The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 9, which means it’s time to evaluate which rookie quarterbacks could make the biggest impact for fantasy football in 2021. There were five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, each of which has had quite a bit of hype surrounding them. Even so, it’s difficult to gauge just how good a rookie is for fantasy football, as many of them have to adjust to the professional level.
Last year, we witnessed Justin Herbert light up the league, winning the Rookie of the Year award and serving as a consistent fantasy option. With the level of talent that has entered the NFL recently, we could see another rookie make an immediate impact as well. But who will step up and be that league winner this year?
For the most part, a majority of the rookie quarterbacks will go undrafted in fantasy leagues. However, that means there’s a great opportunity to snag someone off the waiver wire later in the season. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out, as each rookie is in their own unique situation. With that said, here are the 2021 fantasy football rankings for the rookie quarterbacks.
Rookie Quarterback Fantasy Football Outlook
5. Trey Lance
The San Francisco 49ers moved up in the draft to select Trey Lance third overall. They clearly think very highly of the young rookie, as he has massive potential to become an elite quarterback. However, for his fantasy football outlook this year, Lance should be avoided. In regards to redraft leagues, Lance shouldn’t be on your radar, as Jimmy Garoppolo is the starting quarterback for now.
Tery Lance is the future of this franchise, but he has a ton of work to do before he takes over the starting role. During his three years in college, Lance put up 2,847 yards, 30 passing touchdowns, and one interception. He also had an impressive 65.4 completion percentage as well, making him an accurate passer. However, Lance only participated in 19 total games, 16 of which were in the 2019 season. He is very inexperienced and needs time to develop before receiving the reigns.
The 49ers are in a great position to be a dominant team for years to come, but they selected Lance knowing he’d be a project. He flashed greatness throughout training camp and preseason, which bodes well for his potential. However, he likely rides the pine throughout his rookie year, as Garoppolo looks to retain his role under center. Trey Lance should be avoided in fantasy football unless Garoppolo sustains an injury and misses time.
4. Justin Fields
For whatever reason, Justin Fields fell further in the NFL Draft than most expected, which gave the Chicago Bears the opportunity to trade up for him. He’s a phenomenal talent who has all of the potential in the world, as he has the tools to become a superstar in this league. Even so, Matt Nagy and the coaching staff refuse to name him the starter when Fields is clearly better than Andy Dalton.
Justin Fields played 34 games in his collegiate career, racking up 5,701 yards, 67 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His 68.4 completion percentage is rock solid, proving he’s an accurate passer. Fields would be higher on this list if he were named the starter and would be a fantastic pick in fantasy drafts. Instead, he’s more of a late-round flier, or potential league-winning waiver wire addition once he eventually takes the starting job.
The Bears also have a couple of red flags in regards to Fields’ outlook. Chicago’s offensive scheme just draws up bad plays that don’t make sense. Additionally, the offensive line is well below par. Justin Fields gives the Bears their best chances to succeed, but until they improve the play calling and offensive line, it could be a rough start for their rookie quarterback.
3. Zach Wilson
The New York Jets moved on from Sam Darnold and selected Zach Wilson second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s a great talent that many wrote off early on. However, Wilson has been solid throughout training camp and the preseason, proving why the Jets took him with their first pick of the draft.
Wilson had a great college career, playing 30 games in a three-year time span. He finished with 7,652 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He was great under center, as he had a 67.6 completion percentage as well. Zach Wilson finds himself in the top three, as he’s the starting quarterback for the Jets. He has the opportunity to make an immediate impact in the NFL, potentially making him a nice option for fantasy football.
Although that’s true, Wilson should go undrafted in fantasy drafts. He plays on a bad Jets team that’s struggling with injuries right now, which doesn’t bode well for his rookie outlook. New York’s offensive line has been struggling throughout the preseason. For that reason, Wilson will likely see plenty of pressure. We’ll see how he handles it, but it’s important to keep an eye on the Jets’ rookie quarterback. If he plays well enough, Wilson could be a nice streaming option, with the potential to be a league-winning acquisition off of the waiver wire.
2. Mac Jones
After the New England Patriots surprisingly cut Cam Newton, Mac Jones finds himself in the starting quarterback role. Many didn’t believe Jones could be a starting quarterback out of the gate, but he’s proving everyone wrong after winning the job. He is a pocket passer that isn’t much of a threat with his legs, which fits the Patriots’ system perfectly.
Mac Jones was a solid quarterback throughout his collegiate career. He proved to get the job done, delivering the ball to a stacked Alabama offense. Jones finished with 6,126 yards, 56 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Additionally, he had an insane 74.3 completion percentage, the best amongst everyone on this list.
Due to the lack of weapons on the Patriots’ offense, Jones looks to be more of a streaming option for now. The fantasy outlook for New England’s running back room has vastly improved, while Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, and Jakobi Meyers each have a chance to be Jones’ favorite pass option. He’s not the most exciting pick, but Jones could be a safe option if you’re looking for a FLEX play this year.
1. Trevor Lawrence
The number one overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Trevor Lawrence looks to continue his high level of play with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This franchise is hopeful they finally found a superstar quarterback to pull them out of the rut. Lawrence has all of the potential in the world, as many view him as a Peyton Manning-like prospect. If that’s the case, the Jaguars are finally in good hands.
This kid has been a prodigy, serving as a starting college quarterback since he was 18 years old. He ended his collegiate career with 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. His 66.6 completion percentage proves just how accurate he is. Lawrence joins a Jaguars offense that has some solid talent available. The wide receiver room looks great, and the offensive line isn’t too bad either.
Regardless, Jacksonville is a young team that needs time to develop. For that reason, the team as a whole might struggle in 2021. Even so, they should produce a handful of fantasy football contributors. Lawrence is the starting quarterback and is in a decent situation to begin his career. He should be taken as your QB2, but he could be a QB1 sooner, rather than later. Pairing him with someone like Matthew Stafford or Ryan Tannehill on your fantasy squad makes for a smart play in the quarterback position.
