When going by my weekly strategy of watching the sport tape, I targeted extra on the quarterback place. However I did not spend a ton of time on Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and many others. From a fantasy perspective, we already know these gamers fairly nicely, proper? Common difference-makers within the lineup.
As an alternative, I watched a bunch of signal-callers who’ve been very productive over the previous 4 to 5 weeks, however these are old-school guys: pocket throwers with restricted speeding upside. And regardless of how I personally goal quarterbacks in fantasy, leaning towards these with dual-threat traits, I am unable to argue with the rising numbers these passers are placing up or what I am seeing on the tape.
Let’s take a look at 4 veteran QBs who’re throwing touchdowns at a excessive charge, whereas offering each stability and upside for fantasy lineups. And I am going to inform you what motion to take subsequent in a number of league codecs.
Motion: Commerce for him
Stafford is on a heater. We will all see it. And you’ll win your league with an old-school pocket thrower in Sean McVay’s offense.
Stafford has thrown 9 touchdowns over his previous two video games, with a number of TD passes in six of his previous seven. And he has solely two interceptions on the season. Plus, he’s averaging 23.3 fantasy factors over his previous 5 video games. He is seeing it quick, driving the ball with velocity, and the purple zone passing utilization is up on this offense.
Throughout this five-game stretch, Stafford has thrown 16 touchdowns, with 13 of them from contained in the 20-yard line. So, when L.A. will get the ball in scoring place, the decision sheet runs by Stafford and the passing recreation.
With the Rams already previous their bye week, and an upcoming schedule of groups that rank outdoors the highest 10 versus opposing quarterbacks (@SF, SEA, TB, @CAR), I like the trail right here for Stafford. And with two elite targets who can win one-on-one matchups in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, in an offense that additionally options closely outlined throws, I am seeking to commerce for Stafford for the stretch run to the fantasy playoffs.
Motion: Decide him up
Darnold, who is obtainable in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues, simply dropped 27.2 factors in opposition to Washington in Week 9, finishing 87.5% of his throws, whereas posting 330 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. Surgical stuff.
Certain, Darnold had a down recreation in opposition to Houston in Week 7, however that appears to be the drill for opposing quarterbacks after they see DeMeco Ryans’ protection. Nevertheless, Darnold has 20 or extra factors in three of his previous 4 video games, and I am unable to stress sufficient how simply he matches within the Seahawks’ offensive system underneath coordinator Klint Kubiak. The leveled throws, the shot performs and extra. Dial it up.
Whereas Darnold is not working the ball at a excessive charge (10 carries, 41 yards on the season), regardless of possessing the mobility to create outdoors of construction, he has averaged 284.2 passing yards and a pair of.4 landing throws over his previous 5 video games. Plus, his high goal, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is uncoverable while you activate the tape. JSN supplies high-level manufacturing and consistency, and he has a really succesful supporting forged, a bunch that was upgraded as a result of deep-ball potential of newly acquired large receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Darnold’s subsequent 4 video games current more durable matchups (ARI, @LAR, @TEN, MIN) earlier than opening the fantasy playoffs in Week 14 at Atlanta. However in the event you’re in a 12-team league and also you want some upside on the place? Darnold provides you a shot to win.
Motion: Maintain tight
I went backwards and forwards on Goff. He is a real pocket thrower who performs in an offense with explosive potential. And Goff has thrown a number of touchdowns in 4 of his previous 5 video games. However with solely two video games of 20 or extra factors this season and no speeding upside, I am not prepared to leap at Goff simply but.
Sure, I just like the Week 10 matchup in opposition to the Commanders’ protection. That is a optimistic, even on the street. And in the event you have been to make a commerce for Goff, you get a house matchup with the Cowboys protection within the first week of the fantasy playoffs (Week 14). That works. However I additionally imagine this Lions offense could be very balanced, and it may well go run-heavy given its offensive entrance and the expertise within the backfield.
For now, I see Goff as a high-floor QB2, somebody who can provide you 16 to 18 factors every week, and that is what he has averaged over his previous 4 video games (16.7 factors). So, let’s maintain tight on Goff in the event you play in a single QB league.
Motion: Decide him up
In case you play in a deeper format, go get Flacco. Do it. Sure, the Bengals are on a bye this week, however do not watch for another person in your league to scoop him up. As of Wednesday, Flacco was accessible in additional than 65% of ESPN leagues.
By his 4 begins in Cincy, Flacco is averaging 24.9 factors and trying 43.3 passes. The high-end throwing quantity displays the shortage of run-game effectivity to go together with that subpar Bengals protection. Unfavorable recreation move there. However that is not going to vary. These are high-scoring, back-and-forth video games, and Flacco has the aggressive mentality — with premier targets in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — to refill the field rating.
The upcoming schedule (@PIT, NE, @BAL, @BUF) does current difficult matchups, and I get that. However that additionally means the Bengals should throw (lots) to compete/keep in video games, and Flacco has proven he’s greater than able to dropping again 40-plus instances. There’s upside right here relying in your league dimension/format.