NFL Fantasy Football 2025 Early-Round Value Picks: Quarterbacks

Over the past couple weeks we highlighted the best value picks for the running back and wide receiver positions in NFL fantasy all throughout NFL drafts. Now we will highlight the quarterbacks, a position that isn’t overly scarce in single QB formats, but can still be league winners. So we will need to pick out the true difference makers if you look to snatch a QB early in NFL fantasy drafts, or how to capitalize on grabbing great QB’s late in the draft.

I know, I know. I’m the hockey guy at Betting News. I go by Gretzky Betzky, I host PUCK IT and I eat, breathe and sleep puck. But I’m also an AVID fantasy football nerd who is in two dynasty leagues, partaking in 5+ leagues annually and been addicted to being a fake GM for over 15 years now. In fact, I won the Betting News staff fantasy league last season and came in second place in two other leagues. From draft day on I will watch player ADP like they are stock tickers, hunting down value. And while the NHL is snoozing, I’ll be contributing my NFL expertise in the fantasy football realm.

This will become an ongoing series where I highlight players who REEK of value in fantasy drafts. We aren’t talking about grabbing Ja’Marr Chase with the first overall pick, but instead we are going to be finding gems and value. Each article will feature a position within a range of draft rounds (we will always skip the first round). We will assume that these picks are for 12-team leagues with .5 PPR and will not be discussing in terms of Superflex. On top of that, I’ll highlight a futures bet that corresponds with each player, all of whose odds can be found on BetOnline.

So without further ado, let’s kick it off with NFL fantasy football 2025 early-round value picks: the quarterbacks. It’s mock draft season baby!!!

1. NFL Fantasy Rounds 2-4 Value Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow

To be completely honest, I like grabbing my quarterbacks late in NFL fantasy drafts, unless it is a superflex or 2QB league. So for this first entry I’m grouping the first 5 rounds together. I also think there is too much value lost in the first two rounds to take a QB. Yes, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are consistently the top producing fantasy players, but missing out on a top WR/RB to grab a QB who may have only 40-50 more points than someone I can grab in the mid to late rounds is too big of a loss of value.

That being said, in round four Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are both decent options, especially if you are comfortable with your WR and RB situation. Joe Burrow has already demonstrated he can be a top-tier fantasy quarterback. In his last full healthy season (2022), he finished QB4 in total points and QB3 (2024) in points per game, averaging over 22 fantasy points per week. For leagues that may weight passing touchdowns Burrow can really shine. Joe Cool had a whopping 43 passing touchdowns and 4,918 passing yards last season, which lead the league.

The Bengals have arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league, along with the best wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase. They also have upgraded their offensive line. After a slow start to least season the Bengals went on a tear. This is a team with Superbowl aspirations and the offense to get them there. While I still think taking a QB this early is a bit of a reach, Burrow may make me think, especially if he falls to the 5th round in NFL fantasy drafts.

Joe Burrow most regular season passing yards +500 on BetOnline:

Big odds here on a future bet I absolutely love. Burrow lead the league last last season with nearly 5,000 passing yards. He had nearly 300 more yards than 2nd place QB Jared Goff and over 400 yards more than 3rd place QB Baker Mayfield. While the Bengals had to play catch up a lot early in the season, I don’t foresee Burrow and the Bengals not continuing their air raiding onslaught. And with Burrow’s main competition getting older, I think these odds are fantastic for a repeat.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

2. NFL Fantasy Rounds 2-4 Value Quarterbacks: Jalen Hurts

I love foreshadowing, so it should have been obvious in my Burrow write up who my 2nd NFL fantasy QB pick was going to be. Jalen Hurts is pretty much Lamar Jackson lite. There is an argument to be made that Saquan Barkley has eaten into Hurt’s upside, which pushed him to the 8th best fantasy QB in 2024. But if you have been reading my articles you know I love buying the dip. And teams will have to focus on containing Barkley better this season, and it would not come as a surprise if schemes are shifted to let Hurts cook more this season to keep defenses on their toes.

Jalen Hurts is one of the rare quarterbacks who can give you top-tier production both through the air and on the ground. In 2022 and 2023, he finished top 3 in QB fantasy scoring, with massive contributions from his rushing stats: Averaged 10+ rushing touchdowns per season over a three-year span, consistently in the top 2 for QB rushing yards per game, and high-value goal-line usage due to the “Tush Push” QB sneak that Philadelphia has perfected.

Another factor to consider is the fact that Hurts missed two games last season, once the Eagles had locked in a playoff position. If he maintain his average fantasy score per game across 17 games he would have easily had yet another top 5 finish. This was QB2 and QB3 the two years without Barkley. Hurts also only had 361 passing attempts on the season, which was nearly 200 less than his QB2 finish and 99 less than his QB3 finish. If Barkley were to miss time, Hurts will be forced to throw more. But even if Barkley stays healthy, you have to expect the Eagles to pivot off his massive usage to ensure he is healthy for the playoffs and long term for the team.

If Hurts falls past the 4th round, you will be getting screaming pick value for a top end QB in NFL fantasy.

Jalen Hurts over 600+ Rushing Yards for -110 on BetOnline:

Great line here, considering Hurts passed this in every season besides his rookie year. As mentioned before, I believe Barkley’s usage will go down slightly. The Eagles know how important he is to the teams success and should not put him in a position to wear down quickly because of being overworked. So give me a prop that Hurts has passed in four straight seasons at nearly even money.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

3. NFL Fantasy Round 6 Value Quarterbacks: Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield

This is the sweet spot for where I will most likely grab my first QB. Both Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff look like solid choices to snatch your first QB in round 6. While both the Buccaneers and Lions lost their offensive coordinators, both teams are still loaded with top weapons and have QB’s who love to air it out. Let’s take a deeper look at both options:

Jared Goff isn’t flashy like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but he’s been one of the steadiest passers in the league the past two seasons. In 2024, he:

• Threw for over 4,500 yards

• Delivered 30+ touchdowns

• Finished top 10 among fantasy quarterbacks in most formats

Unlike other mid-round quarterbacks who have volatile weekly outputs, Goff’s consistency makes him a plug-and-play option without the “streamer” headaches. All of that can be said about Baker as well. Last year, his 2nd with the Buccaneers, Baker lead them to the playoffs by:

• Surpassing 4,300 passing yards

• Posting 30+ touchdowns

• Finishing as a top-10 fantasy QB in most formats

These two QB’s have such similar profiles that you can’t go wrong with either of them as your QB1. Best of all is I have no problem reaching a little to grab either, or seeing if one falls closer to round 7. This is how you can capitalize on NFL fantasy pick value. Getting a more mobile QB with questions like Anthony Richardson or Justin Fields can make for a deadly combo as well.

Baker Mayfield over 35+ Passing Touchdowns for +225 on BetOnline:

For future props I lean Mayfield touchdowns over Goff. Mayfield is younger and the Buccaneers don’t have the same running game that the Lions do. But the largest factor to favor a Mayfield prop is that Tampa Bay’s schedule is much easier than the Lions. Their division is still one of the weakest, so Baker should eat at least 6 games this season. Baker had 41 touchdowns last season, and while it may be difficult for him to repeat this, if you want a higher odd future play you can take his 40+ TD prop for +550.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

Interested in More Content?

More NFL Content on Betting News:

• NFL Expert Betting Guide
• Top 3 Wide Receiver Picks for Fantasy Football
• Mid-Round Value Picks for Fantasy Football: Wide Receivers
• Late-Round Value Picks for Fantasy Football: Running Backs
• Early-Round Running Back Picks for Fantasy Football
• Mid-Round Running Back Picks for Fantasy Football

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