The list of elite quarterbacks in the NFL hasn't changed all that much over the course of the last several seasons, as the Tom Brady and Peyton Manning type players are still right there at the top of the list of every fantasy football draft. However, there are others as well who are going to challenge for the passing title in 2015, making this one of the most convoluted seasons to try to figure out the top quarterback in league history.
Odds to have the most passing yards in 2015
Andrew Luck +255
Ben Roethlisberger +525
Aaron Rodgers +802
Drew Brees +876
Peyton Manning +1153
Matt Ryan +787
Matt Stafford +1066
Eli Manning +977
Philip Rivers +4000
Tony Romo +2509
Ryan Tannehill +5000
Carson Palmer +7000
Sam Bradford +4415
Joe Flacco +7500
Jay Cutler +5000
Jameis Winston +5500
Tom Brady +1855
Andy Dalton +9500
Derek Carr +9500
Cam Newton +9500
Teddy Bridgewater +9000
Russell Wilson +15000
Nick Foles +15000
Robert Griffin III +15000
Alex Smith +20000
Blake Bortles +10000
Colin Kaepernick +6000
Marcus Mariota +7500
Josh McCown +20000
Ryan Fitzpatrick +25000
Brian Hoyer +25000
Unlike receiving or rushing where there are so many players who can lead the league in those categories thanks to injuries or just flat out dumb luck, quarterbacks are a lot easier to handicap. It isn't often that one of the top-tier QBs goes down with an injury, and the likelihood doesn't seem to be any higher for an older quarterback than a younger one. In other words, the playing field is rather level, and there are pretty much only nine guys who can legitimately lead the NFL in passing. The trick is finding the right one of the nine.
The case for Andrew Luck is simple. He might be the best young quarterback in the game right now, and he has a new weapon to throw to in Andre Johnson, who should be an upgrade on Reggie Wayne. The Colts are going to let him throw the ball as often as he needs to, and as Chuck Pagano has proven, he can throw the ball late in games with Indy ahead, too. Whether he's worthy of being less than a 3 to 1 favorite to lead the league in passing though, is a bit suspect.
Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger actually tied last year atop the passing charts at 4,952 yards. Brees is going to put the pill up another 600+ times this year without a solid passing game, though without Jimmy Graham there as his security blanket, we just don't know if he is going to flirt with 5,000 yards or not.
Big Ben needed just 608 pass attempts and 38 fewer completions than Brees to reach the near-5,000 yard plateau, and we suspect he'll do so again this year. We just wish Martavis Bryant wasn't suspended for the first four games of the season.
Manning and Brady are the two mainstays on this list. Manning threw for 4,727 yards, while Brady threw for 4,109 last year. Both are still capable, even at their advanced ages to throw for 5,000 yards. Brady has a bit more motivation this year, knowing that he spent the whole offseason defending himself in the "Deflategate" scandal.
Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford are the only other logical choices as we see it, and all three have a lot in common. None of the three have elite running games (though Rodgers' game with Eddie Lacy is a heck of a lot stronger now than it was before), and all three have truly elite receivers.
Stafford now has two awesome targets in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to throw to. If he ever puts together the offensive line to protect him, he could throw for 5,500 yards if given the chance.
Rodgers won't throw the ball as often as the other two of these three, but he also has one of the best deep threats in the NFL in Randall Cobb. With Jordy Nelson out for the year though, Rodgers becomes a tougher sell.
Matty Ice might actually be the best play of the bunch. He threw the ball 628 times last year, and another 600+ is almost a certainty. Julio Jones is still a monster, and though Roddy White's best days are behind him, he could still easily have 1,000 yards this year once again if he can stay healthy.
The NFL lines for all of the Week 1 games surfaced at BookMaker Sportsbook before anywhere else on the internet. Gamble on the games as they are playing out between every commercial break with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today!
