Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
ADP: 165th overall, QB26
A 37-year-old who averaged 6.1 yards per attempt last season probably isn't suddenly due for a resurgence. But Manning's ADP nearly leaves him undrafted in most leagues -- an odd juxtaposition since the Giants have three skill players (Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham, and Evan Engram) ranked inside the top-seven at their respective positions.
There's no denying that Manning, in addition to declining in 2017, struggled badly without Beckham. The 14-year vet averaged 278.2 yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 17.1 fantasy points (including two top-11 finishes) through the first four games with Beckham. Without OBJ from Week 5 on, Manning averaged much lower marks in fantasy points (10.7), passing yards (214), and touchdowns (1.1).
Fortunately, new Giants coach Pat Shurmur has coordinated several fantasy viable quarterbacks in the last five seasons.
Season | Player | Starts | YPG | YPA | Fantasy PPG | Weekly Top-10 Finishes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Nick Foles | 13 | 222.3 | 9.1 | 19.9 | 7 |
2014 | Nick Foles | 8 | 270.3 | 6.9 | 14.9 | 2 |
2014 | Mark Sanchez | 8 | 277 | 7.7 | 15.8 | 4 |
2015 | Sam Bradford | 14 | 266 | 7 | 13.9 | 3 |
2016 | Sam Bradford | 15 | 258.4 | 7.02 | 14.7 | 2 |
2017 | Sam Bradford | 2 | 191 | 8.8 | 13.4 | 1 |
2017 | Case Keenum | 14 | 243.3 | 7.4 | 16.1 | 6 |
New offensive coordinator Mike Shula had a running back finish in the top-20 in carries in each of the last three seasons (with all three instances coincidently involving Jonathan Stewart, who signed with New York in the offseason). With both Shurmur and Shula having averaged a top-five run rate with their respective offenses last year, it's safe to assume the Giants (62% pass rate in 2017) will lean on Barkley in hopes that a running game makes Manning more efficient.
With good weapons around him, Manning is pretty appealing at this price, especially in a format like best ball, where he's (hopefully) not in your starting lineup during his dud weeks and you can enjoy the highs.