Week 6 is here, and we were given crushing blow after blow with injury news this week. Due to that news, we need to advance our research more than we have all season to stay ahead of our league mates and continue to win in our leagues. Today’s theme will center around the most critical position on the field: quarterback. The reason is that when we understand the quarterback position more, we can genuinely branch off and understand all offensive positions better. We have four crucial stats for you to know before you set your lineups for Week 6 in fantasy football. Let’s begin with Brock Purdy, who has dominated the NFL and is now considered an MVP candidate.
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4 Stats To Know Before Setting Your Fantasy Football Lineup
Is Brock Purdy MVP Worthy?
Brock Purdy has been better than I expected to start the 2023 season. Purdy’s game is centered around being an advanced game manager. So far in 2023, his Turnover Worth Throw Rate sits at 2.2%, the 32nd lowest in the NFL. However, is this skill or luck?
Well, Purdy also struggles in a wordy category called Acc%. The most straightforward explanation of Acc% is highly accurate throws, where the QB hits the WR in stride, throws the ball away from coverage, or hits the WR in the numbers when the WR stands still. Yes, that is a mouthful. However, Purdy ranks 28th overall in this category. That places Purdy below such quarterbacks as Justin Fields, Daniel Jones and even QB/TE convert Taysom Hill.
Why are we discussing this stat? Well, you have to understand that Purdy is doing enough for NFL standards but this “heater” he is on now could be a shooting star. Three of the following five matchups are against stronger defensive schemes as the 49ers face the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings(easy game), Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Will his star-studded lineup around him still have a safer floor than most teams? Sure
Will you have to temper expectations on “BOOM” level fantasy production? Absolutely
Put Glue On The Wide Receivers Hands Please
Have you ever watched a game with your fantasy quarterback as he turns to fake the handoff, winds up and bombs it down the field? Of course, you have. Now, as that ball is in the air, you feel every emotion that can pass through the human body. Then the worst happens: the wide receiver drops the ball and you immediately begin the five stages of grief. If you roster Lamar Jackson or Matthew Stafford, you have felt this feeling ten-fold in 2023.
In the 2023 NFL season, both quarterbacks lead the way in Dropped Air Yards. Lamara is first with 147 yards, while Stafford is close behind with 137. If you followed my stacking article last week, you heard me speak of Rashod Bateman, who dropped a touchdown pass right after the article. Dropped Air Yards hurt us all and a PSA should exist. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel because your quarterback can be even better in 2023 if the teams fix the crucial issue of dropping the ball. With The Ravens playing the poor Titans’ pass defense and the Rams playing the weak Cardinals’ defense, we could see ceiling-level fantasy production from both players.
Justin Herbert Is Playing Like An MVP!
There are many reasons to discuss Justin Herbert and his season so far. We could discuss the fantastic play of his wide receiver Keenan Allen and explain that it will only get better with the return of Austin Ekeler this week. However, let’s discuss the offensive coordinator and Herbert’s connection. Within this offense comes a tendency to be more aggressive and push the ball downfield. With that aggressive nature, most believe a higher turnout of turnovers within the offense as you lean into risk.
Justin Herbert has trumped that rule and decided to transcend it by having a Turnover Worthy Throw Rate of only 1.4%, the 39th lowest in the NFL. If Herbert can continue to push the ball downfield and keep his turnover chances low, he will push to be an MVP candidate. This transition in offensive philosophy also helps the players around him, such as Keenan Allen (a lock in your lineups), Gerald Everett (stream-worthy in Week 6) and others. When a quarterback plays to this level, you must consider all his pass-catching options in your lineups.
Check Down, Check, Check Down, Check Check Check Down
If you understand my reference above, kudos; we both grew up with at least one Limp Bizkit song illegally downloaded off Napster. However, all these “checks” lead us to our stat about check-down rates by the quarterbacks in 2023.
Some quarterbacks you should notice in the Top-10 of the check-down rate are:
Justin Fields: 4th overall (19.1%)
Zach Wilson 5th overall(18.8%)
Derek Carr: 6th overall (18.7%)
Russell Wilson: 7th overall (15.3%)
Bryce Young: 9th overall (15.3%)
What does this stat represent? In a PPR league, this stat can help you decide between a running back tied to these respective quarterbacks or someone else. Suppose you need help with start/sit questions surrounding running backs like D’Onta Foreman/ Roschon Johnson, Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara, Broncos RBs, Miles Sanders/ Chuba Hubbard. In that case, this stat may help sway your decision. Leaning into the pass-catching running back will always give you the advantage regardless of whether it’s Redraft, Synasty or even DFS fantasy football.
BONUS STAT BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU
Did You Know That Jalen Hurts is the eighth most pressured quarterback per dropback in 2023, with 71 dropbacks under pressure? This pressure could be why the Eagles’ passing offense came out of the gates slow in 2023.
We are at the point of the season where every advantage matters within your fantasy football matchup. These four stats you need to know will help you create the edge over your opponent and allow you to walk away with a victory in Week 6. Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. If you ever need more help with your fantasy football team, please do not hesitate to contact me on X at @jpep20. Good luck to everyone in Week 6!
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