The quarterback position continues to evolve in today’s NFL, creating both challenges and opportunities for fantasy football managers. With injuries and inconsistent play affecting several established starters, savvy owners are turning their attention to emerging talents and overlooked veterans who could provide valuable production.
The waiver wire has become increasingly important as teams adapt their offensive strategies and unexpected players step into prominent roles. Smart fantasy football decisions often come from identifying these trends early and capitalizing on players before the rest of your league catches on.
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Rostered: 30%
Jaxson Dart has three starts since taking over for Russell Wilson. The rookie is 2-1, having lost to the New Orleans Saints and defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles. More importantly, he’s shown signs of being a fantasy star.
Dart has recorded at least 17.5 fantasy points in each game. Against the Eagles on Thursday night, he posted 23.6 points, his season high.
Dart has done this despite averaging just under 170 passing yards per game. That’s because he’s run for 50+ yards in every start and scored twice on the ground.
You probably don’t want to use Dart in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, but I still think his rushing floor keeps him in play. With Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson on bye, his managers will need a fill-in. Dart is a very strong option. The main issue is that you probably can’t drop him if you add him, as he looks like a QB for the rest of the season.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.5
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered: 53%
This is an unfortunate time to add Sam Darnold. You missed out on back-to-back weeks with 28.6 and 20.0 fantasy points. Next week, he gets the Houston Texans’ tough defense. After that, the Seattle Seahawks are on bye. If you can sit on Darnold for two weeks, though, he’s legitimately a good quarterback.
There’s no fluke, here. Last year’s renaissance wasn’t Kevin O’Connell magic. Darnold figured out how to play quarterback.
There are a lot of QBs injured or not performing well. Darnold sure looks like a top 12 option the rest of the way. He belongs on far more rosters.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Fantasy QB Sleepers and Waiver Wire Gems for Week 7
The quarterback waiver wire remains a critical battleground for fantasy managers navigating Week 7 and beyond. Both Dart and Darnold represent the evolving landscape where opportunity meets preparation in today’s NFL. Dart’s dual-threat ability provides the rushing floor that separates him from traditional pocket passers, making him a legitimate option even in challenging matchups.
Meanwhile, Darnold’s transformation in Seattle demonstrates how the right system can unlock a quarterback’s potential. His precision on deep throws establishes him as a consistent fantasy option. Smart managers should prioritize these quarterbacks based on their specific roster needs and timeline, as both offer sustainable production in an increasingly unpredictable position.
