Best Ball, Best Strategy (QB)

Volume 4

Quarterbacks

The precise guide on how to select your QB position in Best Ball fantasy All Drafts were done on DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports

Now this guide is going to be slightly different from the other positions I’ve done so far. Over the course of the thirty best ball drafts I completed I went in and calculated the percentages of whom I drafted knowing that the approach to quarterback I took was far more simplified than the other positions. Here’s the breakdown.

In 66.7% of leagues I took an elite passing quarterback (Talent + Volume), the other 33.3% dedicated to elite rushing quarterbacks.

The Passing Quarterbacks

(Most Selected) Joe Burrow:

For the 66.7% of leagues where I elected to take a passing quarterback the largest chunk of that total was made up by Joe Burrow who I selected in 36.7% of drafts. Why Burrow? He has no rushing upside. The thing about Joe Burrow is that he is a warrior. There’s a fair chance that Joe Burrow drags the Bengals into the playoffs this year after falling short just last season. Even without a defense. Cincy is the only team that has a shot of giving the Ravens a scare in the AFC North although it is improbable. 

Joe Burrow’s time for an MVP is swiftly approaching and if Tee Higgins can stay healthy with Jamarr Chase then Burrow could end up chasing NFL records. Horrendous defense, psychotic competitor at QB, and having the most talent arguably of any team outside of the Eagles at skill position. This is the perfect recipe for a QB taken in the forties. His ADP is why he’s such a frequent pick for me. Falling to pick 45 as QB5 off the board is such good value. In his three fully healthy seasons so far Burrow has finished as QB6, QB4, and QB3. With the first fantasy finish as the sixth overall quarterback happening after his rookie year where his knee was destroyed. 

Baker Mayfield:

There may never be a quarterback as gutsy as Baker Mayfield in the league. Mayfield went from bouncing around the league’s laughing stocks as a backup quarterback to a player recementing his legacy he once was forming in Cleveland. That’s Baker Mayfield. A confident, tough QB who can get blasted in the rib cage, stand up, spit out blood, and play out the rest of the game. He’s had points in his career where he’s been doubted, yet he knows he has it. I selected Baker in 20% of leagues. The prevailing sentiment around Baker is that he’ll regress significantly in 2025. I myself have never been a Baker fan, so I’m allowed to say that his value for a best ball format is beyond supreme. He’s going off of boards at QB7 with pessimism around his name that causes players like Kyler and Bo Nix to leapfrog him. That would make him QB9.

What’s good about Baker? Volume. Volume. Volume. The amount of opportunities Tampa has to score is abundant. And it’s required of their offense to stay in football games considering how poorly their secondary has played. With Tampa’s defense being a below average unit Baker has to produce to stay in the divisional race with the Falcons. The Bucs division is chalked full of the worst defenses in the league and Baker has so many weapons at his disposal. Mike Evans down the field, Emeka Egbuka who is the most pro ready receiver coming into the season, and a budding Jalen McMillan who found his stride late last season. Having Bucky Irving is also crucial for Baker Mayfield because balance opens up the passing game. Last year even in the absence of Chris Godwin, who was probably Tampa’s best receiver to start the season, he put up career numbers because of how Irving changed the formula of their offense. 

The common denominator between the top two passing quarterbacks who make up around 60% of my quarterback position in best ball is that they are on teams with loaded offenses who are contending for the playoffs. The defenses for both of their teams are abysmal to put it lightly, but it doesn’t matter. Their sights are set on advancing past the first round of the playoffs at least and both won’t allow an injury to sideline them. Tough as nails competitors who don’t care whether or not they receive blame for team success. They just go out and produce. Especially Baker whose renaissance has been historical.

The Rushing Quarterbacks

Three headed monster (Daniels, Hurts, Lamar)

With rushing quarterbacks it’s impossible to ignore the increased prevalence of injury. That's why it probably isn’t wise to invest too much into any single rushing quarterback especially with high draft capital. Of the 33.3% of rushing quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and JD5 make up a combined 20% of this portion of drafts. They both slide into the range of having elite floors and QB1 upside considering what they have at their disposal. 

Jayden Daniels (10%):

For Jayden, if Scary Terry re-signs and Deebo can do anything then Daniels could be one of the few QB’s who avoids a Sophomore Slump. At least for the fantasy realm. Daniels was unlike any rookie I ever dissected considering he just never had bad turnovers. He always protects the ball and sees the field at a level far above most QB’s in the league. JD5 uses his legs so wisely as well after getting absolutely punished a couple of times last season. He grew and learned so many lessons in such a short period of time. The Commanders had no business being within arm’s reach of the playoffs. They went to the NFC Championship.

Jalen Hurts (10%):

With Jalen Hurts it’s a far better situation than any other QB has. A top five wide receiver in the league, the best WR2, the best running back, and the best offensive line. The Eagles simply have no holes. Hurts will always be a threat to put up an insane amount of rushing TD’s even when he struggles as a passer. Hurts is the safest pick with ease when it comes to rushing QB’s. He has a large frame and doesn’t need to put himself in harm's way like most rushing QB’s do. His price isn’t high as well, which is kind of crazy considering how Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson both go at a premium price. 

Lamar Jackson + Josh Allen (10%):

The last 10% of rushing QB’s I selected are the big ticket QB’s. Lamar Jackson in 2/30 drafts as well as taking Josh Allen in one. With the sheer volume I drafted you just have to take these guys because of the skillset they possess. They put their entire team on their shoulders and are the offense in so many instances. On the goal line Josh Allen essentially becomes a running back laying it all on the line. He just won an MVP with a down passing season, while the MVP trophy should just have Lamar’s name engraved on it for the next 5 seasons. Both these players are almost interchangeable for fantasy, but Lamar is the best option. He is more consistent, has grown incredibly in the accuracy department, and uses his legs wisely to avoid injury from overuse. Both these QB’s only make up a 10% sliver because their cost is too high to consider taking them consistently. You are sacrificing a high end WR2 or RB2 in this range that you might need. 

The key to this piece of the pie is that there’s diversity across the board. Rushing QB’s give a safety blanket for your quarterback room. The feeling of receiving the extra two points from a rushing TD is exhilarating especially when it happens frequently like it does with all these players. Generally speaking in drafts where you commit to a rushing QB you have to be confident in the deeper running back picks you make. It’s vital. 

The Backups:

Michael Penix:

Elite accuracy on an ascending offense that finally has some hope. Drake London with the ball precisely placed on his shoulder is a dangerous man. Bijan can also ease the pressure for Penix who has had a puzzling start to his NFL tenure. How many rookies with six years of college experience expect to be drafted and benched in favor of a QB on a long term mega deal? From a football IQ standpoint Penix is a gamer and a whole offseason of work as the first string guy will allow him to be well prepared for the season. He WILL have games where he lights teams up.

Drake Maye:

A real head coach is what Drake Maye needs to develop into the high end NFL starter he can be. It’s also refreshing to know the Patriots have weapons on offense now. They also have an offensive line that can keep their quarterback off the turf. Maye will have time to anticipate routes and place the football in windows to actually compete in contests. There’s a palpable pulse throughout New England’s organization. Maye is ready to take the next step or at least begin that process. He had flashes throughout his rookie season with some spectacular deep ball tosses. There’s some stealthy upside for rushing TDs in Maye’s game as the icing on the cake.

Anthony Richardson:

He’s drafted as a backup right now and if he does see the field and can finally hit targets across the field at a greater than 50% completion rate he could put up good fantasy numbers. He’s a big guy who has some truly ridiculous athleticism. Rushing yards and touchdowns would carry Richardson so long as he could cement himself as a starter. Maybe he just needs a hot start to do that. If the Colts hand him the keys and his shoulder can stay healthy then he could start to find a groove. Last year he looked pitiful in several contests so it’s understandable if no one wants to touch him with a ten foot pole, but the shoulder injury can largely explain his wild inaccuracy. There isn’t really a worse injury a QB can have than a continuous shoulder ailment in their throwing shoulder. Richardson could be downright dreadful, yet still have a couple decent fantasy performances. (He just broke his pinky today so his value will legitimately plummet to the 200s most likely)

Sam Darnold:

It’s a common theme that people see Sam Darnold as a one year wonder. A product of O’Connell’s scheme. If that isn’t the case then you have a league winning quarterback for best ball. When Darnold was on in games he put up some monstrous fantasy performances. Nine 20+ point fantasy performances. Darnold could provide a best ball team with a safety blanket in case your starter slumps and has a bad game. There isn’t much noise around the Seahawks. No distractions. An underdog mentality heading into the season. That’s why Sam Darnold could be the perfect player to lead them into the playoffs. He’s always been an underdog since his struggles on the Jets. He dreamt of the deal he got this offseason. There’s no longer the added weight of fighting for a contract on his mind. He may surprise many. 

Justin Fields:

This one is just a bias in all honesty. You just have to route for the kid. He never complained when the Bears were embarrassingly non competitive just to have a successor be given all the tools they didn’t give you. The ironic part is that it easily could blow up in the Bears organization’s face. Fields has no competition in the quarterback room. The only man behind him is an ancient Tyrod Taylor. A savvy backup. Fields playing a full season is surely going to have five plus great fantasy performances from his work on the ground. Fields doesn’t even have to be good and neither do the Jets. Fields in Chicago had some fantastic fantasy performances. You're drafting him as a high end backup. NOT a starter.