Buy The Dip 2023: QB Edition
Before we get into it, I'd like to make one thing completely clear: This is NOT a Mr. Congeniality puff piece. The players mentioned in this article are some of the most polarizing in the league, but are simultaneously screaming values at adp, especially in SuperFlex leagues.
In fantasy football, it is to YOUR detriment, not anyone else's, if you select or pivot away from players based on emotion. Super fan or all-world hater, you should view every player from an objective lense in order to put your fantasy team in the best position to win the trophy.
QB1: Deshaun Watson
After the Elite Eight - Mahomes, Allen, Hurts / Lamar, Burrow / Herbert, Lawrence, Fields - Deshaun Watson belongs in a tier of his own as QB9.
I am anticipating a more focused, determined, less distracted Watson who has notably had a quiet offseason developing chemistry and continuity with his teammates without anything close to 2022's media distractions.
Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Nick Chubb, and David Njoku should all be targeted at adp, as they will benefit from Watson's comeback season.
If the 2023 Browns get 80% of Texans' Deshaun Watson, A.Cooper should creep into WR1 territory, E.Moore a WR3, Njoku a TE1, and Nick Chubb a potential 1.01 in redraft 1QB leagues.
If you get sniped: I would consider Tua Tagovailoa. If you choose to wait another round, I would target Geno Smith or this guy:
QB1/2: Aaron Rodgers
The moment Hard Knocks premieres on HBO/Max, expect ARod's ADP to rise dramatically. Not only is he entering the season healthy, but he seems happier and open-minded. Maybe it's the psychedelics, or maybe it's just a honeymoon period. Regardless, Rodgers mentoring Zach Wilson wasn't on my 2023 Training Camp Bingo Card.
Rodgers (QB16, Underdog) is currently being drafted at his FLOOR.
If you are already rostering Garrett Wilson, and it's a Superflex, I'd chase the stack.
G. Wilson should reward his owners with an elite WR1 season, while Lazard is also a value WR at adp.
If you get sniped: I would target Jared Goff with his bevy of weapons in Detroit.
QB2: Brock Purdy
The most controversial QB on Twitter. Bad Ass BCB Purdy: the Trey Lance truthers' bogeyman.
From Weeks 13-17 in 2022, the #262 draft pick averaged over 22 fantasy ppg in 6 pt passing TD leagues. By comparison, the #20 draft pick, Kenny Pickett, didn't even score 22 fantasy points in a single 2022 game with the same settings.
Brock was the pronounced leader of the clubhouse in his rookie season. He was the model of consistency when given the opportunity, and retains elite talent around him to succeed in 2023 and beyond. Deemed fully healthy, I'm all-in on the continuation of Brock's Cinderella story.
If you get sniped: draft Ryan Tannehill or Baker Mayfield later as a last-ditch QB2 at QB3 pricing. A different route is to take a chance on rookies Bryce Young or CJ Stroud, who should outperform their ADPs as well.
Please tune in to next week's Buy The Dip: TE Edition, as we discuss rookie Sam LaPorta, and more!
