In this piece, I highlight quarterbacks who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Quarterback Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two quarterbacks near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Lamar Jackson
- Sam Darnold
We’ll discuss why these two are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other quarterbacks.
Top Model NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Lamar Jackson ($8,300 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) at Arizona Cardinals (44.5 total)
Detroit’s game plan was to make Baltimore one-dimensional last week and force them to throw the ball, and boy, did that not work. Lamar Jackson completed 78% of his passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns while running for 36 yards and a score on the ground.
We’ve seen Jackson post some good scores this year, with 32.18 and 29.14 DraftKings points in Weeks 3 and 4. However, we’ve been waiting on that sky-high ceiling performance, and he provided it last week with 37.88 points against the Lions.
He has a good shot at success this week, facing an Arizona defense that has allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks. There’s not much to say negatively about Jackson. He boasts the highest ceiling projection at the quarterback position by almost three points.
Jackson is the top quarterback in our Cash Game and Tournament Model.
Sam Darnold ($4,300 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel): San Francisco 49ers (-4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (43.5 total)
Brock Purdy was placed in concussion protocol after Monday night’s matchup with Minnesota, which likely sets Sam Darnold up to start on Sunday.
Darnold has been a rollercoaster when he’s had chances in the league, but he’s only 26 years old and is in, by far, the best offensive environment he’s been in.
Cincinnati is a middle-of-the-road defense, allowing just 7.2 yards per attempt and the 13th fewest DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks.
The bulk of Darnold’s appeal comes from his price, as he’s extremely cheap on both sides and makes a lot of rosters work. He laps the position in Projected Plus/Minus and Points/Salary.
He’ll certainly be owned, but he’s the top quarterback in Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Editor’s note: Purdy (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Other Notable NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Joe Burrow ($6,000 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (+4) at San Francisco 49ers (43.5 total)
Joe Burrow is coming off of a down performance before the bye against Seattle, where he totaled just 14.8 DraftKings points. Outside of a 27.38-point performance in Week 5 against the lowly Cardinals, it’s been a forgettable year for Burrow.
However, he was dealing with injuries coming into the year, and it appeared before the bye that he was rounding the corner. Now he had a week off and should be 100%. This matchup isn’t the most ideal, with San Francisco allowing the third-fewest DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks on the season. They just allowed a 25-point performance to Kirk Cousins, so it isn’t all bleak.
Jordan Love ($5,700 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel): Green Bay Packers (+1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (42 total)
Jordan Love turned in a middling performance in a dream spot against Denver, totaling just 16.3 DraftKings points. After averaging 21.75 DraftKings points through the first three weeks, Love averaged just 14.64 points per game over the past three weeks.
These are the ups and downs you can expect from a young quarterback, and he now gets another relatively soft landing spot against the Vikings. Love has actually been solid against the blitz this season, and Minnesota blitzes at one of the highest rates in the league. His ownership will be low after he disappointed last week, but he makes a lot of sense in tournament formats.
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My Favorite NFL DFS Quarterback Leverage Pick(s)
Jalen Hurts ($8,200 DraftKings, $9,200 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-7) at Washington Commanders (43.5 total)
Jalen Hurts continued his tremendous start to the year last week with his sixth straight game over 20 DraftKings points. The tush push has been massive for Hurts’ fantasy output, as he has six rushing touchdowns on the year.
He now gets a matchup against Washington, who he doused for 27.16 DraftKings points back in Week 4. I’m particularly interested in Hurts because he provides a massive ceiling at fairly low ownership this week. Especially with people likely paying down for Darnold, paying up for Hurts gives you a ceiling that Darnold doesn’t have and naturally makes your roster construction different.
Washington has allowed the third-most DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks on the year, and I’m expecting another big performance here. Hurts is my top quarterback option of the week.
