All fantasy football managers would love to pencil in a surefire superstar quarterback into their weekly lineups. The unfortunate reality about the current quarterback landscape is that there aren’t many dependable performers at the position. The likes of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts headline a very short list of signal-callers who can be trusted weekly. Of course, managers will need to invest early-round draft capital to secure one of these assets.
The remaining quarterback options have uncertainties surrounding their fantasy football outlook. Managers who miss out on the top-tier options will need to search for untapped potential in the deeper rounds of the draft. The best value selections are typically those who pair great passing output with additional rushing production.
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QB2s With Top-5 Fantasy Football Potential
In what follows, I’ll highlight three players currently being ranked as QB2s who possess the upside to climb the rankings as the 2025 season progresses.
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
The fantasy football community seems to have completely forgotten about Dak Prescott. A hamstring injury sustained in Week 9 of the 2024 season put an abbreviated end to what was a disastrous season for the Cowboys as a whole. Before this, Prescott put together a sensational 2023 campaign during which he compiled an excess of 4,500 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. He’s also shown flashes of athleticism as a runner, compiling a noteworthy 29 rushing touchdowns across his nine-year career.
Currently ranked as the QB15, Prescott presents an excellent value in drafts. He’ll have the benefit of working with the most explosive pass-catching corps of his career in 2025. The addition of George Pickens will prove to be beneficial for the Cowboys and fantasy managers alike. In years past, opposing teams shifted all of their defensive attention towards superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb. With Pickens now in the fold, secondaries will have another star receiver to account for. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), both Lamb and Pickens eclipsed 2.05 yards per route run in 2024.
The Cowboys’ defense was among the league’s worst in 2024. This unit conceded the second-most points in the NFL and earned the fifth-worst PFF defensive grade. Having lost several key starters in free agency, including the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence and Eric Kendricks, Dallas’ defense is primed to struggle again in 2025. This will inevitably lead to many pass-friendly game scripts as Prescott looks to keep pace with opposing offenses. At any rate, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has displayed a willingness to run a pass-heavy offensive scheme. Prescott had the second-most pass attempts in the league with Schottenheimer as his offensive coordinator in 2023.
Dak Prescott will be asked to manage a great deal of passing volume in 2025. Given the impressive array of pass-catching weapons at his disposal, the franchise quarterback should make the most of this opportunity. He’s certainly capable of a top-five finish in 2025.
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
It was, in many ways, a disastrous rookie season for Caleb Williams. He failed to overcome bland play-calling and poor offensive line play as the Bears stumbled towards an uninspiring 5-12 record. That said, many of the issues that plagued Williams in 2024 have been addressed this offseason. For one, Ben Johnson was appointed as the team’s new head coach. As the Lions’ offensive coordinator, Johnson grew a reputation for ingenious offensive schemes and played a key role in revitalizing Jared Goff‘s career. The Bears also invested heavily in the offensive line. Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson will certainly help keep Williams upright during his sophomore season.
The Bears’ dynamic group of receiving threats will play a pivotal role in Williams’ development. DJ Moore is a proven commodity in the NFL and has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on four different occasions. Rome Odunze showed flashes as a rookie, earning a contested catch percentage of 72.2%, per PFF. The receiving corps will be bolstered by the arrival of rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Given Johnson’s schematic pedigree, expect these rookies to be allowed to make a positive impact in their rookie seasons.
Caleb Williams
Strong Rookie Season Finish Wks 12-17
– 17.9 Fantasy Points/Game (QB10)
– Top 9 QB in 3/6 Games Played
– 30+ Rush Yds in 5/6 GPBears New Offense
– Colston Loveland TE
– Luther Burden III WR
– Ben Johnson HCJared Goff
– Top 10 QB 2022-24 w/ JohnsonIt’s Time. pic.twitter.com/IDGUqgzwq0
— No Expert Fantasy Football (@NoExpertFF) May 12, 2025
Williams’ athleticism was on full display throughout his rookie season. According to PFF, the USC alum averaged a formidable 3.25 yards after contact per attempt and forced 21 missed tackles. His ability to earn first downs as a runner helped offset the offensive line’s inconsistencies. This rushing prowess will provide managers with a stable baseline of fantasy football production.
All told, Williams now finds himself in a position to deliver on the undeniable talent that made him the first overall draft selection a mere year ago. With established production as a runner, Williams provides both the floor and the ceiling to vastly outperform his current ranking as the QB13.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)
Having sat out the entirety of his rookie year due to a torn meniscus suffered in pre-season, J.J. McCarthy figures to be Minnesota’s starting quarterback in 2025. The team committed to McCarthy despite Sam Darnold putting together the best season of his professional career for the Vikings in 2024. The veteran journeyman compiled a respectable 35:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the team to a 14-3 record. Still, the Vikings are handing the keys of the quarterback room to the sophomore. The organization thinks very highly of their 2024 first-round draft selection, who earned an 88.5 PFF passing grade in his final collegiate season.
Kevin O’Connell’s system has historically been very conducive to fantasy football production. The likes of Kirk Cousins, Darnold and Nick Mullens have all been successful under his scheme. McCarthy has had an entire year to gain familiarity with the system and should transition into the starting role seamlessly.
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson will also be key factors in McCarthy’s early success. Jefferson has emerged as one of the league’s most dominant receivers and has averaged an outstanding 2.64 yards per route run throughout his illustrious career, per PFF. Addison, who’s accrued 19 touchdowns across his two professional seasons, is the ideal complementary piece. The sure-handed veteran Hockenson will also be a reliable short-area target for McCarthy.
JJ McCarthy has two WR’s being drafted in the Top-65 picks (one Top-5 overall), a TE being drafted Top-5 at his position, & two RB’s being drafted in the Top-100.
Yet McCarthy’s being drafted QB18 – 9 spots lower in the QB rankings than Sam Darnold finished last year.
SMASH. pic.twitter.com/wzOI6JsRYm
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) June 16, 2025
McCarthy’s sneaky rushing upside further elevates his fantasy football ceiling. According to PFF, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 3.16 yards after contact per attempt across three seasons in college. Rushing lanes should be plentiful as opposing defenses will need to account for the threat posed by the likes of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
McCarthy’s prospect profile speaks for itself. He ended his college career having earned a 27-1 record and led the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship in 2024. Under O’Connell’s stewardship, McCarthy will enjoy great success through the air and as a runner in his sophomore season. He may potentially provide top-five fantasy production at a QB20 cost, according to average draft position (ADP).
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