QB Yards – 2020 Outlook

The More Tight End TDs – 2020 Outlook was last week, where I explored Tight Ends that had low Touchdown production one year but rebounded the following year with many more TDs. There is a statistic that I use more in the beginning of an NFL season that is not Targets or Touchdowns. That statistic is Yards! It is not as dynamic of a statistic as Touchdowns but in the Fantasy Football world, Yards attained will build up your point total with consistency and high production. Especially at the beginning of a season (but kept in mind through a season too) I like to find my high producing yards players. Finding decent consistency in Yards will give a base production for a Quarterback before the Touchdowns boost that base production.

This week I would 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 that as well.

QB 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, which Patrick Mahomes did so very well in 2017. 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.

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 and Red – 2018) it helps to pick out who made the Top 15 Quarterback Total Yards/Game list the next year. In 2017, 9 quarterbacks from 2016 made the Top 15. In 2018, 7 quarterbacks from 2017 made the Top 15. While in 2019, 7 quarterbacks from 2018 made the Top 15. I continue to highlight rookies with the bright yellow designation beside their name as well.

Take note that Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan is the only quarterback to be on all four years lists! Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, Philip Rivers, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Kirk Cousins made the Top 15 in 3 of the 4 years. The averages say that about 8 quarterbacks from the previous year make the next years Top 15 list!

2020 QB Total Yards Favorites

1. Matt Ryan
2. Patrick Mahomes
3. Deshaun Watson
4. Ben Roethlisberger
5. Carson Wentz
6. Jared Goff
7. Philip Rivers
8. Russel Wilson
9. Lamar Jackson
10. Kyler Murray

QB Rushing Yards per Game Average

*Note that the rankings used the Total Rush Yards/Game Average. So Quarterbacks only needed to play in 1 game that year to get an average, which Jacoby Brissett did so very well in 2016. 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.

I was looking from one year to the next 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 and Red – 2018) it helps to pick out who made the Top 15 Quarterback Rushing Yards/Game list the next year. In 2017, 7 quarterbacks from 2016 made the Top 15. In 2018, 8 quarterbacks from 2017 made the Top 15. While in 2019, 8 quarterbacks from 2018 made the Top 15. I continue to highlight rookies with the bright yellow designation beside their name as well.

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott and Seattle Seahawk Quarterback Russell Wilson are the only quarterbacks to be on all four years lists! Blake Bortles, Deshaun Watson, Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor made the Top 15 in 3 of the 4 years. The averages say that about 8 quarterbacks from the previous year make the next years Top 15 list!

2020 QB Rushing Yards Favorites

1. Lamar Jackson
2. Kyler Murray
3. Josh Allen
4. Deshaun Watson
5. Russell Wilson
6. Dak Prescott
7. Gardner Minshew
8. Daniel Jones
9. Patrick Mahomes
10. Ryan Fitzpatrick

*Note If Tua Tagovailoa starts Game 1 instead of Ryan Fitzpatrick, I would slide Mitchell Trubisky to that 10 spot. Also, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Tyrod Taylor are all interesting names to keep in mind here if they do end up getting starting opportunities in 2020.

QB Yards Final Thoughts

It can be tough to predict which Quarterbacks will be getting Touchdowns each year. So by starting with Yards as a base for yearly Quarterback production, it can be helpful to have some consistency. Rushing Yards certainly give a great boost to Quarterback production, they just don’t seem to last as long throughout a Quarterback’s career. Maybe strike early in their career when they are most likely to gain those valuable Rushing Yards. Many variables to take into account, so if you can use previous years information to help please do so. It may be wise to have these names at the ready. Keep in mind during the season, of trends or tendencies for players to find the end zone. If you believe a Quarterback is set for many Yards & then Touchdowns this season, you know I would be interested in them!

If you missed any recent posts, check them out below as you get your mind focused on fantasy football opportunities!

• More Tight End TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Tight End TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Wide Receiver TDs – 2020 Outlook
• Running Back TDs – 2020 Outlook

I hope everyone continues to stay safe and healthy! Enjoy the journey in the upcoming 2020 Fantasy Football Season!

Reference the Targets and TDs pages to see who had the opportunities and end-zone appearances through the 2019 regular season. If you enjoyed the article please share it with others (via the social media links).

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