Big Ben Not Top-Tier Fantasy QB

Salute: Pro Football Focus

It’s about how we’ve all overrated Ben Roethlisberger and why he may not be the quarterback you thought he was.

This started when I had an itch to find out why it seemed Roethlisberger “busted” so much from a fantasy perspective. When I say bust, I’m referring to games with fewer than 14 fantasy points in standard leagues, which translates to 250 passing yards and one touchdown (or variants on that when turnovers and/or rushing come into play). That’s not too much to ask for from a guy who’s considered one of the greats, right?

Roethlisberger HAS NEVER been considered a top-flight fantasy QB.  But, he's been a damned good backup for anyone who has ever had him.  Further, his salary has never been that of a top-tier guy.  Over the years, his auction values have been:

2004: $6

2005: $6

2009: $8

2012: $21

2013: $12

2014: $8

2015: $29

2016: $30 

With the exception of the last two years, none of those auction values are tremendously out of line.  Especially considering that Tom Brady had auction values of:

2010: $69

2011: $70

2012: $90

2013: $74

Or Peyton Manning's auction numbers were:

2005: $47

2007: $62

2008: $55

2010: $72

2011: $45

Or that Drew Brees went for $69 in 2010 or that Aaron Rodgers went for $65 in 2010, $64 in 2014, and $65 in 2016.

Roethlisberger didn't produce the points those players did, but he put up good numbers while being paid a helluva lot less.  And there is value in that.