Commentary by Daniel Drury
As we get ready for the 2014 fantasy football season, people will be comparing quarterbacks all around the NFL. It is not set in stone that EJ Manuel and Christian Ponder will be starting for their respective teams just yet, and that is why they are not considered top fantasy football options. The two Florida State products could still have productive seasons if a few things go their way.
Manuel is preparing for his 2nd season at the NFL level, and he showed some signs of success in fantasy football last year for the Buffalo Bills. If Buffalo is completely dedicated to spending another year rebuilding a little bit, they will give Manuel a chance to grow as a quarterback. Many people have him rated somewhere in the 25-30 range as far as quarterback prospects are concerned.
As for the man he once backed up, Christian Ponder has a little bit of a different situation ahead of him. He is still on the Minnesota Vikings, and there is a decent chance that he is the best quarterback on the roster right now. He would need to find a way to be out Matt Cassel, but he would probably be able to pull it off. However, there is a very good chance that Minnesota goes after a quarterback in the NFL draft next week. That rookie they draft could very well have the inside track to start on day one. Considering that Ponder could find himself as the 3rd string quarterback by the 1st week of the regular season, he is a fantasy football risk at this point in time.
Both quarterbacks had quite a bit of success at Florida State, and they helped lay the foundation for one of the best programs in the country right now. At the NFL level, neither is an elite quarterback at this time. Manuel not only has the better potential, but he also should be the best in 2014 since he has more opportunities.
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