You only start one quarterback so you better make it count. Quality and upside are important here while securing a solid floor. I know that sounds like a lot so let’s try and keep it simple. Look for a good matchup, a quarterback who has been performing well with a strong supporting cast, a defense that will be favorable to opposing signal callers, and a game script that supports success. For the most part, the quarterbacks at the top of the salary list speak for themselves as elite options, but here we dig deeper. Now that we got that out of the way, who fits that criteria for this week?
For those who have yet to subscribe, what are you waiting for? Until then you will get one free pick to whet your appetite. What a quick climb up the salary list it has been for Josh Allen ($7,500 DK, $8,400 FD) but it has been well deserved and warranted. It what would be considered an “off week” for the quarterback after the first three weeks of the season, Allen threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns this past week in Las Vegas. That brought Allen’s yardage total for the season up to a whopping 1,326 which is impressive considering we had some questions about the Buffalo signal caller entering the season. But with 12 touchdowns along with just one interception, plus the added bonus of three rushing touchdowns, we can consider them answered. We do have to keep an eye out this week on Allen’s opponent as Tennessee is waiting to re-open their facility after having their bye moved to last week. Although this does give Allen an additional advantage against what could be a rusty Titans defense.
Subscribers can now expect to get six more picks as we take a closer look at some more quarterbacks at varying price points who deserve our attention this week along with a few from whom we should keep our distance. And not all will break the back either which will leave plenty of room for help at running back and wide receiver. So, keep on going and take a look at what we have to offer.
You will recognize a theme here as this week we are a little more apt to pay up at the quarterback position as there are a few higher priced options worth the investment. Dallas is a mess so far this season but that has not carried over to Dak Prescott ($7,400 DK, $8,700 FD) and his fantasy success. In each of the last three games we have seen Prescott eclipse 450 passing yards while throwing eight touchdown passes. Last week Prescott did take things to another level as the threw for 502 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception. Playing from behind has worked well for Prescott but this week things might be different as the Giants, while they show fight, have yet to show they can be a formidable opponent although last week’s game against the Rams was close. Prescott has plenty of options to work with and the toughest part of rolling with the Dallas quarterback in a GPP is pairing him with the right receiver.
Now let’s drop down a few notches to Teddy Bridgewater ($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD). Without a true off-season it has taken a little while for Bridgewater to adjust to life in Carolina but he has led the Panthers to two straight victories. We saw his best performance of the season against the Cardinals last week as Bridgewater threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 32 yards and adding a third touchdown. Bridgewater’s 1,147 passing yards through four games put him on pace to eclipse the 4,000 mark on the season but we do need to see an improvement on the four touchdowns he has thrown for so far this year. That improvement and progress should come this week against the Falcons as they have shown to be quite hospitable to opposing quarterbacks through the first four weeks of the season.
Before we jump back up in class let’s take a look at a complete flier and longshot of an option. We talked about Dallas’ struggles earlier and how they have benefited Prescott, but his opponents have also picked up their share of fantasy value. This week’s candidate is Daniel Jones ($5,400 DK, $7,000 FD) but this might not be for the faint of heart although he does allow you to stack your roster elsewhere. Last week Jones completed 23 of 36 passes for 190 yards while also throwing a critical interception. His numbers through the first four weeks of the season don’t look that much better (889 passing yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions) but it’s possible he could be turning a corner. Of course the Giants’ offensive line still has some work and improving to do as Jones was sacked five times this past Sunday but it was against a tough Rams defense. There should be plenty of offense on Sunday and Jones has the potential to have his best game of the season. But this is strictly a GPP play.
After shopping in the discount bin let’s go back to the elite options with Patrick Mahomes ($7,700 DK, $9,000 FD). He really needs no introduction after his performance last week Mahomes warrants a mention after struggling against the Patriots in what is always a tough match-up for him. New England always plays Mahomes well and he managed just 236 passing yards on 19 completions but he did throw for two touchdowns. That gave Mahomes multiple touchdowns each week so far this season as he has thrown for 1,134 yards and 11 touchdown passes in what is another strong campaign for the Chiefs quarterback.
For the second straight week I’m going to advocate keeping our distance from Lamar Jackson($7,900 DK, $8,900 FD). While fading Jackson could backfire this week, he has yet to really impress so far this season. Jackson has eclipsed 50 rushing yards in each of the last two weeks but his passing game and production has suffered in the process. Last week Jackson picked up 53 yards on the ground along with his first rushing touchdown of the season in what was a big win against Washington. Jackson completed 14 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns last week and that gives him just 769 passing yards on the season. At his price and based on what we have seen through the first four weeks of the season, it’s hard to trust Jackson.
Another running quarterback who we are looking to stay away from this week is Kyler Murray($7,200 DK, $8,300 FD). I know what I’m about to say sounds absolutely insane, but opposing fantasy quarterbacks have truly had a hard time against the Jets defense so far this season. Of course that is not an indication on New York’s skill level by any stretch and instead a reflection of how bad their offense is and the fact that they are generally trailing early and often. Murray has been a threat on the ground this season with greater than 50 rushing yards in three of four weeks along with four rushing touchdowns but he passed for just 133 yards last week. The fact that he threw for three touchdowns along with rushing for 78 yards helped to save his value but I’m not sure we will see Murray carrying the ball too much this week once Arizona jumps out to what will likely be a substantial lead. As a passer Murray has thrown for just 919 yards and seven touchdowns along with five interceptions so there are other options that I have more comfort with.
