Fantasy Football 2014: Top 10 Quarterbacks

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford

For the Lions, one of Matt Stafford’s problems was that besides Megatron, he didn’t have any good receivers to throw it to last season. His TEs in Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria were decent, but there wasn’t anyone else on the roster. This off-season the Lions made it their priority to go out and get Stafford some quality receivers and ended up getting some good talent. In the draft, the Lions selected TE Eric Ebron 12th overall out of North Carolina. Ebron, who caught a total of 112 balls for 1,805 yards and eight touchdowns at UNC has great hands and certainly plays the position better than anyone in the draft. As well, the Lions were able to pick up free agent wide out Golden Tate from Seattle. Tate for the past three seasons has been Seattle’s go-to receiver and punt returner, averaging 548.75 yards and 3.75 touchdowns along with 11.57 yards per punt return per season. As well, the Lions were able to add center Travis Swanson and WR TJ Jones out of the University of Arkansas and Notre Dame, respectively. With receiving forces such as Ebron, Johnson and Tate, on the Lions should have no issue with chucking the pigskin next season.

Yes I understand Stafford can be sloppy in terms of interceptions and fumbles, however, he does induce a lot of fantasy points by racking up raw yardage. With the best receiver in the NFL in Calvin Johnson, Stafford is at least a top-five fantasy quarterback. Stafford throws it deep and often, resulting in more interceptions, but more fantasy points. Seven times in 2013, Stafford was able to obtain more than 19 fantasy points in a game. He scores touchdowns, he throws for yardage. Matthew Stafford could potentially be one of the last gunslingers in the NFL.