Roundtable: 7 QBs Trending Down Prior To Free Agency

Photo: USA Today Sports

Free agency is just around the corner, and with it, changes in dynasty player values. Our staff gathers together to give a preview of players trending in positive or negative directions. Starting with quarterbacks tending down.

Zach Wilson, NY Jets

Jason Wood - Quite a few quarterbacks are looking over their shoulders, but Wilson has to be atop the list. The young passer has completely floundered in New York, to the point of being benched by Coach Saleh last year for immaturity in the face of adversity. The Jets are connected to Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr (who has since signed with New Orleans), and Jimmy Garoppollo, ensuring Wilson's future lies as the backup, if not on a new team.

Dave Kluge - Kyle Trask, Zach Wilson, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, Jarett Stidham, and Davis Mills are all the presumed starters at this point in the offseason, but I’m not sure any is safe with that title. One or two could end up with the role, but with no dearth of talent available through the Draft and free agency, all of these quarterbacks could end up back in a backup role. From a dynasty standpoint, I’d be trying to cash in on any of these guys if possible.

Gary Davenport - Pour one out for Zach Wilson because he’s finished as an NFL starter. Everything that could go wrong did for Wilson last year, whether it was poor play or alienating teammates by deflecting blame for the team’s offensive struggles. Now the Jets have been connected to Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones, and every other veteran free agent with a pulse this offseason. Wilson has been every bit the bust for fantasy managers that he has been in New York, and that’s not going to change.

Mac Jones, New England

Zareh Kantzabedian - Jones will need some significant additions on offense if free agent Jakobi Meyers signs with another team. Jones nearly lost his job to rookie Bailey Zappe during the 2022 season, and the feeling is that the leash is still somewhat taut on Jones going into 2023.

Christian Williams - Jones doesn't feel like a lock to remain the Patriots' long-term starter past his rookie deal following reports that the team was heavily investigating the quarterbacks at the NFL Combine. Jones' handling of the Bailey Zappe situation last year seems to have created some unsettledness within the organization. The Patriots' exploration of other options could extend into free agency, and that would not bode well for his long-term future.

Desmond Ridder, Atlanta

Kyle Yates - Ridder showed some flashes toward the end of the 2022 season, but it was too small of a sample size for the Falcons to feel completely comfortable plugging him in as their starter for Week 1. On top of that, the Falcons are doing plenty of work on this incoming quarterback rookie class, and they hold the eighth overall pick. Ridder may have some significant competition in the room next year in Atlanta.