Fantasy Sleeper Profile: QB Phillip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)
Before the 2013 season, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers seemed to be a player on the decline. After three straight years of passer ratings above 100 over a season (105.5 in 2008, 104.4 in 2009, and 101.8 in 2010), Rivers turned in a couple years of just-average play, with a passer rating of 88.7 in 2011 and 88.6 in 2012.
Rivers managed to turned things around in 2013, completing 69.5% of his passes for 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions for an overall 105.5 passer rating. Somehow, NFL fantasy owners seemed not to notice Rivers’ renaissance. His average draft position is well after the first 100 overall picks, somewhere in the 120 – 140 selection range. If he can put together another season similar to 2013, which he appears poised to do, he offers incredible value in late rounds.
It is not just Rivers’ natural talent that makes him an enticing fantasy option. Rivers has many weapons at his disposal that are sure to enhance his production. Danny Woodhead is the league’s premier pass catching running back. There are few players more dangerous with a screen pass, as he notched 76 receptions for 605 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2013.
Keenan Allen was a rookie sensation and provided the Chargers with the true No. 1 receiver they have been missing since Vincent Jackson left for Tampa Bay. There is no reason Allen can’t replicate his success in 2014. Rivers also has two viable receiving tight ends: the aging Antonio Gates still has some gas left in the tank, and Ladarius Green is an emerging star set to take the reins from Gates.
There is another aspect of the 2014 iteration of the San Diego Chargers that will benefit Rivers: the defense is terrible. It is just downright bad, other than the excellent free safety Eric Weddle just about every position is a hole that needs to be addressed. This is a team that other teams will have no problem scoring on. That means the Chargers will constantly be playing from behind and preventing the clock from running down, leading to more passing plays than rushing. Everything is in place for Rivers to have an excellent season for fantasy production in 2014.
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