As the start of NFL training camps quickly approaches, we take a position-by-position look at the RotoBaller player rankings to help prepare you for draft day.

Just as in real life, no fantasy team will go far without a prominent quarterback to lead the way. Draft strategy varies wildly when it comes to the QB position, depending on format. For standard and PPR leagues, unlike other skill positions, there is no differentiation at the position so we have just one set of rankings to examine. Whether you like to secure an elite signal caller early or wait for a value pick later in your draft, you'll need to make a smart choice in order to have a successful 2017.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top twelve quarterbacks according to our RotoBaller 2017 preseason QB rankings.

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2017 Rankings: Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

There is little debate that Rodgers is the safest choice at QB this year. A-Rod threw a league-high 40 touchdowns in 2016 and is three shy of 300 total for his excellent career. Brees and Brady can be just as prolific when chucking the pigskin, but age is on Rodgers' side and he has the best pass-blocking offensive line of the bunch. In leagues that penalize interceptions more heavily, Rodgers is the clear-cut QB1; he has a six-year streak of single-digit INT totals. By comparison, Brady has two such seasons in the past six and Brees has only kept his INT under 10 once in his 15 seasons as an NFL starter.

2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

While Brees isn't as efficient as Brady or Rodgers (see above), he makes up for it in volume. Brees led the league in passing yards for the third straight year, making it seven of the past 11. Whereas Brady and the Pats rarely need to pass in the second half of games because they are playing ahead, Brees has the opposite circumstance more often than not. There is nothing that occurred this offseason to make us believe that the Saints' defense will be drastically better or that Sean Payton will suddenly change his offensive philosophy. If you are a huge believer in the AP comeback scenario, you could pretend that the Saints will feed Adrian Peterson the ball 20+ times a game AND mix Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara in there while limiting Brees' load. Chances are he will continue passing the ball 40+ times a game - something that has happened every year since 2010.

3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Maybe Brady should have rode off into the sunset after 2016, because it will be hard to finish on a higher note. Brady came back with a vengeance after his Deflategate suspension, posting a league-best 0.5% INT% and averaging 296.2 yards per game. If turnovers are penalized more than usual in your league, you can't be blamed for taking Brady ahead of Brees or even Rodgers. The concern with him has nothing to do with skill, fantasy-wise. It is a matter of age and motivation. Brady will be 40 years old by the time the first exhibition game is underway and there have been rumors of a concussion last season and a looming retirement after this year. Will Brady be all in if he sees this as his swan song, especially after taking home another Lombardi Trophy last season? Knowing Brady's competitive streak, it doesn't seem as if that will be a problem.

4. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

The first real point of contention in these rankings lies in Andrew Luck's value relative to other position players. Few would rank him ahead of the top three QBs already listed, but there could be deabte on whether he indeed belongs ahead of last year's MVP, Matt Ryan. Luck had one elite fantasy season in 2014, but has been disappointing ever since. He threw for 4,240 yards and 31 TD last year, but those stats don't carry as much weight as they did several years ago. His surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder isn't just concerning in and of itself, but Luck has been placed on the PUP list ahead of training camp. It's hard at this moment to assess how much he'll contribute to fantasy teams this season or how soon he should be drafted, but if he slips in your draft beyond the sixth round you shouldn't be afraid to take him (as long as you secure a decent backup).

5. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Winning the MVP and almost the Super Bowl didn't do Ryan as many favors as you'd think. He enters this season as a QB1, which is something that couldn't be said ahead of last year. Still, there is a lot of skepticism about a repeat performance since OC Kyle Shanahan left town. Ryan still has an elite receiver in Julio Jones and a solid supporting cast otherwise, so there shouldn't be a huge drop-off. His 7.1% TD% is due for regression closer to his 4.7% career average. He has gone over 4,500 passing yards in each of the last five seasons, so his high floor is fairly reassuring.

6. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

It's hard to tell how effective Wilson might have been if healthy at any point last season. He immediately suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1, followed by a knee injury and then a pectoral injury that was initially undisclosed. He was also hampered by a terrible offensive line that ranked dead last according to PFF. Wilson should have a better time if he stay healthy, but the O-line hasn't improved much, if at all. With Eddie Lacy on board, there could be more of a commitment to the run as well. All this said, Wilson clearly doesn't belong in the top five at the position, but his running ability should return and keep him afloat as a mid-tier QB1.

7. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Carr is the highest-paid QB in the league. Let that sink in for a minute and then remind yourself that it means absolutely nothing in fantasy. Carr is a young QB on the rise with a reliable pair of receivers. He is yet to break the 4,000-yard plateau, although he's been extremely close the past two seasons. He should take another step forward in 2017, although his ceiling isn't the highest among the next few quarterbacks listed. An improving defense and the addition of Marshawn Lynch could remove some of the offensive burden from Carr, therefore putting his point totals at risk.

8. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There are many who would say Famous Jameis doesn't belong in the top 10 yet, but he arguably received the biggest boost in value this offseason. DeSean Jackson gives him a legit WR2 that the team sorely lacked and O.J. Howard is an athletic tight end that will pair nicely with Cameron Brate to give him a plethora of options in the red zone outside of just Mike Evans. The Bucs still don't have a reliable running back, which means Winston will be a busy man once again. His touchdowns jumped up to 28 in his second season, but so did his interceptions. He was picked 18 times, which was second in the league, ahead of even Ryan Fitzpatrick. He will put up stats, but you need to check your league's scoring rules to determine how much the turnovers will hurt you.

9. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

There wasn't much dabbing last season from Superman, but there is hope for a rebound this season. The Super Bowl hangover was real, as Newton threw 16 fewer TD and saw his rushing totals cut nearly in half. His 7.1% TD% from 2015 was due for decline, but few expected it to drop to the lowest point of his career. There is now growing concern that Newton will stop exposing his body to punishment by running as frequently as he did before. The truth is Newton could post numbers below his career average and still run for 500 yards and five scores while passing for 3,500 yards and 20 TD. That places him squarely within the QB1 conversation, even if we should temper expectations for elite production. With no upgrades at receiver, Newton should fall just within the top 10 among QBs.

10. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Another third-year signal caller who saw a big boost in the offseason, Mariota's ADP has steadily jumped up. The Titans added first-round pick Corey Davis and free agent Eric Decker to the fray, giving him a plethora of options in the passing game. He hasn't proven to be a runner in the NFL, much to the chagrin of dynasty owners, but it could be a blessing in disguise if it helps him stay on the field. He should reach the 30-TD mark this season, although his ceiling is somewhat limited by the Exotic Smashmouth that was so effective last season.

11. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers

Old Man Rivers tossed a league-high 21 INT last season, but he still fared pretty well without top wideout Keenan Allen. Now he gets Allen back and possibly first-rounder Mike Williams, although that's looking sketchier by the day given his back issues. Tyrell Williams showed he is a capable receiver and Hunter Henry is one of the most talented young tight ends in the league. Rivers has surpassed 4,000 passing yards in eight of the last nine seasons and there's little reason to think he won't do so again.

12. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

New receiving corps, but there should be similar results. Defying expectations once again, Cousins completed 67% of his passes and nearly eclipsed 5,000 yards passing. Unless Terrelle Pryor and Josh Doctson both prove to be massive busts, there should be little drop-off this season. Cousins may never get the contract he wants in Washington, but for this year he's a great value pick in the middle rounds for those who prefer to wait on the quarterback position.

 

You can find the remainder of the full RotoBaller player rankings HERE, which will be updated continuously throughout the preseason.

 

More 2017 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis

Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.