Fantasy Football Power Rankings
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NFL Fantasy Rankings: Quarterbacks – OTA’s Edition

June 11, 2023
Devon Gallant

   With OTA’s fully underway across the NFL and mock drafts opening up on the various fantasy platforms, we here at the Dynes Pressbox are rolling out our first Fantasy Rankings of the season. While they’re put in the order we believe they should be drafted in, we’ll also be breaking them down into tiers to help you move onto plan B when your player inevitably gets selected 2 picks before you. 

   Quarterbacks are an interesting dilemma in fantasy football. There was a stretch where the position was losing value in fantasy, and outside of maybe one or 2 high end players, taking a quarterback in the later rounds was a better use of resources. Now, with the level of athleticism that’s been added to the position, the possibility of taking the next breakout dual threat star, or red zone vulture, at quarterback has drastically changed the importance of finding an elite quarterback. 

Tier 1

   There’s a clear top 3 who can carry your team into the playoffs with either their game breaking passing numbers or high level passing combined with the ability of racking up additional points on the ground. 

  • 1. Patrick Mahomes KC

   No one should doubt that Mahomes is currently the king at quarterback, both on the field and in fantasy. Despite major turnover within the Chiefs’ wide receiving core, Mahomes didn’t miss a beat last season, ending the year as the #1 ranked QB with 5,250 yards and 41 TDs.

  • 2. Jalen Hurts PHI

   The sky’s the limit for the Eagles young dual threat quarterback. In 2022, the Eagles dominated teams early in the game, allowing Hurts to focus on possession and the run game in the second half. Philadelphia is now facing the toughest schedules in the league, so look for Hurts to drastically increase his passing totals while maintaining his double digit rushing touchdown numbers. 

  • 3. Josh Allen BUF

   While Buffalo’s coaching staff would love to have Allen take less contact, he’s seemingly ignored that advice thus far, as he continues to use his size and athleticism in the run game. The Bills didn’t do much to add to their receiver group other than drafting tight end Dalton Kincaid. But despite his immense potential we’ve yet to see a tight end truly break out in their rookie season. Regardless, Allen will still easily be a top 3 quarterback by season’s end as he battles with Mahomes for the league lead in passing touchdowns.

Tier 2

   The second tier are quarterbacks who can do one thing at an elite level, but are maybe not as proficient at the other. They can be had at a relative discount compared to the top 3, and can certainly be a part of a winning roster if your team around them is well constructed.

  • 4. Joe Burrow CIN

   Armed with one of the best receiving groups in the NFL, Burrow is poised for another outstanding offensive season. While not as willing to run as Hurts or Allen, Burrow did manage to punch in 5 TDs on the ground last season to go with his 35 through the air. He’s on the verge of cracking into the tier 1 group, but remains at the head of tier 2 for now.

  • 5. Lamar Jackson BAL

   Jackson has been an enigma for fantasy owners ever since he carried many teams to fantasy championships during his MVP season. Since then his production has been hampered by injuries, a weak receiving core, and an offensive coordinator who seemed allergic to the passing game. With new coordinator Todd Monken in place, a brand new contract, revamped receiver room and reportedly good health, look for Jackson to have a more balanced and aggressive season and be hanging around as a top 5 fantasy quarterback all season.

  • 6. Justin Fields CHI

   Fields is an elite rusher who happens to also play quarterback. He started the season off slowly, resulting in many fantasy owners cutting bait and dropping him early, but ended the year with the 8th most fantasy points from a QB, rushing for 1,143 yards. His 76.2 rushing yards per game alone is enough to keep him in the conversation as a top fantasy option. With a new #1 receiver and a rebuilt offensive line, Fields has the potential to develop his passing game and rise up the rankings in a hurry.

  • 7. Trevor Lawrence JAX

   Lawrence had a sophomore breakout working with new head coach Doug Pederson and the offense will only get better with the additions of Calvin Ridley to the receiver room. For the first time in his young career Lawrence doesn’t have to learn an entire new playbook, so look for Pederson to add even more wrinkles to his offense and Lawrence to approach 4,500 yards and 30 TDs in 2023.

  • 8. Justin Herbert LAC

   Herbert’s ranking is one of the hardest to quantify. He has the talent to fight with Burrow to be at the top of his class, but the curse of the Chargers seems to hamper the team season after season. With the drafting of WR Quentin Johnson, the Chargers have another big bodied receiver for Herbert to target when either Keenan Allen or Mike Williams miss time. The Chargers didn’t do much to improve the offense in free agency, and while I doubt Herbert will finish the season with the 11th most fantasy points for a QB again this season, it’s hard to move him up much further until he can prove it over the course of a full year.

Tier 3

   This is the tier where you have to make a pick of a flawed but serviceable quarterback. None of these QBs alone will lead you to a championship, but offer something week to week. Their inconsistency can be frustrating, but if paired with their respective #1 receiver, there’s potential to make it into the playoffs.

  • 9. Tua Tagovailoa MIA

   It’s impossible to predict player injuries, so ranking players accordingly is hard to do, especially when the season has yet to get underway. But the concussion history (and the handling of it by the Dolphins) of Tagovailoa is a major reason why he dropped into tier 3. Tagovailoa was in the midst of a breakout season, surrounded by weapons and taking the league by storm until the 1st concussion occurred, and he didn’t look the same after returning at the end of the year. While he’s reportedly back to 100%, the doubt will linger until he can prove it over the course of an entire season. If he does remain healthy, he could be the steal of the draft at the quarterback position as Miami looks poised to turn every game into a track meet

  •  10. Geno Smith SEA

   No one saw the breakout season Geno Smith put together coming in 2022. Now armed with a new contract extension and some new offensive weapons, Smith looks to grow off of that performance. It may seem crazy to rank last season’s 5th highest scoring QB this low when you include those factors, but the fact of the matter is the Smith just simply will not win you your week when you need him to. He, unlike everyone else in this tier, is extremely consistent. Outside of one 6 point and one 34 point anomaly, he almost exclusively gave managers a nice 18-22 points week after week, which is a safe place to be, but won’t instil fear into your opponents.

  • 11. Daniel Jones NYG

   The Giants faithful are hopeful that Jones’s 2022 season is just the beginning after the team signed him to a 4year $160M contract this past offseason. Jones drastically reduced his turnover rate in 2022, and continues to show his ability as a rusher, racking up over 700 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. The Giants put an emphasis on adding more offensive weapons around Jones in free agency and the draft and any sort of uptick in his passing game will turn Jones from an afterthought to a viable weekly option.

  • 12. Deshaun Watson CLE

   Watson is entering his second offseason with the Browns, but will be able to play for the full season for the first time since being traded to Cleveland from Houston. He showed elite fantasy numbers during his tenure with the Texans before his legal issues caused him to miss the better part of 2 seasons. Using last season to shake the rust off and get reacclimatized was crucial to his performance in 2023. But until he shows that he can get back to the level he was at, it’s impossible to place him any higher on these rankings.

  • 13. Jared Goff DET

   With how exciting the Lions offense was in 2022, it’s almost surprising to see that Goff only finished the season with the 9th most fantasy points despite playing in all 17 games. The two major reasons for that likely won’t change in 2023 – 1) Goff gives nothing in the run game, finishing the season with 73 total rushing yards and 2) Dan Campbell and the Lions prefer to punch in their red zone opportunities, leading to Jamaal Williams impressive 17 rushing TDs last season. Goff has the potential to give you 25+ points, but gives you equally as many games with 10 points or less, so he comes with too much risk to be relied upon. With the club dealing with gambling related suspensions to start the season, losing a potential breakout weapon in Jameson Williams will also hurt Goff’s opportunities for a big play.

  • 14. Anthony Richardson IND

   Richardson has the athletic ability to finish the season as a top 5 fantasy quarterback. He’s bigger than Lamar Jackson, and as fast as Justin Fields. His passing ability leaves much to be desired, but considering it’s still so early into the offseason workouts, it’s tough to predict whether or not the Colts are going to hand him the reins at the beginning of the season or ease him into the NFL. He’s a must draft in keeper or dynasty leagues, but if you’re looking to take him in your redraft league, you may be looking to pair him with another QB in this tier and take a wait and see approach.

  • 15. Dak Prescott DAL

   15th might seem low for Prescott, but I find it hard to argue taking him over any of the quarterbacks ahead of him in the rankings. His injury history is a concern, and despite finishing the 2021 season with the 7th most quarterback fantasy points, he only played in 12 games in 2022, finishing as the QB18 while leading the league in interceptions. With the departure of OC Kellen Moore, head coach Mike McCarthy has made it clear he wants a more run-heavy offense, further limiting the opportunities Prescott has to return to his 2019 breakout form.

  • 16. Kirk Cousins MIN

   Cousins is a fine quarterback, but is nothing spectacular. He has the pleasure of passing to the league’s top wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, and the Vikings were wise to fill the void left by the departure of Adam Thielen with rookie Jordan Addison. Cousins bumbled through most of the season, surpassing 25 points once in the first 14 weeks before finishing the season strong, boosting his overall fantasy totals. Cousins can be used in a pinch during bye weeks (as long as he isn’t playing in primetime), but shouldn’t be a regular fixture on 1QB rosters.

  • 17. Derek Carr NO

   Carr made the move from the Raiders to the Saints after being benched for contract reasons at the end of 2022, as he looks to revive his career in New Orleans. He consistently puts up good yardage totals, including a career high 4,804 two seasons ago, but has only surpassed 25 touchdowns in a season twice in his career. With plenty of question marks within the pass catchers (outside of Olave), and Taysom Hill still lurking around vulturing snaps, it’s hard to trust Carr to be a major factor in 2023.

  • 18. Aaron Rodgers NYJ

   Will Rodgers enter his first season with the Jets motivated and ready to try and tie Peyton Manning for the NFL record in regular season MVP awards? Or will we see the disinterested, moody Rodgers that wore out his welcome in Green bay? Even if Rodgers is rejuvenated, at 39 years old, how much does he have left in his arm? Too many questions surround the Jets new starter to be trusted. 

  • 19. Kenny Pickett PIT

   Pittsburgh’s Pickett seemed to get more comfortable in the NFL in the second half of the season. While he had a stretch between weeks 12-18 where he had the highest passing grade (per PFF), he also only threw for 4 tds during that span. There’s plenty of reason to believe that with another season under his belt, Pickett will be able to begin to finish off drives. And with a revamped offensive line, he should have more time to work in the pocket and properly go through his progressions. 

  • 20. Sam Howell WAS

   I might have Howell ranked higher than most, and he still technically has to beat out Jacoby Brisett for the job in Washington, but the organization seems to be enamored with him and he has the tools to have a mini breakout this year. In his final year at North Carolina, Howell averaged 12 rushing attempts per game, finishing the season with over 1,000 yards at 8.4 yards per carry. He also has demonstrated a respectable deep ball and with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson’s abilities to create space and make contested catches, his accuracy doesn’t always have to be perfect. There’ll be growing pains for sure, but under new OC Eric Bieniemy, Howell has a chance at a strong season. 

Tier 4

   The rest. These quarterbacks shouldn’t even be considered as bye week fill-ins, unless you’re using a 2QB system or in the deepest of leagues. This tier includes some rookies with high upside but questionable pieces around them (Young, Stroud), veterans who’s best days are behind them (Wilson, Stafford), or players who’s question marks around injuries are too hard to ignore (Garroppolo, Murray). It was difficult to not include the trio of quarterbacks vying for playing time in San Francisco, as whoever gets healthy and takes charge of that potent offense has potential to put together strong fantasy performances.

  • 21. Matthew Stafford LAR
  • 22. Russell Wilson DEN
  • 23. Jordan Love GB
  • 24. Bryce Young CAR
  • 25. C.J. Stroud HOU
  • 26. Mac Jones NE
  • 27. Sam Darnold SF
  • 28. Kyler Murray ARI
  • 29. Ryan Tannenhill TEN
  • 30. Desmond Ridder ATL
  • 31. Clayton Tune ARI
  • 32. Baker Mayfield TB
  • 33. Brock Purdy SF
  • 34. Trey Lance SF
  • 35. Will Levis TEN

-Devon Gallant

Twitter: @DevGallant

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