Blake Bortles is an enticing fantasy football option

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles was a bit of a surprise in fantasy football during 2015, making him an enticing option in 2016.

For those already looking to the 2016 fantasy football season, it’s tough not to start arranging your lineup immediately. Prolific quarterbacks have risen up draft boards in recent years and Jacksonville Jaguars passer Blake Bortles has seen his value to your fantasy team increase as well.

Posting 4400 yards and 35 touchdowns and also a threat on the ground, Bortles is an intriguing option for your fantasy football team. He doesn’t yet command the kind of respect – and price tag – as someone like Aaron Rodgers, which could make him a bargain passer for your team with plenty of upside.

But is he reliable enough to be someone you specifically target and name your starter?

Over at Today’s Pigskin, writer Wes Anderson argues that fantasy football owners should be cautious with Bortles. In particular, Anderson highlights that being forced to abandon the run game helped Bortles’ value in 2015, which should make 2016 owners at least a tad wary:

"Bortles throwing for 606 passes for an average of 37.9 attempts per game in 2015 and certainly did wonders for his fantasy worth as he averaged 23.6 fantasy points in ESPN standard scoring leagues"

Essentially, because Bortles was at least a semi-competent passer and was called upon to pass often in many games in 2015, his value to fantasy football teams increased.

There’s at least some truth to that. It also helps explain why he had 18 interceptions in the last season as well.

Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

With 2015 Pro Bowl running back Chris Ivory in the backfield along with second-year stud T.J. Yeldon and a revamped defense, the Jags may not be forced to pass as often in 2016. This could lower the value Bortles brings to fantasy football teams. The lack of opportunity to produce (meaning less pass attempts) could keep some fantasy owners wary of starting him.

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Another aspect to consider before deciding on Blake Bortles as your fantasy football starter is that he still tends to make mistakes. He’s loose with the football and isn’t afraid to sling it around. This can lead to damaging plays like interceptions. It can also lead to trying to extend plays too much, resulting in more fumbles as he takes more hits (21 fumbles in two years as the most sacked QB in football).

While there is hope that those mistakes will be at least somewhat curbed in 2016 as Bortles improves, it can be expected – based on how he plays – that he’ll make at least a few errors which can harm your fantasy football team. With tons of strong skill players, though, the production could far outweigh the errors in his third season.

In the end, Bortles can be a high risk, high reward quarterback. Few quarterbacks were as productive as him in 2015 but many were much safer with the football.

If Bortles’ production is enticing to you, he’s a tempting pick and could be had for a song, likely in the mid rounds. If his production isn’t enough to ease your worries about his potentially damaging mistakes, then it may be better to pass him up.

There’s no question Bortles could be productive for your team. If you’re a gambler, give him a go.

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