Impact Player Report: QB Jay Cutler
Aug 26 2008, 06:37 PM
Broncos QB Jay Cutler looks downfield as he avoids the rush.
Contributed by: Andrew Goldhawk
Average Staff Ranking: 11.00
Average Draft Position (ADP): 81.79
2008 Stat Projection: 313/513, 3,630 Pass YDs, 23 TDS, 12 INTS; 30 Rush Att, 150 YDs, 1 TD
Jay Cutler was thought of as having all the skills to succeed in the NFL coming out of Vanderbilt. Denver bought into him and made him their first round pick of 2006 as they still look for that franchise QB to replace the legendary John Elway. Two years later Cutler has displayed the skills that Denver invested heavily into. After showing promise in the five games he started as a rookie, he progressed even further in his first full season as a starter in 2007:
Career Numbers
|
Year
|
Games Played
|
COMP %
|
PASS YARDS
|
PASS TDS
|
INTS
|
RUSH YARDS
|
RUSH TDS
|
FUM LOST
|
|
2006
|
5
|
59.1
|
1001
|
9
|
5
|
18
|
0
|
2
|
|
2007
|
16
|
63.6
|
3497
|
20
|
14
|
205
|
1
|
4
|
The Broncos and Cutler lost a viable pass catcher in the off-season when Javon Walker departed for Oakland. This isn’t as big of a detriment to Cutler’s value as some may think as Walker had been a constant injury problem. With Walker only playing a role in the first two games of 2007, fellow WR Brandon Marshall was given the chance to emerge. Cutler has a nice set of complimentary receivers surrounding Marshall. The team brought in Darrell Jackson via free agency, who is one year removed from a 956 yard, 10 TD season with the Seahawks. Lining up as the team’s quintessential slot receiver is Brandon Stokley. Rookie speedster Eddie Royal is making waves during training camp and is likely to be in the starting lineup in Week 1 and when Marshall returns. Cutler also has reliable dump off options in TE Tony Scheffler and RB Selvin Young,who is a very capable receiving back.
There are a few things negatively affecting Cutler’s appeal in fantasy drafts this season. First, he was diagnosed with diabetes in the off-season, to which he attributes his struggles down the stretch last year. While the doctors say the condition shouldn’t affect him on the football field, it’s still a small concern. Also, Brandon Marshall will be missing the first two to three games for his off-field personal conduct.
Cutler is currently ranked as the #11 QB in our staff rankings, but I personally have him ranked a little higher at #8. That puts him right on the fringe of being a QB1 for fantasy teams in 12 team leagues. He is being drafted in the 6th-7th rounds of 12 team leagues, so if you can grab him there and then a decent QB2 like Matt Schaub or Jake Delhomme you will have a very good platoon situation at QB. All in all he should take another step forward in his progression as an NFL QB similar to the step taken last year by Ben Roethlisberger. We could be talking about Cutler as an elite fantasy QB this time next year.