We’ve looked at the free agent wide receivers and tight ends the last two days. Now it’s on the quarterbacks, in order of possible fantasy value. Not big stars sitting out there. Nobody’s going to break the bank.
FREE AGENT QUARTERBACKS
1. Colt McCoy (Wash.)
He had a couple of decent starts last year. Robert Griffin III has had problems picking up a conventional NFL offense. If RG3 continues to struggle (or if he gets hurt) McCoy potentially could step in and put up top-15 type passing numbers. Not so much that he’s a great passer, but that’s an aggressive passing scheme Jay Gruden runs. McCoy isn’t any better than the other top half-dozen quarterbacks, but he’ll probably re-sign with Washington (unless the team decides to go after a higher-profile quarterbacking option).
2. Ryan Mallett (Hou.)
Probably will re-sign with the Texans, making him a candidate to be their starter. They put him into the lineup at midseason last year. He passed for 211 yards and 2 TDs in a win at Cleveland, then struggled in a home loss to the Bengals, completing only 21 of 45 for 189 yards in a 22-13 loss. No mobility.
3. Jake Locker (Tenn.)
Doesn’t seem to have the necessary accuracy of decision-making ability, but Chip Kelly is supposedly interested in him. If the Eagles sign Locker and he becomes their backup quarterback, there would be the potential he might click at some point in that offense. Kelly hasn’t gotten big numbers at times out of Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez, and those aren’t franchise-type passers. Locker has a lot more mobility than either of those guys, which is a plus.
4. Mark Sanchez (Phil.)
After taking over halfway through last season, he was OK for a few games, then he fizzled. Throws too many interceptions. Probably will be a backup somewhere on opening day.
5. Brian Hoyer (Clev.)
Has physical limitations and isn’t accurate enough. Really tailed off late last year. But right now he’s still a lot better than Johnny Football. Potentially will re-sign with the Browns, and he’d be in the mix to be their opening day starter again. If not with Cleveland, probably would be a No. 2 somewhere else.
6. Michael Vick (NYJ)
He’ll be 35 on opening day, so he no longer has the legendary speed that once tortured NFL defenses. He has to rely more on his arm now, and he’s never quite had the necessary timing and decision making. Fumbles more often than any other quarterback. Probably will be a No. 2 somewhere.
7. Jason Campbell (Cin.)
Backup in Cincinnati last year, where he was a relationship with Hue Jackson (they worked together with the Raiders). If Andy Dalton gets hurt or plays his way onto the bench, Campbell probably would be next in line.
8. Shaun Hill (St.L.)
Had a couple of decent starts in the second half of last year. Probably will re-sign with the Rams, where he’d be in the mix to be the No. 2 behind oft-injured Sam Bradford.
9. Jimmy Clauson (Chi.)
He washed out with the Panthers (in part because they drafted Cam Newton No. 1 overall after his first year) but Clauson has some throwing talent, and it’s possible he’ll still develop. When the Bears tossed him into the starting lineup last year, he didn’t look any different than Jay Cutler, completing 23 of 39 against Detroit, with 2 TDs.
10. Luke McCown (N.O.)
He’s not much of a quarterback, but the Saints are re-signing him, and he’ll be their backup again. If something happens to Drew Brees, that system is passer-friendly enough that McCown potentially could have some decent statistical games.
11. Christian Ponder (Minn.)
Former first-round pick in Minnesota, but he washed out there, and he hasn’t shown enough that it’s likely he’ll even be a backup when the 2015 season begins. Has some running ability.
12. Matt Flynn (G.B.)
Aaron Rodgers is more likely than the other franchise quarterbacks to get hurt, and Flynn has shown some ability to step in and put up good numbers in that offense. Most notably, he passed for 480 yards and 6 TDs in a game against Detroit. But he hasn’t physical limitaions (a pop-gun arm), and he’s not even sure to be their No. 2. They also have Scott Tolzien, whom you can call 12B or 13 on this list.
14. Tyrod Taylor (Balt.)
Backup for Ravens the last three years. Doesn’t seem to be much of a thrower, and Joe Flacco doesn’t get hurt, but Taylor is more mobile than two thirds of the starting quarterbacks around the league. Ravens have a new offensive coordinator (Marc Trestman) who made Chicago’s passers look really good in 2013, but we’ll see if Taylor is Trestman’s kind of guy.
15. T.J. Yates (Atl.)
Falcons have a new coaching staff and a new offense, and we’ll need to see if they want Yates back for another year as their backup. Matt Ryan doesn’t get hurt anyway.
16. Tarvaris Jackson (Sea.)
Seattle’s backup the last two years. Russell Wilson is small and runs a lot, but he doesn’t seem to take many hard hits from defenses.
17. Matt Moore (Mia.)
Ryan Tannehill is entrenched as Miami’s starting quarterback. Moore unlikely to interest other teams.
18. Dan Orlovsky (Det.)
Still best known for taking a safety while unintentionally running out of his own end zone way back when. Unlikely to be a backup this year.
19. Ryan Lindley (Ariz.)
Doesn’t seem to have enough throwing ability that any team would trust him as their No. 2 quarterback.
20. Joe Webb (Car.)
Elite athlete who hasn’t developed enough as a passer.
21. Blaine Gabbert (S.F.)
Terrible in Jacksonville, and didn’t look any better with San Francisco, where he completed only 47 percent in the preseason.
22. Matt Hasselbeck (Ind.)
League’s oldest quarterback – a half year older than Peyton Manning. Potentially could stick around another year as a mentor for Andrew Luck.
23. Josh Johnson (S.F.)
Athletic ability is there, but he’s been around for quite a few years and his career hasn’t never come close to getting off the ground. Will be fortunate if he can land a No. 3 job.
—Ian Allan