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Jaguars lock up Bortles

Erratic starter has been productive fantasy option

The same day that there was a report of the Jaguars possibly exploring other quarterback options, that report became obsolete. Jacksonville has given Blake Bortles a brand-new three-year deal, that ties him to the team through 2020. It seems like a good thing for his fantasy prospects.

While Bortles has never fully proven himself to be a clear franchise quarterback -- he was nearly benched in the preseason for Chad Henne -- he has been a quality fantasy quarterback. He's been a relatively productive passer (albeit often in garbage-time), and with his rushing production added in, an above-average fantasy one. He'll continue to deliver those numbers as a Jaguar.

In Bortles' three full seasons as a starter, there have been 52 300-point fantasy seasons by NFL quarterbacks; about 17 per year. Bortles has reached that total in each of those years; he has two of the top 25 seasons in that span. (Scoring system of 1 point for every 10 rushing and 20 passing yards, with 4-point TD passes and 6-point TD runs.)

In the table, 300-point fantasy seasons from last year are in bold.

TOP FANTASY QUARTERBACKS, 2015-2017
YearPlayerPaYdTDP2 PtRuYdTDFFPts
2015Cam Newton, Car.383735063610455
2016Aaron Rodgers, G.B.44284023694446
2016Drew Brees, N.O.5208370202422
2017Russell Wilson, Sea. 3,9833425863416
2016Matt Ryan, Atl.49443821170415
2015Blake Bortles, Jac.44283513102406
2015Tom Brady, N.E.4770360533406
2015Russell Wilson, Sea.40243405531399
2016Andrew Luck, Ind.42403123412386
2015Carson Palmer, Ariz.4671350241382
2016Kirk Cousins, Wash.4917250964379
2015Drew Brees, N.O.4870320141379
2015Eli Manning, NYG4436350610368
2017Cam Newton, Car.3,3022217546367
2017Tom Brady, N.E. 4,577322280364
2015Aaron Rodgers, G.B.38213143441363
2015Kirk Cousins, Wash.4166292485363
2015Matthew Stafford, Det.42623201591363
2015Philip Rivers, S.D.4792292280362
2015Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ39053102702358
2016Philip Rivers, S.D.4386330350355
2017Kirk Cousins, Wash.4,0932701794355
2017Matthew Stafford, Det.4,446292980352
2016Blake Bortles, Jac.39052323594351
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.40422212106349
2017Alex Smith, K.C. 4,0422603551348
2016Matthew Stafford, Det.43272412072347
2016Jameis Winston, T.B.40902831651345
2015Derek Carr, Oak.39873211380343
2016Dak Prescott, Dall.36672302826340
2017Philip Rivers, LAC 4,515280-20338
2016Russell Wilson, Sea.42192112592335
2017Carson Wentz, Phil.3,2963342990335
2017Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.4,251282470333
2015Ryan Tannehill, Mia.42082411411329
2017Dak Prescott, Dall.3,3242203576326
2016Derek Carr, Oak.3937285700326
2016Andy Dalton, Cin.42061801844325
2016Marcus Mariota, Tenn.34262603492322
2017Drew Brees, N.O.4,334230122322
2015Matt Ryan, Atl.4591211630322
2016Joe Flacco, Balt.4317204582322
2016Carson Palmer, Ariz.4233261380321
2016Cam Newton, Car.35091923595321
2016Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.3819293141320
2015Alex Smith, K.C.34862024982320
2017Blake Bortles, Jac.3,6872133222319
2016Tyrod Taylor, Buff.30231725806317
2015Tyrod Taylor, Buff.30352015684315
2017Jared Goff, LAR 3,804280511313
2016Eli Manning, NYG4027260-90304
2015Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.3938218290300

There are no doubt protections built into the contract so Jacksonville can move on if Bortles struggles and his errors are more significant than his contributions. But in 2018, he should be another good fantasy quarterback.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index