Most of the NFL’s rule changes in the last 20 years have been made in an effort to both protect and enhance the league’s top signal-callers. There’s no form of football more unwatchable than a game between two backup QBs, so egregious roughing the passer penalties and a conscious effort to limit big hits are necessary evils to produce the best form of the game we know and love.
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Of course, even the most protective rules won’t keep all 32 starting QBs safe for an entire season. Injuries happen both during and between games, and we’ll undoubtedly be subjected to backup QB play at some point next season.
What follows is a breakdown on how each team’s QB room looks if their starting signal-caller goes down. This has nothing to do with the talent and ability of the team’s starter; we’re strictly looking at QBs 2-4 on the depth chart.
Without further ado: PFF’s 2020 backup QB rankings.
Tier 1: The big four
1. New Orleans Saints
Backup QBs: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Tommy Stevens
Even if lasik-Jameis doesn’t emerge as a world-beater, the former No. 1 overall pick still proved plenty capable of orchestrating high-end passing games with the Buccaneers. Overall, the Buccaneers ranked No. 12 and No. 3 over the past two seasons, and Winston has earned PFF's No. 27 overall passing grade among 50 qualified QBs since 2015. This mark is ahead of current starters Ryan Tannehill (No. 28), Teddy Bridgewater (No. 33), Gardner Minshew (No. 34), Daniel Jones (No. 37), Sam Darnold (No. 40), Josh Allen (No. 42), Nick Foles (No. 43) and Kyler Murray (No. 48).
Obviously, many of those aforementioned signal callers are younger and/or haven’t had the same sort of weapons as Winston, but it remains likely that he’s at least a top-32 QB on the planet. That’s more than most teams can say for their backup QB.
Football is more fun when Jameis Winston has a starting job pic.twitter.com/bO5M1XAy2V
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 7, 2020
Of course, Hill could very well be the favorite to be the Saints’ starter if Drew Brees misses any time in 2020. His dual-threat talents are viable enough to cause fits for defenses in short spurts. This was more evident than ever the last time we saw the Saints play, as HIll posted 4-50-0 rushing and 2-25-1 receiving lines to go along with 50 more yards through the air. It’s OK to think Hill is a more than solid backup without anointing the soon to be 30-year-old QB as a future star.
The Saints drafted Stevens in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. Hysterically, the 6-foot-4 and 237-pound rookie is being dubbed as the second coming of Taysom Hill himself.
Throw in the reality that any backup QB would benefit from this absolutely loaded supporting cast and genius play-caller, and it’s easy to call the Saints the league’s premiere team to deal with a worst-case scenario in 2020.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Backup QBs: Jacoby Brissett, Chad Kelly, Jacob Eason
The Colts went 11-19 in 30 games with Brissett under center during the 2017 and 2019 seasons. He deserves some slack due to the reality that he was thrust into action on both occasions without the benefit of an offseason as the offense’s defined starter. A plenty respectable career 31-13 TD-INT ratio and ability to create off-script goodness overshadows more mediocre numbers in adjusted yards per attempt (6.8) and completion rate (59.8%). Overall, Brissett ranks 38th among 48 QBs in PFF passing grade since 2017.
The artist known as Swag Kelly has largely balled out in the preseason during the better part of the last three years; his average of 7.9 yards per attempt is the sixth-highest mark among 49 qualified QBs. Of course, we’ve never seen the self-proclaimed second-fastest QB in the league operate during the regular season, but there’s clearly some raw talent here that could produce a wider range of outcomes (both positive and negative) than most backups.
The Colts drafted Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. He could very well take Kelly’s roster spot. I would be mad online if this happens.
The Colts’ league-best offensive line makes this situation more than manageable for any of the team’s trio of talented backups to handle.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Backup QBs: Andy Dalton, Clayton Thorson, Ben DiNucci
Dalton has always been more of a sum-of-its-parts QB. The best season of his career occurred in 2015 when the Bengals offense consisted of A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Tyler Eifert, Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. The 2019 version of Dalton was certainly the worst one we’ve seen in awhile, although it’s not like he had much help, and he ultimately managed to emerge as PFF’s 22nd-highest-graded passer among 42 qualified signal-callers. I wouldn’t bet too heavily on Dalton snapping his winless playoff streak if given the opportunity, but he’s clearly still capable of functioning as an average starter.
The Eagles took Thorson in the fifth round of the 2019 draft; Dallas took DiNucci in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. The winner will likely maintain a practice squad spot at a minimum.
Dalton is anyone’s idea of a top-three backup QB. The Cowboys’ loaded skill-position rooms make it plenty feasible that they could maintain above-average production for a few weeks in the event that Dak Prescott is forced to miss time.
4. Miami Dolphins
Backup QBs: Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Rosen, Jake Rudock
Perhaps Tua beats out Ryan Fitzpatrick; 17 of 20 top-10 QBs drafted since 2010 went on to start double-digit games as a rookie. Still, the hip injury concern is real, and waiting a year to expose Tagovailoa to an improved (but still unproven) offensive line might not be such a bad idea.
Rosen has been thrust into arguably the two worst situations imaginable for a young QB to thrive in with the 2018 Cardinals and 2019 Dolphins. Typically, amazing QBs manage to ball out regardless of their supporting cast; I wouldn’t bet on Rosen emerging as a future high-end QB. Just realize that he isn’t as bad as you probably think.
Poor Josh Rosen pic.twitter.com/lmNqEusqPe
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 23, 2019
Rudock has thrown five regular season passes since entering the league in 2016.
Obviously, FitzMagic would also be a high-end backup if Tua starts the season. Either way, there’s plenty of talent in this QB room to go along with their YOLO-ball veteran gunslinger. Expect at least a fun, if not solid, Miami passing game in 2020.
Tier 2: Backup has won or put team in position to win an NFL playoff game during the last half decade
5. Cleveland Browns
Backup QBs: Case Keenum, Garrett Gilbert, Kevin Davidson
Keenum offered many more downs than ups in 2019, although he briefly flashed a decent fantasy ceiling with two 300-plus yard and multi-touchdown performances in the first three weeks of the season. Last season’s Washington offense was hardly a friendly environment for any QB to thrive in. Keenum managed to lead the Vikings (11-3) and, to a much lesser extent, the Broncos (6-10) to respectability during his two seasons as a full-time starter in 2017 and 2018, respectively. It’s fair to call the 2020 Browns the best offense he’ll have played with since his days in Minnesota.
AAF-HOF QB Gilbert has flashed in the preseason over the years, while Princeton QB Davidson will likely be the odd man out of the equation by the start of the season.
The Browns have too much invested in Baker Mayfield to think about handing the reins over to Keenum anytime soon. Still, an injury to the 2018 No. 1 overall pick wouldn’t lead to the Browns offense completely falling apart like some of the other teams on our list.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Backup QBs: Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman
I believe Mariota will be the Raiders’ starting QB by December; it’s rare to see pure backup QBs land a two-year, $17.6 million contract. Either way, we’re essentially looking at the same player.
- Mariota career: 63% completion rate, 4.3% TD rate, 2.5% INT rate, 7.5 YPA, 90.7 QB Rating
- Derek Carr career: 64% completion rate, 4.3% TD rate, 1.9% INT rate, 6.9 YPA, 89.6 QB Rating
Don’t get it twisted: Carr has been the much better player recently. With that said, Mariota has the clear rushing advantage and for the first time will enter an offense not committed to establishing the run at all costs.
Peterman is presently regarded as one of the worst QBs to ever play in the NFL. Yet Jon Gruden has gushed about him for years, and the 26-year-old “talent” had a hilariously fun long run during the 2019 preseason. Peterman being on the Raiders is #good for content, and that’s all you can ask from a third-string QB.
It’s unlikely either Carr or Mariota emerges as a high-end starter anytime soon, but clearly there are much worse No. 2 options throughout the league.
7. Chicago Bears
Backup QBs: Mitch Trubisky, Tyler Bray
It’s almost certain that Nick Foles is under center in Week 1 despite coach Matt Nagy’s insistence on going through an open competition. Sure, Foles hardly looked like a world-beating talent last season, but it was hardly an ideal situation behind the Jaguars’ patchwork offensive line. He’s more than capable of orchestrating Matt Nagy’s RPO-heavy offense at a high level considering his past success running similar schemes with the Eagles. Of course, Nagy was Foles' QB coach in Kansas City back in 2016.
Trubisky regressed in virtually every category during his brutal 2019 campaign, ultimately functioning as the league’s 36th-worst passer in adjusted yards per attempt among 42 QBs to throw at least 100 passes. Further complicating matters in fantasy land was his newfound refusal to run the ball: Trubisky was a true threat on the ground in both 2017 (20 rush yards per game) and 2018 (30) before largely declining to use his legs in 2019 (13).
Foles has functioned as an above-average QB when not coached by Jeff Fisher or Doug Marrone. We’ll have a better idea of whether or not Nagy deserves to be in that conversation after 2020, but either way this offense seems capable of functioning around an average to below-average level with either man under center.
Tier 3: There’s a ceiling here
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Backup QBs: Justin Herbert, Easton Stick
The former Oregon QB boasts plus size (6-foot-6 and 236-pounds) as well as underrated speed (4.68-second 40-yard dash). He didn't make a habit of taking off in college but did show potential with three rushing scores in the Ducks' Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. Don't expect Herbert to make too much of a habit scrambling, although the talent to do so might be there.
The Chargers' offense is talented enough to enable Herbert to put up some solid fantasy production sooner rather than later. The Chargers have consistently called TyGod more than a bridge QB, but 17 of 20 top-10 QBs drafted since 2010 have started at least 10 games as a rookie. It would be at least somewhat surprising if Herbert isn’t under center following the Chargers’ Week 10 bye.
The Chargers drafted Stick in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. The latest North Dakota State QB to make it pro, Stick possesses the soft of speed (4.62-second 40-yard dash) to feasibly fit this offense smoother than Herbert if the coaching staff insists on tailoring the entire scheme to TyGod’s talents.
Backup QB typically comes down to talented, unproven youngsters, or a proven below-average starter. The Chargers are rolling with the former option, and their surrounding cast on offense sets up both options nicely if/when they’re called upon.
9. San Francisco 49ers
Backup QBs: Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard, Broc Rutter
Mullens started eight games in 2018, averaging a robust 8.3 yards per attempt while throwing for 284 yards per game. His turnover and sack totals were less ideal, although the former undrafted QB did enough to reportedly garner “multiple” trade offers leading up to the 2020 draft.
Beathard’s performance in Kyle Shanahan’s QB-friendly scheme was much worse than Mullens. At this point, Beathard’s claim to fame is helping feed Carlos Hyde an egregious 88 targets during the 2017 season.
Rutter received a laughable $279 signing bonus for signing on with the 49ers. The 2019 Division-III national champion is unlikely to make the final roster.
This season will mark Mullens’ third year with Shanahan in San Francisco. There’s a real chance that he’s a #good QB. The only rookie-signal callers (minimum eight starts) to average more adjusted yards per attempt than Mullens since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger: Dak Prescott, Robert Griffin, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson and Dan Marino.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Backup QBs: Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld, Kyle Lauletta
Hurts will need an injury to Carson Wentz in order to get anything resembling a full-time role under center. He has the size (6-foot-1 and 222-pounds) to handle a legit rushing workload, enough speed (4.59-second 40-yard dash) to create big plays and more proven production (career 614-3,274-43 rushing line) than any other QB in this class. It doesn't really matter if Hurts isn't ready to function as a high-end passer. Historically, QBs who have high-end rushing roles have simply been a cheat code in fantasy football.
It's unlikely we see Hurts earn a starting role anytime soon, but don't be afraid to immediately start him in fantasy leagues of all shapes and sizes once he's under center. Among QBs with at least 100 rush attempts, 15 of 22 (68%) have finished as a top-six fantasy scorer since 2000. This type of workload would certainly be near Hurts' 16-game projection.
Sudfeld has supplied some preseason goodness over the past few seasons and seemingly has the support of the coaching staff. Add it all together and there’s reason to believe the Eagles offense won’t be in an awful position if Wentz (again) misses game action in 2020.
11. New England Patriots
Backup QBs: Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, Brian Lewerke, J’Mar Smith
Cam Newton passed his physical and is the heavy betting favorite (-400) to start under center once Week 1 rolls around. The low guaranteed contract and decision to not sign Newton until June are red flags, although this unique offseason adds credence to the idea that the Patriots simply weren’t able to make ends meet with a health-version of Newton until recently.
The idea that Bill Belichick would tank to the extent of finishing as the league’s single-worst team was always laughable, so it’s tough to fully count out Stidham as a potentially average QB. He’s certainly a likely upgrade over 34-year-old Hoyer, who was atrocious in his single start of 2019 at home against the Dolphins’ lowly defense. Say the betting markets and myself are wrong and Stidham winds up starting in Week 1? Go ahead and elevate this backup QB room to the No. 1 spot.
12. Green Bay Packers
Backup QBs: Jordan Love, Tim Boyle, Jalen Morton
The Utah State QB rocketed up draft boards reportedly in large part due to his ability to create plays off script. He's not an overwhelmingly talented athlete but does possess a smoothness to his game that could lead to more production in a different offense. Obviously, he won't find the field in 2020 without an injury or psychological breakdown from Aaron Rodgers.
The future doesn’t appear all that bright in a Green Bay offense expected to flow through its run game. Davante Adams remains the only proven receiver on the entire roster. We’ve learned better by now than to judge a QB’s career before he takes a single NFL snap; just realize there’s a reason why Love is widely considered the most bust-worthy QB from this draft.
However, the Packers might just boast more than one competent backup. Boyle has emerged as one of the league’s most willing downfield passers during the past two preseasons, earning a respectable 75.8 PPF passing grade and throwing nine scores against just two INTs along the way.
There’s probably a better chance that this Packers’ backup QB room is bad than good. However, all parties are unproven and possess reasons for optimism. This unknown is superior than straight up possessing a bad QB.
Tier 4: We probably know what we’re getting and it shouldn’t be too bad
13. Kansas City Chiefs
Backup QBs: Matt Moore, Jordan Ta’amu, Chad Henne
Moore was quietly great in relief of Patrick Mahomes last season, completing 64.8% of his passes while averaging 8.1 adjusted yards per attempt with a 4-0 TD-INT ratio. It’s clear the Chiefs are still capable of competing at a high level without their $500-million man after Moore engineered wins over the Broncos and Vikings to go along with a seven-point loss to the Packers in 2019. The soon to be 36-year-old QB hardly has his best years ahead, but the ex-Panthers and Dolphins starter has a career 16-16 record and is at least capable of keeping the ship afloat.
Ta’amu is that Ole Miss QB who was blessed with A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Dawson Knox, yet didn’t manage to make all that much out of it. Still, he showed out in the XFL while running an RPO-heavy offense that accentuated his dual-threat talents. He at least provides a volatile range of potential outcomes. Henne turned 35 in July and hasn’t started a game since 2014.
Obviously, the Chiefs’ high-powered offense and consistently brilliant scheme enhances the ability of whoever is under center. The Super Bowl might not be the expectation without Mahomes, but don’t expect this team to turn to crap without their star.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Backup QBs: Robert Griffin, Trace McSorley, Tyler Huntley
RG3 started in Week 17 for the Ravens, going 11 of 21 (52% completion rate) for 96 yards (4.6 YPA) with zero scores and one interception. However, he added an 8-50-0 rushing line and led the Ravens to a 28-10 victory. Griffin would be lower on this list in other offenses, but Greg Roman’s historically dual-threat-friendly offenses are a perfect match. The same can be said for McSorley and Huntley alike.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Backup QBs: Matt Schaub, Kurt Benkert, Danny Etling
Schaub threw for 460 yards in a game in 2019. Last season. In the NFL. Sixty minutes. One week. Sure, the Seahawks built a 24-0 lead over the Falcons entering halftime, but Schaub’s ability to rally the troops back to a 20-27 loss shows that the 39-year-old QB still has some gas left in the tank. He’s spent the past four seasons in Atlanta and previously hadn’t started a game since 2015. In a pinch, Schaub appears to still be capable of putting up points on occasion. Neither Benkert nor Etling have proven anything at the NFL level. It’s a sobering reality of the state of backup QB groups when Schaub is inside the top-15.
16. New York Jets
Backup QBs: Joe Flacco, David Fales, James Morgan, Mike White
The days of Flacco being a good idea for a starting QB are over. There’s little ceiling here; the Broncos were held under 17 points in six of eight games with Flacco under center in 2019. His health is also in extreme question following April neck surgery. Current reports indicate he’s expected to be out until Sept. 1. An even more immobile version of the former Super Bowl MVP is a troubling thought, particularly in Adam Gase’s snail-paced offense that offers little in the form of proven offensive line or receiver play. The likes of Fales, Morgan and White would almost potentially tank this offense into nearly unwatchable form. I’d probably rank the Jets a bit higher if we had more certainty that Flacco is even a little bit healthy.
Tier 5: Need a few drinks to talk yourself into believing
17. Seattle Seahawks
Backup QBs: Geno Smith, Anthony Gordon
Geno is the answer to the “who snapped Eli Mannings’ consecutive start streak” question. All in all, the former 2013 second-round pick has started just two games since 2014, playing for the Jets, Giants and Chargers along the way. A 12-19 record with not horrifyingly awful average of 6.8 Y/A paints the picture of a maybe decent backup, and Smith’s career average of 16.5 rushing yards per game demonstrates his dual-threat ability. He’ll be pushed by the Seahawks’ undrafted 2020 addition to the QB room. Russell Wilson has never missed a game. While there might be worse backup QBs than Smith in the league, the drop-off from Russ would undoubtedly be incredibly steep.
18. New York Giants
Backup QBs: Colt McCoy, Cooper Rush, Alex Tanney, Case Cookus
McCoy seems destined to stick around the NFL until he’s good and ready to retire. The 10-year veteran hasn’t won a start since 2014, although he’s the type of solid-enough QB with an A+ name to continue to rack up checks deep into his 30s. Neither Rush nor Tanney has a career start to his name, while the former Northern Arizona QB Cookus is unlikely to make the final roster. I wouldn’t count on new-OC Jason Garrett enabling either McCoy or his youngsters to much of a ceiling (or floor) if Daniel Jones is forced to miss much time.
19. Denver Broncos
Backup QBs: Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, Riley Neal
Driskel did some fun things on occasion in 2019, demonstrating the ability to both escape the pocket and get the ball downfield in a hurry in matchups against the Bears, Cowboys and Washington football team alike.
I enjoyed the Jeff Driskel experience pic.twitter.com/jb1KHAZDRS
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 11, 2019
The 2016 sixth-round pick chipped in 5-37-0, 8-51-1 and 9-63-0 rushing lines during his three starts. At the very least, Driskel provides a higher ceiling than either Rypien or Neal, even though it’s unlikely the Broncos’ QB2 could keep this team competitive deep into the season.
20. Washington Football Team
Backup QBs: Kyle Allen, Steven Montez
The 2019 Panthers boasted a surprisingly modern scheme from OC Norv Turner with talent weapons everywhere between Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. All Allen did with this group was help the Panthers post the single-worst uncatchable deep-ball rate in the league. He displayed passable QB play in just 3 of 12 starts before being benched in favor of Will Grier. Nobody took more loss yards on sacks than Allen in 2019. Having real-life NFL experience is a positive, but demonstrating the ability to be arguably the league’s single-worst starter at the position isn’t. Anyone under center in Washington will have to deal with life behind a shoddy offensive line with limited skill-position talent outside of Terry McLaurin.
Tier 6: One injury away from instantly being a bad offense
21. Buffalo Bills
Backup QBs: Matt Barkley, Davis Webb, Jake Fromm
Barkley has just seven career starts since entering the league in 2013. He briefly moved the ball against the Patriots in Week 4 of 2019, but ultimately finished his two extended appearances with zero scores and three interceptions. It’s tough to expect much from either Webb (Giants 2017 third-round pick) or Fromm (Bills 2020 fifth-round pick) in terms of high-end QB play, although at least any of these backup QBs would find themselves inside of one of the league’s more-complete rosters.
22. Houston Texans
Backup QBs: A.J. McCarron, Alex McGough, Nick Tiano
McCarron has just four career starts to his name since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. Last season’s backup-filled Week 17 matchup against the Titans wasn’t a great environment to thrive in, but either way we have essentially zero evidence of McCarron functioning as anything resembling an average NFL QB. Actual experience is a plus, particularly considering McGough and Tiano have none, but this Texans offense without Deshaun Watson would in all likelihood be an absolute train wreck.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Backup QBs: Mike Glennon, Joshua Dobbs, Jake Luton
Glennon has a career 36:20 TD:INT ratio, but largely hasn’t demonstrated anything resembling even average QB play since a good-not-great rookie campaign back in 2013. Pit stops in Chicago, Arizona and Oakland precluded the Jaguars giving the giraffe veteran QB a chance to backup Gardner Minshew. Don’t expect Glennon, Dobbs or Luton to engineer anything resembling a decent offense if the Jaguars are forced to dig deep in 2020.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Backup QBs: Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin, Reid Sinnett
Bruce Arians’ favorite backup QB hasn’t thrown a regular season pass since 2018. We’re talking about some absolutely brutal career marks here for Gabbert: 13-35 record, 56.2% completion rate, 6.1 yards per attempt. Major sheesh. Griffin has been in the league since 2014 and has just four regular season pass attempts to his name. An injury to TB12 would leave this team in an extremely non-competitive position regardless of the opponent.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Backup QBs: Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges, Paxton Lynch, J.T. Barrett
Rudolph somewhat resembled a competent backup QB against the Bengals (once) and Dolphins during his 10 games last season. Otherwise, things were incredibly rough. The latter point is doubly true for Hodges, who seemed incapable of consistently moving the offense more weeks than not as a rookie. Declining to add anything resembling a proven backup was a confusing decision considering we don’t know how 38-year-old Big Ben will look post-elbow injury. The Steelers are as complete as any team in the league, but they’ll again struggle to compete against top teams if Roethlisberger misses time in 2020
26. Detroit Lions
Backup QBs: Chase Daniel, David Blough
Daniel has earned at least $10 million from three different teams since 2013. He’s thrown seven career passing touchdowns in five starts. Blough was fairly awful in his five starts of 2019 and remains better known for being a fan of magic. As was the case in 2019, the Lions will be awfully screwed if 32-year-old QB Matthew Stafford misses extended time.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Backup QBs: Ryan Finley, Jacob Dolegala
Tim Tebow was a more accurate QB during his career than Finley was in 2019. The Bengals’ 2019 fourth-round pick failed to lead the offense to more than 13 points in any of his three starts. Dolegala is back to again serve as the No. 3 QB. Look for the Bengals to compete for the No. 1 overall pick again if Joe Burrow is forced out of action for the majority of the season.
28. Arizona Cardinals
Backup QBs: Brett Hundley, Drew Anderson, Chris Streveler
Hundley was nothing short of awful while taking over for Aaron Rodgers in 2017. Still, he deserves some slack considering how much of the Green Bay “scheme” was essentially letting Rodgers do whatever the hell he wanted. We’ve seen just 11 regular-season pass attempts since from the former 2015 fifth-round pick. Neither Anderson nor Streveler was drafted, and neither has taken a regular season snap. It’s the Kyler Murray show in Arizona, and the performance would undoubtedly tank without his talents.
29. Carolina Panthers
Backup QBs: Will Grier, P.J. Walker
The Panthers might boast one of the league’s single-worst QB rooms, but at least they’ve been trying to improve things. Grier looked like one of the worst third-round picks in league history last season and failed to even somewhat push bottom-three starter Kyle Allen. The decision to bring in Walker at least gives the offense a chance for some off-script magic to occur if Teddy Bridgewater is forced to miss time.
P.J. Walker is already better than Kyle Allen do not @ mepic.twitter.com/9cNuUce15w
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 23, 2020
Tier 7: Are you serious right meow?
30. Minnesota Vikings
Backup QBs: Sean Mannion, Nate Stanley, Jake Browning
The Rams drafted Mannion in the third round of the 2015 draft. He’s since thrown 74 career passes, zero scores and three interceptions. Mannion’s Week 17 start against the Bears in 2019 was absolutely abysmal. It’s probably a decent sign that he’s not a good NFL QB if Sean McVay decided to pass after having an up-close look. And yet, Mannion’s only competition is 2020 seventh-round pick Stanley and UDFA Browning. Perhaps Kirk Cousins hasn’t quite fulfilled expectations in Minnesota, but an absence under center would demonstrate how vital Cousins is to the team being a contender vs. a complete pretender in 2020.
31. Tennessee Titans
Backup QBs: Logan Woodside, Cole McDonald
The Titans narrowly avoided being the league’s single-worst backup QB room by devoting at least a single draft pick to the group. As one of the few people on this planet who watched every AAF game back in the spring of 2019, I can assure you that Woodside is not an answer. He was largely out-played by backup QB Marquise Williams with the San Antonio Commanders. And then we have McDonald, who threw for 70 touchdowns and 8,032 yards during his three seasons at Hawaii. The dual-threat talent was selected in the seventh round and possesses a fun style of play, but to call him raw is a vast understatement. An injury to Ryan Tannehill would likely lead to an even more-robust workload for Derrick Henry.
32. Los Angeles Rams
Backup QBs: John Wolford, Bryce Perkins, Josh Love
Blake Bortles is gone (at least for now), meaning the Rams have exactly zero QBs behind Jared Goff who have 1) Been drafted, and 2) Thrown a pass during a regular season game. If you think Goff was erratic behind the team’s porous offensive line in 2019, imagine the lows this offense could reach in 2020 with a truly brutal QB under center. While I’m hardly Goff’s biggest fan, it’s tough to argue that he’s one of the league’s more valuable QBs when considering a team’s projected W/L record with and without its starting signal-caller.
Complete Hartitz offseason series:
- Fantasy Football Top 150 PPR Rankings
- 32 fantasy football questions for all 32 NFL quarterbacks entering the 2020 NFL season
- Taking fantasy football stock of every NFL backfield entering the 2020 season
- Breaking down the fantasy football potential of all 32 NFL wide receiver rooms in 2020
- Fantasy Football: Which NFL tight ends have the best and worst chances of earning high-volume roles?
- Evaluating 2020 fantasy football winners and losers based on Weeks 1-4 strength of schedule
- Fantasy Football: The impact of players changing teams and how it will affect the likes of Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, DeAndre Hopkins and more
- How we can use playcaller tendencies to find fantasy football upside
- Fantasy football targets bound for positive regression after extremely unlucky seasons in 2019
- Fantasy Football: Rankings and projected roles for every 2020 rookie
- What's the “jump” year in fantasy football production at each position?
- Which defenses are worth concerning ourselves with for fantasy football?
- Fantasy Football: Breaking down every starting NFL quarterback based on mobility and rushing usage
- Top fantasy football values and fades in Hartitz rankings vs. ADP
- Fantasy Football: Ranking the continuity of all 32 NFL teams’ passing games
- What are the NFL's most consistently great and consistently bad offenses?
- Fantasy Football: What are the chances of multiple players balling out in the same offense?
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