Quarterback Stock Watch
4 min readQuarterback Stock Watch
Week seven of the NFL season is here, and we are back for Quarterback Stock Watch! This week’s edition discusses quarterbacks rising in value like Sam Howell and Dak Prescott and those falling in rankings like Josh Dobbs. With bye weeks underway and injuries piling up, fantasy managers are deciding which quarterbacks to target. Today, I have a few names we need to take a closer look at, whose values have changed dramatically over the past few weeks.
Stock Up
Sam Howell
The second-year quarterback out of the University of North Carolina has impressed in his first year starting for the Washington Commanders. Fantasy managers should pay attention to Howell, who, in weeks five and six, finished as QB5 and QB8, respectively. On the season, Howell has 1,500 passing yards and thrown nine touchdowns. Don’t ignore Howell’s rushing, too, totaling 104 yards and a rushing touchdown. If Howell can cut back on the interceptions (9), he can continue to climb up weekly fantasy rankings. Howell is only owned in 59% of Yahoo leagues and can be a great fill-in for fantasy managers dealing with injuries and bye weeks.
Desmond Ridder
We have life for Atlanta pass catchers! I’ll be the first to admit that after week one, I was trying to move every share of Drake London and Kyle Pitts I had. After no takers (shocker), only underperforming assets were left rotting on my bench. As of week six, we might be turning this ship around! It starts and ends with second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder hasn’t dipped below 30 pass attempts since week one, and with two solid fantasy performances in a row (throwing for over 300 passing yards and finishing as QB6 both weeks), Ridder is in consideration as a streaming option.
Dak Prescott
After throwing for three interceptions in week five and putting up a measly ten fantasy points, Prescott returned and showed that he can still put up respectable fantasy numbers. In week six against the Chargers, Prescott threw for 272 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 40 yards, finishing the day with 27 fantasy points. After Dallas’s week seven bye, they will have three straight games at home, including a matchup against Philadelphia, who have allowed the 7th most points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy. Keep Prescott on your radar as a viable quarterback play the next few weeks.
Stock Down
Kirk Cousins
Cousins had his worst fantasy performance of the year in week six, only registering 11 fantasy points. There is no doubt that losing Jefferson is a massive blow for Cousins and creates a slippery slope for fantasy managers expecting his early-season production to continue. Cousins threw for only 181 yards against the Bears defense. That is more a testament to Jefferson’s importance to this offense than an achievement for the Bears pass defense. While Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockinson are fine complementary pieces, the best wide receiver in the league missing can only hurt Cousins’ production. Until Jefferson’s return, Cousins belongs on your bench.
Joshua Dobbs
Dobbs has been solid for Arizona this year. He has given fantasy managers three games of 20 or more points and a sneaky rushing upside (fifth in rushing yards among quarterbacks). Despite his surprising production, Dobbs’s time as a streaming option is ending. Kyler Murray is now practicing with the Cardinals, and even though this is in a limited capacity, Arizona is reporting that they plan to roll out Murray when ready. With a loaded QB class highlighted by Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, Arizona wants to know what they have in Murray. If anything else, they want to tape out there showing Kyler can still play, offering more value if they decide to trade the Pro Bowl quarterback. Dobbs’ time being valuable is coming to an end. Murray is ramping up to make his season debut soon, so be prepared to move on from Dobbs within the next few weeks.
Nick Godwin has been playing fantasy football since 2010. He grew up right outside of Philadelphia. GO BIRDS!! You may have seen him in Underdog bestball drafts (ALWYSSTDY), or in other draft rooms under Always Steady. He plays fantasy to win and hopes to share his hot takes, talk strategies, and most importantly, help everyone win their championships. He’s always ready to talk all things dynasty, devy, redraft and IDP. As an avid fantasy fan, he spends most of his days mock drafting, getting in to best ball drafts, and preparing to dominate his home leagues.
