Fantasy football players love to wait on quarterbacks in redraft leagues because every year, there are several passers drafted outside the top 12 who ended the season as a QB1. Last year, five quarterbacks finished inside the top 12, with had a preseason average draft position outside the top 14.
- Baker Mayfield was drafted as the QB21 but finished as the QB4.
- Jared Goff was drafted as the QB15 but finished as the QB6.
- Bo Nix was drafted as the QB23 but finished as the QB7.
- Sam Darnold was drafted as QB31 but finished as the QB9.
- Justin Herbert was drafted as the QB17 but finished as the QB17.
Which quarterbacks with an ADP outside the top 12 could end the 2025 season as a top-five guy? Let’s look at six potential candidates.
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- Best Ball Consensus ADP
- 2025 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
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QB2s With Top-5 Fantasy Football Potential
Dak Prescott (DAL): ADP 97.5 | QB13
Unfortunately, Prescott missed the second half of last year with a hamstring injury. Yet, the veteran was a fantasy star in 2023. He was the QB3 that season, averaging 20.1 fantasy points per game, totaling a career-high 36 passing touchdowns. Furthermore, Prescott had little impact on the ground, totaling two rushing scores. More importantly, he had a very similar set of weapons compared to this year’s unit. However, the Cowboys recently traded for George Pickens, giving Prescott his best No. 2 wide receiver since having Amari Cooper in 2021.
Justin Fields (NYJ): ADP 106.5 | QB15
Fields is a below-average NFL quarterback. However, the former Ohio State star is an excellent fantasy quarterback because of his legs. He averaged 18.9 fantasy points per game over the first six weeks of last season as the starter. That 18.9 average would have made Fields the QB8 on a points-per-game basis in 2024. More importantly, the veteran was productive in his last season as the unquestioned starter, ranking as the QB9 on a points-per-game basis in 2023 among quarterbacks with at least nine games played.
Drake Maye (NE): ADP 114.5 | QB18
Fantasy players should have high hopes for Maye in 2025. Last year, he didn’t start until Week 6 and left a couple of games early. However, Maye averaged 16.4 fantasy points per game in the 10 contests he started and finished. He would have finished as the QB13 over a 17-game pace with that average. Thankfully, the Patriots massively improved their offensive line and receiving core this offseason. They drafted Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson while signing Stefon Diggs in free agency, giving Maye a significantly better supporting cast.
Trevor Lawrence (JAC): ADP 117.5 | QB19
The Jaguars should have one of the most improved offenses in the NFL this season, which makes Lawrence an appealing sleeper candidate. Last year, he struggled with injuries and a dysfunctional offense, ending the season as the QB27, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game. Thankfully, Jacksonville hired Liam Coen as their head coach, improved the offensive line in free agency, and traded up in the NFL Draft for Travis Hunter. Don’t be surprised if Lawrence has a breakout season under Coen like Baker Mayfield did last year.
J.J. McCarthy (MIN): ADP 128.5 | QB20
Minnesota showed significant confidence in McCarthy by letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency after coming off a career year. The former Michigan star missed his rookie season because of a torn meniscus. However, he shined in his lone preseason game, totaling two passing touchdowns and 15.3 fantasy points on 17 attempts. More importantly, the Vikings improved their offensive line this offseason, adding three new starters. Furthermore, they have an elite set of weapons. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy has a Patrick Mahomes-lite first year as a starter.
Anthony Richardson (IND): ADP 163.5 | QB28
While Richardson still has to win the starting job, the former Florida star has more upside than any quarterback with an ADP outside the top 10. Unfortunately, he struggled as a passer last season, completing only 47.7% of his attempts. However, Richardson averaged 19.4 fantasy points per game over his final five contests. Furthermore, he averaged 18.2 fantasy points per game as a rookie despite leaving two contests early. If Richardson has overall QB1 upside, if he wins the starting job, improves as a passer, and can stay healthy.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
