Fantasy Football – AFC East Quarterback Review
After a dramatic draft day trade, the Dolphins collected the third first-round quarterback, Josh Rosen, pick from the previous year’s draft. After a year of evaluation, do any of the young AFC East’s quarterback’s warrant a flier in the 2019 fantasy football draft?
Josh Rosen waited patiently for months leading to the 2019 draft. It was quite possibly more nerve-wracking than his own draft class year. The call finally came. Unlike the 2018 year’s draft, his call came in day two. The Cardinals traded him to the Miami Dolphins for a late second rounder and a fifth and this could be an interesting spot for some fantasy football value.
The move completed a sweep of AFC East teams snagging the top Quarterbacks in the 2018 draft, outside of Baker Mayfield, in hopes of challenging Tom Brady as the king of the East.
History gives a 20/20 perspective. Let’s take a brief look at how each QB progressed and if any of them are going to take the next step in 2019.
Sam Darnold– Jets 3rd overall draft pick
Sam started all but weeks 12 and 13. He averaged a respectable 58% accuracy, 220 yards a game, and a low mark of 17 touchdowns.
He was not considered a viable fantasy QB option nor even a backup. So what will change?
His last 4 games did see an uptick in touchdowns per game as well as an increase in completion percentage. Sam was getting better.
Next year will see new coach Adam Gase take the reins and LeVeon Bell join the Gang of Green. However, Adam Gase did not do wonders for an injury prone Ryan Tannehill and LeVeon Bell was not a welcome acquisition by Gase.
That being said, Darnold may warrant the last couple of rounds waiver for a team looking for a high potential high-risk backup.
Josh Allen– Bills 7th overall draft pick
Josh did not start week one. But he quickly was shoved into the role that same week. Rosen sported a mediocre 52.8% completion rate, 181 yards a game, and 10 touchdowns.
Allen wasn’t even close to being a fantasy football factor and saw the effect of tumultuous organization decision-making. There wasn’t really a sign of improvement as the season went on, statistically speaking, and he faces a similar uncertain situation in 2019.
The Bills spent their second and third round picks on an offensive tackle, Cory Ford, and a running back, Devin Singletary. Neither is expected to elevate this offense to the next level. Cole Beasley and Josh Brown were two wide receivers brought in to give Josh a couple more options. Yet, again, neither are expected to be world beaters in Buffalo.
Josh Allen will not warrant a draft pick when your 2019 draft wraps up.
Josh Rosen- Cardinals 10th overall draft pick
The other Josh of the 2018 draft suffered. How that Arizona front office is still collecting paychecks is brain numbing. Josh had no pieces in play to help him develop in 2018. No coaching, offensive line, weapons, nor front office support.
That lack of development showed up on the stat sheet. Even so, Rosen still outperformed Josh Allen on the fantasy lines. 55% completion rate, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 172 yards a game. However, Josh Rosen did not play the first two and a half weeks and his total stats showed it.
Rosen will step into a completely different situation in Miami. His offensive line has key cogs that should help. His tools are considerably better and he will be joining a new coaching staff made of New England disciples.
With that many new variables, its impossible to know which Josh Rosen will show up in 2019. However, he will be a better version than 2018 rookie Rosen. If that is the case, he is a better option than Josh Allen and follows the philosophy of Sam Darnold.
Snag Rosen as a late waiver with high potential high risk. For deeper leagues with bench slots, he would be a nice sleeper as a QB3.
The take-home message for all three guys should be this. None of them should be taken with an expectation of being a starter, or even a solid backup. However, Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold have enough potential to warrant a late round pick.
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