Quarterback Stock Watch
5 min readWe are back with Quarterback Stock Watch for week 8 of the NFL season. I’m here to talk about quarterbacks rising in value and those falling in rankings. Week 7 gave us much to discuss, from struggling veterans to backups having career games. Before rolling out your week eight lineups, here are some players who have seen their stock rise and those who have seen their stock fall over the past few weeks:
Stock Up
Lamar Jackson
Fantasy managers who didn’t panic after an awful week-one performance from the former MVP are now rewarded. Over the last two games, Jackson has finished as QB9 and QB2, registering 580 yards passing, 98 yards rushing, and five total touchdowns. Jackson currently leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards on the year with 363. Fantasy managers should be excited for the coming weeks, as Jackson has the ninth most manageable schedule to finish the season among starting quarterbacks (according to FantasyPros). With a favorable matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday (6th in allowed points to opposing quarterbacks), look for Jackson to be a top-five option at the position for week 8.
Gardner Minshew
After two straight games of throwing for 300+ passing yards, Minshew is worth a look if you need a bye-week replacement or in two-quarterback leagues. Minshew scored a season-high 33 fantasy points in week 7, scoring four total touchdowns. While that is an impressive stat line, it is important to dive deeper into the numbers with Minshew when looking at his most recent performance against the Browns. Minshew only completed 15 of 23 pass attempts. Most of his passing yards came off of two plays: a 59-yard touchdown by Josh Downs and a ‘would-be’ 20-yard completion to Michael Pittman in which Pittman was able to turn upfield for a 75-yard touchdown. Minshew’s two other touchdowns occurred on the ground, which is not Minshew’s forte, as before last week’s game against the Browns, he had only two rushing touchdowns in his entire career. Minshew’s stock might increase, but this does not mean he’s bust-proof. Be wary of Minshew, as last Sunday’s game could be an outlier.
Tyrod Taylor
With Daniel Jones ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Jets, Tyrod Taylor starts again for the Giants. Taylor did well in his week seven performance against Washington, where he registered 26 fantasy points, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns. While Taylor did a decent job in Jones’s absence, the Jets are coming into this game giving up the 12th fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Despite the unfavorable matchup, Taylor looked serviceable enough to be considered a mid QB2 in this Sunday’s matchup against the Jets.
Stock Down
Justin Fields
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus expects Justin Fields to miss his second straight game with a thumb injury, the uncomfortable truth for fantasy managers is that Fields’s stock is down. Fields has shown this season that he can be a top fantasy option at his position. Elite rushing upside (third among quarterbacks), setting a career-high in passing yards (335 yards in week four), and explosive production from DJ Moore propelled Fields to a QB3 and QB1 finish in weeks four and five of the season. After seeing his stock skyrocket during this stretch, Fields came crashing down to earth after dislocating his thumb in week six against the Vikings. When healthy, Fields is a must-start, but with the Bears currently holding two top-five draft picks in 2024, the Bears’ front office may tread cautiously in getting the second-year quarterback out on the field. At a minimum, Fields is out another week, but the prospect of a longer-than-expected absence should have fantasy managers seeking more than a streaming option during his absence. I’d typically only advocate spending a little fab on a quarterback or trading for a non-elite option. Still, in leagues where I own Fields, I want the insurance of guys like Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins if the Bears hold out Fields longer than expected.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is coming off his worst two fantasy performances of the year, registering a lousy 9 points in week 6 and 14 points in week 7. In the next few weeks, things remain unfavorable for the 34-year-old quarterback. Wilson faces the Chiefs in week 8, whose defense held Wilson to 95 yards passing when they last played in week 6. After a week nine bye, the Broncos resume to play the Bills in Buffalo in week 10 (Bills rank 31st in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks). With a tough stretch ahead, Wilson’s stock is trending down. If I’m a Wilson owner, I’d look at streaming options such as Sam Howell or Desmond Ridder for the next few games (both available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues)
Raiders QBs
Regardless of who is under center, I want to avoid playing any of the quarterbacks in this offense. Whether it’s Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, or Aidan O’Connell who gets the nod this week against the Lions, there are better options available to you. The matchup might look favorable on paper, as the Lions gave up 38 points to the Ravens the week prior. But in looking past the matchup, Hoyer and O’Connell combined for three interceptions while not scoring a touchdown in their loss to the Bears. Even if healthy, Garoppolo’s season high is only 25 points. The upside just isn’t there, and the floor looks even worse. Stock down on this Oakland offense.
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.
