Three relatively inexperienced NFL quarterbacks will have fantasy impacts on a dozen or more fantasy receivers today. Rookie UDFA Jalon Daniels will make his first start; his only experience is throwing two incomplete passes and an interception last weekend in relief of Baker Mayfield. It's been many years since a UDFA quarterback has produced consistently good fantasy numbers.
Tyson Bagent is making his fifth NFL start and his first since 2023. Poor play could compel head coach Ben Johnson to replace him with Case Keenum. In fact, if Bagent struggles on the first couple of drives, I'd be shocked if he stays out there. But we'll see.
Hard to believe that Malik Willis is making only his 10th NFL start today. Losing De'Von Achane (along with Caleb Douglas) doesn't help. Miami handed him $45 million after he beat up on several bad defenses in 2024 and 2025 while throwing to a relatively strong receiving corps. Although he's playing decently enough, he has not yet demonstrated the ability to elevate his skill players.
Based on a question from a Text Anytime subscriber, this weekend I started researching the extent to which inexperienced QBs lean disproportionally on RBs and TEs. Conventional wisdom would suggest that newbie quarterbacks focus a little more on the short game -- using running backs and tight ends as security blankets. I discuss initial findings on today's podcast.
Don't forget there's a 9:30am Eastern kickoff. If you did forget, hopefully you're reading this no later than 9:27am. And good luck this weekend.
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