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Jameis Winston

Productive quarterback facing (short) suspension

When the magazine comes out, Jameis Winston's lofty ranking might surprise some readers. But while his season-long numbers weren't terribly impressive, recall that he suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined or limited him for six games. When fully healthy, he was awfully productive. But sounds like he'll need to be moved down a little due to a suspension.

Winston is apparently facing a suspension due to a March 2016 Uber incident; the wheels of punishment moves slowly at times. The report indicates the suspension isn't likely to be more than three games, and perhaps only one. Big difference; drafting a quarterback as a starter who will miss one game is not a huge issue, but three is a healthy enough chunk that you'd need to spend another decent pick on a quarterback to cover his absence.

When Winston was on the field and fully healthy a year ago, he was a top-10 fantasy quarterback. Even counting the three games he played in but was either knocked out of or clearly impaired by his shoulder injury, he was the 13th-ranked fantasy quarterback, based on per-game numbers (minimum 5 starts).

QUARTERBACKS, FANTASY POINTS PER START, 2017
PlayerStPYdRYdTDPts
Deshaun Watson, Hou.6266.242.23.3332.2
Russell Wilson, Sea.16248.936.62.3126.0
Carson Wentz, Phil.13253.523.02.5425.7
Alex Smith, K.C.15269.523.71.8023.2
Aaron Rodgers, G.B.7239.318.02.2922.9
Cam Newton, Car.16206.447.11.7522.9
Tom Brady, N.E.16286.11.82.0022.7
Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.15283.43.11.8722.2
Kirk Cousins, Wash.16255.811.21.9422.2
Matthew Stafford, Det.16277.96.11.8122.0
Jimmy Garoppolo, S.F.5308.41.41.4021.6
Philip Rivers, LAC16282.2-.11.7521.1
Jameis Winston, T.B.13269.510.41.5421.0
Jared Goff, LAR15253.63.41.9320.9
Dak Prescott, Dall.16207.822.31.7520.4
C.J. Beathard, S.F.5237.024.41.2020.3
Drew Brees, N.O.16270.9.81.5620.1
Josh McCown, NYJ13225.19.51.7720.1
Blake Bortles, Jac.16230.420.11.4419.9
Case Keenum, Minn.14243.49.91.5719.7
Carson Palmer, Ariz.7282.61.71.2919.4
Brett Hundley, G.B.9204.030.01.2218.8
Matt Ryan, Atl.16255.98.91.2518.7
Marcus Mariota, Tenn.15215.520.81.2018.3
Derek Carr, Oak.15233.14.41.4718.2
Blaine Gabbert, Ariz.5217.216.41.2017.7
DeShone Kizer, Clev.15192.927.91.0717.4
Andy Dalton, Cin.16207.56.21.5617.2
Tyrod Taylor, Buff.14188.627.81.1417.2
Eli Manning, NYG15231.21.71.3317.2
Jacoby Brissett, Ind.15203.117.31.1317.0
Trevor Siemian, Den.11207.711.51.1816.5
Jay Cutler, Mia.14190.42.31.3615.2
Joe Flacco, Balt.16196.33.41.1915.2
Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.12182.820.7.7514.7
Brian Hoyer, S.F.6207.51.2.8314.2
Tom Savage, Hou.7201.7.3.7113.0

When he's on the field, Winston should be a high-quality fantasy quarterback. Those who select him will just need to hope the expected suspension is short, and have a backup plan for those weeks.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index