NFL Free Agency : Quarterbacks

Hey all in the fantasy football world, how did the past year treat you? Well, no more time to look at slight losses and cry in taking third or second place in your leagues because you just couldn't fire the trigger to grab that free agent we had talked about for weeks and weeks and weeks...

Instead, let's take a look at some notable names in the upcoming 2012 NFL and Fantasy Football Season. We're going to take a look position by position, including some defensive analysis, as well as wrapping things up with a check as to what each team really needs, in both free agency and in the upcoming NFL draft.

Today, we take a look at quarterbacks. Yes, those leaders of the grunts, the shouters and play-makers...and in some cases, those injury-prone jerks who your team, for some reason, can't live without.

Alex Smith (QB - SF) has not been the biggest factor on the field for the San Francisco 49ers; at least not the most positive. Looking back at his first 5 seasons in the NFL has been more about seeing mediocrity, rather than any type of stardom. However, with a new coach, in Jim Harbaugh, comes a new version of everything. Before this season, Alex Smith averaged only 175 yards a game, less than 1 touchdown and at least one interception per game. But this season? He averaged 190 yards, 1.1 touchdowns and only one interception per 3 games.

Any teams interested in Alex Smith need to keep their public calls in check. Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh have a great relationship, and from what sources are saying, his resigning as a 49er for the next 4+ years is evident.

Matt Flynn (QB - GB) hasn't seen a lot of action at quarterback in the NFL. As a Green Bay Packers quarterback, though, he has made the most of his opportunites behind Aaron Rodgers. In 12 starts in the last two seasons, he threw for 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in very undesirable starts, sometimes taking over mid-game from Rodgers.

Matt Flynn, according to many reports, is expected to land Florida, and become a Miami Dolphin before the draft. You may even see Washington make an offer, just to get their feet wet in the race.

Peyton Manning (QB - IND) is a player, that while not considered an UFA, nor released, the Indianapolis Colts are entertaining offers, and some from unusual places, like Houston, like Seattle. I don't know how the Colts are going to handle Manning, but I do know the number one draft spot in the NFL this year is owned by the Colts, and a quarterback WILL be taken with the #1 pick.

Colt McCoy (QB - CLE) has seen better days before the NFL. He has only averaged 200 passing yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 10:10. These poor stats have been blamed on plenty of things, from horrible direction in his rookie campaign, to bad coaching, to a poor receiving corps. However, this is the same team that played with Tim Couch, and this feels just like that situation...one in which Robert Griffin III will become the new starting quartberack for the Browns after they trade up to nab him.

Mark Sanchez (QB - NYJ) is another quarterback that has seen many, many better days than those experienced in the 2011 NFL season. Between the public feuding with starting Wide Receiver Santonion Holmes, to other negative comments by teammates, both in public arenas and private...well, then there were the stats.

When you look at the whole season, an average of almost 290 yards per game and a touchdown to interception ratio of 26:18, things didn't look too bad. However, half of his games last NFL season, Sanchez threw for less than 200 yards. His touchdowns were also riding a roller coaster, with some weeks connecting 3 times, and others seeing the end zone only 1, if any (yes, he even registered zero touchdown games last year).

Christian Ponder (QB - MIN) had a typical rookie outting last year, when he took over for the aged Donovan McNabb midseason, throwing 158 of 291 for 1853 yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:13. However, the big hit to Ponder's ability to maintain his starting quarterback status lies in the fact that the Minnesota Vikings hold the #3 spot in this year's draft. And, from my experience and a lot of opinions around the NFL, if Andrew Luck (if the Colts don't grab him) or Robert Griffin III (if the Cleveland Browns don't get him somehow) is available, Christian Ponder would be seeing more of the pine, or be looking to be released or traded.

Jason Campbell (QB - OAK) and Drew Brees (QB - NO) are both quarterbacks with different situations on their teams. However, what is similar, is that both teams want to secure these quarterbacks, so you will see their return for the 2012 NFL season.

Teams in need of quarterbacks: Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns

Teams that might be looking for more quarterback help from a release or trade: Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars