X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

QB Hot Seat: Projecting 2020 for Jameis Winston, Derek Carr, Cam Newton

NFL quarterbacks Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, and Derek Carr have been inconsistent in the last couple of years, especially for fantasy football teams. Rishi Patel evaluates each QB and projects his 2020 value in fantasy drafts.

The offseason is entering an empty period before free agency mania begins soon. All we can do now is predict how players will do in fantasy for 2020 before everything changes.

To that end, there are still a lot of question marks in regards to who will be a starter for all 32 teams. Therefore, it’s always great to analyze some skill players and see if they may be worth a pickup in fantasy drafts this summer. Let’s breakdown some QBs from a fantasy perspective and see how they may perform in 2020.

Note: the QBs analyzed may not even start for their respective teams in 2020, although this article will act as if they will stay put and will project their fantasy value given similar circumstances.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Good old Jameis Winston. One week he’s your savior and the next he’s handing out footballs to defenders like the Easter Bunny. As maddening as he may be for fantasy owners yearly, there’s no denying he has that explosive potential that can lift you to the top of your league.

So how will he fare in 2020? It’s safe to say it may be much of the same, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. First, let’s look at the positives. Winston threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019, both career-highs. The QB also threw for 8.2 yards per attempt and 319 pass yards a game, another career-high.

The firepower is there, but there are concerns or problems that may prevent Winston from being an elite fantasy player in 2020. For one, the Bucs QB has had 50 career total fumbles in five years. He had 12 in 2019 alone. Another issue is his lack of rushing prowess which dual-threat QBs do supply. Winston has not run for more than 280 yards any given season and has had only one rushing touchdown each of the past four seasons. Building on that, he was sacked a career-high 47 times in 2019, signaling problems with the offensive line that may need to be addressed.

Perhaps the Florida State product’s biggest drawback is his accuracy or lack thereof. He has thrown an insane 88 picks in five years, including 30 this past year. His touchdown to interception ratio was nearly the same in 2019 and has been that way for most of his career. In addition, the QB had a meager season QBR of 57.1, and his career-high has been 69.7, back in 2018. On top of that, the guy leading Tampa Bay had 124 poor throws in 2019, up from 60 in 2018.

QBs like Philip Rivers may be one of the names thrown out there to potentially take the Bucs signal-caller job. However, there is no clear-cut answer yet on whether Tampa Bay will move on from Winston. Assuming he remains the starter, there are clear issues with starting the QB in fantasy though. He’s not the most accurate player, hence his recklessness at times. If you can deal with the number of picks he throws, the 26-year-old can provide decent numbers during certain weeks in 2020 considering he has elite receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin along with an inept running game (as of this writing). After all, all that matters in fantasy is the yards and touchdowns thrown and Winston was among the top-performing fantasy QBs in 2019.

2020 Projection: 4,500 yards, 27 TD, 18 INT - Winston is best viewed as a QB who can be selected as a low-end QB1 in redraft leagues of 12 or more teams.

 

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders

Derek Carr is not the flashiest QB in fantasy or reality. While he has proven he can be serviceable in the right matchup, he is not typically the guy associated with upper-echelon, golden fantasy QBs. As evidence of him being in the middle-tier of fantasy QBs, Carr has only thrown over 4,000 yards twice in six seasons.

In 2019, he threw for 21 touchdowns and eight picks and has thrown roughly around this number of TD for the past three seasons. The Fresno State product also averaged 253 yards per game in 2019, which is roughly around how much he’s been averaging during his career. The Raiders QB did have a career-high QBR of 63.7 in 2019, but that’s not saying much.

Though the team improved its offensive line in 2019 and nearly cut sacks in half, Carr doesn’t offer an explosive potential like other QBs. He doesn’t fumble a lot (seven in 2019) which is good, but he’s not a heavy rushing QB nor does he go off for monster yards and several touchdowns any given week. In fact, he’s only rushed for over 100 yards in 2015. He’s a middle-tier player that is best suitable for matchup-dependent starts.

Carr himself has been frustrated with the rumors about the team considering another QB through free agency such as Tom Brady, or by being active in the draft and selecting one of those promising prospects. However, the Raiders are more of a dark-horse candidate to get a new QB rather than an obvious one since they have many other glaring needs.

Because the team relies on Josh Jacobs and the run first, Carr’s fantasy value takes a hit there. On top of that, Vegas needs a couple of speedy, top-notch receivers in the draft to help boost the signal-caller’s value and give him a reason to keep throwing. Even then, a run-first offense may set up the QB for a modest 2020.

2020 Projection: 3,800 yards, 20 TD, 10 INT- At this moment, Carr is not a QB who should be picked in redraft leagues. He is a middle-tier QB at best; you could draft a much more fantasy-friendly option.

 

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Sources say Cam Newton will remain in the Queen City. That may be great news for longtime fans of the QB, but his effectiveness and durability remain key questions. Newton only played two games in 2019 before leaving for the season with a foot injury, specifically a Lisfranc injury. Kyle Allen and Will Grier were rather underwhelming as substitute QBs for the team.

With Newton supposedly back in his starting role, is he a good fantasy play in 2020? Let’s look at his last few full seasons. He has substantially dropped off since his 2015 MVP season, amassing 65 touchdowns, 43 picks, and 18 fumbles from 2016-2018. “Superman” has also not thrown more than 3500 yards since 2015. Like Jameis Winston, Newton's picks and fumbles remain a concern from a fantasy perspective. His QBR was in the high 40s to low 50s from 2016-2018, and he has averaged 232 pass yards per game.

Now at 30 years old with questionable health, we can’t expect Cam Newton to regain elite fantasy status. However, the biggest pro of this QB is his rushing ability. This includes a career-high 754 rush yards in 2017 along with a total of 58 total career rush touchdowns. However, the Panthers may opt for a more cautious approach and try to limit the chances of another injury by lessening the QB reads and rush attempts.

Newton is the riskiest choice of these three QBs in fantasy for 2020. Not only may he be rusty, but he’s also a huge risk to even draft considering his recent injury history. In addition, RB Christian McCaffrey is the focal point of this offense, so Newton may not even be a factor in some games, especially during the beginning of the season.

2020 Projection: 3,300 yards, 17 TD, 9 INT - Newton is too risky to pick in redraft leagues or dynasty startups considering he is coming off a major injury.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP