2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes had yet another amazing season, and there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t be the top fantasy player at his position. Mahomes should eclipse 5,000 yards, especially with the improved offensive line that Andy Reid built this offseason.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 5,100 passing yards. 47 passing TDs. 7 INTs. 280 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 377.

Kyler Murray was inconsistent in his rookie campaign, but improved greatly in 2020, thanks to DeAndre Hopkins’ presence. Murray should continue to make great strides as he continues to build chemistry with his elite receiver.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,400 passing yards. 34 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 780 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 357.

Josh Allen has taken enormous strides in each of his three seasons thus far. His fourth year should be even better, as he’ll continue to improve while working with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,800 passing yards. 39 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 390 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 356.

Lamar Jackson was not nearly the same quarterback he was during his MVP 2019 campaign. Jackson was able to greatly benefit from his elite offensive line in 2019, and the blocking in front of him wasn’t good last year, especially when Ronnie Stanley got hurt. Stanley will be back in 2021, but Marshal Yanda won’t be. However, the Ravens have added some nice talent to their blocking group, so Jackson figures to improve in 2021.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 3,500 passing yards. 31 passing TDs. 11 INTs. 900 rushing yards. 8 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 340.

JULY 28 UPDATE: After vowing to never play for the Packers again, Aaron Rodgers has changed his mind. Rodgers has reported to the Packers, as Green Bay’s front office made a deal with him so that he can leave after this season. All of Green Bay’s skill-position players will get a huge bump.

“Will the Packers finally provide Aaron Rodgers with viable weapons?” I asked this in my pre-free agency update, and we now know the answer. Rodgers has become so frustrated with the Packers that he has vowed not to return to the team. It seems likely that he’ll be traded, and the Broncos are the favorites to acquire him.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,900 passing yards. 40 passing TDs. 8 INTs. 130 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 334.

Russell Wilson was the MVP front-runner until there were a couple of hiccups in the middle of the season. Still, Wilson enjoyed an amazing 2020 campaign, and there’s no reason to think anything would change heading into 2021. Letting Russ cook will continue to work well, so hopefully Seattle’s coaching staff allows that to happen.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,800 passing yards. 37 passing TDs. 12 INTs. 420 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 336.

Justin Herbert was much better than expected in his rookie season. With plenty of talented weapons at his disposal, Herbert will be a solid QB1 in his second year.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,800 passing yards. 35 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 260 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 321.

Tom Brady will turn 44 this summer, so he’ll obviously continue to regress. He declined as a deep passer last year, but was still relevant in fantasy because of his great receiving corps. Brady isn’t an every-week starter anymore, but he’s a great streaming option in easy matchups.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,700 passing yards. 40 passing TDs. 12 INTs. 20 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 319.

Matthew Stafford has a habit of being snake-bitten, whether it’s his own injuries or those belonging to teammates. Perhaps things will change for the better now that Stafford is out of Detroit. I’m bullish on Stafford in 2021, as Sean McVay will be able to enhance his abilities.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,800 passing yards. 33 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 100 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 308.

AUG. 21 UPDATE: Adam Schefter said that Dak Prescott isn’t “fully back,” and he believes he may not be 100 percent “all season long.” Prescott is coming off an ankle injury, and he’s had issues with his shoulder as well. He’s being overdrafted, and if Schefter is correct, his play-makers are as well.

Dak Prescott suffered a brutal knee injury in 2020, but it occurred so early in the year that he should be fine for the 2021 opener. Prescott is a terrific fantasy option because of the style of offensive attack and the great number of weapons he has at his disposal.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 4,900 passing yards. 31 passing TDs. 16 INTs. 250 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 306.