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 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Top NFL DFS Quarterback Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are three quarterbacks near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Justin Herbert
- Dak Prescott
- Mac Jones
We’ll discuss why these three are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other quarterbacks.
Top Model NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Justin Herbert ($7,200 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel): Los Angeles Chargers (-3) vs. Tennessee Titans (46.5 total)
The Los Angeles Chargers have started slinging the ball lately, and it’s led to fantasy success for Justin Herbert. Herbert has attempted 47, 47, and 51 passes in the past three games, and it has led to 28.76, 21.1, and 22.48 DraftKings points.
It’s hard to envision him attempting that many passes every week, but a matchup with Tennessee, who is a major pass funnel, may give us another high-attempt week. The Titans have faced the most pass attempts per game at 40.2, and Herbert leads the league with 47.4 dropbacks per game. It’s a match made in heaven.
The Titans are dealing with a plethora of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s really shown in the past two weeks. They’ve been absolutely diced up by Jalen Hurts and Trevor Lawrence. Hurts threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns two weeks ago, and Lawrence put up 368 yards and three touchdowns last week.
The Chargers’ receivers also seem to finally be healthy. Everything is lining up for Herbert this week, and he’s rightfully the top quarterback in our Cash Game Model.
Dak Prescott ($6,200 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel): Dallas Cowboys (-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (48 total)
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys narrowly survived last week’s contest with the Texans, as Prescott and the Dallas passing game struggled as a whole. Prescott completed 61.5% of his passes for 284 yards and one touchdown while throwing two interceptions.
Prescott gets a chance to right the ship this week as he faces the lowly Jaguars’ defense. They’ve allowed a QB1 score to seven of their last eight opponents, including breakout games from Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones, and Jared Goff. We haven’t seen Dak’s ceiling yet this year, but this week is as good a time as ever.
In the past eight weeks, Jacksonville has allowed 7.6 yards per pass attempt, a 5.3% touchdown rate, and just a 4.2% sack rate. All three metrics rank in the bottom seven in the league. Prescott leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus while ranking second in Points/Salary.
He’s the top quarterback in our Tournament Model and Chris Raybon’s Pro Model.
Mac Jones ($5,000 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel): New England Patriots (+1.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (44.5 total)
In an injury-filled Monday Night contest, Mac Jones put together a solid real-life performance but was mediocre from a fantasy standpoint. He completed 68.6% of his passes for 235 yards but was unable to find the end zone and threw an interception.
Jones has topped 20 DraftKings points twice this year but has been subpar besides that. He has less than 14 DraftKings points in every other contest and has seven touchdowns on the year to eight interceptions. We know it’s been ugly, but can he turn it around?
If there was ever a matchup for Jones to sling it, this is the one. The Raiders are allowing 7.6 yards per attempt, a 4.6% touchdown rate, and the sixth-most DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks. Jones leads the position in Points/Salary, as he’s a nice cheap option with cheap stacking partners.
Jones is the top quarterback in Sean Koerner’s Pro Model.
Other Notable NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Jalen Hurts ($8,200 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-9) at Chicago Bears (48.5 total)
Jalen Hurts has been an absolute wrecking ball recently, with 32.82, 37.4, and 30.38 DraftKings points in the last three weeks. He’s been able to access these ceiling performances in multiple ways, as he ran for 157 and 77 yards in two of the games while only running for 12 yards against Tennessee. He’s one of few quarterbacks who are a legitimate threat to hit the 300-yard passing bonus and the 100-yard rushing bonus.
He has an easy matchup this week, as the Bears have allowed the third-most yards per pass attempt and the eighth-most fantasy points per pass attempt. If Chicago can keep this game close, we could be in for a back-and-forth high scoring affair.
Patrick Mahomes ($8,100 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-14) at Houston Texans (49.5 total)
Patrick Mahomes was a little careless with the ball last week, throwing three interceptions that kept Denver alive and in the ballgame. He still posted a great performance, throwing for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards in eight of thirteen games this year, as Kansas City doesn’t have much interest in running the ball.
The matchup is easy this week. We just have to hope that the game stays somewhat within reach so Mahomes can sling it. Houston’s pass defense has been better as of late, ranking in the top five in pressure rate since Week 7. They have allowed 7.8 yards per attempt since Week 7, which is still in the bottom four in the league. Opposing running backs have sliced and diced Houston, so they’ve faced minimal pass attempts.
With Kansas City seemingly uninterested in handing it off, Mahomes could have a field day.
Justin Fields ($7,400 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel): Chicago Bears (+9) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (48.5 total)
Justin Fields leaned on his arm two weeks ago against Green Bay, which has been uncommon. He completed 80% of his passes for 254 yards. He did throw a pair of interceptions but was able to add 71 yards and a touchdown on the ground. His development as a passer is nice to see for fantasy purposes, as we already know about the value he can add on the ground.
Fields was coming off of a shoulder injury, so that likely led to the decreased rush attempts. After getting a week to rest with the bye, he’ll likely be tucking and running like he was earlier in the season. The Eagles are a tough matchup through the air, but they have up 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground to the Giants’ QBs last week. Due to Fields’ talent, he’s always in play.
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