2013 Fantasy Outlook: Matthew Stafford

Information is constantly changing in the NFL and fantasy player values can change at any moment. Having updated, informative news can help you not just at your fantasy football draft but during the regular season. Feel free to glance at our recent articles to make sound decisions throughout the year.

To help you get ready for draft day you will notice articles for ADP advice, cheat sheets, mock drafts and projected stats for Matthew Stafford here. During the season, you can also find regular weekly ranking articles at this section as well.

Welcome to Matthew Stafford’s fantasy football outlook archive. At this section of Stafford’s player page you will notice our past thoughts and advice for fantasy football.

Summer of 2012: Fantasy Projections

While Matthew Stafford had a mid-season lull, it’s hard to complain about a guy that had over 5,000 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes. The passing game was basically the Lions entire offense last year as injuries in the backfield, placed the success of this group on Stafford’s arm.

Look for things to stay the same in 2012, as the Lions added no one significant at running back this off-season, opting to stay with their trio of problematic backs.

To make matters more enticing, the Lions lost arguably their top corner in Eric Wright and this was a team that couldn’t afford to lose help at the corner position. With Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler (primed for a good year) in the division, Stafford will likely throw for over 5,000 yards again, to give the Lions another shot at the playoffs.

Clearly a top five fantasy quarterback, Stafford could end up as the highest scoring fantasy quarterback in any year because of team game scripts, his physical tools and the talent he has in the passing game.

Speaking of talent, another potential star receiver was added in the second round of the draft in Ryan Broyles. While Broyles is still recovering from an ACL injury from college, and may start the year on the PUP, he will be the future replacement for Nate Burleson on the outside.

Broyles was considered by many draftniks to be one of the better receivers in this class, before his injury, so expect him to give defenses another player to worry about, when he’s back on the field.

My only knocks on Stafford is that one he doesn’t run much, two he has a history of health issues, and the main one is, he’s simply produced one elite season.

The last one mentioned is probably the reason why (same holds true for Cam Newton), I’m not going to rank him over Tom Brady and Drew Brees but I do believe he will out produce them this year.

	Passing Stats			Rushing Stats
	Yards	TD	INT	Yards	TD
2012 Projected Stats	4,966	38	15	50	0

Summer of 2011: Fantasy Projections

If you were like me last August you could wait to see what Matthew Stafford was ready to do as it looked like he was a shoe in for a breakout season. Sadly, things got off to a horrible start for Stafford as he injured his throwing shoulder against the Bears. Stafford rehabbed the injury and came back to a successful start against the Redskins in which he threw four touchdowns.

Unfortunately the next week against the Jets, Stafford re-injured the shoulder and failed to return in the 2010 season. While Stafford and the Lions feel good about his shoulder heading into the summer, we won’t know for sure if it can hold up until the season begins, and he takes hit after hit.

In my mind, a healthy Stafford is worthy of being a starting quarterback in 12 team fantasy leagues this season but his health problems make him a backup in draft value. In the end, the Lions’ offense has talent and proved it could score on a regular basis without Stafford on the field. This team will need to put up 30 points a game to compete as their secondary leaves much to be desired.

As long as Stafford is on the field, you should feel safe about placing him in your starting lineup. Hopefully, Stafford’s health will hold up because he has a chance to be a good fantasy quarterback for many years.

	Passing Stats			Rushing Stats
	Yards	TD	INT	Yards	TD
2011 Projected Stats	3,902	27	15	61	0

2010 Preview

Matthew Stafford had his share of injury problems last year but how could you blame him for it. The Lions support one of the worst pass protecting offensive lines in football, and it looks like they will ignore this problem again on draft day. Expect Stafford to make more strides in 2010 if he can stay on his feet.

2010 Fantasy Football Outlook

2009 Fantasy Year In Review: Matthew Stafford survived his first season in the NFL, and at times he showed the heart and character that makes quarterback’s winners. Still, it was a stressful learning curve for Stafford as he threw twenty interceptions and only thirteen touchdowns.

Audio: QB Matthew Stafford | 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings: Stafford is progressing nicely as he is now taking all the snaps on the first team this offseason as has been given the right to call audibles. This is encouraging growth for the young franchise player as no one can deny his heart for the game after his play against the Browns and coming back to start against the Packers.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Stafford helps make Calvin Johnson a true top five fantasy receiver once again this year, but he’s not a starter in fantasy himself. Late in your draft he might make for a decent roll of the dice for a backup in deep leagues but that’s about it.

If Stafford progresses well this season, then next year we will have to give him a bump to being a top fifteen fantasy quarterback option.

Assets

- Strong Arm

- Heart & Leadership Qualities

- Great No.1 Receiver

Liabilities

- Bad Offensive Line

- 4th Hardest Schedule To Pass Against