- Malik Willis scrambles more than anyone: Willis led all quarterbacks in scrambles per dropback over the past two seasons and now has a starting job with the Miami Dolphins.
- Tyler Shough is a great late-round option: Shough averaged 17.6 PPR points per game from Week 9 on last season, 12th among quarterbacks, yet he is going in the 13th round in fantasy drafts.
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Each season, some players take their game to another level while greatly improving their fantasy production along the way. Most of the 32 starting NFL quarterbacks have found at least some level of success from a fantasy perspective, leaving few options for potential breakout candidates.
However, among the pool of young quarterbacks who haven't yet been consistent fantasy starters, here are the few most likely to become fantasy starters by the end of the season.
Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins (ADP: 13.03)
Willis spent two seasons as a backup for the Tennessee Titans but received only three starts. Tennessee drafted Will Levis 33rd overall a year after taking Willis 86th, which made the latter expendable. The Packers traded for Willis to serve as a backup, and over two years, he made three starts and saw notable playing time in three other games.
Willis has dropped back to pass just 118 times over the past two years, but his 79.9 PFF passing grade ranks 15th among all quarterbacks. Most important for fantasy, he scrambled on 15.1% of his dropbacks over that span, which leads all quarterbacks. That was notably ahead of Jayden Daniels, Tyrod Taylor, Justin Fields, Drake Maye and Jaxson Dart.
Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins to be their starting quarterback this season. Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan were both with the Packers before joining Miami. Some passing regression is fair to expect, since Willis won't have the same weapons in Miami that he had in Green Bay. Defenses will also be better prepared for him, since his appearances in Green Bay were often a surprise; because he plays so differently from Jordan Love, defenses weren't ready for him.
Even if Willis’ scrambles per dropback regress somewhat, he should remain among the league leaders in quarterback rushing production, which is a big plus for his fantasy value. Extrapolating his rushing attempts per start and yards per carry in Green Bay, he would have posted 119 rushing attempts and 738 rushing yards over a season, both of which would have led all quarterbacks last year. It's fair not to expect numbers quite that big in Miami, but he could be a fantasy starter if he holds the job and scores enough touchdowns.
Willis is a strong option for anyone willing to wait before adding a second quarterback in redraft leagues.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (ADP: 13.04)
Shough was drafted 40th overall by the Saints in 2025 and took over as the team's starter partway through Week 8. From Weeks 9 to 18, he averaged 17.6 PPR points per game, 12th among quarterbacks. He had the right combination of volume as both a passer and runner, along with good efficiency for a rookie.
He benefited from an easier-than-average schedule. He faced a bottom-five defense against fantasy quarterbacks three times and posted two top-10 finishes in those games. In three more games against teams in the bottom half of the league at limiting quarterback fantasy points, he had his other top-10 finish. His remaining three starts came against top-half teams, and he failed to crack the top 10 in all three.
The Saints leaned heavily on Shough last season. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller were both hurt for most of his time as a starter, and the team had traded away Rashid Shaheed and cut Brandin Cooks, leaving it thin at two important positions. New Orleans signed Travis Etienne and drafted Jordyn Tyson, which should help Shough's passing efficiency but could also push the Saints to run more.
Shough's ADP is relatively low because there's usually a reason to prefer other quarterbacks, whether it's more experience at a high level, a better supporting cast or more rushing upside. The likeliest outcome is that he regresses somewhat despite the upgraded weapons, but there's a chance Etienne and Tyson lift the offense to a new level and Shough improves on his 17.6 PPR points per game.
He is a clear example of how deep the quarterback position is this year and a reason it makes sense to wait at quarterback in single-quarterback leagues. Shough can be drafted in the later rounds and slotted into lineups when the matchup is right.
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (ADP: 15.09)
Ward was selected first overall by the Titans and stepped immediately into the starting lineup. He was expected to have a trio of veteran receivers at his disposal in Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, but Ridley played only five full games, catching five passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns in his last healthy one. Head coach Brian Callahan was fired after the sixth game of the season, and Lockett lasted seven games before requesting his release.
That understandably put a damper on Ward's rookie season. The good news is that he threw for two touchdowns in each of his final four full games after managing just seven across his first 12. He similarly posted his three best PFF grades near the end of the season.
Ward will have a fresh slate this season, with more options. Tennessee drafted Carnell Tate fourth overall to be its new X receiver and signed Wan'Dale Robinson to play the slot. Ridley is also expected to be healthy, shifting from the clear top option to the third read in the passing game. Brian Daboll is the new offensive coordinator.
In single-quarterback leagues, Ward isn't worth drafting in most redraft formats, but he could easily become a top waiver-wire target with a strong start. In superflex leagues, there are a few veterans he should go ahead of simply for his upside in a new opportunity.
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