The Fantasy Footballers’ QB Rankings Countdown: 10-1
Andy, Mike, and Jason go through their top-10 quarterback rankings using a four-point per passing touchdown scoring format.
Make sure to listen to the Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you like to listen to your podcasts!
QB10 – Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
ADP: 5.10 / QB8
Andy – QB9 / Jason QB – 8 / Mike – QB15
All offseason Jason has shared his strong conviction that Trevor Lawrence is going to level up this season. Much to Jason’s dismay, Mike doesn’t feel the same way, calling Lawrence, “Expensive Dak Prescott.” As a pocket passer, his five rushing touchdowns last season could be considered a fluke, but the point could be moot if he throws for over 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Andy and Jason, who prefer to call Lawrence, “Cheap Justin Herbert,” both believe a top-five finish is possible for Lawrence, with Jason going as far as saying he has top-three potential at the position.
QB9 – Deshaun Watson (Browns)
ADP: 8.04 / QB10
Andy – QB8 / Jason – QB13 / Mike – QB10
One of the biggest disagreements between The Ballers this offseason has been the outlook of Deshaun Watson this year. Andy believes he can return to his Houston form, which would make him a potential fantasy MVP based on where he’s being drafted. Jason doesn’t think it’s going to happen for Voldemort, while Mike stands in the middle. Watson didn’t look good in his six-game return to football last season, for fantasy or for the Cleveland Browns. Pay close attention to him in the preseason to better gauge if he’s back to football form.
QB8 – Daniel Jones (Giants)
ADP: 11.03 / QB16
Andy – QB11 / Jason – QB9 / Mike – QB8
Despite his ranking, Jason is urging people not to draft Daniel Jones because of his volatility. Jones has the ability to score in large bunches but has an F grade in consistency. Jones makes for a fine streamer or option in Best Ball formats, but dealing with the start/sit headache each week is not a fun proposition. Mike makes the counterargument that the addition of Darren Waller, plus Jones’ rushing touchdown upside, could equate to a better consistency rating this year.
QB7 – Justin Fields (Bears)
ADP: 4.09 / QB6
Andy – QB7 / Jason – QB7 / Mike – QB6
In Jason’s opinion, Justin Fields and Justin Herbert are the two best picks at the quarterback position in fantasy this year. D.J. Moore was added to the arsenal this year, giving Fields a true WR1 target. Darnell Mooney returns from injury and Cole Kmet just got a hefty contract extension, solidifying the receiving options for the young QB. His rushing ability is elite and will lead to a ton of fantasy points, but the biggest question will be if he can elevate as a passer.
QB6 – Justin Herbert (Chargers)
ADP: 4.10 / QB7
Andy – QB5 / Jason – QB5 / Mike – QB7
Justin Herbert disappointed for fantasy last year but a lot of that had to do with injuries to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in addition to a rib injury that severely limited him. Both of his top WRs will be back healthy to start the season, plus the team drafted WR Quentin Johnson in the first round. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore joins the team and could help unlock a new level for Herbert.
QB5 – Joe Burrow (Bengals)
ADP: 3.10 / QB4
Andy – QB4 / Jason – QB6 / Mike – QB5
Of the pocket-passing QBs, Burrow is the safest bet, but going in the third round could be a little too early as he’s pushing up against the “Big 3” quarterbacks going ahead of him. The calf injury he suffered in training camp needs to be closely monitored, but barring any setbacks, Burrow is primed to be a top performer once again at the QB position.
QB4 – Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
ADP: 3.11 / QB5
Andy – QB6 / Jason – QB4 / Mike – QB4
Lamar Jackson has arguably the best wide receiver room he’s had in his career with Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., and first-round rookie Zay Flowers. There are still questions regarding Bateman’s injury history, Beckham’s age, and Flowers’ size, but if one of those WRs can hit, Jackson should be in a solid spot with his tight end Mark Andrews riding shotgun. Jackson’s rushing baseline is as good as it gets, and new OC Todd Monken will give his QB the reins to throw the ball more than he has in the past.
QB3 – Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
ADP: 2.12 / QB3
Andy – QB3 / Jason – QB2 / Mike – QB3
The way Hurts runs the ball is pretty much unstoppable. When the Eagles find themselves in third-and-short situations or near the goal line, chances are the ball is staying in Hurts’ hands. He elevated as a thrower last season and he returns to his solid group of receiving options in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. His late second-round draft cost is expensive, however, even for the potential QB1.
QB2 – Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
ADP: 2.03 / QB1
Andy – QB2 / Jason – QB1 / Mike – QB2
The Ballers agree that while Mahomes is the best of the “Big 3” QBs, he is the riskiest because he doesn’t have the same amount of receiving weapons that Hurts and Allen have, and he doesn’t match their rushing baseline. He’s also being drafted at the top of the second round as opposed to the end of the round. Mahomes can spread the ball like no other QB, but the early-second round draft price means you’re passing on a huge contributor at another position.
QB1 – Josh Allen (Bills)
ADP: 2.10 / QB2
Andy – QB1 / Jason – QB3 / Mike – QB1
Josh Allen is equipped with a multitude of weapons including Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, James Cook, and rookie TE Dalton Kincaid. Add in his rushing prowess and it’s no surprise he tops the list of QBs. But like Hurts and Mahomes, Andy, Jason, and Mike are concerned about spending a second-round pick in fantasy drafts to secure Josh Stallion. He will have a massive year and could easily end up as the QB1, but it remains a question as to whether or not the points gap will be as big as it was last year to justify the early-round selection.