Fantasy football position rankings: Top 5 QBs

As the NFL preseason approaches, so does the draft day for fantasy football leagues everywhere. With that, it is important to all owners to have the information to help plan out a draft. So Informed and Unfiltered is here to break down all the text into the top five players at each position using ESPN's player rankings.
Before we get into that, let's go over a couple of things.
Number one: fantasy football is unpredictable. Surprises happen all of the time so the experts try to tell you what they think is probable. Berry said that nobody saw Kirk Cousins being a better player than Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, but it happened in fantasy football last year.
Number two: The rankings is specifically for a standard league so those of you in a point per reception league must dig a little deeper.
So now that you are a little prepared, we will basically go down the draft sheet from top to bottom. That means quarterbacks will be first today. The list will be a top five with five honorable mentions. You will have to find more details on honorable mentions on your own time.

No. 5 QB: Tom Brady

Despite being out for the first four games of the season, Tom Brady is projected as a No. 5 fantasy quarterback. Photo from downtrend.com

It is pretty unbelievable to think that Brady could be in the top five of Berry's rankings since he is missing the first fours weeks, but before we go there let's look at 2015 first. Of the top performers in fantasy last year, Brady had 4,770 pass yards (only Drew Brees had more), 36 touchdowns, seven interceptions and had a total of 335 points (good for second of all fantasy players).
Brady's suspension could be a spark for revenge that could make him still be in the top five, but of course it would take some serious production to get higher than five, but this ranking is plausible.
If his yards drop by 1,000 and his touchdowns drop by eight, that is still good enough to be top 10. I am not buying this ranking personally, but even a top 10 quarterback is good enough to be competitive.
Brady's 2016 projections are 3,324 pass yards, 26 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 229 points. Good for eighth of all quarterbacks.
Drafting Brady before the fourth round is a reach in my opinion, so try to take him anywhere from fifth to seventh. Of course this would depend on how many teams are in your respective league.

No. 4 QB: Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has been a solid fantasy quarterback since his rookie year, but there could be some questions on Wilson's production with Marshawn Lynch's retirement. Photo from sportsonearth.com

 Wilson has been an nothing but productive, and he had a phenomenal 2015 since he was the third best fantasy player. Wilson threw for 4,024 yards, 34 touchdowns (third most), eight interceptions and 322 points. Fantasy owners also get a juicy bonus from Wilson as he ran for 553 yards.
Now any person who pays attention to the NFL can tell you Wilson benefited from having Marshawn Lynch in his backfield. Defenses had to respect Lynch as a threat and it helped open up the rest of the offense for Wilson. That said, Wilson still had to make plays; and he did.
Wilson's 2016 projections are 3,689 pass yards, 34 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 495 rush yards and 302 points. Some of these numbers are down, but Wilson could be a top three quarterback according to ESPN.
Looking at these numbers still makes me wonder if it is realistic or if Wilson is actually due for a bad year.
Wilson does not have to be a pick earlier than the third round depending on the size of the league, and could be available in most 10 or 12 team leagues by the fourth round.

No. 3 QB: Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is coming off of an injury-plagued 2015, and the weight will still be on his shoulders to lead the Colts to the playoffs in 2016. Photo from nytimes.com

Let's face it; Luck had a horrendous 2015. He played in seven of the nine games the Colts had before their bye week, and never came back as he sat the rest of the season out.
But Luck deserves a pass for that because his offensive line did him no favors, and the Colts use a vertical passing offense so he was running for his life. He also threw a lot of interceptions (12), but to be clear he had no time to let plays develop.
You try playing with a lacerated kidney and see what happens. You probably would not even get on the field. Luck played a few games with it.
It is safe to expect more than 15 touchdowns from Luck as long as he stays healthy, but the interceptions will have you pulling your hair out.
Luck is still worth the risk though because his 2016 projections justify it. ESPN estimates 4,207 pass yards, 33 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 265 rush yards and 292 points.
Do not be surprised if Luck can cut down on the interceptions and add more rushing yards/touchdowns for some extra value.
Still, it may be wise to not take Luck earlier than the fourth round (depending on the league). Waiting later would be risky, but there may be some who will not want to risk investing their QB 1 slot on him. Maybe someone will get lucky (no pun intended, seriously).

No. 2 QB: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and in fantasy football. 2015 was a tough year without his favorite target Jordy Nelson, but Nelson is ready for 2016. Photo from sportsrapport.com

Rodgers has been a perennial top quarterback pick in fantasy football for several years, and it is no secret that he is considered to be one of the best in the NFL.
2015 was a difficult season for Rodgers as the biggest news of the preseason was Jordy Nelson's injury that kept him out the whole regular season.
Rodgers was ranked seventh of fantasy quarterbacks with 3,821 pass yards, 31 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 344 rush yards and 286 points. And that was a down year for the all-pro.
His favorite target (Nelson) is back, Eddie Lacy is expected to have better year after dropping some weight and that is enough to help Rodgers in his 2016 fantasy campaign.
There are some questions about the offensive line, but they have been there for years past and Rodgers still found a way to produce.
His 2016 projections show 4,236 pass yards, 33 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 238 rush yards and 312 points. Those extra points will help anybody who drafts Rodgers to win every week (and maybe a shot at a league championship.
If there is any doubt Rodgers cannot live up to the expectations they would be injury related.
The guy is very reliable, so if you have him on your draft board make sure to not let him go to the third round in your league.

No. 1 QB: Cam Newton

Cam Newton proved that he deserves to be in the conversation of top quarterback in the NFL and in fantasy football with his 2015 season. Can he improve -- or at least repeat -- his MVP season?

Newton was unbelievable last season, and the Panthers are hoping there is more where that came from.
Last year's MVP also ended the drought of Heisman underachievers -- at least the ones who won it before him. The verdict is not in the ones who won after him yet.
Newton's 2015 delivered 3,837 pass yards, 45 touchdowns (10 rushing), 10 interceptions, 636 rush yards and the most points of any fantasy player (373).
Matching those numbers will be tough -- especially the rushing touchdowns -- but it does not mean it is impossible. His physical prowess is obvious, and he showed he can make he offensive teammates better.
I am no longer a doubter, but even if his points take a 50 point dip a fantasy team can still win with Newton as QB 1.
ESPN's 2016 projections for Newton include 3,781 pass yards, 34 touchdowns (5 rushing), 13 interceptions, 682 rushing yards and 335 points.
Newton will be like every other top fantasy player coming off of a season like the year before. He will be highly coveted, and will be on every person's draft board.
I would not recommend picking him in the first round, but someone in your league will -- and it is logical. It is truly a judgment call for every person drafting.

*Honorable mentions for quarterbacks 6-10 include Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers

Tom Brady's submission is not a guilty admission

New England's quarterback Tom Brady ended his fight against the NFL with a loss, and he is not used to losing.
He's been a target of the league for several months after the DeflateGate scandal that still has no conclusion, but needed a scapegoat.
Might as well be Tom as the league looked like amateur night trying to find out how deflated footballs were in the Patriots' equipment.
The league took its time trying to find any evidence that proved Brady to be involved in the controversial game that eventually led to a championship.
In my opinion, they failed. And they knew it.
The NFL behaved liked the scorned ex-girlfriend who was ready to claim their relationship was never fulfilling.
It constantly pushed to get Brady at any cost; even if it meant looking foolish and appearing babyish.
In the end, the NFL got what they wanted, even if it meant assassinating one of the greatest stars the league has.
Cheating was the No. 1 claim of this situation, but cheating happens on every play.
The league wants you to believe that Brady cheated by having footballs that were below league standards for PSI, but Aaron Rodgers expressed his desire to have footballs that were over the PSI limit.
Has he been investigated? The answer is no.
The NFL needed a scapegoat, much like MLB needed Alex Rodriguez to be the fall guy for P.E.D. use.

Photo by cbssports.com - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it his career goal to take down Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. In the end, all he did was hurt the shield.

The NFL has prided itself on being the most progressive league in professional sports, but this comes across as a pissing contest that Goodell was not willing to lose.
Be careful players. The league made a line. And what was traditionally practiced and preached will no longer be tolerated. DO NOT CHEAT...

WWE possibly leaked SmackDown GM on mobile site

Photo from bleacherreport.com - Vince McMahon (right) appointed Stephanie McMahon (center) and Shane McMahon (left) as commissioners of Monday Night RAW and SmackDown respectively to conclude the episode on July 11.

Last night's Monday Night RAW confirmed what the WWE Universe has been expecting for several weeks.
Company CEO Vince McMahon announced that Stephanie McMahon would be commissioner of RAW, and Shane McMahon would have the same title for SmackDown.
The Internet has been buzzing over a blunder on WWE's mobile site that had a headline indicating SmackDown's GM would be a certain pioneer of the "Yes! Movement" even though it is all but official.
I heard the news on YouTube's JD From NY "Off the Script" podcast. July 19 is when SmackDown goes live, and the WWE draft will reveal which show the superstars will be on.
Should the leak hold up, SmackDown will have a Shane-O-Mac overseeing the blue brand, and Daniel Bryan would be responsible for the day-to-day operations.
No doubt this should be an exciting pairing for the WWE Universe as SmackDown is moving in a positive direction that is truly something new.
RAW has more of an ambiguous future as Stephanie represents the old format before Shane's return to reclaim his seat at the table.
At this point the question is about which commissioner will have the better draft, show and booking. The WWE Universe is watching and many speculate it could be the blue brand.
Only time will tell.

Photo from tvline.com - Since Daniel Bryan retired he has been involved in other ways from training with Nikki Bella to doing color commentary for the upcoming Cruiserweight Classic on the WWE Network. Bryan is a shoe-in for SmackDown GM.

Dwyane Wade's move from Heat to Bulls best for all parties involved

The Dwyane Wade era in Miami is officially over as the veteran guard decided his immediate future is in his original hometown instead of the glamorous city that adopted him.

Different Heat fans are probably feeling different emotions in reaction to the news. Shock, anger, sadness and despair just to name a few. 

The writing was on the wall though as the crack in the relationship between Wade and the organization grew to the size of a canyon.

Both sides could not come to an agreement on money, and money had been something Wade expected to receive after years of flexibility to allow the team to make moves that led the Heat to multiple championships.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst was reporting Wade sought a deal of two years for $50 million, but the Heat were negotiating a $40 million price tag.

Photo from huffingtonpost.com - Dwyane Wade (above center) will go down as the greatest Miami Heat player in team history to date, but how long will it take for Wade and the Heat to repair the damage done to the relationship?

It is also conceivable that Wade felt cast aside when the Heat made Hassan Whiteside a priority over him. Whiteside was open about wanting a deal on the first day of free agency, and if Miami did not have one he would be looking elsewhere.

Team President Pat Riley typically wins in these games of free agency poker, but he called Whiteside's bet and lost the hand.

Seeing this, Wade should have felt less desired. He was the face of the franchise, and he brought three championships to an organization that had none before he arrived.

Wade wanted to finish his career in Miami, and he wanted to be the team's highest paid player.

But when one reviews the situation really close, this is quite possibly the best thing for so many pieces in this puzzle.

For Wade, it is a homecoming to his native Chicagoland. The fans will love his return, the local media (and perhaps the national media) will play up the narrative that he came home -- but not quite like LeBron James and Cleveland.

Wade's former teammates, Chris Bosh and Whiteside benefit because Bosh can be the centerpiece of a team for the first time since leaving Toronto (assuming his body cooperates). Whiteside will also get more opportunities on offense, and that could lead to a more engaged, focused Whiteside on both sides of the court.

Photo by si.com - Hassan Whiteside got paid this summer. With Wade headed to Chicago, Whiteside should expect more touches on offense. A happy Hassan could be a more productive Hassan.

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler inherits a superstar veteran who can mentor him to become a consummate professional, and corporate sponsors love guys like that. Butler has not shown the desire to be a shill, but maybe Wade can teach the youngster to maximize his career earnings by showing some personality. Plus, Butler will not have to feel the pressure to score with help from Wade.

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and Riley will not have to question whether it was wrong or right to overpay Wade (like the Lakers did with Kobe Bryant) for an aging star passed his prime. Instead, they can look to the future right now and begin the new blueprint for a championship contender.

The city of Miami may be in pain right now, yet it is better to enjoy the good times with Wade than risk his decline to be similar to Kobe's in Los Angeles -- a broken, old horse that should have been sent to the pastures before it was too late.

Bosh, Whiteside, Butler, Arison, Riley, Chicago and Miami should be happy with this; or at least ok.

Most importantly, Wade will get the love from his hometown, the money ($47 million) from a team that inspired his NBA dream and the satisfaction of finally stopping the Heat from taking advantage of his generosity.