The quarterback is the most important position in all of sports. However, in fantasy, it isn’t always viewed quite as highly.
When I was first playing fantasy football, I was told to wait until the double-digit rounds to start targeting quarterbacks with plans to stream the position throughout the season (i.e. picking up QBs from waivers each week who have easy matchups). Although that is still a viable strategy, there is definitely something to be said about having a difference-maker at that position.
In this article, I will give you my favorite elite targets based on value and some later-round guys who can help you get to a quality start to the season.
Fantasy sleeper quarterbacks for 2023
Justin Herbert (LAC)
When it comes to the word “sleeper”, usually people think of lesser-known names that have the opportunity to help win your league. Justin Herbert doesn’t fit that definition, but I believe people are sleeping on his actual fantasy potential.
Coming off of a disappointing season, it seems that the fantasy community is less excited about Herbert than they are about the other elite options. Because of his 4th round draft price, I will have a lot of Herbert on my fantasy rosters.
It doesn’t take an expert to know that the LA Chargers have been disappointing for most of Herbert’s tenure. Because of this, they have a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore. In Dallas, Moore helped Dak Prescott finish as a fantasy QB2 finish 2019 and produce solid production across his time there. Given the weapons the Chargers’ offense has and the pedigree of production shown by Moore, Herbert is poised for a big year!
Anthony Richardson (IND)
If you miss out on Herbert and the other elite options, there is no need to panic. Many league-winning teams go the whole season streaming the position based on matchups. Because of this, I found a few starters who have upside and a soft opening schedule to target in the later rounds of your draft.
The first of these options is rookie Anthony Richardson. Selected 4th overall by the Colts, Indianapolis is hoping that he can be a franchise quarterback. They have reason to believe this due to his ridiculous athleticism and strong arm. In most leagues, rushing quarterbacks are way more valuable than pocket passers because they can rack up points on the ground and score rushing TDs.
To be able to get a quarterback that has a safe rushing floor and an offense with multiple weapons in the 9th/10th round could help your chances at having a special fantasy team. He was recently announced as the Week 1 starter and doesn’t face a top-ten passing defense until Week 7, so he could be a nice option at QB later in your draft.
Geno Smith (SEA)
Geno Smith is another strong option in the later rounds of your draft. Although he isn’t one of the elite quarterbacks he does have a slew of weapons in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. He also starts the season against some of the worst defenses in the NFL. So even if he isn’t the answer for your team all season, he can definitely help you get off to a good start!
Kyler Murray (ARI)
Another option for those passing on the elite tier is stashing Kyler Murray on your IR. It may seem a little risky, but the names that go around him in the 13th round are just as uncertain. When healthy, Kyler has proven to be a great fantasy quarterback based on his rushing ability.
Arizona’s offense will need to keep up with all the points their defense will be giving up so that will help him acquire even more points playing catch up. Pairing Kyler with a quarterback with a nice early schedule (i.e. Geno, Jordan Love, Russell Wilson) is an outside-the-box strategy that could pay off!
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