Researching Pittsburgh this week, I see that camp reports on Ben Roethlisberger have been very positive. He's 38 and coming off a major elbow injury, but he's been feeling good and throwing well at camp -- says it's the first time his elbow hasn't hurt in years. Can he put up top numbers?

We live in an era where quarterbacks starting (and even excelling) into their late 30s happens more commonly. Growing up I remember thinking of Dan Fouts as an old man quarterback, but he was 36 in his last season. There will be six quarterbacks at least that old starting on opening day this year; that's 20 percent of the league.

Since 2000, there have been 53 quarterback seasons where a 36-year-old (at least) started more than half the year (9-plus games). Half (26) of those guys finished as top-12 fantasy quarterbacks -- starters in typical leagues. About a third (8) of those players were at least 38 years old, so less common, but it does happen. That's the track record to consider for Roethlisberger (and also guys not coming off major injury: Rivers, Brady, Brees).

Table shows all the quarterbacks to start more than half the time at age 36 or older in the last 20 years. Active players are in bold. Top-12 players who were 38 or older are in italics.

OLD QUARTERBACKS, 2000-2019
YearPlayerAgeGSCmpAttYdsTDIntRk
2013Peyton Manning, Den.3716450659547755101
2015Tom Brady, N.E.381640262447703672
2016Drew Brees, N.O.3716471673520837152
2002Rich Gannon, Oak.3716418618468926102
2018Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.3616452675512934162
2017Tom Brady, N.E.401638558145773283
2014Peyton Manning, Den.3816395597472739153
2008Kurt Warner, Ariz.3716401598458330144
2015Carson Palmer, Ariz.3616342537467135115
2015Drew Brees, N.O.3615428627487032116
2012Peyton Manning, Den.3616400583465937116
2001Rich Gannon, Oak.361636154938282796
2009Brett Favre, Min.401636353142023377
2007Brett Favre, G.B.3816356535415528157
2017Philip Rivers, LAC3616360575451528107
2006Brett Favre, G.B.3716343613388518188
2005Brett Favre, G.B.3616372607388120298
2018Drew Brees, N.O.391536448939923259
2018Philip Rivers, LAC37163475084308321210
2007Kurt Warner, Ariz.36112814513417271710
2008Brett Favre, NYJ39163435223472222211
2017Drew Brees, N.O.3816386536433423811
2014Tom Brady, N.E.3716373582410933911
2000Vinny Testaverde, NYJ37163285903732212511
2013Tom Brady, N.E.36163806284343251111
2019Aaron Rodgers, G.B.3616353569400226412
2018Tom Brady, N.E.41163755704355291113
2009Kurt Warner, Ariz.38153395133753261413
2019Philip Rivers, LAC38163905914615232013
2019Tom Brady, N.E.4216373613405724815
2004Vinny Testaverde, Dall.41152974953532172016
2016Carson Palmer, Ariz.37153645974233261416
2018Eli Manning, NYG37163805764299211116
2001Doug Flutie, S.D.39162945213464151817
2019Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mia.37133115023529201318
2011Matt Hasselbeck, Ten.36163195183571181418
2007Jeff Garcia, T.B.3713209327244013419
2016Tom Brady, N.E.3912291432355428221
2017Josh McCown, NYJ3813267397292618921
2008Jeff Garcia, T.B.3811244376271212623
2017Eli Manning, NYG36153525713468191323
2001Chris Chandler, Atl.36142233652847161424
2019Drew Brees, N.O.4011281378297927425
2006Brad Johnson, Min.3814270439275091525
2010Jon Kitna, Dall.3892093182365161225
2001Vinny Testaverde, NYJ38162604412752151425
2008Kerry Collins, Ten.3615242415267612725
2002Rodney Peete, Car.36142233812630151425
2005Brad Johnson, Min.379184294188512426
2010Brett Favre, Min.41132173582509111928
2008Gus Frerotte, Min.37111783012157121529
2015Peyton Manning, Den.399198331224991731
2006Mark Brunell, Was.36916226017898431

It is a fairly short list of 38-year-old quarterbacks who finished as top-12 quarterbacks. All of those guys are Hall of Famers (current or future): Favre, Manning, Brady, Brees.

I won't be drafting Roethlisberger as my starter anywhere, but I like him as a No. 2 quarterback with upside to finish as a top-10 or 12 guy, if healthy.

--Andy Richardson