Fantasy football managers face crucial weekly decisions that can make or break their seasons. With injuries, bye weeks, and matchup considerations constantly shifting the landscape, identifying the right players to start or sit becomes increasingly complex.
This week, several intriguing quarterback options are presented across different tiers of ownership and expectations. The key is finding value in unexpected places while avoiding potential trap games that could derail your lineup.
Start ‘Em: Justin Fields, New York Jets
It was looking like a floor game for Justin Fields on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Then, the negative game script hit. The Jets started calling pass plays. And Fields does what Fields does.
If the Jets couldn’t avoid falling behind against the Dolphins, they will surely struggle to contain the Dallas Cowboys’ high-octane offense.
The Jets will have to keep up with the Cowboys, who are likely to score a lot of points. Fortunately, that should not be an issue, as the Cowboys have the worst defense in the NFL.
Most importantly, the Cowboys are a pass funnel. We just saw Fields do his thing against a Dolphins defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Care to guess why the Dolphins aren’t first? That’s right. It’s the Cowboys.
Fields now has 29 and 27 points in the two games he completed, and is headed for the easiest matchup he will have all season. He’s a top-six option this week.
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
It goes without saying that this would look much better if Malik Nabers were still playing football. Obviously, that’s a significant hit to the New York Giants’ offense and Jaxson Dart’s upside. But Dart will be okay.
The benefit of mobile quarterbacks is that they are somewhat insulated from the quality of their pass catchers, at least from a fantasy perspective.
Dart had a relatively underwhelming debut statistically, right? He only attempted 20 passes. He threw for a measly 111 yards and one touchdown. Yet, managed to post just under 20 fantasy points. How? You know the answer. Rushing.
This is why mobility is such a cheat code in fantasy. Dart ran for 54 yards and a score. If he can average 30-40 rushing yards per game, he really only needs around 150 passing yards and a touchdown to push QB1 numbers. Anytime he gets to two scores, he’s going to be a QB1 firmly.
Dart passed his first test against an excellent Los Angeles Chargers defense. Now, he gets the New Orleans Saints, who are the worst team in football.
The Saints are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Dart should have a much easier time moving the ball downfield, even without Nabers. Given all the injured quarterbacks and bye weeks, Dart is a borderline QB1.
Sit ‘Em: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix is coming off his best game of the season. Even in a positive game script, Nix attempted 42 passes, a season high. Clearly, Sean Payton’s game plan was to beat the Cincinnati Bengals through the air. It worked.
Nix posted 26.7 fantasy points. They threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. It was a superb performance.
Although he has two 20+ point efforts, Nix also has two games under 14 fantasy points. It’s been 50/50 whether the Broncos’ QB has been worth starting.
The Philadelphia Eagles are allowing the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Those numbers would be even more substantial if not for two long Baker Mayfield touchdown passes last week.
This is projected to create a game where the Broncos struggle to generate offense. They also may not possess the ball much, as the Eagles control the clock well by seldom calling pass plays. Nix is still a high-end QB2, at worst, but if you can find a better option, go with that.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are in a bad way. George Kittle is still at least one more week away from returning. Brandon Aiyuk is not close. Now, Ricky Pearsall is almost sure to miss Thursday Night Football after reporting instability in his knee during Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There’s no way he can get right on a short week.
Brock Purdy is headed on the road to face a formidable divisional opponent with a banged-up Jauan Jennings as his WR1 and Kendrick Bourne as his WR2. Yikes.
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The Los Angeles Rams are allowing the 11th fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. This is a quick turnaround. The 49ers are decimated at pass catcher. Everything shapes up for Purdy to underwhelm in this one.
