Dual-Threat QBs. Late-Round Targets in Fantasy Football.

QBs are flying off draft boards quicker than ever this year. While past seasons have featured one or two signal-callers with average draft positions (ADP) inside the top 50 overall players, 2023 is its own monster.

2019: 2 QBs with ADP inside the top-50 overall players
2020: 2
2021: 3
2022: 4
2023: 8

There’s little debate that dual-threat aliens like Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts warrant early-round consideration. Overall, 13 of 14 QBs with 125-plus carries in a single season in NFL history posted top-12 fantasy numbers on a per-game basis.

High-usage rushers at QB join high-volume receiving RBs as the closest thing fantasy football has to cheat codes.

The Fantasy Life staff has debated the pros and cons of drafting a high-cost QB, and Dwain McFarland broke down optimal roster construction in cases when you do take one of the top-tier options at the position.

That said: Scholars maintain there is, in fact, one thing cooler than drafting a high-end fantasy QB with elite upside in the early rounds.

Answer: Getting the same sort of talent in the later rounds 😎.

The following three QBs boast prolific rushing floors and are within shouting distance of notching the magical 125 carries, according to Fantasy Life Projections.

Anthony Richardson, QB - Colts

ADP: QB11 (pick 99.3)

The case for Richardson in fantasy land is simple: The man is quantifiably the most-athletic QB … ever.

The Florida product scored a perfect 10 RAS (relative athletic score) after showing up to the combine at 6’4, 244 lbs, where he set the record for both the broad and vertical jumps while also clocking a blazing 4.44 forty-yard dash.

Richardson nicknamed himself “Cam Jackson” in the 11th grade. His reasoning: "Just trying to make big plays, just like Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson.”

The fact that this is not an egregious nickname is all you need to know.

Gardner Minshew may start the season ahead of Richardson – I have to eat this tweet if so – but aside from the potential for bad future personal digestive issues: The 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 4 overall pick fits the archetype of someone capable of being a far better fantasy QB than real-life option early in his career.

Daniel Jones, QB - Giants

ADP: QB14 (pick 112.9)

The artist known as “Vanilla Vick” became one of just nine QBs to ever register a season with 3,000-plus passing yards and over 700 rushing yards in 2022.

Jones’ fantasy production from purely rushing volume was on par with the league’s very best rushers.

Justin Fields (10.8 fantasy points per game from purely rushing production)
Jalen Hurts (10.3)
Lamar Jackson (7.9)
Josh Allen (7.4)
Daniel Jones (7.1)

Jones stands out as a high-floor, middle-class QB with the potential to soar higher should his passing production improve even in a moderate fashion.

Kyler Murray, QB - Cardinals

ADP: QB22 (pick 167.5)

I know, I know: Murray is injured and on a terrible team, meaning there’s a non-zero chance his return to action is brought along with extreme caution – especially if the front office starts really imagining what Caleb Williams might look like with a bird on his helmet.

Here’s the thing: There simply isn’t much of a track record of the 25-year-old QB playing professional football and NOT racking up fantasy points.

2022: 18.2 fantasy points per game (QB7)
2021: 21.5 (QB4)
2020: 23.7 (QB4)
2019: 17.8 (QB11)

I LOVE throwing late-round darts at Murray in best ball land; he’s a proven upside QB1 when healthy and being drafted after the top-50 RBs, top-75 WRs and top-20 TEs are already off the board.

You can follow my lead and throw late-round darts at Murray on Underdog Fantasy, where you can get a 100% deposit match of up to $100 when you sign up below!

Dual-Threat QBs. Late-Round Targets in Fantasy Football.

Anthony Richardson, QB - Colts

Daniel Jones, QB - Giants

Kyler Murray, QB - Cardinals

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