We had 62 quarterbacks start an NFL game in 2025. That is up from the 59 in 2024 but on par with the 63 in 2023 and 68 in 2022. Injuries are already plaguing fantasy managers, and while the quarterback position has been spared so far, most current starters won’t start all 17 games this year. I will break down not only which quarterback has the highest probability of starting but also how they might fare when they do.
First, I will give every quarterback a letter grade on the likelihood they see significant playing time.
A= More of when, not if. Around an 85% chance they get playing time. Usually a rookie or heir apparent. Worth rostering.
B= A high chance, around 60%. Probably a young quarterback who might take over for a poor-playing veteran. Only roster in deep leagues.
C= Unlikely but not out of the question. Around a 25% chance they take over. Usually a questionable starter in front of them. Only roster if you have the starter or a super deep bench.
D= Highly unlikely. 10% chance they see time. There is a franchise quarterback in front of them, and they need an actual injury to get playing time. Waiver wire guys.
Next, we give each backup a numerical score. This denotes what their probable outcome will be. A mix of talent and the team around them.
1= A solid QB1 if starting. They have talent. They have a team around them that can make up for any weaknesses they might have.
2= Solid QB2 for fantasy. They might lack the talent or the team around them to help compensate for weaknesses.
3= Streaming option. They have some skills and a decent team, but matchups will dictate if you should play them.
4= These players lack the skills or team to be good enough for fantasy football. You can avoid them.
The best backups will be rated A1 all the way down to D4. Organized by division for ease of finding as you refer back during the season.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Flacco- B1
• -18 years of NFL experience.
• - Great receivers who win on all levels.
• - Has been good lately in short stints as a starter.
• - High chance of injury to Joe Burrow. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders- A3
• - Short leash on Deshaun Watson.
• - Up-and-down rookie season.
• - Subpar receiving weapons around him.
• - First-time head coach.
• Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Huntley- C4
• - Lamar Jackson is a heavy rusher, putting him at a higher risk of injury.
• - Huntley plays the same style as Jackson, so the offense doesn’t change.
• - Lack of a true Alpha receiver to be a safety blanket.
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar- A2
• - Could be either Rudolph or Allar taking over. I lean Allar.
• - Aaron Rodgers is 42 and started to show it last season.
• - Solid weapons for an inexperienced quarterback to rely on.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Kyle Allen- D3
• - Solid team but lacking high-end talent.
• - Has familiarity with the system.
• - Lack of history of being NFL-caliber.
• Miami Dolphins: Kyle McCord- D4
• - Lack of supporting skill positions.
• - Came to the team after preseason. Unfamiliar with the playbook.
• - Lack of NFL experience.
• - Low chance of taking over for the newly signed starter.
• New England Patriots: Tommy DeVito- D4
• - No chance at starting outside of injury.
• - Average team and coaching around him.
• - Lack of fantasy-worthy NFL history.
• New York Jets: Cade Klubnik- A3
• - High chance of taking over for a struggling vet in Geno Smith.
• - Good, not great team around him.
• - Rookie with enticing college production.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans: Mitch Trubisky- C4
• - Draft busts behind current young franchise guy.
• - Young but untested receiving group.
• - Won’t be asked to do too much but also won’t impress.
Houston Texans: Davis Mills- C3
• - Franchise quarterback in front of him.
• - Solid weapons to cover weaknesses.
• - Mills has played well when needed.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson- B2
• - High draft capital with tons of supporters.
• - Shown flashes of greatness but inconsistent.
• - Last season’s injury could linger for starter Daniel Jones.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinn Ewers- D2
• - Traded for after preseason.
• - No real NFL experience but plenty of college production.
• - Deep group of receivers to help prop up poor play.
• - Franchise quarterback is Trevor Lawrence; needs an injury to see playing time.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Fields- B3
• - Starter Patrick Mahomes has a lingering knee injury. Could cause him to miss time.
• - Fields has NFL experience but hasn’t been able to hold a starting job.
• - A handful of great receivers combined with replacement-level guys.
• - Signed running back Kenneth Walker this offseason to help with the run game.
Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza- A3
• - Drafted to be the franchise guy.
• - Starter Kirk Cousins has bounced around the league recently.
• - Subpar weapons outside of tight end Brock Bowers.
• - Equal chance of bust and greatness.
Los Angeles Chargers: Trey Lance- D3
• - Justin Herbert is the franchise.
• - Lance has rushing upside for fantasy production.
• - Lance has limited experience and can’t hold onto a QB2 job.
• - Solid receiving weapons to help but not boost production.
Denver Broncos: Jarrett Stidham- D3
• - Behind a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix.
• - Plenty of receiving weapons to help support Stidham.
• - Only one start in 3 years.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Tyson Bagent- D3
• - Bagent has limited NFL experience.
• - Has familiarity with the system.
• - Great weapons to help cover deficiencies.
• - Needs an injury to Caleb Williams to see playing time.
Green Bay Packers: Tyrod Taylor- C4
• - Starter Jordan Love often misses a few games.
• - Good but not great receivers.
• - 15 years of experience but low output in recent memory.
Detroit Lions: Joshua Dobbs- D4
• - Great weapons and system to play in.
• - Dobbs has been fine in short stints.
• - Starter Jared Goff is older but doesn’t miss time.
Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz- B4
• - Kyler Murray was brought in to be the starter.
• - Murray has a shaky past of being good.
• - Wentz and McCarthy have limited upside.
• - Great weapons and coaching staff to help boost upside.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: Andy Dalton- C2
• - Super Bowl-winning starter is Jalen Hurts, but he does run a ton, opening up risk.
- Dalton has 15 years of NFL experience.
• - Solid weapons to support Dalton.
Dallas Cowboys: Sam Howell- C2
• - Beat out Joe Milton for backup job.
• - Starter; Dak Prescott has a medium injury history.
• - Possibly the best receiving weapons in the league.
New York Giants: Jameis Winston- B3
• - Winston loves to throw when playing.
• - Weapons are not capable of covering up his weakness.
• - Jaxson Dart puts himself at risk more than most quarterbacks.
Washington Commanders: Marcus Mariota- B2
• - Jayden Daniels (starter) has a high rushing upside, which leads to a high injury risk.
• - Weapons are good enough to help Mariota.
• - Mariota has been solid when given the playing time.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Daniels- D4
• - Despite contract issues, Baker Mayfield remains the starter.
• - Older rookie who was good but not great in college.
• - Unknown in the NFL.
• - Young, good receiving room to help development.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix- A2
• - Tua Tagovailoa named starter 6 days before Week 1.
• - Short leash while waiting for Penix’s knee to fully heal.
• - Penix has shown flashes of greatness.
New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler- D4
• - Rattler lost starting role to current starter.
• - Has below-average NFL skills.
• - Receivers don’t line up with Rattler’s skill set.
Carolina Panthers- Kenny Pickett C3
- Last chance for starter Bryce Young to prove he belongs.
• Young has been benched before, but by the old coaching staff.
• - Weapons are inexperienced and can’t make up for weakness at QB.
• - Pickett has NFL experience but has failed as a starter.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams- Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson C2
• - Drafted as the heir apparent but not for another year or two.
• - Great team and coaching staff to help Simpson’s development.
• - Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season. No signs of slowing down.
San Francisco 49ers- Mac Jones B1
• - The 49ers seem cured of injuries.
• - Mac Jones has shown shown above average NFL skills.
• - Solid receiving group to accentuate Jones’s skills.
Seattle Seahawks- Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe D3
• - Both have shown talent in preseason games.
• - Sam Darnold has played well and shed the “Bust” moniker.
• - A good but shallow receiving room could help elevate play.
Arizona Cardinals- Gardner Minshew, Carson Beck A2
• - Jacoby Brissette is at best a bridge quarterback.
• - Team could make a change if a losing streak develops.
• - Beck was drafted to possibly be the starter but is dealing with an injury.
• - Underperforming receiving group hoping to break out this season.
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