Fantasy Football 2014: Top 10 Quarterbacks
Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Peyton Manning
After one of the most dominating NFL offensive performances last season, the Broncos are locked and loaded for yet another season. Of course they aren’t in any position to go out and break records like they did last year, but they still have a fighting chance. Last season for Manning and the Broncos has been one of epic proportions, breaking records left and right (most yards passing, most points scored, most passing touchdowns and the most amount of receivers with 10+ touchdowns are some of the records that Manning and the Broncos broke last season) and winning his NFL record 5th MVP award in his Hall-of-Fame career. Where Manning has been blessed more than most QBs has been 1). his awesome offensive line that has allowed only 20.0 sacks this season (least amount in the entire league) 2). solid running game with Knowshon Moreno (1,038 yards, 10 touchdowns) and rookie Montee Ball (559 yards, 4.7 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns) and most importantly 3). an elite receiving corps consisting of powerful Demaryius Thomas (1,430 yards, 14 touchdowns), sure-handed Wes Welker (778 yards, 10 touchdowns), bruiser Julius Thomas (788 yards, 12 touchdowns) and streaker Eric Decker (1,288 yards, 11 touchdowns). Together all of these four receivers have combined to made one of the best receiving corps in the history of the NFL.
With Decker on the Jets, the Broncos added stud WR Cody Latimer out of the University of Indiana to replace him. At IU, Latimer was able to receive for 1,901 yards and 15 touchdowns on 123 receptions. While Latimer still has to prove himself worthy of the NFL, he can still add some depth at the WR position and help out Manning in his quest for that final super bowl.
Demaryius Thomas is one of the game’s youngest and most talented receivers. I expect him to lead the AFC next season in receiving yards, while Julius Thomas should come in as a big red zone threat and act as Manning’s security blanket. Obviously the losses of Decker and Moreno are big, however the Broncos still have lethal weapons in their other receivers. Emmanuel Sanders out of Pittsburgh should be yet another receiver who can make plays. Not to mention, their defense just added some key acquisitions in DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib whom should help out a Broncos’ defense that didn’t fare so well last season. Granted their offense was scoring 35 points per game, the Broncos did in fact allow 356 yards per game along with 24.9 points per game. If Manning can come back from a near career-ending neck injury, he can most definitely overcome losing a WR and a RB. I believe that with a much improvd defense and returning WRs, Manning should have yet another top fantasy football season.