Fantasy Football 2012: 5 QB Prospects to Keep Your Eye On

With fantasy football 2012 just around the corner, the incoming class of quarterbacks is full of talent. Talent that can immediately impact your fantasy team. From the first and second picks of the draft all the way through the seventh round, quarterbacks will be a depth need for many teams. 

Besides the first few taken, most will be either the first or second backup. They will still see time regardless due to the injuries bound to happen in the 2012-2013 season. 

This slideshow does not include Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III because you know everything about them anyway, this article will discuss the quarterbacks that may see some time due to injury or because the team feels the need to go in a new direction. 

The depth of this class is there and the potential for you to draft or pick up a player off of waivers could be the difference between the playoffs and being embarrassed. 

Kellen Moore, Boise State

Kellen Moore may not be the biggest or strongest, but he has something above any quarterback in this draft class. He has a knack for winning, a knack that made him the winningest quarterback in the history of the NCAA. 

Since he knows how to win games, it shows that he can do what it takes to improve his game. If he can change a few things, there's nothing stopping Moore from becoming an underdog achiever at the next level as well. 

Moore is rated at the No. 15 quarterback of the draft per B/R's Matt Miller in his final Big Board before the draft. Moore should be watched because a team may be desperate at the end of the season or in rest time for the starters at the end of the season Moore may get a look. 

If he gets the look you should be the first to pick him up off waivers if you need a filler for a QB2 late in the season. Now the probability of him getting any decent playing time in his NFL career is rare. Crazier things have happened before though and with Tebowmania and Linsanity you can never be sure what is around the corner. 

Nick Foles, Arizona

One of the most underrated quarterback draft prospects. Nick Foles has great arm strength and in that category is third behind Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck. He has the strength to make NFL throws and could be a solid pick in the middle rounds to a team that is looking to spend a few years developing a talent.

One of the biggest upsides to Foles is his size. He's similar in size to "Big" Ben Roethlisberger, something that could make him very lucrative to many teams. 

He'll be valuable in fantasy eventually because he's the kind of quarterback who will take a few years and become the quarterback in waiting and eventually be given his time to shine. Keep an eye on him in the next few years and you may find yourself winning the fantasy quarterback lottery.

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Although Ryan Tannehill has been labeled as the "biggest bust" by B/R NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller, he's going to be reached for in the draft this year and potentially given a chance to start in his rookie season.

This has all the makings for a big bust, but as a fantasy owner he may give you a good week a few times in 2012. Pick him up for a bye week as the upside is there; he'll be useful especially if your opponent is having a rough season at quarterback. It'll allow you to play with your lineup. 

Tannehill has the skills to be a great NFL quarterback. His story though is similar to that of Blaine Gabbert, a franchise is too eager to get him on the field, which will lead to under-performance and a lack of winning.

Although listed as the "biggest bust," he has the skills to help out your fantasy team early.

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Kirk Cousins is another winner from his college days at Michigan State. He's not the biggest or the strongest but has the intangibles that you want from a quarterback. He has the smarts, football IQ and the work ethic to make things happen for him.

Being a team captain for three years is something that Jon Gruden on Gruden's QB Camp was very impressed with as am I. Being a captain for that long at a Big Ten university isn't something to look over. His leadership is something that is really needed on an NFL team.

Look for him last this season or in two years to help out your fantasy team. If he gets to work with a great quarterbacks coach he can develop his skills to the NFL level and provide for a team that is transitioning between franchise quarterbacks. 

Cousins probably won't turn out to be an all-time great, but will provide decent fantasy numbers if given the opportunity to play.

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Brandon Weeden was a tremendous quarterback this past season due to the help he got from Justin Blackmon. He showed he is an NFL quarterback with the ability to keep up with an NFL-level receiver. Going back and forth with Andrew Luck was a great sight to see in the Fiesta Bowl and showed once again his worth to NFL teams.

He is 28, though, which is a major concern for teams and will likely make him end up in the third spot on a roster that he makes. This will limit his playing time for the first few years and give him very little fantasy value in the next year.

His age, though, could be a factor for teams to give him an immediate shot and make a direct impact early in his NFL career. The ability to make NFL-level throws is there and in the right system Weeden could help out as a bye week helper for your QB2 if you are in a very deep league. 

Keep him on waiver watch as Weeden is my sleeper for the draft.