Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (ADP: 100)

From 2012-2017, Matthew Stafford finished as the QB10 or better in all but one season. Last year, Stafford had his worst season yet, finishing as the QB19. There were viable reasons though as to why Stafford finished poorly.

First, the Detroit Lions welcomed in a new head coach in Matt Patricia. Patricia is known as a defensive guy, coming from the New England Patriots previously as a defensive coordinator. A new season under a rookie head coach is not normally a recipe for success. Following a year to build the relationship, Stafford should improve in this offense on experience alone.

Following the season, it was reported that Stafford played 2018 with a broken back. It’s unclear exactly when the injury occurred, but it’s believed to have been in the latter half of the season. Regardless, if Stafford was dealing with back pain for a number of games, it’s no wonder that he threw for less than 4,000 yards for the first time in his career.

Let us also not forget that the Lions traded away their number one wide receiver, Golden Tate, to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the NFL trade deadline. Safe to say that the odds were heavily stacked against Stafford.

As mentioned, Stafford finished as the QB19, the worst of his career, with all of that going on. Going into 2019, Stafford is being drafted as the QB24, even in Superflex fantasy football leagues. In Superflex, Stafford is going off boards in the ninth round, just a few spots behind Carr.

Some are skeptical because the Lions are expected to run heavy with Kerryon Johnson and new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell calling the shots. That’s a fair assessment, and by no means would I suggest Stafford in one quarterback leagues, but he’s well worth a shot in Superflex or 2-QB leagues.