Here is a review of your options to start at quarterback that you may be able to find available in your leagues. For this article, I am looking at options that are rostered in less than 50-percent of either ESPN and Yahoo leagues. I’ll be looking for games with high implied point totals, ideally for a team that is supposed to win, but also looking at past trends to see if there are any matchup specific notes worth taking into consideration. As the season progresses, we’ll compare our points-per-game (combining the stats of our ‘Weekly QB of Record) to that of other quarterbacks to see where you could stack up by just punting the position on draft day!
** Ownership and odds gathered 9/14/2021
Kirk Cousins delivered (after a slow start) to get to 351 passing yards with two touchdowns. He had another potential touchdown called short of the goal line, where his receiver appeared to score on replay, but the call stood and Dalvin Cook rumbled into the endzone for a rushing score instead. All in all, a very solid 22.04 point performance to start off the year.
2021 Points Per Game: 22.04 (QB12)
Stream of the Week (Weekly QB of record)
Ben Rothlisberger vs LV (ESPN 37.9%; Yahoo 39%, Sleeper 32.4%)
-6 // 47.5 (Implied totals: W 26.75 – 20.75)
Ben had a slow debut against Buffalo, who boasts a strong defense. We just saw Lamar Jackson put up one of his better passing performances against Las Vegas and I think it is clear that the Steelers' wide receivers are MUCH better than the Ravens' Wide Receivers (at least the ones currently available.) Look for Ben to get right in this game where Pittsburgh’s defense should put them in position to score early and often.
Alternative Options
Teddy Bridgewater @ JAX (ESPN 5.5%; Yahoo 11%; Sleeper 13.9%)
-6 // 45.5 (Implied totals: W 25.75 – 19.75)
Teddy looked absolutely great against the Giants in Week 1. Although he lost top target Jerry Jeudy, he’s still got plenty of weapons with Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton leading the way while Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler and Albert O (no, I’m not going to look it up – you know who I mean) looking to step in to help fill the void left by Jeudy’s injury. If Tyrod Taylor can connect on big throws to Brandin Cooks and Pharoah Cooper, I’m sure that Teddy can hit Sutton, Hamler and Fant to put up a nice game.
Jameis Winston @ CAR (ESPN 30.1%; Yahoo 44%; Sleeper 47.6%)
-3.5 // 44.5 (Implied totals: W 24 – 20.5)
Jameis had a near flawless debut with the Saints. He’ll look to keep that rolling against the Panthers, as New Orleans will look to get offseason darling Marquez Callaway going now that he’s not facing Jaire Alexander. Winston showed he was willing to spread the ball around and find the right read in his debut, so look for more of the same here in another decent spot.
Kirk Cousins @ ARI (ESPN 25.9%; Yahoo 66%; 53.3%)
+4 // 51 (Implied totals: L 23.5 – 27.5)
Cousins isn’t favored this week, and had a slow start last week. Was that just shaking off rust from not having time with his weapons in the preseason? I’m guessing yes. They turned it on in the second half to put some points on the board, and Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are a great duo to have in the passing game. Combined with the chance that Dalvin Cook could take a check down to the endzone on any play and there’s even some extra upside for Cousins in a game where Minnesota will definitely be chasing points towards the end.
Other Options for Deeper Leagues
Mac Jones vs. SEA (ESPN 24.9%; Yahoo 26%; Sleeper 39.9%)
Taylor Heinicke vs. NYG (ESPN 0.2%; Yahoo 1%; Sleeper 2.3%)
Carson Wentz vs. LAR (ESPN 8.2%; Yahoo 15%; Sleeper 22.5%)