Dynasty Stash: Quarterbacks

By Tommy Harvey

As we enter fantasy football playoff season, it is time to look at players that may be able to help us in the future in dynasty leagues.  After all...that’s what playing in dynasty leagues is all about. It is important to keep an eye on what is happening with guys that may not be valued as highly by other owners, because those guys could end up being diamonds in the rough and league winners down the road.

Jalen Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles made waves during the NFL Draft when they selected Jalen Hurts in the 2nd round.  This leads me to believe 1 of 3 things. 1) The Eagles are becoming increasingly less interested in keeping Carson Wentz around 2) He was drafted to serve as an insurance policy in case of another Wentz injury 3)Philadelphia had special plans to utilize Hurts ala New Orleans and Taysom Hill.

As of this week, Hurts has been named the starting QB in Philadelphia.  I guess we have our answer as to why the Eagles spent such a high draft pick on the former Oklahoma/Alabama QB.  Hurts has a difficult matchup in his 1st NFL start, as Philly will take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 14.  Can he take the starting job and make it his?  If he can, he will be worth carrying on your dynasty teams heading into next season.  

Hurts has a good arm and the ability to run and extend plays outside the pocket.  Our own Bob Miller has called Hurts a “Dak Prescott clone.”  That certainly is high praise, but Hurts has the chance to prove himself with an underwhelming and underperforming Eagles team this weekend.

Carson Wentz

The former number 2 overall pick struggled mightily during the 2020 season, eventually surrendering the starting job to the aforementioned Jalen Hurts.  Has this season just been an aboration, or was it a sign of things to come from Wentz?  Wentz has been a walking turnover this season, after coming off seasons where he was considered an MVP candidate before suffering season ending injuries.  

With the drafting of Jalen Hurts in the 2nd round, Wentz could theoretically become expendable.  Why do I say theoretically?  Well...Carson Wentz signed a massive contract extension in 2019, and moving on from Wentz would cause the Eagles to eat a ton of money against their salary cap.  

Major questions exist when it comes to the Eagles QB situation.  Does Jalen Hurts prove to be a viable replacement for Carson Wentz?  Can Carson Wentz regain the form that made him an MVP candidate before his injuries?

Sam Darnold

I think it is safe to say Sam Darnold is not the future for the New York Jets.  However, that is not entirely his fault.  The Jets organization has been a dumpster fire for as long as I can remember, with the exception of a few years with Mark Sanchez.  Darnold was drafted out of USC with hopes he would be their franchise QB, but things have not worked out that way thus far.  

Again...not entirely his fault.  The Jets have not done a very good job of surrounding Darnold with winning talent or coaching.  Adam Gase is a disaster and has been over the course of his last few jobs.  Le’Veon Bell was a mess...even before the Jets signed him.  Robby Anderson was allowed to leave and prosper in Carolina.  

The Jets are on to win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes, moving them away from their current QB.  I believe the time has come for Sam Darnold to have a change of scenery.  With that being said, Ryan Tannehill was able to get away from Adam Gase and became a very good QB for Tennessee.  

So why not Sam Darnold?

Darnold is still only 23 years old and has displayed the ability to be a good player in the NFL.  If he was able to move on to an organization with good coaches and good supporting talent, Sam Darnold could be a solid QB.  In superflex leagues, he is worth a hold to see where he lands.

Jameis Winston

Winston was a top-5 fantasy QB in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  However, he had a hard time catching on with another team during free agency.  The New Orleans Saints signed the former Heisman winning QB to a 1-year deal, and most people believed he would be the primary backup to Drew Brees.  Fast forward to today, and Taysom Hill has taken over for the injured Brees...not Jameis Winston.  

Winston, in his 6th year, has had a tendency to turn the ball over at an unbelievable rate.  During the 2019 season, where he finished as the overall QB5, Winston threw 30 interceptions and lost 9 fumbles.  If he can learn to take better care of the ball, Winston can become a very good NFL QB.  I will be very interested in seeing where he ends up next season.

Jordan Love

Aaron Rodgers is 37 years old, has had a history of injuries, and has had an interesting relationship with Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur.  I understand why the Packers felt the need to draft a young QB.  Not many people had them drafting a QB in the 1st round of this past NFL Draft, even though Green Bay has had a history of doing so.  

Rodgers was drafted in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  Just in case you need a refresher, the Packers had a 36 year old QB by the name of Brett Favre.  Aaron Rodgers would go on to replace Favre a few seasons later.

Jordan Love finds himself in a similar position to what Rodgers was in 15 years ago.  While drafting Love in the 1st round may not help the Packers win in 2020, it may help them in a few seasons when the Packers and Rodgers are ready to move on.  That makes Love an intriguing dynasty stash.