For seasons, the late-round quarterback strategy has dominated fantasy football mock draft rooms and leagues on Yahoo, ESPN and CBS. Quarterbacks play with more job security than most and receive similar opportunities on a game-to-game basis. However, the emergence of the rushing quarterback in recent seasons has completely changed the position for fantasy purposes. Do we break the mold of the late-round-QB and go with an entirely different fantasy football draft strategy for quarterbacks with so much importance now placed on the rushing upside of players like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen?Â
2021 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Quarterback
Running QBs are Gold
In the last few years a few quarterbacks provided legitimate difference making upside for fantasy. Last year, seven averaged over 23 fantasy points per game, with most contributing on the ground. While offensive environment is still the most important factor to a quarterback’s success, an ability to create on the ground provides added value.
With that said, five of the top six quarterbacks contribute to some degree as rushers. Grabbing one of these dual-threat quarterbacks can provide a competitive advantage. For example, Lamar Jackson has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Josh Allen has at least eight rushing touchdowns in three years. While used in different ways on the ground, both allow each quarterback to tap into a ceiling not available to the traditional pocket passer.
Check out Awesemo Fantasy Football expert Dave Loughran’s Sleeper Quarterbacks, and who you should be drafting in your Yahoo, ESPN & CBS leagues.
Late-Round QBs Still Have Value
Even with the elevated ceilings of these dual-threat quarterbacks, the late-round quarterback strategy is still alive. In the mid- to late rounds, targeting quarterbacks on prolific offense or even just offenses expected to throw a lot can pay off. For example, second-year quarterback Joe Burrow plays in a Bengals offense expected to throw the ball above league average. Likewise, Matthew Stafford expects to see a jump in efficiency, moving from Detroit to Los Angeles. Like with Ryan Tannehill last year, these quarterbacks pay off most at later average draft positions (ADP).
The late-round strategy also implies a reliance on the waiver wire. Late-round players bring a much higher bust rate. However, the depth of quarterback helps smooth this out. Matchups, offensive environment and rushing ability are again crucial to late-rounders and quarterbacks off the waiver wire. Last year streamers like Taysom Hill and Jalen Hurts led fantasy owners to winning weeks. This year a dual threat like Trey Lance or Justin Fields could emerge at any point in the regular season. Because of their rushing ability, this type of quarterback has a chance to jump immediately into the top 12 quarterbacks on any given week.
Dominate your Fantasy Football draft this year with the best fantasy football rankings, strategy and data, brought to you by the #1 DFS player in the world. The 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit brings you the sophisticated tools and proprietary data you need to win your season-long fantasy league in 2021. Awesemo's Fantasy Football Rankings Printable Fantasy Football Cheatsheets The Best Fantasy Sleeper Picks Fantasy Football Player Profiles Awesemo Fantasy Football on YouTube Buy the Awesemo 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit Now and get a $35 bonus on Underdog Fantasy AND a $35 credit on FFPC ($10 for existing players)!Searching for a ceiling at quarterback is extremely important. Because of increased rushing ability, taking a mid-round quarterback looks more viable than ever. The late-round quarterback strategy is also alive, but also focus on quarterbacks with the ability to contribute with their legs.
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