2014 Fantasy Football: Top 5 QB Sleepers After Preseason Week 3

Top 5 QB Sleepers In Fantasy Football After Preseason Week 3

Phillip Rivers
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Now that most, if not all, NFL franchises have announced who their starting QB's are to start the season, the position becomes a tad more clear in fantasy football. There's some solid options being undervalued that are available later in the draft than statistics warrant.

Here's a look at the top five QB sleepers after Preseason Week 3.

5. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

 Arizona Cardinals Carson Palmer
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5. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

 Arizona Cardinals Carson Palmer
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Palmer isn't receiving a ton of love in fantasy football circles, evidenced by his 12th round ADP, but he is a better option than most are anticipating. 2013 was his first campaign with the Arizona Cardinals and there was undoubtedly a learning curve he faced to get acclimated with their receivers and playbook. Palmer still threw for 4,274 yards (eighth in the NFL) and 24 TDs. If he can stay away from turnovers, he's a solid late option.

4. Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Matt Cassel
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4. Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings Matt Cassel
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Cassel only started six of the nine games he played in during the 2013 campaign and still pushed almost 2,000 yards (1,807) and threw for 11 TDs. If you prorate those statistics over 16 games, he throws over 4,000 yards and 24 TDs. Now that he has been named as the starter, he can settle into his role with the Vikings and continue to build a rapport with their receiving corps. If he remains the starter all season, he will provide great value.

3. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns

 Cleveland Browns Brian Hoyer
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3. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns

 Cleveland Browns Brian Hoyer
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Hoyer needs to have a solid showing to start the 2014 campaign with Johnny Manziel breathing down his neck for the starting gig in Cleveland. He was solid in his three 2013 starts (615 yards, five TDs) but was also playing with WR Josh Gordon who will be suspended to start the season. Expect Hoyer to either crash or burn, but if he keeps the job all season, he is going to be a tremendous bargain considering he is going virtually undrafted.

2. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh McCown
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2. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh McCown
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McCown has the potential to be a stellar fantasy option in 2014 considering where he is being drafted most often (14th round ADP) and warrants a spot as your QB2 in either standard, or two-QB settings. Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will make for a top NFL WR duo for the Buccaneers, who are not playing against a ton of impressive secondaries this season. Don't miss out.

1. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers Phillip Rivers
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1. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers Phillip Rivers
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Rivers is the biggest QB sleeper heading into the 2014 campaign, and possibly in fantasy football overall. He is being drafted most often in the ninth-round despite his impressive 2013 season -- 4,478 yards, 32 TDs, and a 69.5 completion percent, which was first in the NFL. If you are going to wait to draft a QB and load up elsewhere early in the draft, make sure to take Rivers before the ninth-round to guarantee his availability.

Timothy Downs is a St. Louis Rams/NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.


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