Fantasy Description and Spin on quarterbacks in their teams alphabetical order
Ratings (out of 10):
Consistency Rating (CR): How consistent this player is or is expected to be on a week to week basis.
Floor Rating (FR): A combination of the player's floor, and the chance they hit their floor
Upside Rating (UR) : A combination of the player's upside, and the chance they reach that upside
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)
CR: N/A
FR: 4
UR: 9
Spin: We do not know how the first overall pick in the NFL draft will succeed at the NFL, but we do know he is arguably the most explosive quarterback rusher since Michael Vick, and his college production suggests at least adequate passing ability. Rookie such as Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III have seen fantasy success on poor offenses in the past due to their ability on the ground. Even Lamar Jackson, who was atrocious threw the air last season, was a viable starting quarterback in fantasy exclusively from rushing production. Though Murray could be a total flop, especially with a poor supporting cast, and unproven system, the upside of a dual threat quarterback makes him a borderline top 10 high risk quarterback.
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
CR: 7
FR: 8
UR: 8
Spin: After a down year in 2017, Ryan bounced back to his elite 2016 form last season, with just under 5,000 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a top 2 fantasy finish. Though Ryan has had down years throughout his career, in every year since 2011, he has played all 16 games, recorded over 4,000 passing yards, and at least 20 touchdowns. With nearly identical weapons to last season, and the return of Dirk Koetter's I can't run the ball offense, Ryan should be set for more of the same in 2019. He is a locked and loaded top 12 quarterback, with just the question of if he will finish closer to 12, like in 2017, or closer to 1, like in 2018. Given his history and weapons, I would lean somewhere in the middle.
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
CR: 8
FR: 5
UR: 7
Spin: Jackson's fantasy value lives and dies from his rushing ability. Last season, despite starting only seven games, Jackson had the most QB rushing attempts of all time, and despite less than stellar stats through the air, was a borderline top 10 quarterback in fantasy. The Ravens have built their offense for Jackson, upgrading at running back, and drafting speedy receiver Marquise Brown. Jackson is an exciting quarterback, and his rushing should keep him fantasy relevant, but questions about his durability, and lack of effectiveness through the air make him an upside QB2 with streaming value.
Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
CR: 2
FR: 3
UR: 8
Spin: Similar to Jackson, Allen's fantasy value was extremely dependent on his rushing. He had the lowest QBR in the NFL, more interceptions than touchdown passes, never threw for over 250 yards, and led the league in off-target throws. And the list goes on. Yet, Allen was the QB1 last season in fantasy from week 12 on. He was on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards, and unlike Lamar Jackson, he added a couple deep throws a game, making him a fantasy superstar. The team also added weapons John Brown and Cole Beasley to help the young QB develop. We need to see more from Allen to put him in the QB 1 range, but his elite upside makes him a high risk QB 2.
Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
CR: 7
FR: 5
UR: 10
Spin: Aside from having the best fashion sense in the NFL, and offering 1,500 dollars to switch seats and still getting rejected, Newton is also known for being an elite fantasy quarterback. Though only exceeding 4,000 passing yards once in his career, Killa Cam continues the trend of running quarterbacks, as he has had at least 500 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground in all of his healthy seasons. After getting injured last season, we are unsure of how healthy Cam's throwing shoulder is gonna be (something to keep an eye on in the preseason), but all reports so far have been positive. When Cam is healthy, he is elite in fantasy, and as we saw in 2015, where he finished as the QB1, his upside is as high as anyone's. Cam's injury history makes him the riskiest QB 1, but his upside keeps him in the top 10.
Mitchell Trubisky (Chicago Bears)
CR: 4
FR: 7
UR: 7
Spin: Many were expecting a major sophomore leap for the dual threat Trubisky, and the Bears quarterback answered with more of a step. Though he was not the top 10 fantasy quarterback some were hoping for, he was usable throughout the season, finishing as QB15 in only 14 games. With few changes this offseason, the Bears offense looks to be run-heavy once again, limiting Trubisky's upside. However, his combination of solid passing and rushing make him a locked and loaded QB 2, with back end QB 1 upside.
Andy Dalton (Cincinatti Bengals)
CR: 5
FR: 5
UR: 6
Spin: As much as I would love to have the Red Rifle's nickname, I wouldn't be thrilled with his recent fantasy production. Though once a back end QB 1, Dalton's drop in volume, and injuries to A.J. Green have greatly limited his fantasy output in recent years. With healthy weapons, and a new offensive scheme, there is some optimism that Dalton can be fantasy relevant, but he will likely be no more than a viable streamer, and is not worth a pick in one QB leagues.
Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns)
CR: 6
FR: 7
UR: 9
Spin: Unless you are like me and more intrigued by what Antonio Brown, Richie Incognito, Vontaze Burflict, and Jon Gruden could do to each other on Hard Knocks, the Browns could be the most exciting story heading into the 2019 season. Though when the Browns drafted Baker with the first overall pick last season, many, like me thought "Ah sh*t, here we go again", but we all forgot that one saying, "105th time's the charm". Once Freddie Kitchens was calling plays, Mayfield impressed both for real life and fantasy purposes, producing as a QB 1. The team added elite weapon Odell Beckham Jr, and along with natural Year 2 progression, Mayfield has the opportunity and talent to be an elite fantasy quarterback this season. Whether he can put the two together is a viable question, making Mayfield a solid QB 1.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
CR: 8
FR: 8
UR: 7
Spin: Three things are certain in life. Death, taxes, and the Cowboys not making a deep playoff run. Oh, and Dak Prescott rushing for six touchdowns, apparently. Since entering the league, Dak has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers at quarterback, finishing as a back end QB 1 in all three of his seasons. Last season, with the addition of Amari Cooper mid-season, Prescott's passing efficiency and production increased, possibly increasing his upside. Dak is a back end QB 1, and one of the best late-round targets at quarterback.
Joe Flacco (Denver Broncos)
CR: 5
FR: 4
CR: 4
Spin: Though Flacco is a truly elite NFL quarterback, the same cannot be said in fantasy. Denver should have a run-first offense, leaving Flacco little opportunity to be useful in fantasy. He is a QB 3, and should only be drafted in superflex or 2QB formats.
Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions)
CR: 4
FR: 6
UR: 5
Spin: Matthew Stafford's fantasy relevance is similar to the Decepticons, dependent on Megatron. Since the departure of Calvin Johnson, Stafford has improved from an NFL standpoint at the expense of his numbers. Last season, he was a fringe top 20 quarterback, though playing with a broken back. Stafford is likely to produce some solid weeks, but in aa run-heavy offense, the days of 5,000 yards are over. Stafford is a back end QB 2 with streaming value.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
CR: 8
FR: 9
UR: 9
Spin: Rodgers had one of his worst fantasy campaigns of his career last season playing through injury, and he finished as QB 6. That's all you need to know about Aaron Rodgers. Since he got the starting job in 2008, Rodgers has had at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in all but one of his healthy seasons. With a new offensive coordinator, the Packers could be slightly more run-heavy, which could cap his once limitless ceiling, but it could also improve the offense as a whole, and the efficiency of the passing game. When healthy, Rodgers is a top 5 fantasy quarterback, with a good shot at being the QB 1, making him among the elites at the position.
Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans)
CR: 7
FR: 8
UR: 10
Spin: Similar to Rodgers, when on the field, Watson is a fantasy stud. If not for knee injuries paired with a suspect offensive line, Watson would be my QB 1, as he likely has highest upside of any fantasy quarterback. After an absurd touchdown rate in his rookie year, many expected regression for Watson, and he did regress, all the way down to the QB 4. This is with both Keke Coutee and Will Fuller V missing large portions of the year. When Fuller is on the field, Watson has been the QB 1 in fantasy points per game. He is and should be drafted as an elite quarterback.
Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts)
CR: 8
FR: 9
CR: 9
Spin: Andrew Luck returning to the field to save the Colts in 2018 is rivaled by only Shane Falco's return to save "The Replacements." After missing over a year with a shoulder injury, Luck returned to be the elite NFL and fantasy quarterback he was before, finishing as the QB 5. Luck has had over 3800 yards and 20 touchdowns in all of his healthy seasons, and 4200 yards and 30 touchdowns in his last three. With an improved defense, the team is likely to be slightly more run-heavy, which could limit Luck's upside. However, with his injury history behind him, and an improved supporting cast, Luck is still among the elites at quarterback.
Ratings (out of 10):
Consistency Rating (CR): How consistent this player is or is expected to be on a week to week basis.
Floor Rating (FR): A combination of the player's floor, and the chance they hit their floor
Upside Rating (UR) : A combination of the player's upside, and the chance they reach that upside
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)
CR: N/A
FR: 4
UR: 9
Spin: We do not know how the first overall pick in the NFL draft will succeed at the NFL, but we do know he is arguably the most explosive quarterback rusher since Michael Vick, and his college production suggests at least adequate passing ability. Rookie such as Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III have seen fantasy success on poor offenses in the past due to their ability on the ground. Even Lamar Jackson, who was atrocious threw the air last season, was a viable starting quarterback in fantasy exclusively from rushing production. Though Murray could be a total flop, especially with a poor supporting cast, and unproven system, the upside of a dual threat quarterback makes him a borderline top 10 high risk quarterback.
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
CR: 7
FR: 8
UR: 8
Spin: After a down year in 2017, Ryan bounced back to his elite 2016 form last season, with just under 5,000 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a top 2 fantasy finish. Though Ryan has had down years throughout his career, in every year since 2011, he has played all 16 games, recorded over 4,000 passing yards, and at least 20 touchdowns. With nearly identical weapons to last season, and the return of Dirk Koetter's I can't run the ball offense, Ryan should be set for more of the same in 2019. He is a locked and loaded top 12 quarterback, with just the question of if he will finish closer to 12, like in 2017, or closer to 1, like in 2018. Given his history and weapons, I would lean somewhere in the middle.
Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
CR: 8
FR: 5
UR: 7
Spin: Jackson's fantasy value lives and dies from his rushing ability. Last season, despite starting only seven games, Jackson had the most QB rushing attempts of all time, and despite less than stellar stats through the air, was a borderline top 10 quarterback in fantasy. The Ravens have built their offense for Jackson, upgrading at running back, and drafting speedy receiver Marquise Brown. Jackson is an exciting quarterback, and his rushing should keep him fantasy relevant, but questions about his durability, and lack of effectiveness through the air make him an upside QB2 with streaming value.
Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
CR: 2
FR: 3
UR: 8
Spin: Similar to Jackson, Allen's fantasy value was extremely dependent on his rushing. He had the lowest QBR in the NFL, more interceptions than touchdown passes, never threw for over 250 yards, and led the league in off-target throws. And the list goes on. Yet, Allen was the QB1 last season in fantasy from week 12 on. He was on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards, and unlike Lamar Jackson, he added a couple deep throws a game, making him a fantasy superstar. The team also added weapons John Brown and Cole Beasley to help the young QB develop. We need to see more from Allen to put him in the QB 1 range, but his elite upside makes him a high risk QB 2.
Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
CR: 7
FR: 5
UR: 10
Spin: Aside from having the best fashion sense in the NFL, and offering 1,500 dollars to switch seats and still getting rejected, Newton is also known for being an elite fantasy quarterback. Though only exceeding 4,000 passing yards once in his career, Killa Cam continues the trend of running quarterbacks, as he has had at least 500 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground in all of his healthy seasons. After getting injured last season, we are unsure of how healthy Cam's throwing shoulder is gonna be (something to keep an eye on in the preseason), but all reports so far have been positive. When Cam is healthy, he is elite in fantasy, and as we saw in 2015, where he finished as the QB1, his upside is as high as anyone's. Cam's injury history makes him the riskiest QB 1, but his upside keeps him in the top 10.
Mitchell Trubisky (Chicago Bears)
CR: 4
FR: 7
UR: 7
Spin: Many were expecting a major sophomore leap for the dual threat Trubisky, and the Bears quarterback answered with more of a step. Though he was not the top 10 fantasy quarterback some were hoping for, he was usable throughout the season, finishing as QB15 in only 14 games. With few changes this offseason, the Bears offense looks to be run-heavy once again, limiting Trubisky's upside. However, his combination of solid passing and rushing make him a locked and loaded QB 2, with back end QB 1 upside.
Andy Dalton (Cincinatti Bengals)
CR: 5
FR: 5
UR: 6
Spin: As much as I would love to have the Red Rifle's nickname, I wouldn't be thrilled with his recent fantasy production. Though once a back end QB 1, Dalton's drop in volume, and injuries to A.J. Green have greatly limited his fantasy output in recent years. With healthy weapons, and a new offensive scheme, there is some optimism that Dalton can be fantasy relevant, but he will likely be no more than a viable streamer, and is not worth a pick in one QB leagues.
Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns)
CR: 6
FR: 7
UR: 9
Spin: Unless you are like me and more intrigued by what Antonio Brown, Richie Incognito, Vontaze Burflict, and Jon Gruden could do to each other on Hard Knocks, the Browns could be the most exciting story heading into the 2019 season. Though when the Browns drafted Baker with the first overall pick last season, many, like me thought "Ah sh*t, here we go again", but we all forgot that one saying, "105th time's the charm". Once Freddie Kitchens was calling plays, Mayfield impressed both for real life and fantasy purposes, producing as a QB 1. The team added elite weapon Odell Beckham Jr, and along with natural Year 2 progression, Mayfield has the opportunity and talent to be an elite fantasy quarterback this season. Whether he can put the two together is a viable question, making Mayfield a solid QB 1.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
CR: 8
FR: 8
UR: 7
Spin: Three things are certain in life. Death, taxes, and the Cowboys not making a deep playoff run. Oh, and Dak Prescott rushing for six touchdowns, apparently. Since entering the league, Dak has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers at quarterback, finishing as a back end QB 1 in all three of his seasons. Last season, with the addition of Amari Cooper mid-season, Prescott's passing efficiency and production increased, possibly increasing his upside. Dak is a back end QB 1, and one of the best late-round targets at quarterback.
Joe Flacco (Denver Broncos)
CR: 5
FR: 4
CR: 4
Spin: Though Flacco is a truly elite NFL quarterback, the same cannot be said in fantasy. Denver should have a run-first offense, leaving Flacco little opportunity to be useful in fantasy. He is a QB 3, and should only be drafted in superflex or 2QB formats.
Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions)
CR: 4
FR: 6
UR: 5
Spin: Matthew Stafford's fantasy relevance is similar to the Decepticons, dependent on Megatron. Since the departure of Calvin Johnson, Stafford has improved from an NFL standpoint at the expense of his numbers. Last season, he was a fringe top 20 quarterback, though playing with a broken back. Stafford is likely to produce some solid weeks, but in aa run-heavy offense, the days of 5,000 yards are over. Stafford is a back end QB 2 with streaming value.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
CR: 8
FR: 9
UR: 9
Spin: Rodgers had one of his worst fantasy campaigns of his career last season playing through injury, and he finished as QB 6. That's all you need to know about Aaron Rodgers. Since he got the starting job in 2008, Rodgers has had at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in all but one of his healthy seasons. With a new offensive coordinator, the Packers could be slightly more run-heavy, which could cap his once limitless ceiling, but it could also improve the offense as a whole, and the efficiency of the passing game. When healthy, Rodgers is a top 5 fantasy quarterback, with a good shot at being the QB 1, making him among the elites at the position.
Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans)
CR: 7
FR: 8
UR: 10
Spin: Similar to Rodgers, when on the field, Watson is a fantasy stud. If not for knee injuries paired with a suspect offensive line, Watson would be my QB 1, as he likely has highest upside of any fantasy quarterback. After an absurd touchdown rate in his rookie year, many expected regression for Watson, and he did regress, all the way down to the QB 4. This is with both Keke Coutee and Will Fuller V missing large portions of the year. When Fuller is on the field, Watson has been the QB 1 in fantasy points per game. He is and should be drafted as an elite quarterback.
Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts)
CR: 8
FR: 9
CR: 9
Spin: Andrew Luck returning to the field to save the Colts in 2018 is rivaled by only Shane Falco's return to save "The Replacements." After missing over a year with a shoulder injury, Luck returned to be the elite NFL and fantasy quarterback he was before, finishing as the QB 5. Luck has had over 3800 yards and 20 touchdowns in all of his healthy seasons, and 4200 yards and 30 touchdowns in his last three. With an improved defense, the team is likely to be slightly more run-heavy, which could limit Luck's upside. However, with his injury history behind him, and an improved supporting cast, Luck is still among the elites at quarterback.
