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When you read any of today’s fantasy football draft advice and mistakes to avoid while drafting, you’re most likely going to see something about waiting on the quarterback position. Basically, the numbers state that you should note spend early fantasy football draft capital on the quarterback position, especially in leagues that start one QB.

While this seems very ‘duh’ to some, it clearly hasn’t been adopted by everyone given we continue to have players like Patrick Mahomes carry an overall average draft position (ADP) of 15. Until this changes, we’re going to continue to provide advice around waiting on quarterback.

So, if you’re not taking Patrick Mahomes in the second round, who should you take? Glad you asked. Our writers have provided their top late-round quarterbacks to target to allow you to fill up on the skill positions early in your fantasy football drafts.

(currently QB13 or lower based on consensus ADP).

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Who is your favorite late-round quarterback?

Lamar Jackson (BAL): ADP QB14
There are a handful of solid quarterback options outside the top 12, but no one has the upside of Lamar Jackson. Tom Brady is 42 years old on a run-first offense. Jameis Winston is a bad real-life quarterback at risk of being benched. Philip Rivers is 38 years old and hasn’t been a fantasy QB1 in over five years. That leads me to Dak Prescott or Lamar Jackson. I went with Jackson because although Prescott has been a low-end QB1 every year of his career, I don’t see a top-five ceiling unless the Cowboys start throwing a lot more. With Jackson, he has 1,000 rushing yard upside. Rushing quarterbacks are cheat codes in fantasy. We’ve seen far worse quarterbacks put up QB1 numbers due to their rushing ability. If Jackson is merely an average passer, which is a reasonable step forward in his second season, he should be a mid-to-low QB1. If Jackson makes a bigger leap than expected, top three is within his range of outcomes.
– Jason Katz (@jasonkatz13)

I am targeting Jackson in best-ball and as my second QB in Superflex leagues to an obsessive-compulsive degree. What he accomplished on the ground in the last seven games is really flying under the radar — 566 yards rushing (695 for the year). His passing stats are modest (to be kind) but he was a true dual-threat quarterback in college, and the Ravens have added some weapons at wide receiver and a player-friendly offensive coordinator in Greg Roman. I am fascinated by the offensive transformation going on in Baltimore and am a big believer in their young quarterback.
– Sheldon Curtis (@sheldon_curtis)

Jameis Winston (TB): ADP QB15
Is there a more polarizing player in all fantasy football that Jameis Winston? Probably not. Some people think he’s going to be a top-five quarterback while others wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. Both feelings are completely valid considering what we’ve seen from Jameis early on in his career. He’ll have one game where he throws for 400 yards and four touchdowns and then the next week throw three interceptions and look dreadful. If you’re someone who is risk-averse, Jameis probably isn’t your guy but considering the depth at quarterback, I don’t think his inconsistencies shouldn’t scare you off. For as “inconsistent” as people think Jameis is, over his last 24 starts he’s thrown for over 300 yards 12 times. Throwing for 300 yards in 50% of your starts is an incredibly difficult thing to do, but playing in this Bucs’ offense makes it possible. They are always one of the pass-heaviest teams in the league and should only improve in efficiency with Bruce Arians now calling plays. Throughout his career, Arians has gotten consistent production from his quarterbacks. Whether it be Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, or Carson Palmer, Arians put them in the best position to succeed. Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is in Miami, Winston will be the unquestioned starter in an offense that features weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard. With those weapons at his disposal, it’ll be nearly impossible for Winston not to outperform his current ADP.
– Eli Berkovits (@PTTF_Eli)

Mike Evans has an ADP of WR8. Chris Godwin has an ADP of WR18. O.J. Howard has an ADP of TE4. How exactly do people anticipate this happening? Will they simply be handed the ball and told to run? Will they just magically start to accumulate points? Perhaps it’s a good idea to take a moment and consider drafting the guy throwing to them. Jameis Winston scored more than 20 points in two-thirds of his starts last year, which was a higher rate than any quarterback going ahead of him not named Patrick Mahomes. The arrival of Bruce Arians on a team that’s going to be involved in a lot of shootouts, coupled with a mouth-watering strength of schedule, could easily lead to a top-five finish for Winston.
– Elisha Twerski (@ElishaTwerski)

I already wrote about Winston back in mid-July. My mind hasn’t changed since then. I am going to use same reasoning I gave in that article. I have been targeting in him in drafts as my upside quarterback (have him in two leagues already) and would pair him with a safe quarterback such as Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, or Tom Brady. Winston is being drafted as QB15 and could easily finish in the top eight at the position. In five of his final seven games last season, completed 64.3 percent of his passes with 7.9 YPA, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and three 300-yard games. He will have to learn a new offense under Bruce Arians but will have plenty of opportunities to make big plays. Winston also has a great supporting cast of playmakers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. If he can limit turnovers everything is set up for Winston to finish as a top-eight QB in 2019.
– Brad Camara (@beerad30)

Mitch Trubisky (CHI): ADP QB19
I have already made my case for Trubisky in 2019 in a previous article, but I will summarize here. Yes, he was one of the more inconsistent quarterbacks last season but also had the highest average fantasy points (28.0) among all other quarterbacks from Week 4 to Week 10. Going into 2019 after having a full year in Matt Nagy’s playbook, Trubisky has been building confidence and chemistry with the same core of pass catchers from last season. There has also been an improvement in the running back’s room with David Montgomery and Mike Davis who will open up the play calling and give Trubisky more weapons to target. Let’s also remember Trubisky can run the ball. As everyone who plays fantasy football knows, having a quarterback who provides rushing yards is a great bonus. From his growth in his last two years, and what sounds like the right steps he is taking in Nagy’s school of quarterbacks, I think Trubisky could finish as a top-10 quarterback and well above his current ADP.
– Kevin O’Connor (@22koconnor)

Josh Allen (BUF): ADP QB21
A polarizing draft pick to say the least, Bills quarterback Josh Allen managed to justify his supporters and critics alike throughout his rookie campaign. Showcasing one of the best deep balls in the league, Allen turned heads with his strong arm and made highlight reels with his flashes of athleticism. With the good came the bad with Allen, however, as the accuracy issues that had plagued him in college unsurprisingly carried on to the NFL. With all of the ups and downs, Allen was nothing if not an elite fantasy option down the stretch. After returning from injury in Week 12 against the Jaguars, Allen finished out the season as the top quarterback in all of fantasy football for the last six weeks of the season — averaging a staggering 24.2 points per game. Along with his strong finish to the year, Allen will be playing with an entirely new cast of players. His offensive line is completely revamped and could see five new starters while his receiving corps will be much improved with the additions of Cole Beasley and John Brown to go along with the returning Zay Jones and Robert Foster. The new supporting cast should help, but even if there are still doubts about Allen’s passing ability he still has his legs. Averaging 12.6 points as a rusher during the last six weeks of 2018, Allen’s downside is limited compared to more traditional pocket passers. Currently the QB21, Allen could be a high-level fantasy threat if he picks up where he left off in 2018.
– Brian Rzeppa (@brianrzeppa)

Philip Rivers (LAC): ADP QB17
Rivers is about as consistent a fantasy option as there is in the NFL. He has started 208 consecutive games, which is the longest active quarterback streak in the NFL. He currently has an ADP of 17, but the only times in his career that he has finished as the 17th ranked or lower fantasy quarterback since 2006 were 2007 and 2012. Last year, he had one of his best seasons, finishing with 4,308 yards passing and 32 passing touchdowns. The Chargers still have a team loaded with playmakers and they will be one of the better offenses in the NFL. Rivers is an absolute steal as the 17th ranked quarterback and the 115th ranked player overall. You can basically take him in the 12th round and know that you are going to have about 276.2 fantasy points, which is what he has averaged per season since 2013. There are younger players that have more rushing ability and more upside, but they are also riskier picks. I would still want a second streaming option due to Rivers turning 38 years old this year. I would not want to have to commit to him when he plays elite defenses. That is a very doable task when Rivers goes in the 12th round. Winning fantasy football leagues is about identifying unproven players in the later rounds, but anytime you have a chance to add consistency that late in a draft, it is an incredible bargain. I know Rivers is not going to be a top-five fantasy quarterback this year, but I do know that he will be one of the best bargains after Round 10 given his past success and the quality of the team he plays on this year.
– Derek Lofland (@DerekLofland)

Why do we always disrespect this guy? Every single year he’s drafted outside the top-10 quarterbacks, and he consistently finds himself in the QB1 conversation by the end of the season. Let’s take a look at his finishes the last few seasons: 2018=QB11, 2017=QB8, 2016=QB14, 2015=QB12, 2014=QB12, 2013=QB6. While that may not sound like anything special, it means that he’s outperformed his price tag nearly every year. The reason I like him this season is because of the team around him. Not only is Melvin Gordon in holdout hiatus, Rivers now has Mike Williams and Hunter Henry emerging. This could be the greatest passing attack he’s ever had and a top-10 finish would not surprise me at all.
– Joel Bartilotta (@Bartilottajoel)

2019 Draft Kit: View printable cheat sheets, sleepers & mistakes to avoid

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