I handle the quarterback position a lot differently in my Dynasty leagues compared to the other skill positions. In 1-Quarterback Dynasty leagues, I try to have two or three young upside quarterbacks plus one safer veteran player as well. In Superflex dynasty leagues, I try to have as many young upside quarterbacks as I can and pair them with two or three safer veteran quarterbacks, depending on the roster size of each given leagues. In both formats, it is key for me to have at least one, hopefully more, exciting young quarterbacks on any given Dynasty roster. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top five rookie quarterbacks and how I would approach them in Dynasty near the end of their debut seasons.
Tier 1: Elite Rookie QBS
These top three quarterbacks are players I would like to have in any of the Dynasty formats that I play in, whether they are 1-QB or Superflex leagues. I realize it will be expensive to trade for them at this point, but if you have a chance to get them at a decent price, I would jump on it as they could be difference-makers for the next 10 years at the quarterback position.
1. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
As of now, C.J. Stroud is my number-one-ranked rookie quarterback. The Houston Texans front office had a relatively easy decision drafting Stroud in the first round after the Carolina Panthers drafted Bryce Young with the number one overall pick of the draft. So far this season, Stroud looks like a stud at the quarterback position. He has all the traits that NFL teams are looking for in a starting quarterback. Despite missing Week 15 with an injury, he currently ranks as the fantasy QB10 on the season. He has had a terrific rookie season, and I will be shocked if he does not finish the season a QB1 if he doesn’t miss too many more games due to his concussion. I would trade for him if the price is not completely outrageous, as I think he will be a difference-maker for the foreseeable future.
2. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he looked like a special player at the quarterback position. He has an outstanding arm, and his rushing ability is something we have not seen at the quarterback position, especially given his size at 6’4” and 244 pounds. I gave Stroud the slight edge over Richardson in my rankings because Stroud is more polished as a passer thus far in their young careers. Richardson needs to work on his throwing accuracy and reading the defense pre-snap; if he can get better in those two areas, he could easily be a top-five fantasy quarterback every year. An unfortunate part of his game is the part fantasy players like the most, and that is his ability to run with the football on designed runs or second-reaction plays, as that makes him take more hits. As we saw in the first four weeks of the season, he could miss time with injuries as a result. Currently, Richardson is out for the season with a right shoulder injury, so we will have to see if that affects him at all next season. Even though he only played four games this season, he still produced good numbers, completing 59.5% of his passes for 577 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception; he also added 136 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns. I still believe if Richardson had not gotten injured this season, he would have finished as the fantasy QB10 or better this year.
3. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Will Levis was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the fourth quarterback selected in the 2023 draft class. Unlike the first two quarterbacks on this list, Levis did not start Week 1. He got the chance to sit and watch veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill start the first six games of the season, and that might have helped Levis as he was not forced to learn on the fly to start his NFL career. I really liked Levis coming into the 2023 Draft. He is a bigger guy at 6’4 and 230 pounds who can make all the NFL throws and has good rushing ability as well. Tannehill injured his ankle in Week 6, so Levis took over from there, and he has looked impressive. I believe Levis has the ability to be the second-best quarterback from this draft class when we look back at it in 10 years. The question is, can he put it all together to make that happen? I believe this is the time to trade for Levis in Dynasty leagues. You can get him at a decent price even in Superflex leagues. I believe in his talent, and I think he will be a top-10 quarterback for the next 10 years in the NFL.
Tier 2: Rookie QBs To Buy-Low
The next two quarterbacks are players who should be relatively cheap to trade for in Superflex Dynasty leagues, and you may even be able to land them on waivers in 1-QB Dynasty leagues. In my opinion, if you have the roster spots available, I would trade for these two quarterbacks in all Dynasty league formats right now because their price is currently as cheap as it will get.
4. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
I wonder if the Carolina Panthers have any regrets about making the big offseason trade with the Chicago Bears to move up to the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Bryce Young over Stroud or Richardson at this point in their young careers. The Panthers traded two first-round picks (including what is now the likely 2024 1.01), two second-round picks and starting wide receiver D.J. Moore to move up to get Young, and I think they gave up to much to get him. Young is one of the smallest quarterbacks in NFL history at 5’10” and 204 pounds, and I think that will lead to him missing time at the NFL level because of the amount of hits you take at the position. Except for size, Young has all of the traits teams are looking for in an NFL quarterback. He has excellent leadership ability and can make all the throws. Still, despite not missing any games, Young currently ranks as just the QB25 on the season. Young is not my favorite quarterback from this draft class, but I still believe in his talent. I would and have traded for him in many of my Dynasty leagues this season as I believe he takes a step forward next season and I want to get him before his price goes way up.
5. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round in the 2023 NFL Draft. O’Connell was the eighth quarterback selected in the draft class, but he was the fourth rookie quarterback to start a game this year because of an injury to Raiders starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 3. O’Connell played his college football at Purdue University, and he is a bigger quarterback at 6’3” and 213 pounds. He got a big opportunity when Head Coach Josh McDaniels was fired earlier this season, as the Raiders announced that O’Connell would be the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season. He has the ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, so I am excited to see what he can do for the rest of the season. I was able to pick him up in most of my Dynasty leagues at the beginning of the season when Garoppolo kept getting injured, but if you can I would trade for him on the cheap in the offseason, especially in 2-Quarterback or Superflex leagues. In 1-QB Dynasty leagues, it depends on who else you have at the quarterback position. But if I you have an open roster spot, I would take a flyer on O’Connell as he is a talented player and I want to see if he can be a starting quarterback next season.