Looks like I picked the wrong season to roster the tandem of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in one of my leagues. I did it, waiting until the latter rounds for durable, reliable quarterback options and now, the former is out until perhaps November and the latter will not play again ... until perhaps 2020, if ever again. Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph are NFL starting quarterbacks for Week 3 and perhaps, presuming health, myriad more. After all, who thought Brees and Roethlisberger would get hurt? These fellows rarely miss games and now, they are missing big stretches.
Fantasy investors of other Saints and Steelers are going to panic, of course, because that is what fantasy managers tend to do. They cannot help it. While I avoid this narrative, the fact is the Saints and Steelers are likely to score fewer points with their backup quarterbacks starting games for them, and other individuals are affected. However, I rarely presume these backup quarterbacks will be truly awful. Yes, we saw what happened with poor Nathan Peterman of the Bills a season ago, but once upon a time I kind of liked Bridgewater's upside and Rudolph certainly did not embarrass himself in his debut Sunday, coming on in relief and showing poise.
Let us start with the big names: Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Sometimes NFL teams actually rely more on the running game when the new quarterbacks are inexperienced, and one of these fellows is hardly lacking experience. Bridgewater started 28 games for the Vikings in 2014-15 before a devastating knee injury ruined things. He played competently for the Vikings, though his passing numbers were rather ordinary.
Do not expect top-10 quarterback play from the replacements under center for now, but Kamara and Thomas remain fantasy stars. Kamara might be more active in the running and passing games. Thomas's value dips a bit, but if you have already invested, trading him for the likes of Tyler Lockett or Tyler Boyd -- borderline top-20 wide receivers -- seems silly to me. Frankly, whether it is Kamara or Thomas, or dependable veteran running back Latavius Murray and tight end Jared Cook, I stand pat with Saints in fantasy. Trust the Saints, at least in home games, to remain competitive. Also, try to keep Brees rostered in all formats; he could return to top-10 fantasy status the final eight weeks, especially with a pair of games against the Falcons and home tilts with the 49ers and Colts.
As for the Steelers, Roethlisberger investors should move on. He is not playing again this season. Rudolph produced big numbers at Oklahoma State and showed accuracy and maturity. I think he is going to perform capably, but my concern is that, with Antonio Brown traded this offseason, Smith-Schuster saw more attention the first two weeks and failed to break out with a big performance, and other receivers around him were not good at all (talking to you, Donte Moncrief). Oh, Smith-Schuster caught 162 yards worth of passes, so do not worry too much, but Rudolph's top attribute is not a strong arm. Still, again, I do not trade Smith-Schuster for pennies on the dollar. Perhaps viewing him as a definite top-10 wide receiver is folly, but I did not overreact on Colts star T.Y. Hilton when Andrew Luck retired. Is Rudolph definitively worse than Jacoby Brissett? What about Oakland's Derek Carr? A.J. Green piled on top-10 receiver seasons with Andy Dalton as his QB. We do not know about Rudolph, but be positive. We do know Smith-Schuster and Hilton are special. Be patient and keep tight end Vance McDonald rostered as well. He can remain a top-10 tight end.
Conner could have been in line for an increase in rushing attempts but he left Sunday's loss with a knee injury and, as of this writing, his status for future games remains unclear. Go and add Jaylen Samuels and, in deeper formats, rookie Benny Snell Jr. because the Steelers, like the Saints, seem unlikely to turn into a terrible offensive club. There is too much talent, whether it is at receiver or on the lines. Perhaps Bridgewater and Rudolph really surprise. Be positive.
One other thing, for those that like to plan ahead: The loss of these aged quarterbacks is hardly a reliable harbinger of more injuries to the position, but the bye weeks do start in Week 4 and the depth at the position is compromised somewhat. Go ahead and get your backup quarterback in advance, or it might have to be someone like Bridgewater, Rudolph or Jacksonville's mustached Gardner Minshew, an inexperienced rookie. Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, underrated Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo are among the readily available quarterbacks in ESPN standard leagues, and securing one of them for your bye week -- or in case of more injuries -- seems wise.