Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Year after year, there are certain players that fantasy owners continue to overlook despite their undeniable success. One of those players is Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger put up career numbers last season, but is still being overlooked in fantasy drafts. He threw for 4,261 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Those were his most passing yards since 2009 and the 28 scores were his most since 2008. Roethlisberger threw for a career-high 584 times. His 513 attempts in 2011 was the next closest total.
As a result of all of these high numbers, Roethlisberger finished 12th among quarterbacks in standard ESPN.com leagues.
The Steelers went through a little bit of a change in the offseason. The team lost Emmanuel Sanders, but brought in former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore. Moore paired with Antonio Brown and sophomore Markus Wheaton could be a great threat for opposing defenses.
The team also has a good rushing game with Le’Veon Bell and the recent addition of LeGarrette Blount. Blount was arguably the best running back with the New England Patriots last season. While Bell is the No. 1 back, both he and Blount can catch a pass or two out of the backfield.
Entering the 2014 season, Roethlisberger is ranked as the 16th-best quarterback to draft. Looking at the other signal callers ranked ahead of him, I would put him 12th just based on the numbers. Roethlisberger was finally healthy, playing in all 16 games for the first time since 2008.
While doing mock drafts, I’ve seen Roethlisberger drop all the way until the 12th round. If you could select a top-12 quarterback that late in drafts, it gives you plenty of rounds to bolster the RB and WR positions.
Roethlisberger may not be drafted in a 10-team league, but he should get selected as a backup and ultimately make it as your starting quarterback by mid-season.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
