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Let's talk about RJ's favorite whipping boy, who was probably delusional yesterday when he declared on the Michael Kay show that he's in "Tom Brady's class." Let's not get carried away, Eli.
But he is a solid, undervalued fantasy QB that generally costs far less than the stats should attain for you. Basically, he's not a QB that a fantasy owner seeks out, but once they get him, they feel like they have a solid option at the QB spot.
The good thing about Eli is the positives outweigh the really large negative.
Positives
- has been steadily getting better throughout his 7-year career, as his completion % has increased from 53% to 63% from '05 to '10
- two consecutive 4,000 yard campaigns
- six straight seasons of 21+ TDs, including a career high 31 last year (4th in the NFL)
- finished 5th in passing yards, 4th in passing TDs & 9th in completion % in 2010
- is amazingly consistent as a fantasy performer: he's been the 5th - 14th ranked QB in fantasy points for the last six seasons, making him a solid low-end QB1
- has an All Pro WR in Hakeem Nicks and an emerging threat in Mario Manningham, as well as a solid running game to take the pressure off
- doesn't get sacked -- just 16 last year (Jay Cutler led with 52)
- extremely durable -- he's never missed a game in his 7-year NFL career
Negatives
- uhhh, those interceptions: an atrocious 25 INTs last season -- the second season of his career with 20+ picks
- uhhh, those fumbles: 7 fumbles last year, 59 in his career. He's had two seasons of 13 fumbles
- no running ability
- with all of his turnovers, doesn't inspire confidence of getting the big play (that's less about fantasy, more about real-life)
- lost a few key cogs : Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, a couple of offensive linemen
You'd have to believe the turnovers will come down -- in 2008, he only threw 10 INTs. I don't expect another 20+ INT season.
Overall, love him or hate him, you can bank on a full season from Eli and safely expect 3,800+ yards and 25+ TDs. If your league doesn't penalize for turnovers, he's even more valuable.
But he is a solid, undervalued fantasy QB that generally costs far less than the stats should attain for you. Basically, he's not a QB that a fantasy owner seeks out, but once they get him, they feel like they have a solid option at the QB spot.
The good thing about Eli is the positives outweigh the really large negative.
Positives
- has been steadily getting better throughout his 7-year career, as his completion % has increased from 53% to 63% from '05 to '10
- two consecutive 4,000 yard campaigns
- six straight seasons of 21+ TDs, including a career high 31 last year (4th in the NFL)
- finished 5th in passing yards, 4th in passing TDs & 9th in completion % in 2010
- is amazingly consistent as a fantasy performer: he's been the 5th - 14th ranked QB in fantasy points for the last six seasons, making him a solid low-end QB1
- has an All Pro WR in Hakeem Nicks and an emerging threat in Mario Manningham, as well as a solid running game to take the pressure off
- doesn't get sacked -- just 16 last year (Jay Cutler led with 52)
- extremely durable -- he's never missed a game in his 7-year NFL career
Negatives
- uhhh, those interceptions: an atrocious 25 INTs last season -- the second season of his career with 20+ picks
- uhhh, those fumbles: 7 fumbles last year, 59 in his career. He's had two seasons of 13 fumbles
- no running ability
- with all of his turnovers, doesn't inspire confidence of getting the big play (that's less about fantasy, more about real-life)
- lost a few key cogs : Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, a couple of offensive linemen
You'd have to believe the turnovers will come down -- in 2008, he only threw 10 INTs. I don't expect another 20+ INT season.
Overall, love him or hate him, you can bank on a full season from Eli and safely expect 3,800+ yards and 25+ TDs. If your league doesn't penalize for turnovers, he's even more valuable.
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