As you go into the 2022 Season, about the only thing that The Tailgate Kings can agree on is that Josh Allen should be QB #1 this year, which means we probably just cursed him.
Still, after that, there’s a lot of contention between the Kings as to whom the Top Quarterbacks are this season.
Here are 4 Quarterbacks that each of The Kings is higher on than the rest, and why.
Dr. Dye — Matthew Stafford
Maybe I’m falling into the ‘he just won the Super Bowl’ mentality, but really, there’s no reason for me to have any love for Stafford. I never cared for him at Georgia and hated it when the Lions drafted him #1 overall in 2009, but everyone kept saying what a great QB he was. And then the experiment of moving him to the ‘just a quarterback away’ Rams worked, and now everyone has forgotten all those seasons in Detroit.
That said, he was still QB #5 last season, which isn’t leaps and bounds higher than where I have him at #3. And he’s good for over 4,000 yards passing every season even if you won’t get any rushing yards out of him. And don’t forget, this season, everyone is going to be gunning for the Rams, so there’s potential for a lot of shootouts.
Remember Rams/Chiefs 2018, 54-51? Sure, Stafford wasn’t the QB then, but McVey was the head coach, and he’s not afraid of going to a shootout, especially now with Stafford. Add to that the statistical #1 receiver in the league and a suspect running game, and it all equals big big big potential upside for Stafford this season.
If nothing else, y’all crazy if you don’t have him in the Pre-season Top 10.
The Kid — Dak Prescott
I know what you guys are thinking, and I understand it. Truth is, I was a little skeptical about putting Dak at number five, but he’s ready for another great season. While Prescott has been an iffy call for some managers in the past, I think he is in a prime position to have a stellar season. Yeah, I knew that probably wouldn’t be enough to convince you, so let’s look at some numbers.
Any QB returning from injury is going to top most headlines when you play in Jerry World. In his return from the ankle injury, Dak finished 7th among all eligible fantasy quarterbacks. This was all while setting career highs in completions, attempts, completion percentage, touchdowns, and TD percentage. His passing yardage was the second highest of his career at 4449 yards.
Don’t worry… I see the concern for his run game as he went from 5.25 rushing touchdowns to just the one last season, but what quarterback wouldn’t slow down a bit after an ankle injury that kept him out for 11 games? Mike McCarthy has already made it publicly known that Dak’s rushing attack will be a heavier focus this year.
When you look at the weapons that Prescott will have equipped in CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, James Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Michael Gallup returning for a playoff push, it’s hard to think that Dak falls out of the Top 10 this season. He finished Top 12 in fantasy performances 11 times last year and was a Top 6 Quarterback in seven weeks. These numbers are also better than 2019, his last full season.
So don’t listen to the haters who base Dak’s fantasy success on his playoff woes for the Dallas Cowboys. He might not win Dallas a Super Bowl, but he might win yours for you.
Johnny B. — Kyler Murray
Sliding into my number five spot is the man that some call “Baby Yoda”. While his nickname may be funny, Kyler’s stats are not a joking matter. He’s just as lethal running the ball as he is throwing the ball. In the 2020 season, he had a total of 3,971 yards with 819 of them in rushing.
With D-Hop’s situation uncertain, it makes a lot of people put him much lower on their lists. I don’t see this being true. Kyler has always been good at distributing the ball between all of his receivers, especially when he’s on the run and needs to dump the ball off for a quick 10 to 15 yards. Adding Zach Ertz this year really adds another a big puzzle piece that the Cardinals have been missing. Ertz still has a few years of prime tight end play in him, and he’ll be an easy target for Kyler while he’s scrambling and a huge target in the red zone for him. Ertz also does a very good job setting the edge and laying down big blocks for the running game…or Kyler.
Without a big-name running back in Arizona, there will be more pressure on Kyler to move out of the pocket and run the ball. All these things combined tell me one thing when it comes to fantasy points and that is VOLUME. Do I see them making a run to the Super Bowl? Maybe. Do I see Kyler breaking 4k yards and 1k rushing this year? Absolutely.
Chef Chad — Lamar Jackson
I am the King highest on this slam dunk fantasy QB. I’ve updated my list. He’s top three, or your metrics are off. Especially if he decides not to sign.
A former MVP that lost damn near every ally he had offensively last year, acting as his own agent with mama on his hip in a contract year? Yeah, gimme that guy! Really not that hard. If you are gonna reach for a QB in or before Round 5, Jackson is it. Even when the franchise refuses to get him the help needed to reach his ultimate greatness.
Not gonna bore you with data, Jackson is a superhero. I rode him to the championship last year despite the late ankle injury. Sleep on him at your own peril. I reached for him in the 5th round last year, something I never do. But then…pay dirt! So, worth it!! Screw my personal algorithms.
I won’t do it again this year because the QB pool is too deep, but damn, I feel this dude has it all ready to rub in everyone’s eye socket. Andrews seems to only get better and more efficient in the red zone. Now, if Bateman stays on the field, can Dobbins be a ‘lil bit of a sleeper after a year on the shelf behind a revamped, projected top five offensive line?
If nothing else, that D is always overachieving under Harbaugh and should turn the ball over, giving Lamar many opportunities to succeed.
Be very afraid. Be very, very afraid.
Agree? Disagree? Be sure to leave a comment below or hit us up on Twitter @KingsTailgate
