Written by Sheryl the Crow
March 2024
In the realm of fantasy football, the quarterback position holds significant weight, capable of anchoring a team to victory or contributing to its downfall. As we revisit the 2019 NFL Draft class five years on, evaluating these quarterbacks not only on their NFL achievements but also their fantasy impact provides a nuanced perspective on their careers. Here's an analysis of the quarterbacks drafted in 2019, their fantasy football value, and predictions for their ultimate standing in NFL lore.
1. Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals, 1st Overall) In fantasy terms, Kyler Murray has been a gem, particularly due to his dual-threat capabilities. His ability to amass points through both passing and rushing has made him a top-tier fantasy option. Assuming he continues on this trajectory and remains injury-free, Murray is poised to finish as the standout quarterback of this draft class, potentially carving out a legacy as one of the more exciting dual-threat QBs in NFL history.
2. Daniel Jones (New York Giants, 6th Overall) Jones's fantasy value has been volatile, reflective of his on-field inconsistency. However, his mobility adds an extra dimension to his fantasy appeal, offering additional points through rushing yards and touchdowns. If Jones can harness his talent and reduce turnovers, he has the potential to be a solid fantasy asset. Ultimately, his career ranking may hinge on his ability to lead and achieve consistency, potentially settling as a middle-tier quarterback from this class.
3. Dwayne Haskins (Washington Redskins, 15th Overall) Given Haskins's tragically short career, his fantasy impact was minimal and fleeting. In terms of legacy, he will sadly be remembered more for what might have been than for any on-field accomplishments. In fantasy retrospectives, he'll likely be viewed as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of player development.
4. Drew Lock (Denver Broncos, 42nd Overall) Lock's fantasy relevance has been limited, marred by inconsistency and a lack of starting opportunities post-Denver. His arm talent suggests potential for big games, but without a stable starting role, his fantasy impact remains limited. Lock may end up as a backup with occasional spot-start fantasy relevance unless he can secure and excel in a starting role, finishing lower in the rankings of this QB class.
5. Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville Jaguars, 178th Overall) For fantasy managers, Minshew has been a reliable backup or spot starter, particularly in deeper leagues or during bye weeks. His competitive nature and efficiency have translated into respectable fantasy outings. As his career progresses, Minshew is likely to remain in the league as a valuable second-stringer, outperforming his draft position both in real terms and in fantasy relevance.
6. Will Grier (Carolina Panthers, 100th Overall) Grier has had minimal impact in fantasy football, largely due to limited playing opportunities. As a backup, his chances to start have been scarce, and when he has played, the results have been underwhelming. Barring a significant turnaround, Grier's fantasy and NFL legacy is likely to be as a footnote in this quarterback class.
7. Ryan Finley (Cincinnati Bengals, 104th Overall) Similar to Grier, Ryan Finley's fantasy impact has been negligible, and his role in the NFL has been primarily as a backup. His few starting opportunities did not yield significant fantasy points, and his long-term outlook appears to be as a backup, which will place him towards the lower end of this class in retrospective rankings.
8. Jarrett Stidham (New England Patriots, 133rd Overall) Stidham entered the league with some intrigue, especially being drafted by the Patriots. However, his fantasy impact has been virtually non-existent, and his role has not developed into that of a starter. Unless his situation changes dramatically, Stidham is likely to be remembered as a developmental player who didn't quite make the leap to fantasy relevance.
9. Easton Stick (Los Angeles Chargers, 166th Overall) As a late-round pick, Stick has not had much opportunity to make a fantasy impact. Primarily serving in a developmental or backup capacity, his prospects for future fantasy relevance are slim. He is expected to finish his career largely unknown in the fantasy realm, overshadowed by more prominent quarterbacks in his class.
Conclusion and Predictions While the 2019 quarterback class has provided a mix of fantasy football standouts and disappointments, Kyler Murray is projected to lead the pack when their careers are eventually assessed. Daniel Jones and Gardner Minshew may offer moderate value, outperforming several higher-drafted peers based on their dual-threat abilities and reliability. The rest, unfortunately, are likely to be remembered as backups or what-ifs, underscoring the unpredictable nature of NFL and fantasy football success.