Wait, did New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning actually put together a decent season last year? *Gasp*
Manning will have to cut down on the total turnovers (21) this year, as usual, but from a fantasy football perspective, he wasn't bad. He threw for 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns. More importantly, he completed 60.4 percent of his passes thrown 11-20 yards downfield for 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Manning's vertical passing game is still on point which will keep teams honest and help New York's offense. But it's also a good sign for fantasy owners because it means Manning can still make plays. In fact, ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner believes Manning is being undervalued in fantasy football this year.
"Manning led my 2015 NO Respect fantasy football team because fantasy owners are treating him more like 'Bad Comedian Eli Manning' than a high-volume passer who is surrounded by top-quality pass-catchers," Joyner wrote.
"In Weeks 9-17 last season, Manning was tied with Drew Brees for the most pass attempts in the league (391). If that pace continues, and if Manning has a full season of throwing the ball to Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and Shane Vereen, he should easily be able to surpass his No. 10 fantasy quarterback point ranking from last season and even push for a top-five mark."
This isn't the first time someone has suggested Manning as a top five option. And, honestly, it isn't out of the question. Beckham managed to haul in 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games. What will he be able to do with an extra month of playing time?
Cruz is returning from a notoriously difficult injury, so not even the Giants know if he has anything left. But he's still young enough (28) and talented enough (2,628 receiving yards from 2011-2012) to help out. Vereen, meanwhile, has made a career out of being a capable pass-catching option out of the backfield. Throw in tight end Larry Donnell and some good luck and you got yourself a recipe for fantasy success.
Manning is stocked with quality offensive skill position players which gives him a decent floor and an impressive ceiling. An 11th round pick is peanuts to pay for a guy with top five upside. Go for it if you can.
