Top Fantasy Football Quarterbacks to draft in 2023

With Fantasy Football draft season rapidly approaching, it's time to talk about it. Over the course of the next several days, I will be walking you through the top players to take at each position. I will give their Average Draft Position (ADP) - based on ESPN Fantasy's rankings, and where I believe you should take them. Some will be obvious grabs, others... not so much. And where better to start than with quarterbacks?

1. Patrick Mahomes

As the reigning league MVP and Super Bowl MVP, there's no doubt that Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback - best player - in the NFL right now. But if that isn't enough to sway you to pick him high, here's what will. Mahomes finished as QB1 with 416 fantasy points in 2022. His 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns led the league. ESPN has his ADP at 13.4. But, if you're picking in the latter parts of the first round, don't be afraid to pick him in the 7-10 range. He's well worth the stock.

2. Jalen Hurts

It's really hard for me to put Hurts here. Part of me still believes his 2022 campaign was a result of an easy schedule. But, I can't keep denying talent. If he can retain his scrambling ability and A.J. Brown retains his talent, the Eagles will continue to soar to the top of the NFC. In 2022, Hurts finished as QB3 with 378 fantasy points. His ESPN ADP is 22.4. I would take him in the mid-to-late second round.

3. Lamar Jackson

Surprised? So was I. But, his 2019 campaign was no fluke. His team just wasn't marred by the injury bug and he actually had wide receivers. This season, that Ravens' offense is a force to be reckoned with. Headlined by TE Mark Andrews and WR Odell Beckham Jr., the AFC North should be on watch. With Jackson's scrambling and passing ability, he should be among the top performers in 2023. IF he doesn't get injured. His ADP is 33.3. I would take him about a round sooner than that. Early-to-mid third round.

4. Josh Allen

Finishing as QB2 in last season's campaign, Josh Allen is one of the top QBs in the league. However, an elbow injury put the breaks on his MVP push and caused him to rack up turnovers. Said injury is why he is lower on this list. We haven't seen proof that he'll be the same as he was before the injury. That said, he's still not a player you should take after the third round. ESPN has his ADP at 20.3. First pick of the third round.

5. Trevor Lawrence

We cannot forget the Jaguars' late-season playoff push and their second half against the Chargers in the Wild Card Round. Trevor Lawrence was a major part of that push. With Doug Pederson instead of Urban Meyer at head coach, Lawrence made a huge jump in his second season. Now he has Calvin Ridley as well. Combine that with his six AFC South games and Lawrence could find himself among the top of the fantasy world. Don't sleep on him. ESPN has his ADP at 71.4. Snag him well before then. Third or fourth round.

6. Joe Burrow

There is only one reason Burrow isn't ranked higher - his current injury status. On July 27, he suffered a non-contact injury to his right calf. The recovery time reported by head coach Zac Taylor was "several weeks". However, in more recent news, Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase has requested Joe Burrow sit out for the first few weeks to fully recover. If Burrow follows through with that request, Burrow's value drops. However, he may serve well as a backup for the first few weeks, so don't skip on him. Third or fourth round.

7. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers may regress. That outcome is entirely possible. But oh man, look at that team around him. Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Tyler Conklin. The weapons he has are undeniable. So, while I don't believe he's a tier 1 QB, I do believe he's starting QB material. I would take him high 4th round.

8. Kirk Cousins

Justin Jefferson. Need I say more? ...Yes, I do. Kirk Cousins, while being a very softspoken guy, is a good quarterback. While I don't believe the Vikings will repeat last season (look at that defense), I do believe their offense will be incredible. T.J. Hockenson and K.J. Osborn are other key weapons to this team. On top of that, Cousins finished in the top 10 QBs last season as well. He wouldn't be my first choice, but he'll likely be a top performer this season.

9. Brock Purdy

"He would have to melt in practice to lose it." That's what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said about Brock Purdy's security at QB1. So clearly, the Niners are confident in Purdy's understanding of the playbook and his ability to execute on the field. And with weapons like Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffery, it seems like it would take another bad injury for Purdy to not be a top 10 fantasy QB. I would take him in the fifth round, but you may be able to snag him closer to the 8th or 9th.

10. Justin Herbert

I won't lie, I'm not overwhelmingly confident in this choice. Every year, the Chargers are hyped up as some great team. Every year, they fail. But that doesn't mean Justin Herbert isn't still a great QB. It means his team is constantly injured. But, once you're getting to QB10, you're a little late to the QB train. So, I would take a waiver on Herbert over the other 10 listed below.

11. Justin Fields
12. Deshaun Watson
13. Daniel Jones
14. Jared Goff
15. Dak Prescott
16. Derek Carr
17. Ryan Tannehill
18. Sam Howell
19. C.J. Stroud
20. Tua Tagovailoa