The NFL season is quickly approaching, which also means fantasy football drafts have begun as fans try to put together their ideal rosters.
Whether it be injuries, a new team or simply unknowns going into the season, some players present a larger risk than others when drafting the ultimate fantasy team.
While running back and wide receiver are key positions, having great quarterback play is a must to succeed at fantasy football.
ESPN fantasy football and NFL Draft analyst Field Yates made an appearance on "First Take" Tuesday morning as part of the Fantasy Football Marathon and, without hesitation, said Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson is the best option for QB.
"It's Lamar Jackson, and there's a great tier at the top of the board for fantasy this year," Yates said. "But Lamar, who had 14 games with 20 or more fantasy points last season, which was the most in all the NFL, and you're thinking about players that have a chance to repeat the success.
"Lamar Jackson had 41 passing touchdowns last year. We know he has it within him to throw for 4,000 yards and maybe 40 touchdowns. We also know he is, now statistically, the greatest running quarterback in NFL history and for fantasy football, rushing quarterbacks are basically a cheat code. The fact that Lamar is the best we have ever seen in that category and he's a prolific passer, to me, makes him the No. 1 quarterback in all of fantasy football this season. He's a real bet to be the actual NFL MVP and perhaps the fantasy MVP, too."
.@FieldYates believes Lamar Jackson will be the best fantasy football QB this season pic.twitter.com/cAiygFJ7hD
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 12, 2025
Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP (2019, 2023), is a fantasy manager's dream with his versatility. Last season alone, he completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards and a career-high 41 TDs, which was tied with Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield for the second-most in the NFL behind Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow (43).
His ground game was equally impressive with 915 rush yards and four TDs. Jackson has topped 1,000 rushing yards twice (2019, 2020) and has still accounted for 800 or more the last two seasons, which have been two of his best seasons passing.
Jackson already has the most rushing yards (6,173) by a QB in NFL history, per StatMuse. ESPN analyst and former player Dan Orlovsky recently ranked NFL QBs by trait, and Jackson was top-four in every category, including No. 1 in rushing ability and second reaction, once again proving why he is considered one of the best QBs in the league.
A recurring theme for Jackson has been his inability to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl, with last season being the latest sign in a 27-25 divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills. Aside from the postseason struggles, Jackson has been one of the most elite QBs in recent years.
His ability to run the ball and be as accurate as he is in the passing game is what makes Jackson so hard to defend and why he should be in the running for NFL MVP once again. Perhaps a fantasy MVP will be his for the taking as well.
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