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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Backup Quarterbacks To Stash in Superflex Leagues - 2024 Fantasy Football Analysis

Justin Fields - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Andrew Ball identifies three backup quarterbacks to stash in Superflex leagues ahead of the 2024 regular season. Which backup quarterbacks have the best chance to become the regular starter for their respective team?

Backup quarterback: The best job in all of sports.

The fans love their unseen potential as they relax on the sideline and collect checks, free from menacing pass rushers and downhill middle linebackers. When the starter struggles, fans clamor for QB2.

It's also a position not often given a second thought in fantasy football, at least in single-quarterback leagues. In Superflex and 2QB leagues, however, keeping tabs on a reserve signal-caller may be the key to capturing fantasy glory.

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

 

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

Don't put that evil on me, Ricky Bobby! Don't you put that on us!

Anthony Richardson is an injury concern, plain and simple. Avoiding talking about it isn't going to solve the problem. It doesn't matter whether the second-year quarterback is prone to injuries or his style of play is susceptible to bumps and bruises.

Richardson has endured a pair of AC sprains in his shoulder, two concussions, a torn meniscus, plus a handful of minor hamstring ailments since he stepped on campus at the University of Florida. He played just two full games in his rookie season and appeared in four total. From Week 6 through the end of the season, Gardner Minshew was the QB17. It's not pretty, but that production is worthy of a roster spot in Superflex and 2QB leagues.

The Colts let Minshew depart to Las Vegas in the offseason and nabbed veteran Joe Flacco to serve as the backup to Richardson. The 39-year-old and reigning Comeback Player of the Year took the league by storm in just five starts in 2023. Flacco was the QB2 from Weeks 13 to 17, topping 300 yards four times while tossing three touchdowns three times.

With a new uniform and offensive system, adjust Flacco's expectations. Plus, again, he's turning 40 next year. His magic may have already run out. But if it hasn't, he'd be thrust into action on an offense full of weapons. A steady diet of Jonathan Taylor will keep defenses honest, opening up play-action passes to Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, and Josh Downs. Richardson is a consensus top-10 fantasy football quarterback, in part, due to the pieces around him (although the biggest reason is his rushing production). Flacco should be serviceable in his stead if he's called upon.

 

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL franchises don't view Justin Fields as a starting-caliber quarterback. The Bears circled the trade market over and over again until finally sending their former first-round pick to Pittsburgh for a 2025 sixth-round pick. There's a noticeable difference in how the fantasy football community views Fields.

He is, and likely won't ever be, a polished passer. But he is electric with the football in his hands.

Fields averaged 50 rushing yards per game in 2023, a figure down from the absurd 76.2 yards he averaged the year prior. For fantasy purposes, that's essentially an extra passing touchdown every game. Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have historically relied on strong rushing attacks to move an offense.

Fields also happens to be a part of a roster that doesn't have many reliable weapons in the passing game. George Pickens shows promising development as a wideout, but the rest of the room is barren. The team traded Diontae Johnson in the offseason. As much as some (including myself) like Roman Wilson as a prospect, depending on a third-round wide receiver to be the second option is a lot to ask. Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Calvin Austin III won't be demanding targets. Injuries contributed to a regression season for tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Russell Wilson was also acquired in the offseason and will be the Week 1 starter, barring unforeseen circumstances. If he struggles early and the team drops winnable games, there will be calls to start Fields because of how the average fan views him. The Steelers also have a history of winning seasons, even if the roster doesn't stack up with the rest of the league's elites. The fans and front office won't appreciate a losing season.

From Weeks 13 through 18, Fields was QB13, just outside the QB1 range. Lean on the rushing advantage and keep Fields on rosters in case he becomes the starter sometime during the season.

 

Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith revitalized his career in Seattle, winning Comeback Player of the Year following the 2022 season and two consecutive Pro Bowls (although the second was a replacement selection). The former second-round pick by the Jets will turn 34 this year, however, and didn't play particularly well for most of last season. A restructured deal keeps Smith under contract for the next two seasons. Still, the Seahawks wanted to snag a backup and potential heir apparent, especially after letting Drew Lock sign with the Giants in free agency.

Sam Howell was acquired for a handful of swapped draft picks, a relatively inexpensive cost for a quarterback who started all 17 games last season as a member of the Washington Commanders. The 2022 fifth-round pick threw for nearly 4,000 yards but registered an even one-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the league in sacks taken (65).

There's a new coaching staff in the Pacific Northwest, which may or may not be sparking a fake debate about who the Seahawks' starting quarterback will be (spoiler alert: It's still Smith and has been confirmed by both head coach Mike Macdonald and Smith himself).

A change of scenery may be the key to unlocking Howell as a full-time starter in the NFL. The offensive line in Washington was nothing to write home about, but Howell takes some blame for holding on to the ball too long in the pocket. A new offensive scheme and beefy boys up front can change an above-average quarterback's career trajectory. Remember, Howell is just entering his third NFL season and was once regarded as a first-round NFL prospect. The physical tools and competitive nature are there. Now, he needs the right fit and supporting cast.

The skill set gap between the two quarterbacks isn't very wide, plus Howell can do more with his legs. He's worth stashing in Superflex leagues this season and could become the long-term starter in Seattle if the cards fall in his favor.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain

RANKINGS

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