In today’s edition of Carolina Blitz’s fantasy draft special I will give my tier-one quarterbacks. This list will reveal who I believe will be the first five quarterbacks selected in the order that they should be picked. Without hesitation, here are my top-five.
5. Joe Burrow
Smokin’ Joe Burrow’s only question mark is his offensive line. Despite being among league leaders in sacks taken last season, Burrow still led his Bengals to the Super Bowl. Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase is a matchup nightmare and will continue to demand double teams on the outside. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd make this outside trio one the best in football. Running back Joe Mixon is a respected pass catcher in RPO and screen situations – catching 42 receptions a season ago.
Expect Joe Burrow to be drafted in rounds five through seven.
4. Justin Herbert
This gunslinger has played just two seasons and is already considered a tier-one quarterback among fantasy owners – averaging nearly 23 points per game last season with over 5,000 passing attempts in a loaded AFC West division that will be a gauntlet through the season. A formidable outside duo in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and the best dual threat in the NFL in Austin Eckler, Justin Herbert has all the necessary pieces to contend for a Super Bowl.
Expect Justin Herbert to be drafted in rounds four through six.
3. Lamar Jackson
The Contract situation makes things very interesting with Lamar Jackson entering week-one without a new deal. Despite losing Hollywood Brown, his number one target on the outside, Jackson still has his number one target on the inside in Mark Andrews. Lamar has appeared throughout OTA’s with risk of injuring himself because he’s a ball player, superstar talent and former MVP. He’s electrifying in or outside of the pocket with flashes of Mike Vick. The fact is, Lamar Jackson IS the Ravens offense.
I don’t expect L-Jax will fall beyond the third round.
2. Pat Mahomes
There is no question that Pat Mahomes will be one of the first two quarterbacks taken off of the big board. Not having Tyreek Hill on the outside will hurt, but Mahomes has something to prove with Hill’s off season comments in regard to his accuracy. What helps Mahomes’ situation is the addition of Ju-Ju Smith Schuster and arguably the best tight end in all of football – Travis Kelce. The offense is literally engineered for Mahomes’ style of play which gives him the option to burn you for 30 on the ground, or air it out for a 60 yard bomb down field.
Regardless of the departure of Hill, expect Pat to still be taken in rounds two through four.
1. Josh Allen
It would not be surprising to see someone gamble and take Josh Allen as the number one overall player in their fantasy draft. Allen led all QB’s in PPR – averaging nearly 25 points per game. The dual threat gained another option in Gabe Davis, who went bonkers against Kansas City in last years’ all-time playoff classic. Rushing for 763 yards and throwing for 4,407 yards in the air last season, if you pass on Josh, he will certainly be gone by your next selection.
After finishing second in total points behind triple crown winner Cooper Kupp, Allen should be the first quarterback taken in rounds one through three. Book it!
