We’ve reached the dead zone of the fantasy football year. Rookie drafts have wrapped up, and redraft leagues don’t start for several more weeks. While dynasty startup drafts are always a blast, it leads to a larger workload during the season. So instead, best ball drafts are a great way to pass the time and scratch the fantasy itch.
Best ball is different in many ways compared to traditional fantasy football. However, the one thing that remains the same is finding sleepers in the later rounds. Finding values in the later rounds can be the difference between winning the league and just missing out on making money.
Today, I have five sleeper quarterbacks you should target outside the top 15 in your best ball drafts.
The average draft position (ADP) used for this article comes from Underdog Fantasy.
Justin Fields (QB – CHI): ADP 126.7 | QB16
Fields’ rookie season didn’t go as planned. He split time as the starter with Andy Dalton and had a dysfunctional coaching staff on the sidelines. However, he is in a great position to have a bounce-back sophomore season. Despite the poor situation, Fields finished last year on a positive note. He scored at least 16.9 fantasy points in four of his final five games, averaging 16.4 fantasy points per contest. Furthermore, he scored 18 or more fantasy points against a pair of talented defenses in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers. The Bears will be in negative game script plenty this season, leading to more opportunities for Fields to rack up the fantasy points.
Jameis Winston (QB – NO): ADP 154.6 | QB19
After his famous 30-30 season in 2019, Winston fell off the fantasy radar in 2020. However, he started the 2021 season strong. Winston threw 14 touchdowns against only three interceptions in seven games before a knee injury ended his season. Despite the injury, the Saints re-signed Winston as their starter in the offseason. More importantly, the Saints have drastically improved their offense. They should get back a healthy Michael Thomas after he missed last year with an injury. The Saints also drafted Chris Olave and signed Jarvis Landry, giving Winston arguably the best trio of wide receivers in his career. If he is ready to go Week 1, Winston has top-five upside.
Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ): ADP 171.6 | QB22
As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson had high expectations as a rookie. However, he struggled and averaged only 11.7 fantasy points per game. While his fantasy production was disappointing, Wilson had a poor supporting cast around him. Elijah Moore and Corey Davis struggled with injuries, making Braxton Berrios the most consistent pass-catcher on the team. Thankfully, the Jets signed a pair of veteran tight ends, C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, in free agency. Then they used a top-10 draft pick on Garrett Wilson and an early second-round pick on Breece Hall. With an improved supporting cast, Wilson should have a breakout sophomore season.
Jared Goff (QB – DET): ADP 191.5 | QB26
The idea of drafting Goff is far from appealing. However, the veteran quarterback was productive last year despite a limited supporting cast. He was the QB20 on a points per game basis last year, throwing 19 touchdowns in 14 games. Furthermore, Goff had three top-eight weekly performances despite a poor supporting cast. Thankfully, the Lions made several moves in the offseason to help Goff. First, they re-signed Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond. Then they signed DJ Chark, giving Goff a big-play wide receiver on the outside. Finally, the Lions traded up during the draft to secure Jameson Williams. Given the new additions, Goff should have a strong enough supporting cast to provide fantasy teams several top-12 weekly finishes.
Desmond Ridder (QB – ATL): ADP 215.1 | QB33
While rookie quarterbacks rarely turn into fantasy stars, Ridder has the potential to achieve that feat. The rookie quarterback was a four-year starter at Cincinnati, winning the third-most games in college football history. More importantly, he has two elite athletic freaks to throw to in Kyle Pitts and Drake London. Furthermore, Cordarrelle Patterson will give him a hybrid weapon in the backfield. Ridder is also a capable runner and could have 350 or more rushing yards if he starts most of the games. More importantly, the Falcons will be in negative game script most of the season. If he can develop a connection with Pitts and London early in the season, Ridder could sneak into the top 12 as a rookie.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.