Kyle Orton Is an Underrated Fantasy Asset in Multi-QB Leagues

In their quest to find a spark to ignite their stagnant offense, the Buffalo Bills are turning to everyone's favorite player: the backup quarterback. Kyle Orton is taking over for E.J. Manuel, but he also brings with him very intriguing fantasy value for anyone in need of another signal-caller. 

Bills head coach Doug Marrone said upon naming Orton his starting quarterback that this change is meant to move the team forward instead of running in place, via ESPN.com's Mike Rodak:

"It's not all EJ's fault, Marrone said, "but we need to get better production, obviously, out of that position. It's not all EJ's fault, but we need to get better production, obviously, out of that position."

This seems to indicate that the Bills don't have any intention of abandoning Orton in the near future, which is more good news. Another strong sign that Marrone has been skeptical of Manuel as the starting quarterback is this tidbit from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

It doesn't mean that Manuel is out as Buffalo's quarterback forever; rather, it's just an indication of how far away the coaching staff thought he was as a rookie and how much room there's still left for him to grow. 

Sensing that the AFC East is wide open with New England looking awful through four weeks, Orton gets his first chance to be a starting quarterback in a non-injury situation since 2011 with Denver and Kansas City. The long layoff would be devastating for a lot of quarterbacks, but he has appeared in four games over the last two years, with one start for Dallas last year in the regular-season finale against Philadelphia. 

In the game against the Eagles, Orton went 30-of-46 with 358 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. It didn't have huge fantasy implications because most leagues are over after Week 16, but his performance was a strong sign that the 31-year-old had something left to offer. 

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Another positive sign for Orton, Pro Football Analytics listed him as having 12.9 expected points added in nine games. It's not a big number but one that does suggest he's capable of doing some positive things. 

Now, for the real coup de grace to sell you on Orton's fantasy candidacy in multiple-quarterback leagues: He's got great weapons at his disposal. What's the biggest reason people attribute to New England quarterback Tom Brady struggling right now? No one to throw to and a bad offensive line. 

Orton has Sammy Watkins, who had glowing things to say about his new quarterback when talking to reporters, via a separate report from Rodak:

"

We just had a different approach to practice. [Orton] demands what he wants out of us. He's more of a veteran guy. The way he talked, the way he handles business, the way he looks at plays and breaks down defenses, it's kind of different than EJ. 

He reads it quicker, the ball is coming out faster. That's just some things that we have to adjust to.

"

Watkins has been waiting to find a quarterback who can get him the ball with some consistency. He had one great game with Manuel in Week 2 against Miami with eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown. In the other three games, he accumulated nine catches for 80 yards and one touchdown. 

Orton isn't the most accurate passer, but he has two seasons with at least 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns under his belt. He should also be better at finding Watkins and the rest of the receiving crew in space and down the field than Manuel. 

According to Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News, Manuel has completed 16 of 48 passes for 180 yards to wide receivers this season. When you have a young stud like Watkins averaging 11.6 yards per reception and Robert Woods averaging 10.8 yards per catch, there's something wrong. 

Orton's 6.63 yards per attempt is 0.2 yards higher than Manuel's career mark. When you combine that with the ability to create bigger plays, Buffalo's entire offense opens up. The already potent running game will be even better because opposing teams have to respect the pass more than they did in the past. 

Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller aren't going to see their carries decrease with Orton under center, though they may not be targeted as frequently in the passing game. That's the one downside to going with a veteran, but if it creates more explosive plays on offense, it's hard to imagine they will mind. 

If you are a fantasy owner in a multiple-quarterback league who has been burned by someone like Brady or currently injured starters like Carson Palmer and Robert Griffin III, Orton is worth a shot for a couple weeks to see what he can do. 

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter: @adamwells1985.