OK, so we don't officially have a Utilization Score for quarterbacks, yet, but there are so many ways to measure how quarterback utilization is showing off how really good these signal-callers are for fantasy football. Dwain McFarland examines four quarterbacks going into the 2025 season, two of whom just had big seasons and are looking for followups, while the other two are trying to prove they could move higher up in the rankings. Let's see what the numbers tell us.

Bo Nix | Broncos

The thesis on Bo Nix is straightforward. He compiled above-average numbers as a passer and rusher for an NFL starter. If we take that a step further and compare the No. 12 pick to other quarterbacks taken in a similar draft range (7 to 18), Nix was one of the best since 2010.

  • Fantasy points per game: 18.7 (2 of 11)
  • Passing yards per game: 222 (3rd)
  • Passing TDs per game: 1.7 (2nd)
  • Interceptions per game: 0.71 (1st)
  • Rushing yards per game: 26 (4th)

While most of the QBs taken in this range were busts, the two who eclipsed 17 fantasy points per game became high-performers: Josh Allen (17.3) and Deshaun Watson (24.1).

We could see Nix regress in touchdowns per attempt (5.1%), but his profile is very clean. He has a path to improvement in passing yards per game as a Year 2 starter in Sean Payton's offense, which caters to the strengths in Nix's game.

Takeaway: Nix is one of he few quarterbacks who could eclipse 4,000 passing yards and tack on 500 yards on the ground. We could get a top-three season if he hits his extreme upside outcomes in both buckets—not many QBs offer that combo. He projects as the QB6 in the Fantasy Life projection model.

Baker Mayfield | Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield has resurrected his career after back-to-back strong performances in Tampa. However, the veteran signal-caller was sun running last season, posting outlier results in multiple areas compared to his career averages.

  • Passing TDs per attempt: 7.2% vs. 5.0%
  • Passing TDs per game: 2.4 vs. 1.6
  • Passing yards per attempt: 7.9 vs. 7.3
  • Passing yards per game: 265 vs. 234  
  • Rushing yards per game: 22.2 vs. 11

While I am a huge fan of Mayfield and how he plays the game, the data tells us we shouldn't expect him to average 22.6 fantasy points again. The addition of Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 of the NFL Draft is a plus, but it will still be nearly impossible for Mayfield to surpass expectations in so many categories in the same year again.

Takeaway: Mayfield remains a top-12 option for fantasy, but his early best ball average draft position of QB7 is too high. Mayfield goes one to three rounds ahead of similar players, making him a fade unless his price adjusts downward in drafts.

Caleb Williams | Bears

It was a forgettable rookie season for the No. 1 overall pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, who finished as the QB20 with 15.4 points per game. Caleb Williams was average to below average in most passing categories compared to top-three draft picks since 2010 who played at least eight games as a rookie.

  • Passing yards per game: 208 (17 of 20)
  • Yards per attempt: 6.3 (14th)
  • Completion percentage: 63% (8th)
  • Passing TDs per game: 1.18 (12th)
  • Interceptions per game: 0.35 (3rd)
  • Passer rating: 87.8 (8th)

The most worrisome of these numbers is the passing yards per game, given Williams' surrounding talent in his pass-catching corps. Only Blake Bortles, Mitchell Trubisky, Bryce Young, Zach Wilson, and Drake Maye threw for less. C.J. Stroud, Andrew Luck, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield all topped 265 yards per game.

A revamped offense with Ben Johnson at the helm, dialing up looks for new playmakers in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, leaves room for growth as a passer. Still, the component that excites me about Williams' game in 2025 is that he rushed for 489 yards. His 7% scramble rate was 25% above the NFL average. The cherry on top is that despite 81 attempts, Williams didn't score a rushing TD, making him a positive regression candidate. Since 2011, QBs with 70 to 90 rushing attempts averaged 3.6 TDs.

Takeaway: The second-year QB projects as the QB9 in the Fantasy Life projection model without massive improvements as a passer (~3,500 yards and 23.6 TDs). If he blossoms as a passer, he offers a 23-point-per-game ceiling—something most QBs in his range of the draft don't have.

Justin Fields | Jets

Justin Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. While I can't vouch for the former Round 1 NFL Draft pick as the answer for an NFL team, his potential value in fantasy football is undeniable thanks to his rushing prowess. Over the last three seasons, Fields has been one of the most heavily utilized QBs in the run game.

  • Designed rush attempts: 21% (4th)
  • Scramble rate: 12% (1st)

Over that span, he has averaged 9.1 attempts, 55 yards, and 0.45 rushing TDs per game. In other words, Fields produces 8.2 fantasy points per contest on rushing alone. Fields averaged 142 attempts in his two seasons as the Bears' starter, and we have him projected for 132 in 2025.   

Despite only having Fields projected for under 3,000 yards and under 20 passing TDs, he still deserves merit as a top-12 option. Since 2010, we have seen seven QBs throw for less than 3,300 yards with 120 to 140 attempts. They averaged 19.2 points per game with an average finish of QB12. Fields was the QB8 over the first six weeks of 2024 with 18.9 per game!

Takeaway: Fields is a borderline QB1 who could challenge for a top-six finish if he has a spike passing season with 3,500 to 3,700 yards, making him a sleeper target. If he erupts early on rushing alone, you can flip him before the passing woes pull him down to earth.