QUARTERBACKS
Since the quarterback position is severely devalued in start-one-QB leagues, my ideal Dynasty targets are signal callers that supplement their scoring with rushing stats. Carson Wentz, Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson, and even Mitchell Trubisky and Josh Allen fit this criteria and were beating box-score expectations by their second years at the latest. As Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and Eli Manning near the finish line, dual-threat quarterbacking is the way of the future with younger, more progressive and creative coaches spanning the league and mobility required to escape the quickest-twitch generation of pass rushers pro football has ever seen.
Editor’s note: Draft slots are in parentheses. For instance, 6.26 denotes the 26th pick in the NFL draft’s sixth round.
1. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (1.01)
Murray offers similar dual-threat upside to Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson after scoring 12 rushing TDs and averaging 7.2 yards per carry in his Heisman-winning 2018 campaign. Murray even ran stride for stride with 4.31 speedster teammate Andy Isabella in a late-June race. An aggressive vertical passer who was impossible to defend outside the pocket at Oklahoma, Murray has a non-zero chance to take the league by storm in rookie coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid spread, which will highlight Murray’s quick decision making and ease pass-protection burdens by demanding he get the ball out fast. The Cardinals dedicated their offseason to acquiring playmakers, tabbing Murray first overall and drafting three wide receivers to team with Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. Even at a devalued fantasy position, Murray is every bit worthy of a first-round Dynasty rookie pick with difference-making box-score potential.
2. Giants QB Daniel Jones (1.06)
The Jones pick was panned as soon as incompetent GM Dave Gettleman turned in the card. Albeit surrounded by future computer programmers, Jones managed a pathetic 17-19 record and 6.4 yards per pass attempt with a 59.9% completion rate at Duke. The Giants fell in love with Jones for his pedigree. Blue Devils HC David Cutcliffe also coached Eli Manning at Ole Miss, and Eli and Jones formed a friendship during offseasons, suggesting Jones may present the smoothest-possible transition. (Can’t hurt Eli’s feelings.) Nevertheless, Jones lands ahead of Dwayne Haskins in these rankings based mainly on his scrambling upside. Jones runs 4.81, scored 17 rushing TDs at Duke, and averaged 37 rushing yards per start. Jones’ prolific first preseason reinforced him as this year’s Dynasty rookie QB2 behind only Kyler Murray.
3. Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins (1.15)
A plus-sized (6’3/231) pocket passer who started only one year at Ohio State but made the most of it, Haskins earned 2018 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year by averaging 9.14 yards per attempt with a 50:8 TD-to-INT ratio for the 13-1 Buckeyes. Haskins lacks dual-threat ability with 5.04 “speed,” however, and struggles when forced off his spot. Haskins’ destination is also unideal based on Washington’s weak pass-catcher corps and organizational dysfunction. Expectations around the league are that Jay Gruden is on his way out of D.C. after the 2019 season. Long term, Haskins best profiles as a fantasy QB2.
4. Broncos QB Drew Lock (2.10)
Lock’s fall to the second round was less surprising when considering his lack of repetitive accuracy and career 56.9% completion rate, 21-25 record, and absence of a true scrambling threat despite above-par 4.69 speed. He scored just nine rushing TDs as a 46-game starter in Mizzou’s spread offense, also struggling mightily when pressured. Lock maintains a big arm and willingness to challenge deep, and Joe Flacco’s contract is year to year. Lock is worth a shot in the fourth and fifth rounds of rookie drafts.
5. Panthers QB Will Grier (3.36)
Grier flashed Tony Romoian gunslinger moments on college tape, going 15-7 with a 66% completion rate at 9.4 yards per attempt with a 71:20 TD-to-INT ratio as a two-year starter in Dana Holgorsen’s Air Raid spread. Mobile and effective on the move with 66th-percentile SPARQ athleticism, Grier laid to rest arm-strength concerns by clocking this year’s highest ball velocity on the Combine radar gun (59 MPH). Cam Newton is signed through 2021, but he has battled chronic throwing-shoulder troubles stemming from a mechanical flaw and is recovering from his second right-arm surgery in the past three offseasons.
6. Chargers QB Easton Stick (5.28)
Stick’s draft slot gives him long odds to amount to even a quality long-term backup, but Philip Rivers turns 38 later this year, and Stick’s resume is intriguing. Stick succeeded Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, engineering the Bison to a 49-3 win-loss mark with school records in passing yards (8,693) and touchdowns (88). A legitimate dual threat with 4.62 speed, Stick scored a whopping 41 college rushing TDs and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Tyrod Taylor will hold down the Chargers’ No. 2 job in the short term, but it will be a good sign if Stick forces the Bolts to carry three quarterbacks on their final 53.
7. Bills QB Tyree Jackson (UDFA)
Jackson fell out of the draft despite winning 2018 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and South MVP at January’s Senior Bowl as an enormous (6’7/249) dual threat with 4.59 speed and 16 career rushing TDs. A 27-game starter for the Buffalo Bulls, Jackson’s potentially fatal flaw is accuracy; ESPN Stats & Info charted Jackson with a 20.5% off-target throw rate 2018, lowest of any college passer since 2011. Josh Allen also struggles with placement, of course, and isn’t yet cemented as Buffalo’s locked-in quarterback of the future. Even at low probability, Jackson’s tools make him a worthwhile last-gasp Dynasty flyer.
8. Bengals QB Ryan Finley (4.02)
A gangly pocket passer at 6-foot-4, 213, Finley managed 7.6 yards per attempt as a three-year starter at NC State, posing minimal running threat and limited big-play passing skills. Finley is abnormally old for a rookie, turning 25 in December. Finley’s accuracy and poise got him drafted in the fourth round, but he’s a poor bet to develop into more than a long-term fringe starter the Bengals continually want to replace.
9. Ravens QB Trace McSorley (6.24)
The Ravens view McSorley as their version of Saints swiss-army-knife Taysom Hill.
10. Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham (4.31)
Regressed his final season at Auburn and adds little with his legs.
11. Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew (6.05)
Hyper-productive Mike Leach product. Nick Foles isn’t an insurmountable obstacle.
12. Broncos QB Brett Rypien (UDFA)
Mark Rypien’s nephew landed this year’s biggest signing bonus among undrafted QBs.
13. Bucs QB Nick Fitzgerald (UDFA)
At 6-foot-5, 226 with 4.64 speed, teams worked out Fitzgerald at tight end before the draft.
14. Eagles QB Clayton Thorson (5.29)
Matt Cassel-level talent battled ongoing knee problems at Northwestern.
15. Vikings QB Jake Browning (UDFA)
Colt McCoy-level talent likely maxes out as long-term clipboard holder.
