Dynasty Problem Solving: Quarterbacks

When addressing your dynasty problem, your solution should be proportionate to the size of your problem. At the quarterback position, there can be three levels of solutions: small measures, half measures, and full measures. The solutions here are focused primarily on Superflex and 2QB dynasty leagues after rookie drafts and before the regular season.

SMALL MEASURES

Small measures should address low-priority problems. In Superflex, small measures should address your QB3 or QB4 position on your team when you have two elite quarterbacks.

Small measures include combing the waiver wire, adding backup quarterbacks, or making low-price bets on bridge quarterbacks. It is unlikely these quarterbacks will become elite fantasy options, so the price you pay should be low.

Since 2011, an average of 55 quarterbacks have started at least one game in the regular season, while an average of 48 have started multiple games per season.

There are two types of backup quarterbacks this year. First, there are quarterbacks that appear to be backups but are behind starters who have a questionable hold on the starting job. Second are quarterbacks who are pure backup quarterbacks.

Backups behind questionable starters include:

• Colt McCoy (Kyler Murray injury)
• Taylor Heinicke (Desmond Ridder insecure starter)
• Jacoby Brissett (Sam Howell insecure starter)

With this as a backdrop, optimizing your backup quarterback position is a useful strategy to address small needs at the position. When selecting backup quarterbacks to target, focus on those with high draft NFL pedigree or those with prior fantasy production. Current targets should include:

• Tyler Huntley
• Andy Dalton
• Cooper Rush
• Gardner Minshew
• Mike White
• Marcus Mariota
• Mitchell Trubisky

HALF MEASURES

Half measures address medium-priority problems.

There are multiple examples when half measures should be taken.

First, when you have a rookie quarterback with questions about 2023 production. This is true for rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson.

Second, a half-measure is also a good approach when you have a valuable long-term option but is projected to miss an extended period in 2023. In 2023, this is Kyler Murray, who suffered a torn ACL in the closing weeks of 2022 and may miss some or all of 2023. There are questions about Murray’s ability as a passer, but when he is healthy, he has been a high-level dynasty option.

Third is when you have a quarterback you have a quarterback coming off a down season and do not know if they are going to rebound. Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford were both second-round picks in 2022 Superflex startup drafts before disappointing in 2022. Both have a case to rebound but also a case to fall off further in 2023.

The best way to address the half measure is with a veteran in the teens of the position in ADP who has prior hits on his resume. Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, and Derek Carr are good examples of quarterbacks with good lineup functionality in the next two to three-year window.

Recent trades include:

To get a sense of the market, here are some recent actual trades from MyFantasyLeague.com leagues. Every league is different, of course, but these trades in existing real leagues can give you a pretty good feel for the cost and type of trade packages necessary to make a quarterback move.

In a Superflex league:

• Trade Away: Baker Mayfield, Romeo Doubs, Chris Godwin, and Joe Mixon
• Trade For: Kirk Cousins, 2024 1st-round Rookie Pick, and 2023 2.02 rookie pick

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: Miles Sanders, Kadarius Toney
• Trade For: Kirk Cousins

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: 2024 3rd-round rookie pick, 2025 2nd-round rookie pick, and Evan Engram
• Trade For: Derek Carr

In a Superflex League

• Trade Away: Javonte Williams, 2024 2nd-round rookie pick, and two 2024 3rd-round rookie picks
• Trade For: Jared Goff and 2024 1st-round rookie pick

A second option is the Geno Smith route. Smith broke out for the first hit of his career at age 32, after a decade in the league. Smith signed a three-year contract, and the team passed on a quarterback in the first round of the draft while adding wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet in the NFL Draft. Overall, Smith has one of the best supporting casts in the league.

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: DeAndre Hopkins and Ryan Tannehill
• Trade For: Geno Smith

The third option is to add rebound candidates like Wilson and Stafford. While they could be long-term concerns, their range of outcomes blends well with other quarterbacks who have good long-term outlooks.

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: Rachaad White and Desmond Ridder
• Trade For: Jerome Ford and Russell Wilson

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: Alec Pierce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
• Trade For: Matthew Stafford

FULL MEASURES

Few elite trades matter as much as trades for elite quarterbacks in Superflex or 2QB leagues. These trades raise your floor and ceiling in the near term. In addition, these are long-term deals. There is no better bet that a player will be good than a quarterback who consistently performs at a high level.

In premium formats, the quarterback position should be consistently addressed.

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: Drake London, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Mac Jones
• Trade For: Josh Allen

In a Superflex league

• Trade Away: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenny Pickett, Dameon Pierce, 2024 1st-round rookie pick
• Trade For: Josh Allen and Chris Godwin

TAKEAWAYS

Adding an elite quarterback to your Superflex dynasty team is a floor- and ceiling-raising prospect in the short and long term. Elite quarterbacks are stable assets and can make the biggest difference in Superflex leagues.

The elite quarterback fix can be expensive but is a reminder that spending future assets should be done with caution. Trades that fix the quarterback position can be expensive and typically require first-round rookie picks. Spending picks in the future on nonelite assets can leave you without the ability to trade for quarterbacks when they become available.