Fantasy football managers are increasingly opting to delay their quarterback selection, a tactic that leverages the position’s surprising depth and the abundance of viable options beyond the early rounds.
Recent data shows that four of the top‑seven scoring quarterbacks last season were taken outside the first fifteen picks, underscoring the value of patience and the risk of over‑investing early at the position.
Because the role is less scarce than running back or wide receiver, many owners treat each week as an opportunity to plug in a streamer, reshaping roster construction around weekly matchups rather than preseason projections.
Late‑Round Candidates Worth Watching
Among the players who fit this mold, Jared Goff, Malik Willis and Kyler Murray stand out for their blend of reliability and upside, making them compelling targets in the later stages of drafts.
Goff’s statistical consistency since 2022 — finishing as QB14, QB11, QB7 and QB13 — paired with strong indoor numbers, makes him a compelling late‑round asset for managers seeking a steady floor.
Willis, though still developing, posted a 23.3 point average across three starts, including seven rushing attempts and 58 rushing yards per game, hinting at a high ceiling that could translate into weekly explosiveness.
Murray’s 34.6 rushing yards per game last season, combined with a history of top‑12 finishes, suggest he could rebound quickly if his offense improves, adding another layer of upside to a late‑round pick.
Some analysts even recommend carrying two late‑round quarterbacks, creating a floor‑ceiling balance that can smooth out weekly variance and provide flexibility in lineup decisions.