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Superflex and two-QB formats have become increasingly popular in fantasy football. The glaring difference between these leagues and regular setups is the premium placed on the QB position. Big-name studs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts all get drafted inside the top half of the first round.
However, what happens to the value of mediocre quarterbacks and even backup signal callers is what separates these leagues from others. Since every team can start two quarterbacks, all 32 of the league's starters will be rostered, and in 12 or 14-team leagues, not everyone will possess a third starting QB on their roster. That said, taking shots on players who could start at some point during the season becomes important.
This article will be focused on identifying potential late-round values at QB and digging into gunslingers who could draw starts at some point in the 2023 season. In all likelihood, some of the QBs on this list will fail to see the field in 2023, but all of them will be inexpensive draft selections that won't cost you if they "bust."
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Discounted Week 1 Starters
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders, QB26 ADP
Howell is expected to be the QB1 for Washington just a year after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He's one of the last quarterbacks selected in the "starter" range of superflex drafts, and he could prove to be one of the best values at the position. Washington has plenty of firepower with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Brian Robinson, and Antonio Gibson, and Howell has at least some mobility.
With former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy calling the shots on offense, there is an upside here at a reduced price. As long as Howell plays well enough to keep his job for 17 games, there's almost no risk in drafting him in this spot.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons, QB31 ADP
Ridder is viewed as one of the shakiest starting QBs, but he's surrounded by one of the best young skill groups in the league, including Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. Atlanta also has a top-10 offensive line that could ascend into top-five territory, and with sub-4.5 speed, he has real rushing upside.
The second-year player out of Cincinnati likely has more job security than many fantasy gamers think. Taylor Heinicke is the backup for the Dirty Birds, and this is an audition year for Ridder. Again, as long as he remains the starter, there's no way he isn't worth a selection this late in superflex drafts.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans, QB32 ADP
Tannehill played in just 12 games last season thanks to a nagging ankle injury and finished the year as the QB23 in fantasy points per game (minimum 11 starts). In the two seasons prior, he finished as the QB9 and QB14 in fantasy points per game. The difference in his production was the immense lack of talent at pass-catcher in 2022 and the injuries all over the offensive line combined with his limited mobility.
The team drafted Will Levis in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, but head coach Mike Vrabel looks to be refusing to rebuild, meaning Tannehill could start for as long as he's effective this season. He's reportedly been "head and shoulders" above Levis and Malik Willis in offseason practices and if he stays healthy this season, he'll prove to be a value. His days of being a QB1 may be over, but if he can produce even a low-end QB2 campaign – he'll pay off. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins surely won't hurt his cause.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB33 ADP
Mayfield failed to secure a long-term job in Cleveland and Carolina but was serviceable in the late part of the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, he'll have the best WR duo of his career. The former No. 1 overall pick has had flashes of excellence, but all he needs is an average season to keep Kyle Trask on the bench and be worth a QB2 spot in superflex or two-QB formats.
Mike Evans has some juice left and Chris Godwin is still just 27 years old, so whether it be volume or efficiency, Mayfield has a path to relative fantasy success.
Bench Stashes For Potential Starts
Kyle Trask, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB35 ADP
If Mayfield does underperform early in the 2023 campaign, head coach Todd Bowles will likely move to Trask quickly. The Buccaneers could be in the running for an early pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by midseason, and if so, they'll likely want to see what Trask can do.
Trask's last season as a starter in 2020 at Florida yielded 4,200 passing yards, 46 total touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, so perhaps he has more ability than given credit for after two seasons as the Bucs' QB3. Mayfield is the expected starter, but Trask should be one of the first "backup" QBs taken in superflex formats.
Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders, QB36 ADP
Brissett filled in nicely for the Cleveland Browns last season during Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension, and he's set to join another murky QB situation in Washington. Howell was drafted by the franchise and is being viewed as the front-runner for the QB1 job, but there's a possibility Brissett is simply the better player.
Howell will likely get the benefit of the doubt and start early on, but if he's ineffective, Brissett could be called to action sooner than later. Again, Washington has plenty of weapons, so whoever is at quarterback has upside. Ron Rivera's job is likely on the line this season, so he'll play whoever gives the team the best chance to win.
Mike White, Miami Dolphins, QB39 ADP
Tua Tagovailoa has missed eight games over the last two seasons and his four absences last year were due to potential career-threatening head injuries. Hopefully, he can put those in the past, but Mike White is worth rostering in case we see more of the same in 2023.
White has 405-yard and 369-yard passing games on his resume, and in an offense with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, he has real upside if called upon.
Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens, QB42 ADP
Given Lamar Jackson's recent injury history, Huntley is a premier "handcuff" QB in superflex and two-QB formats. The weaponry in Baltimore is upgraded with the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, so he will be a solid placeholder should Jackson have to miss any games in 2023.
Huntley is more of a deep-league consideration, but he has one of the best chances to start at some point among pure backup QBs. He had a four-touchdowns performance in 2021 in a spot start, so there's a real ceiling for the dual-threat veteran.
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