NFL FANTASY PREVIEW: The top 30 quarterbacks
In this offensive era, quarterback is deeper than ever in terms of fantasy value. Unless you want to spring for Mahomes early, you’re probably better off waiting until the late rounds and still landing a very productive pivot.
1. Patrick Mahomes, KC
5097 passing yards, 50 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 272 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 429.1 points
Even if you take away 16 passing TDs from his 2018 total, Mahomes would still be the top fantasy QB.
2. Deshaun Watson, HOU
4165 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 9 INTs, 551 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 340.7 points.
He was one three QBs in history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 in a season, but also took a league-high 62 sacks.
3. Aaron Rodgers, GB
4442 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 2 INTs, 269 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 314.5 points.
Learning a new offence for the first time since his rookie season, but remains one of the best in the game.
4. Matt Ryan, ATL
4924 passing yards, 35 passing TDs, 7 INTs, 125 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 361.4 points.
His numbers last season were almost identical to his 2016 MVP numbers, falling just short of career highs.
5. Baker Mayfield, CLE
3725 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 14 INTs, 131 rushing yards, 254.1 points.
After new coach Freddie Kitchens took over playcalling in Week 9, Mayfield was second in YPA and 10th in QB fantasy points – and the Browns added OBJ.
6. Cam Newton, CAR
3395 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 13 INTs, 488 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 295.6 points.
Durability is the biggest concern, but his rushing ability gives him a high floor for fantasy production.
7. Russell Wilson, SEA
3448 passing yards, 35 passing TDs, 7 INTs, 376 rushing yards, 305.9 points.
Since his peak as a rushing threat in 2014 when he scored six TDs, Wilson has just five in the past four seasons combined.
8. Carson Wentz, PHI
3074 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 7 INTs, 93 rushing yards, 200.1 points.
Fell back to earth after a stellar rookie season, Wentz has some high potential in a high-end offence and now almost two years out from his torn ACL.
9. Drew Brees, NO
3992 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 5 INTs, 22 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 309.4 points.
He’s more efficient than ever, completing 74.4% of his passes, but also had his fewest attempts in 14 years and finished as a top-10 QB in just six weeks.
10. Jared Goff, LAR
4688 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 108 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 322.3 points.
Was a breakout star last season, but his fantasy numbers (2 TDs-6 INTs in Weeks 13-16) leave something to be desired.
11. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
5129 passing yards, 34 passing TDs, 16 INTs, 98 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 357.3 points.
Had career bests in passing yards and TDs at age 36, but lost top WR Antonio Brown this off-season.
12. Dak Prescott, DAL
3885 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 8 INTs, 305 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 293.9 points.
After Amari Cooper joined Dallas, Prescott was eighth in the league in passing yards and ninth in fantasy points.
13. Lamar Jackson, BAL
1201 passing yards, 6 passing TDs, 3 INTs, 695 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 160.5 points.
Probably the most unique QB on the list, with the Ravens’ emphasis on rushing should give Jackson a high floor.
14. Jameis Winston, TB
2992 passing yards, 19 passing TDs, 14 INTs, 281 rushing yards, 1 TD, 209.7 points.
He’s a volatile asset for sure, but Winston was fourth in yards per game last year and fits new coach Bruce Arians’ deep passing scheme perfectly.
15. Philip Rivers, LAC
4308 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 7 rushing yards, 297.0 points.
Despite his consistent, solid passing numbers, a complete lack of rushing has meant Rivers has failed to finish as a top-10 QB for the fourth time in five years.
16. Kyler Murray, ARI
2019 rookie
The top pick in the draft, Murray could be a breakout sensation, or struggle as a freshman.
17. Tom Brady, NE
4355 passing yards, 29 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 35 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 291.8 points.
He’s the greatest QB in history, but his fantasy outlook isn’t anything special this season.
19. Kirk Cousins, MIN
4298 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 10 INTs, 123 rushing yards, 1 TD, 292.6 points.
His first season in Minnesota was all over the board, with Cousins scoring as a top-10 QB in seven weeks, but outside the top 20 QBs six times.
20. Josh Allen, BUF
2074 passing yards, 10 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 631 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 220.0 points.
Had an awful season as a passer, but his surprising rushing ability actually made him the highest-scoring QB over the span of Weeks 12-17.
21. Mitchell Trubisky, CHI
3223 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 12 TDs, 421 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 275.0 points.
Surprisingly, Trubisky was a borderline QB1 in his sophomore year, averaging the 11th-most points per game.
22. Sam Darnold, NYJ
2865 passing yards, 17 TDs, 15 INTs, 138 rushing yards, 1 TD, 183.4 points.
Could be a candidate for a breakout sophomore season if he cuts down on turnovers, plus the addition of Le’Veon Bell doesn’t hurt.
23. Derek Carr, OAK
4049 passing yards, 19 passing TDs, 10 INTs, 47 rushing yards, 1 TD, 226.2 points.
Has yet to finish as a top-10 fantasy QB in six seasons, but did show some promise with a career high in YPA and completion percentage.
24. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF
718 passing yards, 5 passing TDs, 3 INTs, 33 rushing yards, 51.0 points.
He’s a solid sleeper candidate based potential and coaching, Jimmy G actually has as many turnovers as TDs in his nine games as a 49er.
25. Matthew Stafford, DET
3777 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 71 rushing yards, 223.1 points.
Gone are the days of Stafford slinging the ball all over the field as the Lions have moved to a run-heavy offence.
26. Marcus Mariota, TEN
2528 passing yards, 11 passing TDs, 8 INTs, 357 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 183.4 points.
Has yet to play an entire season and even though he played in 14 games last season, backup Blaine Gabbert had to play in eight.
27. Jacoby Brissett, IND
2 passing yards, -7 rushing yards, -0.6 points.
Thrust into the spotlight after Andrew Luck’s abrupt retirement, as a starter in 2017 didn’t fare very well.
28. Andy Dalton, CIN
2566 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 99 rushing yards, 185.5 points.
Hasn’t thrown more than 25 TDs in a season since 2013 and A.J. Green’s pre-season injury doesn’t help.
29. Nick Foles, JAX
1413 passing yards, 7 passing TDs, 4 INTs, 17 rushing yards, 79.7 points.
Will have a fewer weapons than when he was with Philly and stunk in his limited starts last season. Jags will be run-heavy, too.
30. Joe Flacco, DEN
2465 passing yards, 12 passing TDs, 6 INTs, 45 rushing yards, 143.1 points
Lost his job to a rookie in Baltimore last season and could lose it in Denver later this season to rookie Drew Lock.
THE OTHER GUYS
Eli Manning, NYG
4299 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 20 rushing yards, TD, 250.9 points.
Josh Rosen, MIA
2278 passing yards, 11 passing TDs, 14 INTs, 138 rushing yards, 126.9 points.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA
2366 passing yards, 17 passing TDs, 12 INTs, 152 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 177.8 points.
Case Keenum, WAS
3890 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 15 INTs, 93 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 229.9 points.
Daniel Jones, NYG
2019 rookie
Dwayne Haskins, WAS
2019 rookie