The upcoming NFL season is still a ways away, but it’s never too early to predict the Top-10 players in fantasy football. The quarterback position typically scores more points than any other position, especially if you have an elite quarterback on your fantasy football squad. To conduct this list, I used some information found at Fantasy Pros to help me figure out how I see each quarterback spot.
Depending on what type of league you’re in you might be drafting a quarterback early, or could sit back and take one later. In super-flex leagues, quarterbacks fly off the board; but if you’re playing a traditional one QB league, there’s a chance you can stream the position. Either way, it’s a safer bet to ensure an elite quarterback for your fantasy football teams.
Plenty can happen between now and the start of the regular season. However, this Top-10 list gives us an early look at who the best potential fantasy quarterbacks will be in 2021. With that said, here are my Top-10 fantasy football quarterbacks for the 2021 season.
2021 Fantasy Football: Top 10 Quarterbacks
1 | Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is at the top of the list, and it shouldn’t come to you as a shock. He finished last year with an impressive stat line of 4,740 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 308 yards and added two rushing touchdowns to his stat-line.
Throwing to Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill certainly helps him be a valuable fantasy option, but Mahomes is the best QB in the league right now. He dominates the passing game and provides enough in the run game to score some additional points on the ground as well. Look for Mahomes to continue his dominance, as only time will well when he slows down.
2 | Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills quarterback made a massive jump in production last year and should be able to do so again. Josh Allen is primed for another great year, after putting up 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air. He’s also one of the best quarterbacks to run the ball, as he finished with 421 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He’s arguably the best running back in Buffalo.
His play took off after the front office acquired Stefon Diggs via trade with the Minnesota Vikings. Allen has a true WR1, a great offensive line, and a coaching staff that believes in him. He has the potential to be the QB2 in the fantasy football world, as the sky is through the roof for the three-year veteran.
3 | Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys
Before suffering from a season-ending injury, Dak Prescott was lighting the league on fire with his incredible play. Through four and a half games, Prescott put up 1,856 passing yards and nine touchdowns. He was averaging 371.2 yards per game, which is just insane for the NFL, and fantasy football.
The Dallas Cowboys just re-signed Prescott to a long-term deal, securing Prescott as the Cowboys’ quarterback for years to come. With an incredible variety of weapons surrounding him, Prescott has the potential to get back where he left off. If he does, he can surely help you win your leagues.
4 | Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens
Easily the best running quarterback in the league, Lamar Jackson is the ultimate dual-threat quarterback. He’s been consistent the last two years, and during the 2020 season, Jackson finished with 2,757 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. His work in the rushing game is what makes him a true fantasy asset though, as he wound up with 1,005 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Look for Jackson to repeat that performance; as the front office failed to sign a top wide receiver in free agency this year. They could still find a talented receiver in the NFL draft, but it’s rare for a rookie to come into the league playing as an elite WR1. Either way, Jackson is one of the best athletes in the NFL and will be a monster for your fantasy team in 2021.
5 | Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray improved in his second year, but not as much as everyone had hoped. Still, Murray has proved to be a solid fantasy option despite some question marks surrounding him. Last year, the former Rookie-of-the-Year put up 3,971 passing yards along with 26 touchdowns. Similar to Lamar Jackson, Murray is a threat with his legs, as he finished with 819 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns as well.
Having DeAndre Hopkins should always make Murray a legitimate fantasy option. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury also runs an “air raid” offense that allows Murray to play to his strengths. There is concern about the Cardinals coaching staff, so Kingsbury may open up the playbook this coming up season. If so, Murray could be in for a monster year in 2021. He’s a solid quarterback to have in your starting lineup for fantasy football.
6 | Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers
Everyone expected Joe Burrow to be the rookie to take the league by storm, but instead, it was Justin Herbert. After an odd injury happened to Tyrod Taylor, the Los Angeles Chargers were forced to start Herbert, and never looked back. He walked away with the Rookie-of-the-Year award after throwing for 4,336 and 31 touchdowns, the most ever by a rookie quarterback.
So far this offseason, the front office has done its due diligence in building around their star quarterback. They made it a point to improve the offensive line, and replaced Hunter Henry with Jared Cook. Herbert will likely pick things up where he left off, especially if the Chargers can walk away with an exciting pass-catching rookie in the first round this year. It would be a smart move to let your league-mates select other quarterbacks while you stack your roster, then take Herbert to give your starting lineup a massive boost.
7 | Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers
An ageless wonder in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers has shown no sign of decline yet. After the front office selected Jordan Love with their first pick in the draft last year, Rodgers responded with 4,299 passing yards and 48 touchdowns, the most in his career.
Even though the Green Bay Packers haven’t quite built the best offense around Rodgers, he still provides an elite level of play year in and year out. As long as Davante Adams is on the Packers roster, Rodgers will likely continue dominating the league. Age hasn’t caught up to him yet, and he’ll be a steal in your fantasy drafts next year as well.
8 | Deshaun Watson | Houston Texans
The Houston Texans franchise is a complete mess at this moment, and Deshaun Watson’s future is in the air. However, he’s still on the roster and has yet to be taken to court over any of his allegations as of this article. If he remains in Houston and is able to play, Watson still has the talent to be a Top-10 fantasy option next year. He finished last season with 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns through the air, while also rushing for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
Another dual-threat quarterback who can do it all. Even though he plays on a depleted roster, Watson is more than capable of stacking the stat sheet. Keep a close eye on the news coming out of Houston, as multiple facets are impairing Watson’s future.
9 | Russell Wilson | Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson remains as the Seattle Seahawks quarterback for now after the Chicago Bears failed to acquire the nine-year veteran. According to Adam Schefter, there is still a possibility that Wilson winds up on a new team next year. Either way, Wilson is bound to finish as a Top-10 fantasy option no matter where he plays. He finished last season with 4,212 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. Wilson also provides fantasy value with his legs, as he rushed for 513 yards and two touchdowns in the 2020 season.
Wilson is a phenomenal quarterback. However in his current situation in Seattle, he’s not being given the reigns to play how he wants. Wilson wants to let it loose, but Pete Carroll wants to stick with the running game. We saw a glimpse of what Wilson can do when the coaching staff lets him cook. But as long as he remains in Seattle, his fantasy production will be capped by Carroll.
10 | Baker Mayfield | Cleveland Browns
This one may come as a surprise to some, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield showed the potential that he can be an efficient fantasy option in the back half of last year. Mayfield had another solid season, putting up 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns.
For Mayfield to finish within the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks though, he’ll need to make a massive jump in his performance. He’s not a dual-threat quarterback, so he’ll have to rely on his arm to climb the rankings. He’s produced similar numbers each year of his career so far. However, in Weeks 12-17, Mayfield finished with a minimum of 18.4 fantasy points (standard scoring) in four of those six games. If Mayfield can perform like that throgho0ut most of the 2021 season, he has the potential to finish as a Top-10 fantasy quarterback next year.
