Late-Round Quarterbacks to Draft in Fantasy Football: Malik Willis And More

A little confession time. Quarterback is my favorite position in fantasy football this season. IT’S SO DEEP. A look at our fantasy football rankings, and I can make an argument for up to 20 quarterbacks who can be starters, or at least in a platoon. 

Though this article aims to dig at least that deep, and maybe a little deeper. We’re looking for late-round targets in your fantasy football drafts. Our superflex familia, we’re not talking about you. Get your two starters in the first 4-5 rounds, and be done with it. 

We’re directing this at the 1QB folks, especially those who like to draft a second QB. I’m in that brethren, though I’ve long since given up the dream that I could trade a QB for a WR or RB down the line. But hitting on that second QB is still something we’re aiming to help you with today. 

To help you with your last-minute draft prep, in this article we’re referring to quarterbacks with an ADP past 100. As always, we’ll be referring to fantasy football projections for each player option. One last thing, ICYMI, Dwain McFarland put together an awesome series where he features QB Tiers that recently got an update, as well was QB Draft Strategy.

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Which Late-Round QBs to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts?

Daniel Jones | Colts

Rank: QB24
ADP: 127.1

The ADP and ranking are because of the Achilles tear that Daniel Jones suffered on Dec. 7 last year. He’ll be nine months past that surgery by the time the Colts host the Ravens on Sept. 13. Dr. Edwin Porras on his site injurypronedoc.com pointed out the fact that Jones participated in every practice throughout the offseason, and drew rave reviews along the way from beat writers.

The injury he suffered is a major one, and many fantasy managers have memories of how Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers looked in their returns from the same injury. Jones, now 29, is much younger and in his prime. With him suffering no setbacks along the way, let’s look at how he looked directing this offense last season.

Through eight games, Jones passed for 2,062 yards (257.8 per game) and 13 TDs, adding 4 more scores on the ground after rushing 30 times for 86 more yards. Jones has the same playcaller (HC Shane Steichen), all-world RB in Jonathan Taylor and most of his pass-catching corps back in TE Tyler Warren, WRs Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. At least when Pierce returns to full speed after offseason ankle surgery.

Even if Jones puts together 80-85% of that production, spread over a full season, that’s a player who will start for your fantasy team a lot. Just don’t expect big rushing numbers. If anything is going to regress, it’s the rushing.

Malik Willis | Dolphins

Rank: QB19

ADP: 155.2

This one I’m a little perturbed by. Our Fantasy Life staff has spent much of the offseason talking about how Malik Willis is a player to target. Matthew Freedman, the wet blanket himself, even pegged Willis as one of Freedman’s Favorites. Right next to Josh Allen! Yet in two drafts that I did just in the past week, Willis was selected in the final round. I was the picker in one of the leagues, and I did it almost out of spite because Willis has the same bye week as my QB1 Joe Burrow.

Willis can be that good, at least in fantasy for a team that will need all his playmaking skill set to score points. Rushing? In two late-season starts that became nice auditions for potential suitors, Willis ran for 104 yards on 19 carries and scored twice. Passing? In those two games against the Bears and Ravens both playing for the postseason, Willis attempted 32 passes and the ball hit the ground just five times. His 409 passing yards and 2 scores show he’s grown from the ultra-raw player from Liberty.

The Dolphins are rebuilding all over, including on defense. What do you think of a dual-threat QB playing catchup on a near-weekly basis? Pretty cool, huh? Looking ahead to the fantasy football playoffs, the Dolphins are home Weeks 16 and 17. Championship Week Willis will be trying to keep up with Josh Allen down in sunny Miami. Think about stashing Willis for that week (and a few prior).

Tyler Shough | Saints

Rank: QB21

ADP: 144.6 

When Tyler Shough took over as the starter in Week 9 last season, from that point forward he averaged 250.7 passing yards per game over the final nine games of the season. That’s a great start, even if some question that the competition was less than stellar during that stretch. 

We’re talking a Year 2 QB who is ascending, and doing it in a good offense with an ace playcaller in HC Kellen Moore. He also has a top WR in Chris Olave and an underrated TE in Juwan Johnson. Travis Etienne is new, and might hit on some untapped receiving potential. All point in the favor of Shough performing well.

Looking at Weeks 15-17, they’re in domes twice and Tampa Bay once, with all three games potential to see some points. Shough is definitely a sleeper to perform well in those weeks, and he could have Jordyn Tyson back by then. Get those hamstrings healthy, young Mr. Tyson.

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