ryan Tannehill and David Garrard for the starting job this season. Moore finished 2011 as Miami's starter, and he played well given the lack of talent around him. He took over for the injured Chad Henne in Week 6 and had at least 18 Fantasy points in five games (standard scoring). He ended up as a useful Fantasy option to owners in deeper leagues, and he could be in a similar position this year if he starts. That seems unlikely with Tannehill aboard, plus the Dolphins are lacking playmakers, especially with Brandon Marshall now in Chicago. If he somehow earns the starting job, Moore could be a serviceable No. 2 Fantasy quarterback in deeper formats.
Seneca Wallace is expected to be a backup for the Browns this season. He was serviceable in that role last year, starting three games and totaling 550 passing yards and two touchdowns in those starts. But even if he gets the chance to play, Fantasy owners shouldn't count on him for quality stats. Keep him off rosters.
