According to current average draft position data, only four quarterbacks are being taken in the first three to four rounds in fantasy drafts. So what happens if you don’t grab Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts or Joe Burrow early in your draft?
There are worthy passers to take in the middle rounds, but many fantasy managers employ the strategy of loading up on the best skill-position guys they can get and waiting until the later rounds to grab an under-the-radar quarterback who they believe can still post sufficient numbers.
We asked our panel of experts which quarterbacks they liked as late-round options. Some of the players on this list will be available in the 10th round or later in most drafts.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Michael Fabiano: SI Sr. Fantasy Analyst: Prescott threw too many interceptions and made bad decisions last season, leaving a lot of fantasy managers with a bad taste in their mouths. But with head coach Mike McCarthy now calling the plays, the release of Ezekiel Elliott and the addition of a new No. 2 wideout in Brandin Cooks, I like Prescott to rebound in the stat sheets. He’s coming off the board in the double-digit rounds, which makes Prescott a nice value. Current ADP value: 7th round
Aaron Rodgers, Jets
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Jennifer Piacenti, SI Fantasy/Betting Analyst: Aaron Rodgers is coming off the board as the QB17, and I am taking that pick all day, every day. A change of scenery already looks good on Rodgers who got a haircut and has been seen at Knicks games with Sauce Gardner. The four-time MVP also has a clear WR1 again in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, in addition to having veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb now in New York. The threat of Breece Hall in the running game will keep defenses guessing, and Rodgers, the fantasy QB5 in 2021 and the fantasy QB2 in 2020, will exceed his 2023 draft day ADP.
Craig Ellenport, SI Fantasy/Betting Sr. Editor: Reunited with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers is ready to return to fantasy relevancy. The last time these two were together, Rodgers passed for 4,115 yards and 37 TD passes. Those numbers would have made him the QB4 last season, ahead of Joe Burrow. Rodgers seems to be genuinely motivated to make it work with the Jets, and this offense has enough quality weapons to support its new quarterback. Current ADP value: 10th round
Geno Smith, Seahawks
Kyle Wood, SI Fantasy/Betting Writer: Smith, who finished as the QB5 last season, is currently being drafted as the QB15, outside the top 100. Seattle affirmed its commitment to Smith by inking him to a lucrative contract extension after his breakout season. And the Seahawks also added another weapon to their receiver room in the draft with the selection of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a highly touted prospect from Ohio State. I understand some level of tepidness because 2022 was an extreme outlier compared to what Smith has done the rest of his career. But let me remind you he finished first in completion percentage (69.8%), eighth in passing yards (4,282) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30) last season. Even if he does take a step back, you could do far worse in the 13th round. Current ADP value: 9th round
Deshaun Watson, Browns
Matt Verderame, SI NFL Writer: Watson was awful in his six games with the Browns last year after returning from suspension. However, he's now had a full offseason in coach Kevin Stefanski's system and Cleveland has a good supporting cast around him including a top-tier offensive line, receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones and a running game that will make opponents stack the box. Don't be surprised if Watson returns to his previous form and puts forth a Pro Bowl year. Current ADP value: 6th round
