As training camps get underway across the league, let’s take a look at some of the more divisive second-year players. These are players who either exceeded expectations as a rookie or fell short – excluding the more obvious names like Jeremy Hill, Mike Evans or any other 2014 rookie who faces little dissension among the fantasy community.
Below, we’ll assess each player’s circumstances and outlook moving forward relative to his average draft position.
SELL
QB – Blake Bortles (Current ADP 151)
The Ben Roethlisberger parallels proved unfounded as Bortles turned in a 69.5 rating and completed 58.9 percent of his passes in 13 starts, with 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. For comparison’s sake, Big Ben posted a 98.1 rating as a rookie, completed 66.4 percent of his passes and engineered six game-winning drives while throwing for 17 TDs and 11 INTs. Granted, just because a rookie quarterback struggles is hardly an indication his future is doomed – Peyton Manning threw a record 28 picks in his debut season.
Bortles does still possess the size and ability to extend plays with his feet that prompted those Roethlisberger comparisons. But the second-year pro also still has several mechanical issues to fix – most notably a slow release – which Bortles himself admitted remains a work in progress. The lack of established weapons in Jacksonville is also unlikely to accelerate his development. As PFF’s 29th-ranked quarterback with an ADP in the 12th round (in 12-team leagues), you’re better off looking elsewhere among a deep quarterback pool for your backup.
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