Quarterback production in fantasy isn’t as much about volume; efficiency matters, as do touchdowns, although they aren’t as stable. Simply taking away touchdowns and looking at the players who produce the most yardage (weighing rushing twice as much as passing), can give you a good idea of which players are thriving in a more stable fashion. At the quarterback position, I’m obviously evaluating them as players (they dictate the offense), but also the stability of their current situation, their rushing upside moving forward, and their room to grow moving forward. Is this their peak, or will they be regarded even higher in fantasy leagues in the future? That’s the $1,000,0000 question we’re trying to answer.
Before we get to the rankings, let’s go over some of the key points to touch on:
- We’re seeing Justin Herbert (89 PFF grade) and Joe Burrow (85 PFF grade) taking major steps forward in their sophomore seasons. Both are part of pass-heavy offenses, and are definite building blocks moving forward.
- It’s been an underwhelming year for the rookie quarterbacks. Justin Fields is coming off of his two best games and is starting to use his legs, but it’s a mixed bag for the others: Trevor Lawrence is averaging just 6.2 yards/pass attempt and Trey Lance isn’t playing.
- Matthew Stafford moves up a couple spots on this list, as he’s emerged as a borderline top-five fantasy quarterback this season.
- Carson Wentz and Derek Carr have each been viable streamers this season, and thus also move in the rankings.
- A major faller? Sam Darnold. His numbers are just as poor as they were in New York, and although Carolina exercised his $18 million option for next year, it appears that he’s running out of time.
- It will be interesting to see if Jameis Winston gets another chance to start next year after tearing his ACL in Week 8.