4 Undervalued Quarterbacks We Love

Photo: Imagn Images

A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. To point out this value, we asked our staff to look through the Top 150 and identify players that should outperform their draft position.

Dig Deeper: See our Consensus Quarterback Projections here >>>

Our staff came up with 14 total names, but there were four quarterbacks they really loved.

Here are the players who received the most votes:

• Jared Goff
• Anthony Richardson
• Geno Smith
• Russell Wilson

And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why.

Players Receiving 6 Votes

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

Jason Wood: Things couldn't have gone much worse for Wilson in Denver last season. However, the situation is now looking up. Denver made a significant coaching change by replacing Nathaniel Hackett with Sean Payton, arguably the most impactful coaching move in the league in years. Upon evaluating Denver's roster, it becomes evident that their underperformance in 2022 was not due to a lack of talent but rather a lack of clarity, discipline, and a modern offensive approach. With substantial upgrades on the offensive line and improved running back depth, it's crucial to erase the memories of the 2022 Broncos. This marks a true fresh start, and Wilson should resemble the perennial Pro Bowler we became accustomed to in Seattle rather than the train wreck we witnessed last season.

Dave Kluge: Wilson struggled during his first year in Denver. He set a career low in touchdown rate and had the highest interception rate since his rookie year. Without trying to play psychologist, it’s easy to understand how playing on a new team with a new coach in a new system for the first time in a decade could come with some growing pains. But the Broncos invested in their offensive line and brought in Sean Payton this offseason. Wilson is 34 years old now. While not especially young, that’s typically earlier than we see elite quarterbacks trend downward. He was a top-ten fantasy quarterback in eight straight seasons and top-three in four of those. He still possesses high-end upside and can be had at a significant discount this year.

Gary Davenport: There’s no sugarcoating what happened in Denver last year—Wilson’s first season with the Broncos was an unmitigated disaster. But in the long-ago era of 2020, Wilson was a top-five fantasy option in Seattle. In Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, Wilson has a quality pair of wide receivers at his disposal. And Sean Payton has to be considered a massive upgrade at head coach over the Nathaniel Hackett debacle last year. A two-time Super Bowl quarterback and nine-time Pro Bowler didn’t suddenly forget how to play quarterback, and Wilson’s only 34. A rebound year is coming.

Daniel Harms: We found out why the Seahawks didn’t Let Russ Cook last year with a coaching staff that allowed Wilson to have a ton of influence over the offense and offensive play calls. He burns the kitchen down. So the Broncos brought in a new head chef to install a new menu with some guard rails for Wilson and show in exactly what to put on the plate. They invested in the offensive line in free agency, which was a big part of the problem for Wilson in 2022, and he started to feel more comfortable running the ball recording nearly half of his rushing total over the last five games he played.

Corey Spala: To be straightforward, I see this 129th selection on a bet Sean Payton will resurrect the Super Bowl aspirations for Denver. Wilson has been declining in quarterback play — let’s hope superior coaching will find the solution. Denver has the supporting talent at all offensive positions, I like to think Payton will be like Doug Pederson was to Jacksonville.

Matt Waldman: It's difficult for any quarterback to transcend a bad supporting cast. Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Kurt Warner endured critiques similar to Wilson before proving they weren't washed up. Wilson performed poorly as the season progressed, but the decline had a lot to do with the accumulation of poor performances from his teammates and staff. Early in the year, the film and charting of throws showed a different story about Wilson's play than the media narrative. After the first two games of 2022, his receivers dropped 13 passes -- 9 that were pinpoint. If caught, six of these drops would have been touchdowns. The public gives too much credit and/or blame to the figurehead of the team. When I initially scouted Wilson in college, I thought Sean Payton offered the best fit for Wilson in the NFL. With better coaching and health, I believe we'll see a rebound in 2023.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Jeff Haseley: There's a chance that Geno Smith peaked in his performance in 2022 and may not be able to replicate it in 2023. However, it's also possible that he has found his groove and the offensive system that suits his skills. Seattle took measures to enhance their running game by selecting Zach Charbonnet to go with Kenneth Walker, and they scored a valuable addition to their wide receiver corps by drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith had favorable circumstances in the previous season, and it's reasonable to assume that the team's position has improved for 2023.

Gary Davenport: Smith was eighth in the NFL in passing yards, led the league in completion percentage, ranked fourth in touchdown passes with 30, was eighth in air yards per attempt, and was a top-five fantasy option in many scoring systems in 2022. The Seahawks added Jaxon Smith-Njiba to a receivers room that already included Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. And yet Smith is ranked outside the top-12 in terms of ADP this summer. Even in you’re concerned that last year was a fluke, Smith is a value. If you believe he can approach last year’s success, he’s the perfect late-round quarterback target.

Daniel Harms: Geno was the QB5 overall last season and QB9 in fantasy points per game but is currently being drafted as QB15. *Insert I feel like I’m taking crazy pills! meme here* They improved their offense by drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet, their offensive line is poised to be better than it’s been in years, and Geno enters his second season in Shane Waldron’s offense. He’s a sneaky Konami Code quarterback as well, with the eighth-most rushes at the quarterback position last season (68).

Ryan Weisse: I talked about Smith and seven other undervalued players in an article a few weeks ago. Smith's 2022 performance doesn't appear unrepeatable. He threw for 4,282 yards last year, just over 250 per game, and 30 touchdowns. With talented weapons like DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and the newly-drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal, it's reasonable to expect similar production. With an improved supporting cast and offensive line in 2023, he has the potential to secure another top-five finish at the quarterback position.

Sam Wagman: Finally given the opportunity to cook, Geno didn't disappoint last year, notching career-high marks in nearly every statistical category. The team added Jaxon Smith-Njigba through the draft for him as well as giving him a nice contract extension, meaning the onus is on Geno to help this team make it back to having deep playoff runs. Currently going as the QB15 and deeper in some spots, Smith represents a unique opportunity to get a potential QB1 in the way back of your drafts this summer.

Chad Parsons: Smith has a new contract, unchallenged by a Round 1 rookie selection at the position, and Seattle bolstered his robust DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett duo with a splash of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith was a potential league-winner (especially in Superflex) coming from the depths of expectations last season. The fantasy community is pricing Smith as if a steep fall is of high confidence despite being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2022 and gaining weaponry.

Player Receiving 5 Votes

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Ben Cummins: Goff threw for 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and ranked as the QB13 in fantasy points per game (17.4). Yet, he’s listed as the QB17 by ADP. He’ll easily beat that cost. Goff benefits from having one of the best offensive coordinators and offensive lines that both play to the strengths of his game, improved weapons surrounding Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a favorable fantasy playoff schedule with all dome games. In year one last season under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions ranked fifth in points and fourth in yards, and Goff now also gets to throw to 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams (after his six-game suspension), 2023 first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs, and 2023 second-round pick Sam LaPorta.

Jeff Bell: Goff finished as QB14 on a per-game basis and overall QB10 in 2022. His reward is QB17's placement on this list. This offseason, the Lions doubled down on offensive skill talent, overhauling their backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and adding Sam LaPorta to the tight end rotation. The backfield shift could signal an overall offensive trend. Despite a defense that allowed the fourth most points, the Lions still ran the ball at a rate in the top half of the league. With Montgomery replacing the bruising Jamaal Williams and Gibbs's passing acumen, run game usage could shift towards schemed usage in the passing game, helping further raise Goff's ceiling.

Andy Hicks: Finishing the 2022 season ranked inside the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks, Goff still is seen as a placeholder in fantasy circles. The Lions have progressed from one of the worst receiving units in the NFL in his first season for the team to a strong unit now. Goff has the full confidence of the coaching staff, and talks are beginning on an extension. The division opens up following the departure of Aaron Rodgers, and Goff will exceed his draft slot significantly. Last year's numbers can be improved upon.

Corey Spala: A perfect example of a quarterback to draft (later) when prioritizing other assets. Detroit upgraded their offense, while the defense is thought to remain bottom tier. The lack of rushing production finds balance from doing, well, just enough to be a weekly starter. Goff (QB10) averaged 17.1 PPG. For reference, Justin Herbert (QB11) averaged 17.0 ppg — Goff is a discount found in Round 10+.

Sigmund Bloom: Goff and the Lions already had one of the most productive and efficient offenses in the NFL last year. Now they've added two matchup nightmares in Jamhyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, and after he serves his six-game suspension, they'll have the addition of Jameson Williams' deep speed. How good can this passing game be with a set of weapons that no defense can adequately answer? It could be fun to have Goff on your roster as we learn the answer, especially in six-point passing touchdown leagues.