The late-round quarterback strategy is exactly what it sounds like: Selecting three or four quarterbacks in the later rounds (14 through 18) of your Best Ball draft. This approach focuses on volume, with the hope that the combined spike weeks from these quarterbacks will compensate for the lack of elite, consistent performance each week. Read on to learn how to employ late-round quarterbacks in 2024 Best Ball drafts.
What is Late Round Quarterback Strategy in Best Ball?
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Benefits of Late Round QB Best Ball Strategy
In Best Ball drafts, it’s tough to get much production out of late-round picks, with exceptions like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua. By selecting multiple late-round quarterbacks, you’re replacing players who would likely contribute very little to your roster with players who can be viable week in and week out. The added volume can help make up for any weekly point discrepancies.
Having more quarterbacks also allows you to diversify during the playoffs, when Best Ball essentially becomes a large-field daily fantasy GPP. Since Underdog drafts are only 18 rounds, and most drafters take just two quarterbacks; some will inevitably be left at the end of the draft. These late-round quarterbacks often have lower ownership — while someone like Josh Allen will be 100% owned, a player like Aidan O’Connell might only be 2% owned. This provides valuable leverage during playoff time.
Real World Example
Imagine you had drafted these four quarterbacks in the late rounds last year:
- Sam Howell
- Derek Carr
- Baker Mayfield
- Desmond Ridder
Here’s how their performance would have compared to Allen’s, the top fantasy quarterback of the year, and a random backup, Geno Smith, who scored 31 points during Allen’s bye week.
In this scenario, there was a 44-point difference between the top fantasy QB and the combined total of these four late-round picks.
How to Execute Late Round QB Best Ball Strategy
Ideally, you want to draft wide receivers and tight ends that pair well with your late-round quarterbacks. Keep an eye on how quarterbacks are coming off the board; you might need to draft a bit earlier to secure your targets, especially if a few drafters are selecting too many quarterbacks. Additionally, consider waiting until later in the draft season. For instance, during the summer of 2022, many were picking Smith and Drew Lock without knowing who would be the starter. By waiting until late August, you could have drafted Smith at a lower ADP, as his value hadn’t risen significantly yet.
Downsides of This Strategy
Quarterbacks in this range often lack guarantees of starting throughout the season. While Mayfield was a standout, Howell and Ridder were frequently on the verge of being benched. Finding the right combination of quarterbacks can be challenging; for example, if you had drafted Jimmy Garoppolo instead of Howell, you might have had significant issues. The strategy becomes less viable if key performers like Mayfield or Smith don’t exceed expectations. Additionally, by allocating one or two roster spots to more quarterbacks, you sacrifice depth, which increases the risk of injuries negatively impacting your team.
Candidates for Late Round QB in Best Ball 2024
We have a range of rookies this season, some of whom will start immediately, while others might redshirt. It’s important to monitor the camp battles, but all rookies are worth considering. Drake Maye, for instance, has notable rushing upside.
Sam Darnold appears poised to win the Vikings starting job, and if he performs well and the Vikings start strong, he could see significant playing time before J.J. McCarthy potentially takes over. Justin Fields is a high-upside, boom-or-bust option with the potential to be a league winner. Russell Wilson is also a viable choice, especially if he is named the Week 1 starter as expected.
Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are likely to see playing time this season, as the Raiders might struggle and look to make a quarterback change. However, neither has yet made a strong impression. Derek Carr is being drafted with a very low ADP this year and sometimes goes undrafted. Will Levis could benefit from the Titans’ anticipated increased passing and an upgraded receiving corps, with limited competition for the starting role.
Daniel Jones offers rushing upside but might get benched during the playoffs if the Giants are out of contention, similar to Wilson last year with Denver. Bryce Young is a bounce-back candidate with an improved receiving corps and an offense designed to leverage his strengths.
