Nathan Jahnke details three quarterbacks that fantasy football managers should avoid in drafts during the lead up to the 2025 NFL season.

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**(Article Title: Fantasy Football: 3 quarterbacks to avoid in drafts)**

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## The Draft Tightrope: Identifying Quarterbacks Who Flirt With Failure

Fantasy football drafts are often a whirlwind of emotion, analysis, and strategic maneuvering. Millions of managers spend countless hours researching sleepers, breakout stars, and current trends, all in an effort to build the most potent roster possible for the upcoming campaign. But sometimes, the most critical decision occurs not through adding potential impact players, but by *avoiding* certain types of selections, especially at positions of utmost importance like quarterback.

As we look ahead towards the 2025 NFL season, the quarterback position remains the heartbeat of any successful fantasy team. While young guns and established veterans occupy the top tiers of available talent, the crowded middle-to-lower tier of draft capital is where value hunting typically happens, but also where discerning which players to *skip* becomes crucial. Filling the QB bench solely with expensive players who lack proven reliability can cripple a team's scoring potential over 17 weeks.

This year's crop of available quarterbacks in the latter stages of the standard keeper league draft presents managers with several plausible options at QB No. 12, 13, 14... but also draws sharp lines between those who offer value and those who represent a below-average allocation of picks. Failure is inevitable if your roster relies on one or two high-priced, unproven signal-callers to fill scoring gaps. Identifying the names to avoid isn't just helpful; it's a form of strategic responsibility.

Among the cache of starting QBs rotating onto the waiver wire throughout the season, there remains a subset who, looking at the current personnel landscape, offer a limited ceiling and persistent underlying flaws. Venturing here risks trading away valuable late-round gems like RBs or WRs, or simply using a first-round pick comparison for workhorse talent that projects to be solid, perhaps even serviceable, but *not* great. This isn't about projecting unprecedented collapses, but rather pinpointing players where, even if they hit some fantasy milestones, the probability of emerging as a sustainable top-12 finisher or contributing significantly by committee is slim. Effective draft strategy means spending premium capital on proven pillars and finding strong benches. Allocation mistakes often aren't easily corrected later in the season when prime targets have already disappeared.

This principle has been a reliable compass point in recent years, guiding managers away from vulnerable play-calling scenarios or limited opportunities:

### Quarterback #1: [Player A - University/Conference Background]

At first glance, talented arms and physical prototypical builds often capture the fantasy imagination. Player A, most recently [Team Name] backup under a familiar offensive system [Coach Name], possesses a high-upside potential. However, pairing this potential with [Specific Flaw #1, e.g., inconsistent accuracy under pressure] and [Specific Flaw #2, e.g., questionable durability or a volatile relationship with position coaches] presents a difficult combination. While Player A has flashes – pointing to his Mobile-by reputation or his arm strength – these defining traits don't always translate into consistent fantasy production. His environment matters, and if forced into mobile-gut passing scenarios by a conservative offensive coordinator time and again, his upside becomes largely theoretical. Rating him as an owner-riser is a risky proposition, as does drafting him late, simply hoping his opponents' defenses crack in ways allowing him to succeed. In a season where fantasy points remain paramount, betting on a specific, fragile probability seems less appealing. Trading him mid-season doesn't erase the initial cost, and acquiring him doesn't guarantee success. Drafting Player A likely signals a specific strategic choice, rather than just adding a deep sleeper.

### Quarterback #2: [Player B - Previous Team(s), Experience]

Recognition seems to trail Player B. Perhaps his mid-tier fantasy last year simply reflected his actual standing. A multi-year veteran in his mid-to-late twenties, Player B provides stability expectations. But is that a blessing or a curse for the late drafts? His capacity as a game-time decision – valuable for a backup coach seeking carryover value – is undeniable. Unfortunately, his competitive fire *and* mechanics fizzle when under duress. The "efficiency tank" is a documented phenomenon for Player B when turnovers mount or the game is slipping away. Add his relative inactivity in red zone scenarios to a lesser floor (averaging 14-16 fantasy points against parity his last season) and his status as the statistically challenged guy teams rely on anyone else trying. While he might rack up cheap wins in specific matchups (sound familiar?), trying to pencil him in as the engine for your fantasy season, especially as a late first or middle-of-the-rounds QB, is gambling against the odds. The value only becomes apparent if you're specifically searching for insurance safety net material. Otherwise, his track record points towards being a cheap fill-in rather than a bell-ringer.

### Quarterback #3: [Player C - High Profile, Recent Acquisition/Trade]

This is the player with the most manufactured pedigree this year. Player C earned headlines last season – perhaps leading an improbable playoff run for his team, or following a high-profile coaching change. A dynamic dual-threat, capable of scrambling and connecting down the field. But let's separate the storytelling from the actual outcomes. While his raw numbers always look intriguing, deeper dives reveal a high reversal potential. Scouts noted functional traits perhaps. But translating explosive play into the high-PPR reality of modern fantasy football can be difficult. Furthermore, the team context shifts: are the offensive line back under a different regime, freed to open running lanes for him? Are new coordinators embracing his style? There are whispers that his public KDJ reports might skew higher than his underlying statistics might support. Smart managers are citing process and performance, not just headlines, when evaluating Player C. His projections for sustainable fantasy success are often inflated in late rounds. The trend lines on targets/attempt metrics at his team weren't nearly as promising as some believe. Starting him often doesn't guarantee ceiling discussions late in the year. Filling your QB spot with Player C represents hope, not a calculated move. Until his underlying numbers consistently correlate with fantasy production week-in and week-out, safer investments exist. The allure of escaping the 2025 fantasy QB draft gamble might just be Player C, but the reality could be regrettable ROI.

## Navigating Your Next Draft Strategy

Drafting within your means and adhering to proven core values cannot be understated, particularly in the volatile early rounds and especially at the critical quarterback position. These players discussed represent examples, not outliers, in the challenges facing late-first or middle round QB decisions.

*A vital tip often overlooked: Allocate picks where strong upside and probable future productivity meet manageable opportunities. Treating the first two QB selections above like typical first or second receiver tiers – seeking top talent, not finding decent pluggers – is the smarter way.*

Furthermore, while sample size is finite, fantasy football is a marathon. Scrutinizing a player like [Correction Placeholder: Mention Factor Common among all or apply to the 3rd player mainly] – perhaps an upward trend in Quinten Pryor last year predicated solely on Denver having 4, still needs context.

The league format matters too. Bell-to-bell PPR fantasy leagues demand less QB quality compared to standard-scoring? PPR leagues tend to have less QB depth than standard, simply because touchdowns are *more* valuable than passing yards.

Ultimately, the crucial action isn't just adding potential contributors (unless your draft budget is unreal) but avoiding those who systematically hinder your team's scoring output without meaningful compensation. These three provide a roadmap for concerns holding back some names at the position. Focusing on reliability, a track record adjusted for opportunity, and a realistic appraisal of upside keeps fantasy football managers, draft day panic be damned, grounded for the season ahead.

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