The quarterback position can win or lose you a league championship in fantasy football. Having an elite quarterback seriously helps your fantasy team’s outlook on a weekly basis.
That’s why grabbing an elite and long-term option in dynasty fantasy football is one of the most important elements of a dynasty team. If you don’t have a stable option at quarterback, your team isn’t ready to compete.
This list of dynasty quarterbacks should help you realize who you should be trading this offseason in dynasty fantasy football to help you gain the best advantage heading into 2025.
Trade FOR
Anthony Richardson - IND
Anthony Richardson has been on a fantastic stretch over the last few weeks, leading two game-winning drives over his last three games. He has been significantly better since being reestablished as the team’s starting quarterback, most noticeably limiting his turnovers since the move was made.
Richardson came into 2024 with sky-high fantasy expectations and simply failed to meet them. However, these last few weeks should give dynasty managers hope for the young quarterback’s future. Richardson has been more efficient and has improved statistically since returning to the field.
His rushing upside has also been on full display. According to the TeamRankings Offensive Statistics, Indianapolis is averaging the tenth-most rush attempts per game in the NFL over their last three games. Richardson has been heavily involved in this regard, and that part of his production should only increase as he continues to grow as a player.
Anthony Richardson has the same ceiling he did a year ago. The only change has been the hype around him as a dynasty asset. If one of your league mates is still hung up on his slow start to the year, send them a trade and capitalize on Richardson’s value and elite talent.
Bryce Young - CAR
Since being reinstated as Carolina’s starting quarterback, Bryce Young has made a complete turnaround and looks the part of the team’s future franchise quarterback. Similar to Richardson, Young has experienced a statistical and on-field ascension since being taken off the bench.
Young has looked more comfortable and confident on the field and has given his patient dynasty managers something to celebrate. Last year’s first-overall pick has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best defenses in the league and taken them down to the wire.
His supporting cast has been significantly better this season, especially in the running game. Star running back Chuba Hubbard has led the way for a more efficient Carolina running game, which takes some of the pressure off of the team’s young quarterback. Carolina’s yards per carry has seen a 10% increase this season, compared to 2023, according to the TeamRankings Offensive Statistics, jumping from 4.0 to 4.4.
He still hasn’t done enough to make himself a household name, however, and many dynasty managers may not realize the potential Young still holds. If you need a quarterback, try to trade for Bryce Young before he puts the league on notice.
Drake Maye - NE
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown the Patriots why they were right to draft him third-overall in this past April’s NFL Draft. Maye has shown flashes of brilliance and has single-handedly kept the team in games on a consistent basis.
Maye has also started to show up in clutch moments for New England, giving them a chance to play in close games. Overall, he’s been must-see television so far this year. The rookie is also a top-15 quarterback option this week, according to the Week 15 Fantasy Trading Room QB Rankings.
He is an intriguing player in dynasty because he has been somewhat overshadowed by the quarterbacks drafted ahead of him in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, as well as Bo Nix, who was drafted after Maye. These rookies have shown serious potential to be franchise quarterbacks.
While Maye has been good, he hasn’t been the best rookie quarterback in the class so far, so he’s flying slightly under the radar. Out of all of the starting rookie quarterbacks in dynasty, Drake Maye is currently the easiest to trade for. The hype around him is lower than that of his classmates, even though his potential is just as elite. Trading for Drake Maye could end up being the best move made by dynasty managers this offseason if he’s able to break out in 2025.
Trade AWAY
Sam Darnold - MIN
Okay, let me explain myself. First of all, I don’t think Sam Darnold’s success is a fluke. From what we’ve seen on the field in 2024, Darnold is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
He has been elite from a production standpoint and continues to absolutely shred any defense in his path, making Minnesota one of the best teams in the NFC. He is also locked in as a top-ten option in the Week 15 Fantasy Trading Room QB Rankings, which reflects just how great he’s been this season.
He deserves to be viewed as a fantastic quarterback option heading into 2025. My only issue is that his path forward is worryingly unclear after the conclusion of this season. This offseason, Sam Darnold will be a free agent. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue. Minnesota would sign him to extension because of his elite play and he would continue to revive his career there.
The only factor that thwarts this scenario is the fact that the Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to injury, which is why Sam Darnold was given a chance to start in the first place. McCarthy’s draft capital suggests that the team views him as a potential franchise quarterback option if he’s able to develop his game. This leaves Sam Darnold’s dynasty outlook in a tricky position.
Will Minnesota roll with their highly-drafted rookie quarterback in 2025? If Darnold leaves in free agency, will he still be in a good enough position to succeed with another franchise? Do the Vikings feel confident enough in Sam Darnold to trade away McCarthy while he’s still on his rookie contract?
This uncertainty makes Darnold’s dynasty outlook a bit murkier than it initially seems. If you need a more secure option at quarterback, trading away Sam Darnold for a guaranteed franchise quarterback could be a great move.
Geno Smith - SEA
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has been productive in fantasy football this season. Despite his struggles in turning the ball over, the veteran quarterback has passed for a high number of yards and has been a consistent presence overall.
However, Seattle may try to replace the veteran signal-caller in 2025. He isn’t exactly pushing them over the top offensively and has struggled with throwing interceptions in 2024. Smith isn’t a bad quarterback by any means, but he isn’t elite, either.
Seattle may look to find their franchise quarterback in one of the next few drafts, so selling your dynasty stock in Geno Smith now might be the best move possible while he’s still producing at a high rate in fantasy right now.
Justin Fields - PIT
Steelers quarterback Justin Fields was an extremely productive quarterback both on the field and in fantasy football when he started for Pittsburgh in the absence of Russell Wilson over the first six weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Many believed it was a mistake to have Wilson start after he returned from injury, but both quarterbacks have proven to be effective.
Though Fields may not still be starting, his early-season production could be enticing for teams in need of a bridge quarterback in 2025. Justin Fields will be a free agent after this season, so he will have a variety of teams to choose from.
Here’s the issue with his dynasty outlook: bridge quarterbacks aren’t always put in good situations to succeed. Fields has a lot of talent, but he may not be able to overcome some of the more undesirable offensive situations in the NFL.
If he’s not brought in as an obvious long-term solution, his outlook remains unclear. The uncertainty behind Fields’ next destination is a huge question mark that should convince any dynasty managers to trade him away in deeper dynasty leagues.