With the 2020 fantasy football season right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about quarterbacks for your roster. Our experts here at YardsPer Fantasy sat down and created a list of quarterbacks you must draft for the 2020 NFL season. This is the first of a four-part series compiles analyst’s Zareh Kantzabedian, Jake Brouillette, Andrew Zamzow, Scott Leathley, and Big Cat’s favorite players. First, let’s look at the team’s favorite QBs.
ANDREW ZAMZOW: GARDNER MINSHEW, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Mustache is one of the most recognizable players in fantasy football. Last season, Minshew quietly threw for 3200+ yards (12 starts) and had a 21/6 TD to INT ratio in 2019. Coming into the league, Minshew was a polarizing sixth-round rookie that was propelled into fantasy relevance after the injury to Nick Foles. As a result, Minshew managed to finish as the QB19 in 2019. One of the most appealing aspects of Minshew’s game is his rushing production. Not known for his wheels in college, Minshew ranked in the top-11 in most QB rushing metrics, according to PlayerProfiler.
Minshew has shown a very solid rapport with wide receiver D.J. Chark and running back Leonard Fournette, and the trio should continue that chemistry into Minshew’s second season. The Jaguars added wide receivers Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson in the draft, and two veterans in running back Chris Thompson and tight end Tyler Eifert to help the offense click. This season, Minshew will rely heavily on Chark and Fournette, much like 2019, but expect a veteran like Eifert to make the difference in the red zone. Right now, Minshew is being drafted as the QB26, according to FantasyPros.
Filled with potential, Minshew could squeak into the QB1 conversation. With his rushing floor and the likeliness of negative game scripts, Minshew should be a safe play every week for fantasy owners. Be sure to consider Minshew as one of the better options among the 2020 fantasy football quarterbacks.
ZAREH KANTZABEDIAN: BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
A philosophy you should keep in mind come draft day is not draft scared. Meaning, injuries should not influence your draft. Instead, it’s important to mostly take into consideration player floors and ceilings. This season, the fantasy community fears Roethlisberger after coming off an injury in 2019. Nobody wants to get their hand caught in the cookie jar as consensus rankings have him going above Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, and Ryan Tannehill. Currently, I’d place him between Tom Brady and Drew Brees when it comes to quarterback rankings.
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Since 2012, whenever Roethlisberger has played 15 games or more, he has finished as a top-12 quarterback. During those seasons, Roethlisberger has had two top-12 finishes and two top-five finishes.
The Steelers have a plush opening schedule. They open against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns at home. Their first difficult game does not come until they play against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore in Week 7. If Roethlisberger does happen to miss a few games due to injury, you should be able to find a suitable replacement. Going off the board with a quarterback ADP of 13.5, I’m gladly drafting Roethlisberger wherever I can get him given his potential as a top-12 fantasy quarterback.
JAKE BROUILLETTE: JARED GOFF, LOS ANGELES RAMS
In his first two seasons with head coach Sean McVay, Goff has thrown touchdowns and interceptions on 5.8-percent and 1.8-percent of his passes, respectively. However, in 2019, those numbers plummeted, but expect those numbers to have a resurgence. Goff is a great late-round option at quarterback that has QB1 upside. At consensus QB17, buy him as much as you can.
BIG CAT: MATTHEW STAFFORD, DETROIT LIONS
Stafford bounced back from a poor 2018 (280.0 FP or QB20) with an emphatic start to the 2019 season. Prior to breaking his back, Stafford was on pace for 582 attempts, 4,998 yards, and 38 TDs. His fast start had him post QB3 numbers in PPG (25.9), only behind Jameis Winston and Lamar Jackson.
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Now, Stafford has fully recovered from his back injury. His COVID-19 test turned out to be a false-positive result. The team added running back D’Andre Swift to his arsenal of weapons that include wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Prepare for Stafford to erupt in his second season with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and at his current QB13 price tag, Stafford should be a primary target for most fantasy football owners.
SCOTT LEATHLEY: DREW LOCK, DENVER BRONCOS
If you’re unable to net a top quarterback in fantasy football, it’s best to stream the position throughout the year. The best stream quarterbacks are the ones who possess the upside to win weeks and Lock is that guy.
With all the weapons that the Broncos added, Lock has the ability to put up huge points each week. The rushing attack will be better with running back Melvin Gordon to pair with Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. A better run game extends drives for the Broncos offense and increases the chances of scoring more touchdowns for Lock. The loss of starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James does hurt. However, Lock will finish among the top 2020 fantasy football quarterbacks.
