The 2021-22 NFL regular season is now just around the corner. With a new regular season approaching, that also means that fantasy football owners are gearing up for endless drafts with many hopeful potential winners currently out there. Searching for your fantasy football breakout quarterbacks, part of your larger group of fantasy football breakout candidates? We're here to help. Here are some fantasy breakout QBs.
While running backs and wide receivers will surely be first off the board in almost any legitimately competitive fantasy football league, that doesn't mean that owners should overlook other important positions — quarterback included. However, although quarterback is obviously an important position, there is also a ton of value under center as there are typically more viable signal caller options than there are teams in a given league — assuming it is a one quarterback league, that is.
Thanks to the value at the quarterback position, it is more than likely a better play to wait until the later rounds to choose a signal caller as loading up on running backs, wide receivers and even tight ends before selecting a quarterback is a rock solid strategy. With an additional regular season game added to the slate and players fresh off of an unconventional 2020-21 campaign, having as much depth at the aforementioned trio of positions will be vital as injuries and setbacks are unfortunately inevitable.
As a result, identifying value at the quarterback position in the later rounds could very well help some owners win their respective fantasy football league's this season.
Fantasy football breakout candidates:
5. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Even after a memorable first season under the direction of first-year NFL head coach Kevin Stefanski in 2020-21, Cleveland Browns starting quarterback and former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Baker Mayfield has yet to really get paid by the AFC North franchise. With his rookie deal slated to come to a close after the 2022-23 campaign, Mayfield need to bring his “A game” in 2021-22 to prove once and for all that he is indeed the team's undisputed quarterback of the future. Even playing in one of the tougher divisions in the NFL alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns may very well be the best team of such a group. In addition to Mayfield, the Browns' depth at wide receiver, running back and tight end — and even along the offensive front — will help the veteran signal caller string together another impressive season in Cleveland.
4. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
For the first time in his professional playing career, longtime Detroit Lions quarterback and Los Angeles Rams newcomer Matthew Stafford won't be sporting the Honolulu blue and silver come Week 1. After previously spending his entire NFL playing career as a member of the Lions, Stafford was acquired by the Rams via trade earlier in the offseason with the veteran signal caller finally finding himself in position to win again. With Rams head coach Sean McVay leading the way for Los Angeles, Stafford will be able to take full advantage of the team's offensive game plan and scheme en route to producing a stellar year out on the West Coast. After toiling away in the “Motor City” for the last few seasons, Stafford will be able to utilize players like wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in addition to tight end Tyler Higbee as the Rams' offense will be paired with a stout defense that will help make the transition from Detroit to Los Angeles that much easier.
3. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
It will be interesting to see how opposing defenses line up against the Tennessee Titans in 2021-22 as the AFC South franchise loaded up in a big way this offseason. In addition to All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown, up-and-coming tight end Anthony Firkser, slot receiver Josh Reynolds and an offensive line that helped produce a 2,000-yard rusher last season, the Titans also managed to acquire legendary wide out Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons. Obviously, teams have been able to stack the box against the Titans as Tennessee has heavily relied on Henry in recent years. However, that may not be plausible moving forward as the tandem of Brown and Jones could feast on opposing secondaries in one-on-one coverage all the time. There is one player in particular who will benefit from all of this offensive firepower and that is quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is looking to string together his third straight stellar season in Nashville and cement his place among fantasy football breakout quarterbacks. Barring an injury, it is almost impossible for Tannehill to put up gaudy numbers this time around as the Titans signal caller remains primed for his best single-season effort to date.
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Unfortunately for the former collegiate standout and the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow's rookie season atop the highest level ended in dismay. Burrow suffered a season-ending knee injury midway through the 2020-21 season, which almost cost him some time this offseason. However, Burrow appeared to work quite hard en route to getting himself ready for not only the upcoming regular season but this summer's preseason as well. He wants to be a part of the group of fantasy football breakout quarterbacks.
After absolutely shredding opposing defenses in his final collegiate season for the famed LSU Tigers, Burrow's NFL tenure was off to a hot start as well before his injury — even while playing for a dismal Bengals team with limited weapons. However, Cincinnati added yet another young wide out in Burrow's former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, which should help aid the second-year signal caller's return from injury. If Burrow improves at all in his second season with the Bengals, the up-and-coming quarterback will no doubt be one that everyone should want on their fantasy team in 2021-22.
The best of the fantasy football breakout quarterbacks:
1. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Even before Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending leg injury last season, Los Angeles Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert was arguably the best first-year signal caller that the NFL had to offer in 2020-21. Showing flashes of brilliance throughout his first season in Los Angeles, Herbert will only get better in his second season while entering the upcoming campaign as the Chargers' bonafide starter under center. He is poised to join the ranks of fantasy football breakout quarterbacks.
With a much better team around his this year, in addition to some of his Chargers teammates finally regaining their health, Herbert is expected to not only deliver big time individual stats in 2021-22, but also deliver wins to the AFC West franchise. Of course, Herbert and company still play alongside the two-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, but there is no reason that Los Angeles shouldn't finish ahead of both the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders in the divisional standings. Thanks to Herbert's maturity, incredibly strong arm and high football IQ, the young signal caller could quickly transition into one of the best all-around players at his position in 2021-22. Herbert is a player that every fantasy football manager should target this season. Period.
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