Fantasy Football 2015: Quarterbacks You Shouldn't Waste Your Time on This Year

The quarterback position is arguably the most important position in football and in fantasy sports. Whether a fantasy owner drafts a quarterback with his first pick or last pick, it is crucial to select the right player at the right time.

This list has to do with quarterbacks that fantasy owners shouldn't select in league drafts. These quarterbacks were selected based on potential, injury concerns and lack of past production.

Here are 10 quarterbacks you shouldn't trust in fantasy football leagues this season.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

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Griffin has been dormant since he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. He has been plagued with a serious of knee injuries that have halted his progress in the NFL.

He enters this season after a nightmare outing in 2014. He only started seven games all year and threw four touchdowns and six interceptions. Griffin’s difficulties with head coach Jay Gruden’s system, in addition to his injury problems, is also another possible cause for his failures last season.

In order for Griffin to come close to the quarterback he was in 2012, he will have to prove on the field that he is fully healthy. Returning from major knee injuries is never easy, especially for a quarterback such as Griffin who has undergone repetitive procedures. Stay away from him until he proves he belongs on the field.

EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills

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Manuel was considered a major reach by the Buffalo Bills during the 2013 NFL draft, and he showed why many believed he wasn’t worthy of a top pick in 2014.

Manuel played poorly last season and only started four games in 2014. Many believed he would show progress in his second season, but he recorded a 77.7 quarterback rating and struggled with his accuracy.

Manuel still doesn’t have many receiving weapons outside of second-year player Sammy Watkins, but the chemistry between them simply wasn’t there last season. There is still time for him to grow and become a franchise quarterback, but a lot of risk is associated with banking on his progression right away.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

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The Jaguars improved the offense by adding Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas this offseason. However, the addition of Thomas won’t help Bortles’ cause right away this season.

Bortles threw just 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions during a rookie season in which the Jaguars’ passing offense ranked 31st in the NFL in 2014. Despite the addition of Thomas, Jacksonville’s offense is still young and needs quite a bit of time to develop.

There is little doubt that Bortles can rebound in years to come, but his upside this season is limited. He more than likely won’t gain rapport with his receivers quickly and remains stagnant on the fantasy football market.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

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Smith is the prototypical game manager in today’s NFL and is a liability in fantasy football leagues.

He didn’t throw a single touchdown pass to a wide receiver in 2014. He utilized tight ends Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce early on in the season, but the team focused on the run game for most of the season.

Smith’s statistics were impressive on paper in 2014, as he threw for 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions. However, the fact that head coach Andy Reid favors running back Jamaal Charles and the run game implies inconsistent fantasy football production for Smith.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

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Mariota is a dual-threat quarterback who has the potential to light up fantasy football leagues, but owners shouldn’t rely on him during his rookie season.

The Heisman-winning quarterback is surrounded with some favorable weapons with the Tennessee Titans. Wide receivers Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham and Justin Hunter all have potential to be game-breakers in the NFL.

The problem with Mariota is that dual-threat quarterbacks rarely adjust to the NFL level right away. Another candidate on this list, Robert Griffin III, had an excellent first season but has fallen off since. Mariota’s ability to run also brings up injury concerns for the Titans’ top pick.

Fantasy football owners should be patient with Mariota as he attempts to learn head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s offensive system. Until he can fully translate his talents to the NFL, however, he shouldn’t be counted on in fantasy football.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

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Cutler had a horrific 2014 season due to turnover problems and the absence of veteran receivers. He threw for 28 touchdowns last season but also 18 interceptions and led the Bears to a terrible 5-11 season.

Chicago traded away veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall this offseason, a target whom Cutler had great chemistry with. The team will now rely on first-round pick Kevin White and Alshon Jeffery to carry the load.

Head coach John Fox doesn’t seem convinced that Cutler is the future for the Bears, and time will only tell how long he will stay with the team. Cutler still has the potential to throw for high yardage, but his turnover woes and inability to perform well in big games make him a liability in fantasy football.

Nick Foles, St. Louis Rams

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Foles was traded to the St. Louis Rams in one of many moves made by the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. He has the potential to be a solid starting quarterback but lacks efficient receiving options with his new team.

Former first-round draft pick Tavon Austin has struggled to adjust to the NFL level, as he recorded just 242 receiving yards in 2014. The No. 2 receiver Kenny Britt has been unreliable due to a variety of injuries and inconsistent play when healthy.

Foles was poised to have a breakout year last season after an impressive year in 2013. However, he is not ready for the fantasy football spotlight just yet as the Rams continue to find their identity offensively.

Geno Smith, New York Jets

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Smith has been a major disappointment for the Jets since they selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He put up a total quarterback rating of just 44.3 and struggled to make quick decisions in former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s West Coast system last year.

The team upgraded Smith’s receiving corps this offseason by drafting Ohio State standout Devin Smith and acquiring proven veteran Brandon Marshall from the Bears. Regardless of the plethora of weapons that Smith now has at his disposal, he still has a long ways to go to become a standout quarterback in the NFL.

There is far too much risk associated with Smith as he continues his development. There is a chance he could break out with the help of his new receivers, but no one should bet on it.

Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles

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Bradford has looked decent as an NFL starting quarterback since entering the league in 2010, but he hasn’t played a single game since the 2013 season. He has been injury-prone and joins the Philadelphia Eagles with a lot of question marks associated with his play.

He was the second biggest name that the Eagles acquired in a barrage of moves this offseason. The team enhanced its rush attack by signing DeMarco Murray, but the Eagles let receiver Jeremy Maclin leave via free agency.

Bradford will have second-year receiver Jordan Matthews as his main target, a player who still needs to prove a lot in the NFL. The uncertainty of Bradford’s health combined with the absence of legitimate weapons in the passing attack makes him a liability for fantasy football owners.

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Winston, the No. 1 overall pick at this year’s NFL draft, brings a lot to the table for the Buccaneers. He was a winner at Florida State as he led the team to a national championship during the 2013 season.

He is a promising prospect but still has quite a bit of question marks with his game. He threw an abysmal 18 interceptions last season and often struggled early in games. However, his clutch play late in games and physical tools made him a viable pick for the Buccaneers.

The 21-year-old still has a long way to go in the NFL, and rookie quarterbacks usually aren’t very reliable in fantasy football. Winston has a few legitimate receiving targets in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, but fantasy owners would be wise to wait on adding him to their lineups.