The Importance of the Quarterback in Superflex

Dynasty fantasy football is ever-evolving, with new roster formats and scoring settings that continue to challenge even the most seasoned of managers.  One that has become a staple in today’s dynasty leagues is the inclusion of a Superflex roster spot.

While the standard Flex roster spot allows for positional players, Superflex includes the option to start a second quarterback.  This differs from one-quarterback leagues where, as the name denotes, starting a second quarterback is simply not an option.  To take advantage of the Superflex spot, dynasty managers should look to build depth at the quarterback position.

For dynasty managers there are two ways for a roster to progress: to score points and to accrue value.  In Superflex, depth at quarterback ensures a dynasty team cheap production without forking over too many valuable players or picks.  A look at points-per-game scoring over the last three years highlights the importance of the quarterback in the Superflex.

Quarterback Points Per Game (2020-2022)

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The narrative around Russell Wilson throughout 2022 was not a positive one.  A player who received a massive contract to play with great weapons and get his own corner office.  The result was the Broncos finishing last in the AFC West with a 5-12 record.  Regardless, Wilson finished as the QB-16 with 15.8 points per game.

Teddy “Two-Gloves” Bridgewater played his last season as a starting quarterback in 2021, finishing as the QB-23. In the process, Bridgewater scored 15.0 points per game. Teddy’s “bridge” quarterback role is a common one that dynasty managers can find each and every year.

In his final NFL season, Philip Rivers served as the first in a string of veteran quarterbacks for the Colts.  Rivers finished as the QB-20 in 2020, scoring 15.7 points per game and “leading” the Colts to a playoff appearance that resulted in a quick exit.

I highlight these underwhelming quarterback seasons to contrast them against running backs and wide receivers that are widely considered more “valuable” in dynasty.  Points per game for running backs and wide receivers is based on PPR scoring.

Running Back Points Per Game (2020-2022)

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In 2022 the dynasty fantasy football community finally got its wish, Tony Pollard usurped Ezekiel Elliott.  Pollard finished as the RB-8 with 15.6 points per game, showing an all-purpose skillset with nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns.

Nick Chubb finished 2021 as the RB-13 while scoring 15.4 points per game, continuing his reign as one of the best pure rushers in the NFL.  Chubb is truly a marvel between the tackles, rushing for over 1,000 yards in all but his rookie season.

It was not long ago (2020) that the recently-released Ezekiel Elliott finished as the RB-7 with 14.8 points per game.  Zeke tallied almost 1,300 total yards and 12 total touchdowns.  Zeke’s earlier seasons compared to 2022 remind me of the wise words of Toby Keith, “I ain’t as good as I once was.”

Wide Receiver Points Per Game (2020-2022)

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Jaylen Waddle finished his sophomore season (2022) as the WR-8, scoring 15.2 points per game. Despite having the fewest receptions among the top-12 wide receivers, Waddle thrived in the 49ers-mirrored offense by generating 18.1 yards per reception (1st among top-12 wide receivers).

In Russell Wilson’s final season in Seattle (2021), also known as Before Geno, DK Metcalf finished as the WR-14 with 14.4 points per game. Metcalf helped Wilson earn that Mile-High money, finishing the season just shy of 1,000 receiving yards but pulling down twelve touchdowns.

Mike Evans scored 15.5 points per game en route to a WR-11 finish in 2020. Since Evans entered the league in 2014, he racked up 1,000+ receiving yards and what is not to be forgotten, in 2020, is his 13 touchdowns (second-most in his career).

Superflex: Quarterbacks > Everything

In most Superflex leagues it is relatively cheap to trade for one of the aforementioned quarterbacks. Poor narratives (Wilson) or a lack of name recognition (Bridgewater) amongst the everyday fantasy manager drives down their value.  It is, however, often much more difficult to trade for a Nick Chubb or Jaylen Waddle. So for the sake of buying cheap production in Superflex leagues, look no further than those older or middling quarterbacks that earn a starting job year after year.

A rule that I follow when it comes to Superflex leagues is, “If they are one of the 32 starting quarterbacks, they have a place on my dynasty roster.” Prior to the 2022 NFL season, I acquired Geno Smith and Drew Lock. I knew I was getting a starting quarterback but I never guessed he would be top-five in fantasy. While it does not always playout this way, this is the cost-effective process that generates points from the Superflex position.

For players that I am looking to buy for 2023: Sam Howell (WAS), Mac Jones (NE) and Brock Purdy (SF). Look to acquire these three to improve the depth for your Superflex rosters to between three and four quarterbacks.

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