Fantasy Upside
The Associated Press voted Rivers the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year for his 2013 performance. Fantasy owners who waited very late to draft their quarterback and wound up with Rivers, would absolutely co-sign on that award. The 32-year-old Rivers threw for 4,478 yards with 32 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in 2013. He was sharp down the stretch as San Diego won four straight to make the postseason, throwing for nine TDs against two picks. Indeed, it was one of the best seasons of Rivers' career, after two years that had people wondering if he had anything left. He was not only accurate, but he ran the offense on the field as coach Mike McCoy trusted him to make the calls in checking into better options.
Fantasy Downside
The biggest concern? Quality depth at receiver. Plenty of play-making talent at the top with Keenan Allen and Ladarius Green as well as proven veterans in Antonio Gates, Danny Woodhead, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal; but should injuries among those top weapons arise, guys like Vincent Brown will have something to prove.
Bottom Line
One change coming, QBs coach Frank Reich was promoted to offensive coordinator after Ken Whisenhunt left to become the Titans' head coach. Reich will be a coordinator for the first time, but this former 14-year NFL quarterback often called the plays when running the Bills' K-Gun offense. Reich will bring both continuity and innovation. That, along with a solid O-line and the above-mentioned front-line weaponry will keep Rivers on the radar as a reasonably-priced QB2.
