Young QBs Struggling to Hit their Fantasy Football Draft Value (Week 4)

Who are some of the young quarterbacks who have been underperforming in the fantasy football landscape so far in 2024? Kyle Lindemann breaks down what to do.

We're diving head-first into the turbulent waters of the NFL’s quarterback scene where some fresh faces are trying to make their mark, albeit with a few hiccups along the way. We’re talking about a handful of young guns who entered the season draped in hype and high expectations. Yet, here we are, witnessing some serious growing pains that have left fantasy managers scratching their heads and scrambling for points.

These rookie and sophomore QBs, some equipped with rocket arms and lightning legs, were supposed to be the cheat codes to fantasy football glory. Instead, they’ve been a bit like that flashy new gadget you snag on Black Friday until you spend hours trying to figure out why it won’t connect to your WiFi. From inconsistent throws to questionable decisions, these signal-callers are learning the NFL can be as forgiving as a concrete pillow.

So, what’s the game plan for fantasy managers riding the roller coaster with these young guns? Should you bench 'em, trade 'em, or stick it out? Let’s break down what’s been going wrong, sift through the stats, and peek into the crystal ball to forecast what we might expect from these burgeoning talents as they try to flip the script in the coming weeks. Buckle up because you might be in for a bumpy ride!

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Anthony Richardson, QB - Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson's journey with the Colts has been like riding the bumpiest section of the road, man. Think about it, the dude's only kicked off one full season in the last four, stretching back to his college days. We all signed up for a bit of a project with this guy, so the panic button getting smashed by some folks feels a bit premature.

Remember, Indy has been like a QB carousel post-Andrew Luck, spinning from Jacoby Brissett to Phillip Rivers, then over to Carson Wentz, followed by Matt Ryan, and even a Gardner Minshew II cameo. Are the Colts itching to add another name to that list just three games in? Nah, they shouldn’t, and probably won't.

Yeah, it’s been rough. Richardson’s stats aren't pretty, 36 of 73 for 583 yards passing, with only three TDs against six picks, yikes! And that 49.3% completion rate? That’s not going to cut it. But he’s also scrambled for 117 yards and snagged a touchdown with his legs, which hints at the potential fireworks if the Colts can harness his athleticism properly.

I can’t believe the Bears lost to Anthony Richardson. pic.twitter.com/QNFkfgNkGM

— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) September 23, 2024

Shane Steichen, fresh from Philly, was brought in to stir up some offensive magic, and let's be honest, he's not working with a dud. If you’re thinking of benching Richardson in your fantasy lineup for a bit to see how things shake out, that’s cool. But don’t write him off just yet. His dual-threat capabilities could still make him a sneaky play, especially if Indy leans into what he does best--letting him loose in the open field.

It's been rough, no doubt, but sometimes the fantasy gold isn’t in the arm, it’s in the legs. So, if you drafted him, maybe hold steady for a bit longer. Who knows? This rollercoaster might just have some thrilling moments ahead. The Colts don't need him to be the next Peyton Manning right now, they just need him to not trip over his own feet while he’s on that cheap rookie contract.

C.J. Stroud, QB - Houston Texans

No sweat about C.J. Stroud, folks. He’s the QB among the newbies that you want to bet on. Sure, the Texans had a bit of a mix-up with Joe Mixon being injured and the offensive line looking like they were solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded against the Vikings' crazy defensive schemes in Week 3. But hey, Stroud’s got a receiving corps that’s stacked like a Vegas high roller’s chip pile with Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell.

Yeah, there was that one interception that got tipped in Week 3, but let’s cut him some slack. Remember, his stellar rookie season in 2023 set the bar sky-high for this year’s rookie class. Now, he might not be your scramble-out-of-the-pocket, rush-for-a-hundred kind of QB, which kind of caps his ceiling in fantasy circles. But top-five finish or not, there’s zero need to hit the panic button on Stroud.

Caleb Williams, QB - Chicago Bears

Hold your horses on hitting the panic button for Caleb Williams, folks. The hype train had us all strapped in, comparing the kid to gridiron legends before he even threw his first NFL pass. Sure, it’s a tough start for the rookie, his safety blanket, veteran Keenan Allen, has been missing from the slot, and while the Bears are rocking three solid wideouts, the drop-off after those guys is like falling off a fantasy cliff.

Plus, that offensive line? Let’s just say they’re not exactly the Secret Service when it comes to protection. Then there's the play-calling saga. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been flipping the playbook in ways that have left us all a bit baffled, choosing Gerald Everett over Cole Kmet which, no disrespect to Everett, has many fans scratching their heads wondering what the game plan is.

The Jayden Daniels - Caleb Williams narratives being written after 3 weeks are perfect examples of why there are so many things wrong with this social media society.

It's nothing but a hot-take world we live in, now.

Nobody remembers Peyton Manning leading the league in…

— Ryan (@RyanHeckmanNFL) September 24, 2024

Caleb’s had a beast of a schedule against some top-tier defenses to start his career. But, looking ahead, the schedule’s about to get friendly. With matchups against the Rams, Panthers, Jaguars, Commanders, and Cardinals on deck, it’s like the fantasy gods are giving Williams a chance to catch his breath and maybe, just maybe, start showing us why the hype was real. So, keep the faith, folks. This rookie ride might just be getting started.

Will Levis, QB - Tennessee Titans

Will Levis, man, talk about a roller coaster start to the season for the Titans' young QB? The guy's got an arm that can sling it a mile but seems like he's playing hot potato with the football, contributing to Tennessee's rocky 0-3 start. Coach Brian Callahan, fresh on the scene, isn't sweating through his shirt yet, but let's be real--the Titans could be sitting pretty at 2-1 if not for some big mistakes by their quarterback.

They got snagged by a blocked punt and a pick-six against the Bears in Week 1, and then there was that head-scratcher of a move in Week 2 against the Jets. Levis tried to channel his inner magician by lateraling the ball to Tyjae Spears on third down instead of just eating the sack, which ended up costing them a shot at three points. A classic "What are you doing, man?" moment.

Diving deeper into the drama, Levis has coughed up the ball three times on fumbles alone, racking up a total of eight turnovers faster than you can say "benched." With backup Mason Rudolph pacing the sidelines, the whispers are getting louder. GM Ran Carthon did his part in the offseason, beefing up the roster with seasoned vets, but it seems like the quarterback seat might just be the one wobbly chair at the table.

Levis has to tighten up his game fast. The talent’s there, and the team’s solid, but if he keeps playing like he's trying to audition for a blooper reel, we might just see Rudolph getting a crack at leading the charge. For fantasy managers, it’s a tricky play. Levis has the tools to be a standout, but those turnovers are fantasy kryptonite. Keep a close eye on this situation, it’s either going to be a turnaround tale or a bench-warmer drama.

Bo Nix, QB - Denver Broncos

Bo Nix's NFL entrance had everyone playing a guessing game, will we see the rollercoaster ride from his Auburn days or the cool field general from his stint at Oregon under Dan Lanning? So far, the dude's been keeping his cool under pressure, rocking a solid 6.9% pressure-to-sack ratio, which is one of the best in the league right now.

Operating under Sean Payton's horizontal air raid, he's had his moments, both shaky and sharp, especially when facing the gnarly Seahawks and Steelers defenses. Sure, he's shown he can hang with the big guns when the system plays to his strengths, but Denver's current crew, with Courtland Sutton leading the pack, might not be the dream team to help him hit that fantasy high note.

#BoNix just became the first player in #NFL history to:

• Complete 25+ passes
• Cmp-percentage above 69.0%
• Rush for more than 45 yards
• Score a rushing touchdown
• 0 INTs
• 0 sacks taken

…in a single game, regular season or postseason.#BCT | @AllbrightNFL pic.twitter.com/4O1HAtgELc

— Ryan Michael (@theryanmichael) September 22, 2024

As of now, unless you're in a Superflex setup, Nix might not be your fantasy golden boy but don't sleep on his nifty legs, 107 yards and a pair of scores on the ground isn't anything to sneeze at. The real head-scratcher with Nix wasn't ever about whether he'd flop or fly, it was wondering how high this guy could soar. Let's see if Nix can turn those flashes of brilliance into a steady beam as the season grinds on.

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