Fantasy football draft or pass: 2025 NFL starting quarterbacks
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
Murray may never lead the Cardinals to a Super Bowl victory. However, the Heisman winner from Oklahoma does plenty with his arm and legs to keep a fantasy football team in contention. Decision: Draft
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr.
Simply not ready to risk the QB position on a second-year quarterback who has three games of experience. Penix may prove to be the solution in Atlanta but he has to show that he will put up big numbers before making believers. He also isn't going to deliver big numbers running. Decision: Pass
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
An absolute no-brainer. Decision: Draft and draft early
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen
See Jackson, Lamar. Decision: Draft and draft early
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young
Bryce Young showed improvement in his second season after a disastrous rookie campaign. The Panthers figure to continue to improve. However, Young isn't worth choosing as a fantasy quarterback. Wouldn't pick him as a backup, either. He has a lot of room to go before being a fantasy flash. Decision: Pass
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams
As bad as the Bears were last season, Williams still threw for better than 3,500 yards and rushed for almost 500 more. He threw 20 touchdown passes and did not find the end zone with his legs. Look for vast improvement under Ben Johnson in his second season and Williams could be a sleeper pick. Decision: Draft
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow
All Joe Burrow has to do is stay healthy. Decision: Draft
Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco?
It doesn't matter which of the four quarterbacks start or play in 2025 for the Browns. Don't think about selecting any of them. Decision: Pass
Dallas Cowboys
People love to debate anything and everything about the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott falls under this domain. One would be counting on Prescott to remain upright and Dallas to improve dramatically for him to be selected in a fantasy draft. No knock on the Mississippi State star but consistency has not been a strong point. Time to move on to another quarterback in fantasy. Decision: Pass
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix
If you are a person who doesn't place emphasis on the quarterback position and focuses on other sports as a priority, Bo Nix could be a player worth taking in the middle to late rounds. Who are we to argue with Sean Payton's choices with the Broncos? Decision: Draft
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff
The lone reason to worry about drafting Jared Goff would be because Ben Johnson is now head coach of the Chicago Bears. That shouldn't be enough to scare anyone off. Decision: Draft
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
Jordan Love and the Packers are a winning combination. The quarterback continues to grow and get better. He played in 15 games last year and threw 11 picks, the same amount he threw in a whole season in 2023. That would be a pause for concern. And will he remain healthy? Decision: Draft
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
Wide receivers were injured frequently last season in Houston. That could explain the drop in passing yardage and increase in interceptions from five as a rookie to 12 in 2024 for C.J. Stroud. The Texans took a couple Iowa State receivers in the draft. That won't build confidence as they adjust to the NFL. Decision: Pass
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
When your choices are a fragile Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, there is no option but to ... Decision: Pass
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
The Jags and Trevor Lawrence have consistently disappointed the last two seasons. This is the time for Lawrence to prove he is a franchise quarterback or else. Hard to imagine he can't thrive in the weak AFC South but with the exception of one season he hasn't. Maybe a mid- to late-round pick if at all. Decision: Pass
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes' passing yardage stats and touchdown throws have gone backward over the last three seasons. He remains elite but that doesn't make him an early fantasy selection anymore. Depending on when Mahomes is available definitely consider him a pick. Just don't do it early. Decision: Draft
Las Vegas Raiders: Geno Smith
Geno Smith reunites with Pete Carroll. The veteran coach will need to find some magic in the veteran quarterback who has thrown 35 interceptions over the last three seasons. Let the selector beware. Decision: Pass
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is tough as they come. He can turn anyone into a great target. Will the Chargers eventually catch the Chiefs? Maybe. Will Herbert be a strong fantasy pick? Definitely. Decision: Draft
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford
Going to say that time will not be a friend of Matthew Stafford and the Rams. It is nice to have Puka Nacua and Davante Adams but Stafford is 37 and not throwing a ton of touchdown passes in a season anymore. Will be interesting to see if Sean McVay made the right call sticking with the veteran. Decision: Pass
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa
No thanks. No guarantee Tagovailoa will stay healthy. Dolphins offense was stagnant for most of last year whether he played. Decision: Hard Pass
Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy
JJ McCarthy has not thrown an NFL pass. Decision: Pass
New England Patriots: Drake Maye
At some point. Drake Maye figures to become a star quarterback. He may not get there in 2025. However, don't dismiss him as a fantasy option. Late-round steal is what Maye might be. Decision: Draft
New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough
Tyler Shough? Who Dat? Decision: Pass
New York Giants: Russell Wilson
No thanks. Decision: Pass, hard pass
New York Jets: Justin Fields
Justin Fields would have to go back to 2022 rushing stats with the Chicago Bears to be worth any consideration. Decision: Pass
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts should be a top five quarterback pick. He can throw and he can run and he won a Super Bowl. A leader. Decision: Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers
This one is easy: Decision: Pass
San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy
This season has to be better than last for the 49ers. Don't be afraid to jump in with a pick on Brock Purdy in the middle of your draft. Even as a backup QB to have in case of injury or a bye, he could have some big games. Decision: Draft
Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold had a monster year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings. Can't see him coming anywhere close to the numbers he put up for the Purple. Decision: Pass
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has found a home in Tampa. If one can live with interceptions -- he threw 16 last year -- to go with a lot of yards and touchdown passes, grab him in the middle of your draft. Decision: Draft
Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward
Not this year for Cam Ward. Let's hope the Titans are wise enough to start him over Will Levis. Decision: Pass
Washington Commanders
Grab Jayden Daniels early and don't be afraid of a sophomore slump. The former LSU star is a electric and should be a fantasy demon. Decision: Draft
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