The 2025 preseason has come and gone, and with the final weekend of fantasy football drafts here, quarterback evaluations have never been more important. August action gave us a look at who’s trending upward with breakout potential and who’s slipping after shaky performances.
These swings are already impacting ADPs, forcing managers to decide whether to buy into the hype or fade the risk. One quarterback has put himself firmly in the riser category with promising showings, while another saw his stock tumble.
Riser: Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets
Fields’ preseason performances have showcased the dual-threat upside that made him a QB in Chicago, but now he’s operating within an offensive system that actually understands how to use mobile quarterbacks.
The Jets’ offensive line improvements and upgraded skill position talent create a perfect storm for Fields to deliver fantasy points per game production that could surprise everyone.
.@justnfields FOR SIX‼️
📺: #NYJvsGB on WLNY, WCBS pic.twitter.com/ykJRUu5lVw
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 10, 2025
The mobility factor alone gives Fields a weekly floor that most pocket passers can’t match. His rushing ability provides a baseline of at least 15 PPG. If he can make strides as a passer, we’re looking at a potential league-winner sitting in the later rounds. Smart managers are grabbing Fields as their QB2 with serious QB1 upside.
Faller: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray’s preseason has been a disaster, marked by poor decision-making and concerning accuracy issues, which should have fantasy managers pumping the brakes. His chemistry with the receiving corps has looked disjointed, and his mobility advantages have been neutralized by an offensive line that continues to struggle.
Coby Bryant picks off Kyler Murray for another @Seahawks INT!
📺: #SEAvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/q0cMfdTJpK— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024
Murray’s preseason interception rate and completion percentage on intermediate routes have been particularly alarming for a quarterback entering a crucial contract year.
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It’s unclear whether the Arizona Cardinals made any offensive changes after last year’s disaster. Murray’s skill set does not mesh well with Marvin Harrison Jr., and the elite rusher appears to be reluctant to run, which is crucial for his fantasy value. Fantasy managers have taken note, and Murray’s declining ADP reflects this.
As fantasy drafts conclude, quarterback evaluation becomes critical for championship aspirations. Fields represents breakout potential in an improved system, while Murray’s troubling preseason signals should have managers pivoting to safer alternatives in similar draft ranges.
