The quarterback position is one of the most flexible in NFL DFS. You can go in a variety of different ways. Do you pay up for one of the top studs or try to save some money with a value option? Do you eat the chalk or look for a low-owned option with upside? There’s no 100% one-size-fits-all answer, so each slate and contest type is going to require thought and consideration.
In this piece, I highlight quarterbacks who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Or you can just use our NFL DFS sims to effortlessly create advanced lineups.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Cash Game Options
Jacoby Brissett ($4,900 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel)
Brissett came crashing back to reality last week for real-life purposes, with the Cardinals getting absolutely dog-walked by the Seahawks. However, Brissett delivered another strong fantasy showing. He’s now started four games for the Cardinals, and he’s racked up at least 20.76 DraftKings points in each of them. Overall, he’s provided an average Plus/Minus of +5.67.
Brissett has provided a nice combination of passing volume and rushing upside. He’s averaged 20.0 rushing yards in his four starts to go along with one rushing touchdown. He’s also attempted an average of just under 39 passes per game, and he’s had at least 36 passes in all but one start. Brissett has thrown for multiple touchdowns in all four contests, and he’s averaged just under 280 passing yards per game.
Brissett draws a solid matchup this week vs. the 49ers. Their defense has not been the same since losing Fred Warner to injury, and they’re 29th in defensive EPA over the past three weeks. That includes a No. 30 ranking vs. the pass. This game is also expected to feature plenty of points, with the 48.5-point total ranking tied for third on the slate.
Add it all up, and Brissett remains too cheap across the industry. He’s particularly appealing on DraftKings, given his 95% Bargain Rating, and he leads all QBs in projected Plus/Minus on that site.
J.J. McCarthy ($5,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel)
McCarthy is another very reasonable option to consider in cash games, and he’s expected to be the chalk in tournaments as well. He’s currently projected for more than 20% ownership on both DraftKings and FanDuel, so he should be extremely popular in all formats.
It’s easy to see why. McCarthy has played three full games for the Vikings this season, and he’s scored 23.22, 19.92, and 16.72 DraftKings points. He’s still establishing himself as a passer, but he’s made up for it with his rushing ability. McCarthy has averaged 5.2 attempts and 27.5 rushing yards per game, and he’s already punched in two touchdowns.
McCarthy also draws a favorable matchup this week vs. the Bears. It’s a defense he’s already faced once this season, and he finished with a season-high in fantasy points in that outing. That came in the first start of his career, so he could theoretically improve upon that result in the rematch. This meeting will also take place in Minnesota, where the Vikings are implied for a healthy 25.5 points.
Ultimately, rushing remains the biggest asset for QBs in fantasy. It’s a big reason why Jaxson Dart has emerged as a top fantasy QB as a rookie, and McCarthy could follow the same trajectory.
Now available: our NFL DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.
Top NFL DFS Tournament Options
Justin Herbert ($6,300 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)
It has been a season full of ups and downs for Herbert. He got off to a fantastic start, racking up 30.92 DraftKings points in a huge neutral-site matchup vs. the Chiefs. However, he failed to crack 20 DraftKings points in his next five outings. He followed that up with three huge performances, averaging 29.3 DraftKings points per game, before slumping to just 14.7 last week vs. the Steelers.
So, which version of Herbert will we see in Week 11? That remains to be seen. However, he does draw an elite matchup vs. the Jaguars. They’ve allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs, and Herbert ranks second at the position with a +5.2 Opponent Plus/Minus.
Herbert ultimately has the third-highest DraftKings optimal lineup rate in Sim Labs, trailing only Brissett and McCarthy. That said, Herbert clearly has more upside than both of those guys. He could also fly a bit under the radar: he’s currently projected for just 5.2% ownership on DraftKings, and no QB has a larger discrepancy between optimal lineup rate and projected ownership on that site.
Patrick Mahomes ($6,800 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel)
Mahomes is having his best statistical season in ages. He ranks first at the position in terms of fantasy points per game, and he’s had to carry a heavy burden for the Chiefs’ offense. They rank first in the league in Pass Rate Over Expectation, and he’s also been one of the team’s leading rushers. He’s averaging a career-best 31.7 rushing yards per game, and his 285 rushing yards puts him in the same ballpark as Isiah Pacheco (329) and Kareem Hunt (294).
Mahomes is coming off a rare down game in his last outing, finishing with just 11.5 DraftKings points in a loss to the Bills. However, he had posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his previous eight outings. He’s gone for at least 23.08 DraftKings points in six of them, so he’s provided a nice combination of floor and ceiling all season.
Unfortunately, Mahomes has to face one of the toughest possible matchups this week in the Broncos. They’ve allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position, and only the Texans have been better in terms of pass defense EPA.
Still, if any QB is capable of overcoming a tough matchup, it’s Mahomes. The Chiefs are still listed as 3.5-point road favorites in Denver, so they’re expected to do a decent bit of scoring. With Pacheco currently on the sidelines, expect most of it to come from Mahomes.
Aaron Rodgers ($5,400 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel)
It has not been a pretty season for Rodgers. The Steelers have a winning record, and Rodgers’ numbers don’t look that bad on the surface. However, the advanced metrics tell a different story. He’s getting the ball out of his hands quicker than any QB in football, and he’s averaging the fewest air yards per attempt. He owns just the 29th-best PFF grade at the position, and he’s merely QB24 in terms of fantasy points per game.
However, Rodgers gets one of the best possible matchups this week vs. the Bengals. Their defense has been a goldmine for fantasy QBs all year, and Rodgers owns the top Opponent Plus/Minus at the position. He’s already gotten one matchup vs. the Bengals this season, and he responded with 24.56 DraftKings points.
Believe it or not, the Steelers actually have the highest implied team total on the slate at 27.5 points. They’re merely 29th in offensive yardage this season, but the matchup vs. the Bengals is so juicy that any team facing them becomes an elite option. Rodgers is also very affordable across the industry.
Contrarian NFL DFS Tournament Options With Upside
Josh Allen ($7,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)
The Bills have not been quite as dominant as usual this season. They’re currently 2.5 games behind the Patriots in the AFC East standings, and New England already has one head-to-head win against them. The Bills have won the division in five straight seasons, but that seems likely to come to an end in 2025-26.
Buffalo is coming off a massively disappointing showing in Week 10. They were thoroughly outplayed by the lowly Dolphins, who won by 17 points as nearly two-touchdown underdogs. It was their second disappointing road loss in their past four games after another no-show vs. the Falcons.
The good news is that the Bills will be back at home in Week 11, and Allen has averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.62 in five previous home starts this season (per the Trends tool). He’s averaged better than 26 DraftKings points per game in that split, so he has plenty of upside this week vs. the Buccaneers. He leads all QBs in ceiling projection, and he’s not expected to carry nearly as much ownership as usual.
Matthew Stafford ($6,600 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel)
Stafford could be looking at the first MVP award of his career in 2025-26. That’s how good he’s been so far this season. He leads the league with 25 passing touchdowns, and he has 13 across his past three games.
All that scoring has led to plenty of fantasy production. Stafford has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six outings, and he’s scored at least 26.84 DraftKings points in all five contests.
Stafford has been priced up pretty aggressively of late on DraftKings, and it’s typically tough for a non-running QB to pay off these types of price tags. However, Stafford has proven that he’s capable of doing it with his right arm alone.
He draws an interesting matchup this week vs. the Seahawks’ pass-funnel defense. They’re No. 1 in the league in rush defense EPA, so opposing QBs have had to take to the air against them a lot. Quarterbacks are averaging 38.1 attempts when facing Seattle this season, which is the second-highest mark in football. That should give Stafford plenty of opportunities to make plays.
Brock Purdy ($5,800 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel)
After a long stretch on the sidelines, Purdy will make his return to the lineup vs. the Cardinals in Week 11. We’ve only seen Purdy for two games this season, but he’s fared well in both contests. He had 18.78 DraftKings points vs. a tough Seattle defense to start the year, and he had 23.66 DraftKings points vs. the Jaguars.
Purdy propelled the 49ers’ offense to ridiculous heights a few years ago, and he still has plenty of talent available at his disposal. Christian McCaffrey has been a pass-catching monster out of the backfield this season, while George Kittle remains one of the best tight ends in football. He’ll also get Ricky Pearsall back in the lineup this week, giving him another potential weapon in the passing game.
Purdy stands out as a particularly nice option on FanDuel. He’s priced at just $7,100, and his 79% Bargain Rating is tied for the top mark at the position. He also ranks third in projected Plus/Minus and seventh in projected ceiling, so he provides a nice combination of value and upside.
Pictured: Aaron Rodgers
Photo Credit: Imagn Images
