Four quarterbacks you must draft in fantasy football

The 2023 NFL season is quickly approaching, which means most fantasy football drafts are right around the corner. Here are four quarterbacks with too much value to ignore when selecting your team.

Justin Fields, Bears (ESPN ADP: 50.9)

With Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen generally going in the first three rounds, coupled with the steep three-four-turn price tag on Joe Burrow, Fields is an ideal selection in the fifth round. 

Last year, Fields, who rushed for the second-most yards in a single season by a quarterback (1,143), finished as the QB6 on a points-per-game basis and is entering a more favorable situation in 2023.

Wide receiver D.J. Moore comes over from Carolina and will be the No. 1 option in Chicago's passing attack, an addition that simultaneously raises Fields' floor and ceiling.

But what is even more important for the 24-year-old's outlook this season is the improved offensive line he'll be playing behind. Fields was sacked 55 times last season, tied for the most in the NFL, so the team spent a first-round pick on RT Darnell Wright and signed guard Nate Davis in free agency to help protect him. Fields' rushing upside makes him a safe bet, but the enhancements Chicago made around him could make him this season's Hurts. 

Justin Herbert, Chargers (ADP: 49.1) 

After a QB2 finish in 2021, many predicted Herbert would be the best quarterback in fantasy, and some even selected him over Mahomes. However, if you selected Herbert, chances are your team struggled as he finished as the QB11 overall. 

While Herbert's mediocre fantasy performance was unfortunate, his shortcomings weren't due to his talent but to the situation he endured.

Aside from playing through a rib cartilage fracture suffered in Week 2, Herbert had a less-than-ideal supporting cast for most of the year. Due to their own injuries, wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were limited for most of the season and didn't play their first fully healthy game together until Week 14. 

Although Herbert didn't necessarily light it up once Allen and Williams came back, a full offseason for everyone to recover should do the Chargers wonders. Additionally, Los Angeles drafted another intriguing weapon for Herbert in receiver Quentin Johnston, a prolific YAC machine at TCU. 

On top of all that, the team has a new play-caller in OC Kellen Moore, who Williams says will bring "a lot of explosive plays" to the offense.

Deshaun Watson, Browns (ADP: 78.6)

Unsurprisingly, Watson was rusty upon his return to the NFL after last playing during the 2020 season, placing as the QB24 in points per game. However, with three top-five finishes in his last three full seasons, there's no reason to believe that the 27-year-old can't replicate that kind of success with another offseason behind him.

On paper, this is the best all-around offense Watson has played in his career, featuring star running back Nick Chubb, tight end David Njoku and a talented receiving corps of Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Elijah Moore. The strong supporting cast should help Watson keep Cleveland competitive in any potential shootouts against the high-powered offenses of division rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore.

Daniel Jones, Giants (ADP: 119.6)

Thanks to his seven rushing touchdowns, New York’s $160M man finished as the QB9 overall last season. As much as he’s due for regression in that department, with a high floor and an upgraded passing attack, there's a lot to like about Jones for 2023. 

To fill its need for a top receiving weapon this offseason, New York acquired tight end Darren Waller, a Pro Bowl talent who already has a strong rapport with Jones. Additionally, the Giants signed ex-Colt Parris Campbell in free agency and drafted Tennessee speedster Jalin Hyatt to add new dimensions to OC Mike Kafka's dynamic offense.

Taking these moves into account, Jones should surpass his 15 passing touchdowns from last season and, with his rushing ability, will continue to have massive spike weeks. 

Despite being the Giants’ leading receiver last season, wideout Darius Slayton (724 yards) comes off the board as the fifth pass-catcher on his own team. Slayton isn't a consistent starter for fantasy purposes by any means, but he could be a high-upside flex play to stack with Jones if you bypass the quarterback position early in your draft.