As we get to the weeks that are usually past the trade deadline in dynasty leagues (I am in one without a trade deadline, which is fun, but crazy during the playoffs when teams get into arms races), it’s time to look ahead to next year and target speculative players to fill end of the bench spots when we are eliminated from the playoffs. We’ll go position-by-position over the next four weeks and separate players out into Snorkel, Scuba, and Submarine levels to serve dynasty players of all levels.
First up, quarterbacks, where the deep dive is more important than ever with the rise of 2QB/Superflex leagues.
Snorkel
Tyler Huntley, BAL - Huntley is probably going to be on a roster now because of his redraft value, but he’ll have some legs in dynasty just because the Ravens and Lamar Jackson are at a crossroads and he could be a bridge quarterback. Huntley has already demonstrated that he’s a viable fantasy quarterback.
Malik Willis, TEN - Willis has shown us his raw tools so that we could see how some had him going in the first round, and we have seen just far he has to go as a field general and pocket passer, which made him fall to the third. He’s a long-term project but should get the first shot to start after Ryan Tannehill, and Willis has a high ceiling as a fantasy option.
Desmond Ridder, ATL - Ridder probably won’t be out there since it was announced that he’ll start in Week 15, but that, plus his running ability, makes him worth rostering even in 1QB leagues.
Jordan Love, GB - We will more likely than not see Love play this year. Whether that will increase or decrease his dynasty value is yet to be seen, but even in 1QB leagues, he’s worth a spot if bench size allows because he has fantasy-friendly tools.
Bailey Zappe, NE - Zappe outplayed Mac Jones, and we may see him replace Jones before the end of the season. He’s a low-ceiling option in 1QB leagues but must roster in 2QB/Superflex.
Matt Corral, CAR - Corral ended up on injured reserve before the season, which is sad because we would have seen him by now given the Panthers' problems at quarterback, but maybe it’s actually helpful for him since he would have probably looked as bad as the rest of the offense. He’s another young quarterback with a good run tool to boost his fantasy ceiling.
Sam Howell, WAS - Howell had a good preseason that poised him to be an option to evaluate by throwing in the fire if and when the Commanders were eliminated from the playoffs, but that’s not going to happen until very late this year if at all. Taylor Heinicke is a free agent next year, and Carson Wentz has no guaranteed money due on his contract, making him a possible cap cut if he won’t restructure or take a pay cut.
Gardner Minshew, PHI - Remember him? Minshew is getting to absorb a lot in a good organization, and there are many who still believe that he’s one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the league. Who knows what Minshew could do in the right surroundings? Minshew is a free agent next year, and if Mitchell Trubisky and Marcus Mariota can get bridge quarterback gigs, Minshew can too, and maybe show that he deserves to be an entrenched starter.