The Superflex format continues to rise in popularity, and with it goes the demand for quarterbacks on each fantasy manager’s roster.
There are various ways to address the position, but often the easiest way is through the startup draft and rookie drafts. Quality options at the quarterback position are rarely, if ever, available on the trade market for less than what it will cost to acquire them during a startup draft.
While you should expect the top options to fly off the draft board at a breakneck pace, that doesn’t mean solid options won’t be available to you later in the draft if you opt to address other positions earlier. Today we’ll be diving into some of those later-round options you should be looking to target in your Superflex drafts to shore up the quarterback position on your roster.
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Later-Round QBs to Target in Superflex Leagues (2023 Fantasy Football)
All ADP provided courtesy of DLF’s May Superflex ADP.
Mac Jones (QB – NE)
Currently selected as the QB31 at 98.75 overall, Mac Jones is an excellent target for fantasy managers who come away with one quarterback early and then stockpile depth at running back and wide receiver. Situations matter, and the offensive coaching situation for the Patriots was far less than ideal in 2022.
Bill O’Brien steps in as offensive coordinator and should be able to help Jones play to the strengths he flashed in 2021 as a rookie when he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and over 20 touchdowns.
He’ll never be the flashiest option due to his lack of rushing upside, but being able to draft a player who finished as the QB18 in 2021 as a rookie this late is worth the gamble. There is a path to Jones finishing as a rock-solid QB2 option in 2023 and beyond, and that’s a risk I’m willing to take in round eight of startup drafts.
Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN)
Coming away with Ryan Tannehill in startup drafts might feel like taking medicine you hated the taste of as a kid, but he’s going late enough now that it might be worth it. After missing five games in 2022, Tannehill is coming off the board in the eleventh round of startups (pick 135.75) as the QB34.
In 2021 Tannehill finished as the QB13 thanks partly to seven rushing touchdowns. He figures to once again begin the season as the Titans starter this year, and while he might not retain the job past this season, he’s a solid option for teams looking to win in Year 1 of startups. You don’t have to pay the same price you would for other starting options, but we’ve seen what the upside can be if he remains healthy.
That’s not to say Tannehill will return fringe QB1 value this season, but if he can stave off Will Levis for 2023, you’ll have a solid starting option for dirt cheap.
Sam Howell (QB – WAS) and Jacoby Brissett (QB – WAS)
The Washington Commanders quarterback room is one of the more interesting ones for fantasy purposes. Both Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett are coming off the board fairly close to one another, with Howell being selected as the QB32 (108.50 overall) and Brissett as the QB36 (194.24 overall).
The long-term upside lies with Howell. The team figures to give him ample opportunity to stake his claim to the starting quarterback job. He only started one game in 2022 but flashed some of the upside we saw on his college tape at North Carolina. He threw for one touchdown but also chipped in a rushing score. He has underrated dual-threat ability, and if he can put it all together could be a steal at his current ADP.
Brissett will be lurking in the background, and if Howell falters, we know Brissett can return some decent fantasy value. He won’t ever be the most exciting option, but he filled in admirably for the Browns while Deshaun Watson was suspended. Both players are worth the risk at their current price tag, but I lean towards selecting Howell and hoping he pans out long-term.
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