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We asked our staff to make a call on a quarterback. Who will surprise - either good or bad? Here are their answers.
Dave Kluge
Justin Fields will rush for 800 yards and finish as a QB1.
I know, I know, the Bears will be terrible this year. But a four-win Houston Texans team didn't stop Deshaun Watson from finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback in 2020. Garbage time points still count, and negative game scripts and a porous offensive line will keep Fields running often. Over Fields' final four games last year, he rushed for 64 yards per game. That paces for well over 1,000 yards over a full season. I am concerned about Fields as an NFL-level passer, but his athleticism should show this year and translate to plenty of fantasy points.
Christian Williams
Justin Fields will throw fewer interceptions than he did in 2021 and finish inside the Top 10.
Many have highlighted Justin Fields' rushing upside as a reason he's appealing for fantasy, but most believe the Bears' passing game will struggle. I think the rushing upside will remain, but the offense, which has shown a ton of wide zone and play-action boots in the preseason, will help Fields' passing efficiency. The connection with Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet is vital, but Justin Fields has all the tools to become a yearly QB1; I think that begins in 2022.
Jason Wood
Russell Wilson will outperform Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow, easily finishing as a top-5 fantasy quarterback.
Two years ago, Tom Brady left the Patriots for the Buccaneers, put up elite numbers, and won the Super Bowl. Last year, Matthew Stafford left Detroit for Los Angeles, had a career season, and won the Super Bowl. Wilson may make it three veteran free agent signal caller Lombardis in a row. He was a top-12 fantasy quarterback for nine consecutive seasons and a top-5 guy five times, despite being hamstrung by a head coach who refused to unleash the passing attack. This year, expect record passing volume from Wilson, putting his floor and ceiling at new levels.
Ben Cummins
Trevor Lawrence outscores all other second-year quarterbacks and finishes as the QB10 overall.
Lawrence will be ahead of not just Trey Lance but also Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Derek Carr. Lawrence was an incredible prospect. One disastrous season being coached by Urban Meyer and consistently having to throw to Laviska Shenault, Laquon Treadwell, Jamal Agnew, and Dan Arnold hasn't changed a thing. While from a macro lens, the upgrades of Doug Pederson, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram aren't incredible compared to the league as a whole, from a micro lens, these changes are massive. A rising tide lifts all boats, and Lawrence is so talented he'll do just that for his skill players in 2022. And for some reason, it seems most are forgetting Lawrence offers upside as a rusher as well. Hop on Lawrence stock before it heads to the moon.
Jeff Haseley
Kirk Cousins will be the league MVP.
With the addition of offensive-minded head coach Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings will enter the stratosphere as an offense and lead the league in points scored. Kirk Cousins will lead Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking season and have a career year culminating with a league MVP trophy.