Cons of the Early QB Technique
One of many foremost drawbacks of drafting a quarterback early is the chance value concerned. Deciding on a quarterback within the second, third, and even fourth spherical normally means passing up on elite working backs and extensive receivers—gamers who function the spine of most fantasy groups. These positions are usually picked rapidly, and lacking out on a top-tier RB or WR can go away your roster missing depth at spots that sometimes require a number of starters every week. In 1QB leagues, the place just one quarterback begins however a number of backs and receivers are wanted weekly, an early QB funding may end up in an unbalanced lineup and power you to accept weaker choices afterward.
One other difficulty is that the positional benefit at quarterback is probably not as vital because it seems. Whereas high quarterbacks can outscore mid-tier choices, the distinction between the elite and dependable later-round quarterbacks is usually smaller than the hole that exists between early-round working backs or extensive receivers and people picked later. With loads of serviceable quarterbacks out there within the center to late rounds—and even on the waiver wire—utilizing a excessive draft decide on the place may not be essentially the most environment friendly use of sources. In lots of leagues, this strategy can result in paying an excessive amount of for consistency at quarterback on the expense of upside the place it issues most for weekly matchups.
For instance, final season Jackson topped the quarterback rankings with 25.7 fantasy factors per recreation, almost three factors forward of Allen’s 22.7 common. That hole was almost equal to the span separating quarterbacks 3 by way of 14, who all completed between 18.1 and 22.5 factors per recreation. In the meantime, an early-round extensive receiver like Amon-Ra St. Brown completed at 18.6 factors per recreation, in comparison with late-round starters resembling Michael Pittman Jr. (10.4) and George Pickens (11.7).
Prime Early QB Targets in 2025
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Final season’s high fantasy quarterback and Sean Koerner’s quantity two ranked signal-caller for this 12 months, Lamar Jackson could be essentially the most gifted athlete ever to play the place. Whereas his dashing expertise have at all times stood out, he continues to set new private bests as a passer as nicely. In 2024, Jackson set profession highs with 41 passing touchdowns, 4,172 passing yards, and an 8.8 yards-per-attempt common.
He’s precisely the type of game-changing participant that the early quarterback technique is designed to seize. Over 17 video games final season, Jackson completed outdoors the highest 12 fantasy quarterbacks simply as soon as. This stage of week-to-week reliability justifies the premium value to safe him. Fantasy managers may have to succeed in as excessive because the late second spherical if they need Jackson anchoring their roster this season.
Try Koerner’s and Chris Raybon’s 2025 fantasy football rankings to see how the remainder of their quarterback rankings stack up.
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Payments
Just about tied with Lamar Jackson as the highest quarterback selection in drafts, Josh Allen could be the most dependable elite choice out there on the place. He has delivered 5 consecutive seasons with top-2 fantasy finishes amongst quarterbacks, although final 12 months represented a small dip in his traditional output.
Allen is very efficient as a runner close to the purpose line, usually serving because the crew’s major short-yardage menace. Over the previous two seasons, he’s rushed for 27 touchdowns and tallied a minimum of 100 carries every year since 2019. In 2024, his passing yardage dipped under 4,000 for the primary time in 5 seasons, probably due partly to the lack of Stefon Diggs as his high receiving goal. Whereas Josh Palmer may not be a headline-grabbing addition, pairing him with the extra seasoned Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir ought to present Allen with a stronger receiving corps than he had final 12 months.
The best spot to draft Allen—or Jackson—in an early quarterback strategy is within the late second or early third spherical. With little differentiation of their projections, savvy fantasy managers may anticipate one to be taken after which merely choose the opposite, relying on the place they’re selecting within the draft.
Best Ball rankings from among the high business specialists are additionally out there on FantasyLabs.
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