As the 2025 fantasy football season rapidly approaches, the quarterback position remains a cornerstone of any championship-contending roster. But with so many options, from established veterans to exciting sophomores, knowing who to trust can be the difference between a dominant season and a frustrating one.
This post dives into a selection of quarterbacks, dissecting why some are poised for reliable fantasy success and why others, despite their allure, might carry too much risk at their current average draft position (ADP).
Let’s break down who you can confidently anchor your team with, and who might leave you reaching for the waiver wire.
Fantasy football quarterbacks to trust
Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders): Daniels proved to be an elite fantasy asset in his rookie 2024 season, exceeding expectations and finishing as a QB5 in PPR leagues. His dual-threat ability is a game-changer, combining over 3,500 passing yards with 25 touchdowns, alongside nearly 900 rushing yards and six more scores. This rushing floor provides a high weekly ceiling, making him relatively immune to inconsistent passing performances. With a year of experience under his belt and a developing Commanders offense, Daniels is poised to continue his ascent as a top-tier fantasy quarterback in 2025.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs): Despite a slight dip in fantasy production in 2023 and 2024, Mahomes remains a cornerstone fantasy QB. His unparalleled talent and the Chiefs’ pass-heavy scheme ensure high volume and explosive play potential. While Travis Kelce is aging, the Chiefs have bolstered their wide receiver corps, giving Mahomes more reliable targets. His ability to elevate the play of those around him, combined with his consistent rushing upside, makes him a safe bet for a top-7 fantasy quarterback finish. Mahomes’ track record speaks for itself; he’s capable of reclaiming the overall QB1 spot any given year.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): Prescott is a strong bounce-back candidate for 2025, offering excellent value. After an injury-riddled and somewhat disappointing 2024, Prescott enters this season fully healthy with an improved supporting cast. The Cowboys have added George Pickens to complement CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, creating a formidable receiving trio. With a strengthened offensive line, Prescott should have ample time to distribute the ball and convert red-zone opportunities. His 2023 performance as a QB3, primarily through passing, demonstrates his capability even with reduced rushing, making him a reliable low-end QB1 with top-5 upside.
C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans): After a remarkable rookie season in 2023, Stroud’s fantasy production regressed in 2024 due to injuries to key receivers and offensive line struggles. However, 2025 presents a prime bounce-back opportunity. The Texans have revamped their offensive line and added new receiving weapons like Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, and Jaylin Noel, aiming to provide Stroud with better protection and targets. Stroud’s demonstrated ability to make big plays and his underlying talent suggest he can return to being a solid QB1 or high-end QB2. Trust him to improve on his sophomore slump.
Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): Love showed flashes of elite potential in his first full season as a starter, particularly towards the end of 2023 and in portions of 2024. Despite dealing with knee and groin injuries for much of 2024, Love still displayed strong accuracy and a knack for throwing touchdowns. The Packers have prioritized providing him with more weapons in the 2025 NFL Draft, which should further elevate his game. As he gains more experience and with an improved receiving corps, Love is well-positioned to take a significant step forward and establish himself as a consistent QB1 for fantasy purposes.
Fantasy football quarterbacks who could bust at their ADP
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Mayfield could certainly have enough volume and production to be a low-end QB1. But as presently being drafted, he’s headed for bust territory. Mayfield defied expectations in 2024, finishing as a high-end fantasy QB. However, his performance was heavily buoyed by an unsustainably high touchdown rate (7.2%). While he’s shown he can be a solid starter, replicating that efficiency is a tall order. The Buccaneers’ offense, while returning key players, may lean more into the run in 2025. At his current ADP, which places him as a mid-QB1, there’s a significant risk of touchdown regression, making him a candidate to underperform his draft cost if he doesn’t maintain last year’s outlier passing efficiency.
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos): I like Nix and I have dynasty stock in him. I just think he’s being overdrafted at the moment. Nix had a surprisingly strong rookie campaign in 2024, finishing as a top-10 fantasy QB. While he displayed good accuracy and a low turnover rate, his fantasy production was somewhat inflated by a high touchdown-to-yardage ratio and reliance on a superb offensive line. The “sophomore slump” is a real concern for young quarterbacks. While he’s in the same system, the pressure to replicate or improve upon his efficiency will be immense. His ADP is reflecting his strong rookie year, potentially overlooking the inherent volatility and potential for regression that often comes with second-year quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears): Williams, despite flashes of brilliance, had an up-and-down rookie year in 2024, finishing outside the top-15 fantasy QBs. While the Bears have significantly upgraded his supporting cast with talent like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III, expecting a massive leap into consistent top-tier fantasy production in his second year might be aggressive at his current ADP. He showed promise, but also had games where he struggled with efficiency and taking sacks. Young quarterbacks often take time to fully acclimate to the NFL, and banking on an immediate and dramatic rise to a top-tier fantasy QB could lead to disappointment relative to his draft cost.
Justin Fields (New York Jets): Fields’ fantasy value has always been tied to his elite rushing upside. After joining the Jets this offseason, his path to consistent fantasy relevance as the 2025 starter is murky. While his rushing floor provides a safety net, his passing efficiency has consistently been a concern throughout his career. The Jets’ offensive system will likely be more conservative this year under new coach Aaron Glenn, which may limit Fields’ big-play passing opportunities. At his current ADP, the risk of inconsistent passing combined with a potentially reduced rushing workload makes him a hard player to fully trust.
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals): Murray’s fantasy value has been on a decline since his peak seasons, exacerbated by injuries and inconsistent play. While he still possesses elite athleticism and arm talent, his deep ball production significantly regressed in 2024, and his week-to-week consistency was a major issue. The Cardinals’ receiving corps, while adding Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024, still lacks proven depth, and the offensive scheme has yet to fully unlock Murray’s full potential. At his current ADP, which still pegs him as a solid QB1, the risk of continued injury, erratic production, and a relatively low ceiling compared to other QBs in his range makes him a risky proposition.
