The quarterback position is one of the more polarizing selections in fantasy drafts. The decision on when and what quarterback to select could vault your team to the title or leave you second guessing your decision all season. While most quarterbacks do not “bust” they can ultimately underperform where they are being drafted. Here are five quarterbacks that you should reconsider drafting in 2022.
Kyler Murray-Arizona Cardinals
ADP-QB5
Kyler Murray is a completely different player without DeAndre Hopkins. In the first two games of the season Murray nearly put up 70 fantasy points. The remainder of the season after his initial blowup games he averaged just over 20 fantasy points per game, around QB2 territory.
The Cardinals will be without DeAndre Hopkins for six games due to a suspension. Marquise Brown should carry the load while Hopkins is serving his suspension.
The rushing upside for Murray has taken a hit. Murray suffered a high ankle sprain last year and struggled to make adjustments to a more pocket passing approach. Murray’s rushing yards and touchdowns were chopped nearly in half from 2021.
Kyler Murray has great upside but at QB5 there are too many question marks to invest in him that early. Waiting and taking a player that projects similarly to Murray, like Trey Lance at QB13, may be worth it.
Dak Prescott-Dallas Cowboys
ADP-QB7
A year removed from a devastating leg injury, Dak Prescott rebounded to finish as QB7 in 2021. In 2022 Dak Prescott will face another challenge, the loss of Amari Cooper.
The Cowboys moved on from Amari Cooper and dealt him to the Browns for minimal return due to salary cap restrictions. Michael Gallup signed a long- term extension, Jalen Tolbert was selected in the third round, and James Washington was signed in free agency. CeeDee Lamb returns as the number one option and the emergence of Dalton Schultz in 2021 should continue for the Cowboys.
Is Dak Prescott really a bust?
The Cowboys offensive line, once the best in the NFL, has been reduced to an average group. Connor Williams and La’el Collins are gone. Replacing them are likely rookie Tyler Smith and Terence Steele. Add to that the often injured Tyron Smith and the Cowboys offensive line is much weaker than in 2021.
Dak Prescott has completely lost any rushing upside that he displayed early in his career. He ran for a paltry 146 yards and 1 touchdown in 2021.
Losing Amari Cooper is a difficult adjustment. Players like Michael Gallup, James Washington, and Jalen Tolbert are not nearly as talented as Amari Cooper. Can CeeDee Lamb take over as a true number one receiver?
Rolling the dice on a player like Russell Wilson or Matthew Stafford later in drafts seems to be a much safer investment than taking Prescott early.
Patrick Mahomes II
ADP-QB3
It felt bad writing this name down. Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and had a top four finish last year. So what’s different about this year?
In a shocking move, the Dolphins traded for Tyreek Hill in the offseason. Replacing Hill are a combination of Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Skyy Moore.
Mahomes struggled at points during the 2021 season due to defenses playing a two high safety look. Without Tyreek Hill, Mahomes could struggle with the same defenses without the elite speed to take the top off defenses. All the new faces in Kansas City may pose an issue for Mahomes in 2022.
Patrick Mahomes II is not going to be a bust in the traditional sense in 2022. Selecting a quarterback in roughly the top 30 with as many question marks as Mahomes has is scary. He may end up having another great season, which is well within his ability, but finishing in the top three and investing that early of a pick in him is not something I would bet on.
Aaron Rodgers-Green Bay Packers
ADP-QB12
Rodgers is coming off another MVP season and another early playoff exit. Rodgers finished as the QB7 with one of the best wide receivers in the NFL catching the majority of his passes.
The Las Vegas Raiders acquired Davante Adams in the offseason. The Packers replaced Adams with first round pick Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins. Returning are Amari Rodgers, Randall Cobb, and Allen Lazard. A group of wide receivers with as many question marks as Rodgers has is a scary proposition for fantasy owners in 2022.
The MVP has, no doubt, proven that he can be productive throughout his career. This will the toughest test for Rodgers as a quarterback in the NFL with his age and lack of talent at the wide receiver position. Rodgers has had the likes of Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Davante Adams throughout his career. None of the new or returning receivers are on that level yet. Aaron Jones could end up leading the Packers in receiving in 2022.
Tua Tagovailoa
ADP-QB16
Tua has been given the reigns to a new offense in Miami. Mike McDaniel was brought over from the 49ers to hopefully help him take the next step to a competent NFL quarterback. He faces an uphill battle for relevance.
The Dolphins weapons with Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, newly added Tyreek Hill, and a stable of running backs should put Tua in a good position to succeed.
Expect the Dolphins offense to feature the run game and put Tua in position to make simple plays. Tua has struggled immensely with intermediate throws in his career and has scored under 14 points per game. Look for his struggles to continue, even with all the shiny new toys in Miami.
Tagovailoa is going ahead of players like Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, and Jameis Winston. Value is much better in taking a risk on one of those players than hoping Tua makes a huge leap in year three in a run heavy offense.
