At this time of year, we should be stocking our dynasty benches with long-term upside plays if we are out of the playoff hunt, and even if we are in the playoffs, it’s time to cut your depth to a lean and mean level and still maximize your bench spots for future growth. For the next four weeks, we’ll look at each position and sort out end of season dynasty stashes and players to monitor next offseason into Snorkel, Scuba, and Submarine levels of league depth. First up, quarterback, which is becoming more important to thoroughly evaluate with the rise of 2QB/Superflex leagues.
Snorkel
Teddy Bridgewater, NO/??? - Drew Brees could retire in the offseason, especially if the Saints win the Super Bowl, and even if Brees comes back, Bridgewater did enough this year to get signed to start somewhere in 2020, or if he chooses, take a high backup salary with options for starter pay in 2021 and beyond in New Orleans. He looked all the way back from his catastrophic knee injury and he’s only 27.
Gardner Minshew, JAX - Minshew’s value for redraft leagues sunk when Nick Foles came back, although he could still start by the end of the season if Foles doesn’t pick it up, and perhaps even start Week 1 of the 2020 season. His mobility and grace under pressure bode well, especially if he can get paired up in the future with an offensive coordinator who schemes to his air raid roots.
Josh Rosen, MIA/??? - Rosen has shown out about as badly as a first-round quarterback can, short of being Paxton Lynch and barely even being able to get and stay on the field, but he has also arguably been dropped into the two worst situations for a first-round quarterback in recent memory. He could end up somewhere like New England or New Orleans, where he can hit the reset button and start over his development in a good organization, or maybe even compete to start somewhere if the Dolphins make him available for trade.
Andy Dalton, CIN - Dalton might have been dropped in your dynasty league when he was demoted, but he’s back in the starting offense, and he could also get a boost in value this offseason if he gets traded to Chicago or Denver as a presumptive starter. He is a good extension of the coach and might be able to get a lot more out of Chicago’s skill players and Matt Nagy’s offense than Mitchell Trubisky has.
Tyrod Taylor, LAC - Taylor is unfortunately under contract next year, but Philip Rivers is a free agent and he presents a very reasonable alternative to paying Rivers 25 million dollars for the worst year of his career to date. Taylor provides extra fantasy value as a runner and should get a chance to start again at some point.
Scuba
Marcus Mariota, TEN - Mariota will certainly be signed as a backup, not a starter, but he still has outstanding tools, and his value could be unlocked by a new offensive coordinator and quarterback coach who crafts an offense to his strengths and doesn’t ask him to adapt to a new system for a few years.
Devlin Hodges, PIT - Hodges will get an extended audition in December barring a complete collapse, and he is a Ryan Fitzpatrick-esque overachiever with the ability to add fantasy value with his legs and a fearless approach as a passer. Ben Roethlisberger should be back next year, but Hodges can poise himself as the presumptive short-term heir to Roethlisberger if he can lead the team to a playoff berth.
Will Grier, CAR - The Panthers are basically out of the playoffs without a miracle, but they seem to have no plans to see their third round pick in action this year. Cam Newton may or may not be with the team next year, Kyle Allen may or may not be the starter, and Grier may or may not get a chance to at least win the backup role. The team may have soured on Grier already, or they might be more interested in evaluating Allen fully before choosing which way to go at the fork in the road ahead of their franchise.
Submarine
Chad Kelly, IND - Kelly continues to hang around NFL rosters, and it’s on the basis on his likeability or personality. Jacoby Brissett has been competent but limited, and while Brian Hoyer got a three-year deal after the Patriots released him, no Colts fan will want him on the field after he lost to Miami. Kelly arguably has NFL starter talent, he just needs to stay out of trouble to get a chance to prove that eventually.
Taysom Hill, NO - Sean Payton might be the only one who thinks Hill can be a starting NFL quarterback, and he hasn’t exactly made Payton look like a genius, but he’s incredibly athletic and would be a fantasy hit if he ever got a shot on the back of his running ability. He’s also a deep dynasty hold to see if he can evolve into a newbreed H-back/tight end/wideout/option quarterback who gets enough snaps on another team to have fantasy value if his position versatility is reflected in his fantasy league eligibility.
Nick Mullens, SF - Mullens was the toast of the backup quarterback world at times last year, but hasn’t been needed this year. He was well ahead of schedule in his development and should project as a backup with a chance to start in the future, and his familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offense should only help him as offensive coordinators try to copy the sources of San Francisco’s success.
Jarrett Stidham, NE - Tom Brady is planning on playing well into Stidham’s rookie contract, although the ground comes up fast at quarterbacks in their 40s, and the last two quarterbacks drafted to develop behind Brady are starting now.