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Dave Ventresca analyzes five potential breakout quarterbacks for 2025 Superflex fantasy football leagues. Target these quarterbacks in your Superflex fantasy football drafts.
If you’ve ever played in a Superflex fantasy football league, then you know how important quarterbacks are in this format. The ability to start multiple stud quarterbacks can carry you to a Superflex title.
Unfortunately, finding two such players isn’t so easy. All the top signal-callers come off draft boards first, and that makes it much more difficult to pair two elite passers together. However, there are always potential breakout candidates available later in drafts. If you can correctly identify which quarterbacks are set to break out, this will give your team the ultimate advantage.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X, and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five potential quarterback breakouts for 2025 Superflex fantasy football leagues.
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J.J. McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings
McCarthy missed his entire rookie year after tearing his meniscus in training camp.
BREAKING: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair this morning. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/GgpgfiNYRX
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2024
Following McCarthy’s injury, Sam Darnold became Minnesota’s de facto QB1 and had an incredible 2024. He threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns but came crashing down to earth in the season’s final two games.
Minnesota subsequently decided not to re-sign Darnold, allowing him to walk into free agency. McCarthy had to survive a brief scare that future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers would join Minnesota. However, that storm has passed, and the Vikings have confirmed they are committed to McCarthy for the 2025 season.
J.J. McCarthy to Trishton Jackson for the 45 yard TD!
And @JJettas2 LOVES it!
📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QmEKsnabMz— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
There is some uncertainty surrounding McCarthy since he missed his entire rookie season. However, this is still a quarterback with top-10 draft capital tied to a strong offensive coach and surrounded by an abundance of talent. This is as good of a situation as a first-time starting quarterback can enter.
McCarthy is the perfect target if you decide to wait on a QB2 in your draft. Yes, we don't know his true floor, and he could hurt your team if he's truly awful.
But he might also have a higher ceiling than some people think. Head coach Kevin O'Connell worked wonders for Darnold's career last year. Considering the situation surrounding McCarthy, it shouldn't be that surprising if he has similar production.
Michael Penix Jr. - Atlanta Falcons
Penix took over as the Falcons starter when Kirk Cousins struggled down the stretch last year. He only went 1-2 in three starts and threw three touchdown passes against three interceptions. While the stats don’t blow you away, there are reasons to be encouraged for the future.
Regular season @PFF passing grades for this year's rookie QB class ...
Michael Penix: 87.6
Jayden Daniels: 83.0
Bo Nix: 72.8
Drake Maye: 64.9
Caleb Williams: 62.9— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) January 13, 2025
Penix also showcased a big arm and stepped up late in a game against the Washington Commanders with Atlanta’s season on the line.
Michael Penix Jr. to Kyle Pitts on 4th down!! pic.twitter.com/PGbIR4nICx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024
Atlanta will now have an entire offseason to craft an offense catered to his skill set. It will also give Penix time to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and the other Falcons skill players. This situation is not quite as good as McCarthy’s, but things are set up well for Penix. All of this makes him a fine QB2 target come draft day.
Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Williams' rookie season was not quite what fans and fantasy football players wanted to see. The rookie showed some flaws in terms of holding the football too long and not adequately sensing the pass rush. He would be sacked a league-high 68 times as a result.
This was a rough start for Williams, but there were bright spots. He only threw six interceptions against 20 touchdown passes and ran for 489 yards. It was good to see him bring some rushing upside to the table as well. What was exciting, though, was that Williams showcased some unique playmaking ability throughout the season.
This throw by Caleb Williams 🔥
📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/bdDgz6r0Bx— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
The main appeal behind Williams as a breakout candidate is the fact that Chicago hired former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the new head coach. The previous coaching staff failed Williams in a big way last year.
Johnson helped turn around Jared Goff’s career following an unceremonious exit from the Los Angeles Rams. Williams is more physically gifted than Goff, so it will be fun to see what Johnson can do with this type of player.
The situation remains strong for the sophomore signal-caller. He’s surrounded by plenty of playmakers and now has one of the best offensive minds in the game as his head coach. We should expect to see major statistical improvements across the board.
Justin Fields - New York Jets
Fields technically already broke out with a QB7 finish in 2022, but hey, who's to say he can't break out again after a tumultuous last two years? He posted a 4-2 record in six games as the Steelers starter last year before being benched in favor of Russell Wilson.
Despite the benching, Fields still managed to provide results for fantasy gamers, thanks in large part to his legs. He scored five rushing touchdowns in his six starts and finished as a QB1 three times.
Justin Fields scores his first rushing TD with the @Steelers!
📺: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/mHjDNMx55Y— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
For some unknown reason, the Steelers were prepared to make Fields their starting quarterback in 2025, despite benching him last year. Fields was having none of it and signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.
BREAKING: Jets signing QB Justin Fields to two-year, $40M deal with $30M guaranteed. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/YJVKoikwuM
— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025
Now that Fields has landed a starting job, he is an immediate QB1 option for fantasy owners. However, keep in mind that he has notoriously struggled as a passer and could wind up being a placeholder for a rookie quarterback.
While that is most likely true, it shouldn't affect his status as the Jets starter in 2025 unless things go sideways. Fields is another fine QB2 target, as he offers gamers a very safe floor thanks to his legs. Despite all his flaws, we know for a fact he is a great fantasy option whenever he’s on the field.
Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
Four years into his NFL career, Lawrence has failed to meet the massive expectations that were immediately placed upon him. At the time of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence was hailed as a generational talent and a can’t-miss prospect. Despite all this hype, Lawrence has yet to throw more than 25 passing touchdowns in a season, and his best fantasy season was a QB8 finish in 2022.
While he’s been a disappointment thus far, it’s worth noting that Lawrence has continued to flash moments of brilliance during his career. Consistency has just been the main issue.
THIS TREVOR LAWRENCE THROW 🤯
Great toe-tap from Jamal Agnew too 😮
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/WTJsD6guwR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 1, 2021
Jacksonville has hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as its next head coach. Coen helped guide Baker Mayfield to a career year in 2024. Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. It will be exciting to see what Lawrence can do in Coen’s system.
Lawrence is a fine QB2 option in Superflex drafts this year. He has disappointed relative to expectations, but he might still possess untapped potential. Lawrence eventually needs to produce, and time is quickly running out for him to avoid the “bust” label.
Coen is probably the best play-caller the young quarterback has had during his career, so there’s a decent chance we could see a career year in 2025.
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