Salary Cap Leagues, Should You Target a Value QB?

Footballguys Staff's Salary Cap Leagues, Should You Target a Value QB? Footballguys Staff Published 07/26/2023

Last year quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Dak Prescott were thought to be mid-tier values at quarterback but performed poorly.

Is there still value to be found after the top seven (Patrick Mahomes II, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Justin Fields) with guys like Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, and Geno Smith?

Or is this becoming more like the running back dead zone that we want to avoid?

Our staff answers these questions to help you decide which direction to take.

Note: All answers assume the following criteria:

  • Start 1 QB
  • 4-point passing TDs
  • $200 cap
  • 12 teams

Related: Should You Pay Up for an Elite QB?

Jeff Bell: Lawrence and Watson have the ceiling to land in the top tier. If that is the target, the goal is walking out with both or at least adding Anthony Richardson and one of the others. Given the current values on Footballguys, spending $8 to combine Lawrence and Watson lets you double your chances of one delivering and playing favorable matchups if both do for less than QB8. A wide tier encompassing Jones, Cousins, Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson would be $1 bids on my board. The wildcard is Kyler Murray. Sharper leagues have been more willing to stomach that risk, but a salary cap format with a strong QB1 option is the perfect place to slide him through as a player who can accumulate value.

Dan Hindery: There is value in this mid-tier. Trevor Lawrence stands out the most. He made the leap to superstardom down the stretch last season, and there is a chance that the addition of Calvin Ridley takes this offense to the next level.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.

An ELITE subscription is required to access content for Salary Cap leagues. If this league is not a Salary Cap league, you can edit your leagues here.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Rookie Big Board by Bloom, Superflex Leagues

Sigmund Bloom

Sigmund Bloom lays out his Rookie Big Board for leagues where you can start two quarterbacks.

05/01/26 Read More
 

IDP Rookie Rankings: Top 40 Players

Kyle Bellefeuil

Kyle Bellefeuil and Joseph Haggan join forces to give you their consensus Top-40 IDP rookies, along with player summaries.

05/01/26 Read More
 

Faceoff: 5 Questions, 2 Experts: Post-NFL Draft Edition

Gary Davenport

Taking into account the changing state of fantasy football after the 2026 NFL Draft, two fantasy experts debate five questions.

04/30/26 Read More
 

2026 NFL Draft IDP Review: Defensive Backs

Gary Davenport

Gary Davenport breaks down the 2026 NFL Draft's Impact on the top rookie defensive backs

04/30/26 Read More
 

2026 NFL Draft IDP Review: Linebackers

Gary Davenport

Gary Davenport breaks down the 2026 NFL Draft's Impact on the top rookie linebackers

04/29/26 Read More
 

2026 Post-NFL Draft Dynasty Startup Draft

Dave Kluge

Full results from a 2026 post-NFL Draft dynasty startup draft, with expert analysis and strategy.

04/29/26 Read More