2011 NFL Free Agency Preview: Top 2 Fantasy Quarterbacks

Wondering which quarterback heads the 2011 free agent class? Take a look at our free agent quarterback preview to find out which two signal callers will make the biggest impact during the 2011 NFL fantasy football season...

Top Free-Agent Quarterbacks

Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks)

“The Bald Bomber” will turn 36 early in the 2011 season, and he’s expressed a desire to re-sign with the Seahawks as long as they make a fair financial offer.

Hasselbeck’s recent injury history is a concern, and he’s started all 16 games only once in the past five seasons. On the other hand, teams in need of a capable veteran will no doubt consider bringing him in.

Much of the recent speculation, including that of Hasselbeck’s brother (and ESPN analyst) Tim, suggests that the Tennessee Titans are a likely landing spot given his ties to the team’s front office and coaching staff. The Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals may also have him on their radar.

Hasselbeck could be useful to fantasy football owners in 2011, but a lot depends on what his role turns out to be. If he stays in Seattle, then he would definitely be the starter. Drafting him as a QB2 and potentially using him in match-up play in the Seahawks’ six games against fairly weak NFC West competitors might work out well. 

Hasselbeck would also be the likely starter and a decent fantasy option if he lands in Tennessee or Arizona. Age and injury history add to the risk for fantasy owners, so keep that in mind when compiling your fantasy football cheat sheets.

Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers)

Smith has been a disappointment to this point in his NFL career, and the fact the 49ers drafted Colin Kaepernick in April suggests his hold on the starting job could be tenuous going forward.  That said, new head coach Jim Harbaugh has suggested that Smith will be brought back to the team and may be the front runner for the starting job.

Smith himself seems committed to being a 49er,  as he has been at the helm of player-organized workouts during the lockout.  He is unlikely to have many alternatives on the open market if he is not retained by San Francisco, therefore Smith is likely to take whatever they offer him in a new contract.

From a fantasy football perspective, Smith could be a nice fit in Harbaugh’s version of the West Coast offense, and he has enough weapons at his disposal (Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree) to be successful if he can win and keep the starting job.  Smith could become a high end QB2 if everything falls into place.

You can check out other free agency previews here...

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