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5 late-round QBs to target in your best ball drafts

Published: Jul 21, 2023 · 5:03 PM EDT

There are a few elite quarterbacks in the NFL heading into the 2023 NFL season. But if you aren’t able to snag Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Justin Fields or Joe Burrow in your drafts, it isn’t time to panic.

In fact, some players in best ball contests on Underdog Fantasy and other popular DFS apps intentionally don’t draft quarterbacks until later rounds. This allows them to maximize their value at the WR, RB and TE positions.

If you want to give the Late Round QB strategy a shot in your best ball drafts this year, here are 5 players who should perform better than their ADP (average draft position).

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1. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Underdog ADP: 130.9
Position rank: QB17

Jared Goff had a great 2022 season as the Lions almost made the playoffs. The offense was clicking for much of the season. Amon-Ra St. Brown became a star. Jameson Williams showed (very brief) flashes of brilliance. First-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs provides Goff another weapon out of the backfield. With touchdown machine Jamaal Williams off to New Orleans, Goff will have to find the end zone with his arm more often. I expect him to finish with more than the 29 TD passes he had last year.

2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers

Underdog ADP: 169.0
Position rank: QB23

Kenny Pickett showed major signs of improvement as the season went along last year as a rookie. Now that he has a full season of NFL experience under the belt, I expect him to make a jump. The offensive line has improved a bit and he has talented receivers in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. I also think rookie TE Darnell Washington will turn into a valuable red-zone target as the year goes along.

3. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Underdog ADP: 180.1
Position rank: QB25

I am absolutely, 100%, all in on the Carolina Panthers under Bryce Young. While I don’t think he’ll be a superstar right away, I think the former Alabama QB has that potential. I expect a solid rookie season and think the Panthers are a borderline playoff contender in a weak NFC South division. I like Jonathan Mingo, DJ Chark and Adam Thielen as his top 3 receivers and Hayden Hurst is a solid tight end option. I predict Young will live up to his No. 1 pick status this fall.

4. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

Underdog ADP: 196.4
Position rank: QB27

Howell has some talent around him, especially at the receiver position. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are 2 very solid receivers, and Curtis Samuel is a nice No. 3 option. In the backfield, Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr. form a decent tandem with some pass-catching abilities. Howell has a chance to finish well above his position ranking this year if he can play even halfway decent football.

5. Mac Jones, New England Patriots

Underdog ADP: 205.6
Position rank: QB29

This is as much a bet on Bill O’Brien being a competent offensive coordinator as anything. It would have helped Jones if the Patriots had signed DeAndre Hopkins, but it wasn’t meant to be, I suppose. Still, just having O’Brien in place should help Jones get back to at least his 2021 level of production. He showed he can be a capable NFL QB when he’s put in a position to succeed. That should be the case more often this fall, which makes him worth a 17th or 18th round pick if you still need a backup quarterback.

Keep an eye on: Will Levis, Tennessee Titans

Underdog ADP: 215.8
Position rank: QB34

After signing WR DeAndre Hopkins to an expensive 2-year deal, the Titans have signaled they want to be a playoff contender. If Ryan Tannehill struggles out of the gates, Tennessee could quickly turn to rookie Will Levis, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis has a cannon for an arm and could be worth an 18th-round pick if you want a third quarterback with high upside.

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Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.