There are always debates in fantasy football. It’s often what makes fantasy football draft prep discussions so much fun (or frustrating)! That’s certainly the case this year with so many players changing teams. Two players that have remained fringe QB1s for several seasons are Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins. Often the selections of late-round quarterback enthusiasts and superflex drafters, both Carr and Cousins will look to jump into the QB1 tier in 2022. Which side are you on? Let’s take a look at the fantasy football debate between Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr.
Kirk Cousins vs. Derek Carr Debate
Derek Carr 2022 Fantasy Football Outlook
The biggest winner in the aftermath of the Davante Adams trade is Derek Carr. He now has the luxury of throwing to a surplus of offensive weapons including arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in his old college teammate.
Let’s not forget that when Carr had everybody available last season, the Raiders quarterback ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and 15th in fantasy points per game. However, his ceiling was limited due to his lack of mobility and weaponry; Carr did not finish better than a top-8 quarterback at any point in 2021.
But Adams figures to provide Carr with a red-zone weapon like no other that will unlock his fantasy ceiling. He’s the exact positive touchdown regression that should launch Carr’s fantasy numbers. Carr’s 3.7 TD rate in 2021 was below his career average (4.3). And his 23 total passing touchdowns were seven below expectation.
Fully anticipate Carr throwing for 30-plus laser scores bare minimum with Adams at his disposal. Every quarterback last season that threw for at least 30 touchdowns finished inside the top-10 in 2021.
– Andrew Erickson
Kirk Cousins 2022 Fantasy Football Outlook
Kirk Cousins is the ugly duckling fantasy quarterback who found his way inside the top 12 producers (QB11, QB12) in back-to-back seasons. Cousins did so last season by directing a surprisingly up-tempo and more pass-heavy Vikings offense. Last year Minnesota was eighth and 12th in neutral pace and passing rate. With Kevin O’Connell at the controls this season, the passing rate could continue to be healthy (LAR, seventh), but the neutral pace could decline (LAR, 16th). If this happens and Adam Thielen takes a step back entering his age 32 season, Cousins will be rendered as a mid QB2.
– Andrew Erickson
2022 Consensus Best Ball Rankings
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