ESPN recently released its first edition of fantasy football player rankings for the 2015 season. While this list will undergo significant changes between now and the start of the season, one thing to note early on was San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's ranking. Kaep was viewed as the 15th best fantasy QB and No. 176 overall.
Is that too high, too low, or just right?
"It wasn't long ago that Kaepernick was a fantasy beast, rather than living in a fantasy world with his regrettable social media post this week comparing himself to the deadly storms and flooding that rocked Houston," ESPN's Paul Gutierrez wrote. "But 15th among QBs, 176th overall? How the mighty (fantasy figures) have fallen. Kaepernick is still a dual threat with his speed and cannon for an arm, and the arrivals of deep threat Torrey Smith and pass-catching running back Reggie Bush should help Kaepernick's continued development as a pocket passer. Still, it's hard to shake the fact that despite Kaepernick being perhaps the most mobile quarterback in the NFL, he still was sacked more than any quarterback in the league. And while that might be more a reflection of a leaky offensive line, the Niners' line again appears in flux, with the right side - guard Alex Boone and tackle Anthony Davis - choosing to sit out voluntary OTAs, center Daniel Kilgore coming back from a broken ankle and left guard wide open."
There's no doubt that San Fran's offense regressed significantly last season and that Kaepernick wasn't helping matters. He posted the lowest pass-rating (86.4) and QBR (55.9) of his career since being named the starter in 2012. But have you seen some of the quarterbacks ahead of Kaep?
I would not feel safe with Ryan Tannehill (No. 11) or Eli Manning (No. 12) as my full-time starter at the position and I don't believe either QB has the potential upside as Kaepernick from a fantasy perspective. Sure, Manning will have a full season with Odell Beckham Jr. and a (hopefully) healthy Victor Cruz. But do you really expect him to match last season's lowest interception total since 2009? And I know Ryan Tannehill just got a big new contract and finished No. 9 in QB fantasy points last year, but his downfield passing woes still scare me. Overall, Kaep finished just 32 fantasy points behind Tannehill, a difference that could easily be made up by San Fran's rumored emphasis on QB runs this year.
I'm not saying that Kaepernick is about to become a trustworthy weekly starter in fantasy football. But I do believe his combination of passing and running offers a unique ceiling that Tannehill and Manning do not share.
