2021 Quarterbacks
6 min read
The fantasy football community is eager to start the upcoming 2021 season fantasy football season! After looking at the 2021 Wide Receivers, 2021 Running Backs and 2021 Tight Ends, I want to give a look at the Quarterbacks and some initial thoughts for the position in the 2021 season.
To start, lets recap our position leaders in Targets and Touchdowns for 2020 as it may be helpful as we look forward towards our Quarterbacks of preference in 2021. Especially if we can compare previous years to see any trends. Again, keep in mind a players Ability, Availability, Opportunity, Consistency, Advantage/Upside and Matchup.
2020 Top 10 Quarterbacks in Touchdowns
Touchdowns are a significant driver of fantasy football success as most leagues will reward the passing touchdowns with 4 – 6 points. With rushing touchdowns getting 6 points in most leagues. As the player that most touches the football during the game, Quarterbacks have plenty of opportunities to score touchdowns and usually are the highest scoring players in fantasy football each year. If you find a trend or opportunity for those quarterbacks getting the touchdowns you will have the edge! Let’s look at Touchdowns!
Above I highlighted the Top 10 Quarterbacks in regards to passing (P TD) and rushing (R TD) Touchdowns to give their total TDs each year. 2019 is in Orange, 2018 in Green, 2017 in Blue and 2016 in Red. I followed the years top 10 Quarterbacks into the next year by highlighting that Quarterbacks total Touchdowns (to see success in future seasons) in the next year with their current year color (ex. Green highlighted Total Touchdowns in 2019 for a Top 10 Quarterback in 2018). It helps show where a Top 10 Quarterbacks from one year will go the next. Referencing some history with this Touchdowns category TDs for QBs – 2019 Regular Season gives you some insight at what we anticipated going into 2020.
2021 Top 10 Quarterbacks Touchdowns Projections
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Kyler Murray |
| 2 | Patrick Mahomes |
| 3 | Dak Prescott |
| 4 | Justin Herbert |
| 5 | Tom Brady |
| 6 | Russell Wilson |
| 7 | Lamar Jackson |
| 8 | Matthew Stafford |
| 9 | Ben Roethlisberger |
| 10 | Josh Allen |
2020 Quarterbacks Total Yards per Game Average
*Note that the rankings used the Total Yards/Game Average. So Quarterbacks only needed to play in 1 game that year to get an average. Because of this I ranked to the Top 15 but show the Overall Top 20 as reference since a couple populate the list that didn’t play too many games that year.
Above I like to look at Yards (Passing and Rushing Yards) in regards to the Quarterback position. Passing yards are what we initially think of at the quarterback position but with more and more quarterbacks running the ball, I decided to include the Rushing Yards as well.
I was looking from one year to the next to see how many of the previous years Quarterbacks made the Top 15 Quarterback Total Yards Per Game Average list the next year. As you follow the colors (Orange – 2016, Green – 2017, Red – 2018 and Grey 2019) it helps to pick out who made the Top 15 Quarterback Total Yards/Game list the next year. For 2017, 9 quarterbacks from 2016 made the Top 15. In 2018, 7 quarterbacks from 2017 made the Top 15. While 2019, 7 quarterbacks from 2018 made the Top 15. Just last year, 5 quarterbacks made the Top 15 from 2019. I continue to highlight rookies with the bright yellow designation beside their name as well. Referencing some history with this Quarterback Total Yards Per Game Average category QB Yards – 2020 Outlook gives you some insight at what we anticipated going into 2020.
2021 Quarterbacks Total Yards per Game Average Projections
Utilizing the averages and picking 7 Quarterbacks to find themselves on the Top 15 Total Yards Per Game Average list at the end of the 2021 season again I would currently lean to the following players: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow and Tom Brady. I think Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr are some interesting names to keep in mind if any of the initial 7 don’t find themselves on the list at the end of the 2021 Season.
2020 Quarterbacks Rushing Yards per Game Average
*Note that the rankings used the Total Rush Yards/Game Average. Quarterbacks only needed to play in 1 game that year to get an average. Because of this I ranked to the Top 15 but show the Overall Top 20 as reference since a couple populate the list that didn’t play too many games that year.
Similar to the previous Total Yards Per Game Average graphic before, the chart above drills down to just Rushing Yards Per Game Average for Quarterbacks over the last 5 years. Curious to see how many of the previous years Quarterbacks made the Top 15 Quarterback Rushing Yards Per Game Average list the next year. As you follow the colors (Orange – 2016, Green – 2017, Red – 2018 and Grey – 2019) it helps to pick out who made the Top 15 Quarterback Rushing Yards/Game list the next year. 2017, 7 quarterbacks from 2016 made the Top 15. In 2018, 8 quarterbacks from 2017 made the Top 15. Again in 2019, 8 quarterbacks from 2018 made the Top 15. In 2020, 7 quarterbacks from 2019 I continue to highlight rookies with the bright yellow designation beside their name as well.
2021 Quarterbacks w/High Rushing Yards per Game Average
- Lamar Jackson
- Kyler Murray
- Russell Wilson
- Cam Newton
- Jalen Hurts
- Daniel Jones
- Josh Allen
- Patrick Mahomes
- Dak Prescott
Depending on how much opportunity they get early, it looks like Justin Fields and Trey Lance could well be joining these lists in the near future.
2021 Quarterbacks
So who are the guys at the Quarterback position that I like for in the upcoming 2021 Fantasy Football Season? I still believe in Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Kyler Murray. The rookie Trevor Lawrence looks set to have lots of opportunity this year. I can see myself being lower than most on Aaron Rodgers but his value isn’t horrible. I think Jalen Hurts and Daniel Jones are in nice spots with a rushing floor and some nice pass catchers to throw the ball. We are still waiting to see if Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill get the nod in New Orleans. While wondering when the opportunity will come for Justin Fields or Trey Lance this year. To get a full idea of where the Quarterbacks are ranked initially and leading up to the beginning of the 2021 NFL season, click the link below.
2021 Quarterbacks Final Thoughts
The 2021 Fantasy Football Season is so very close now! The ranks at positions and overall thoughts are more in focus as we go through the Pre-Season. Much will happen from now until then, so be flexible and look for the value when drafting your Quarterbacks this year. I certainly tend to think waiting on a Quarterback in your drafts as long as you can is preferred and if you get the opportunity to find a Quarterback later that still has a nice rushing floor that would be the ideal selection for me.
Don’t forget to consider Ability, Availability, Opportunity, Consistency, Advantage/Upside and Matchup. We are closer to the start of the 2021 Fantasy Football Season! Who has opportunity for Targets? Who will have the chance for Touchdowns? If you believe a player is in line for either, you know I would be interested in them!
Targets and TDs Fantasy Football
Find players that will have: Ability – Availability – Opportunity – Consistency – Advantage/Upside – Matchup
If your players are on an offensive team that can get many Targets and Touchdowns, you know I would be interested in them! Statistics courtesy of The Football Database , a great resource for your NFL players statistics. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).
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Missed any recent posts?!, check them out below as you get your mind focused on fantasy football opportunities!
- 2021 Tight Ends
- 2021 Wide Receivers
- 2021 Running Backs
- 2021 NFL Schedule
- 2021 Post NFL Draft
- 2021 NFL Draft
I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy! Enjoy the journey throughout the 2021 Fantasy Football Season!
