Backup quarterbacks are utilized for a few different reasons in fantasy football. Sometimes they are chosen depending on when a primary quarterback’s bye week takes place. They are also used at times when a starting quarterback faces a challenging opponent.
Lastly they are relied upon if your starter misses time due to an injury. Here are five quarterbacks who will make great backups during some key weeks in the upcoming 2015 fantasy season.
1. Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It would be a stretch to trust a rookie quarterback and one who heads the Buccaneers as your primary fantasy starter this season. However, Winston has a few standout matchups that could have him primed to be a sufficient backup this year. If your primary quarterback is either Peyton Manning of Aaron Rodgers who both have a Week 7 bye, Winston faces the Washington Redskins who allowed the total most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season.
Winston also faces the Eagles in Week 11 who allowed the most passing yards to the quarterback position. If Drew Brees is your starter, the New Orleans Saints will be on their bye in Week 11. Another softer opponent for Winston this year are the New York Giants who the Bucs play in Week 9.
2. Derek Carr, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
Carr has a handful of easier opponents this season when he faces the Chicago Bears in Week 4, Denver Broncos in Week 5, San Diego Chargers in Week 7 and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.
Chicago allowed an average of 19.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. The Broncos and Chargers ranked at ninth and 12th in fantasy points allowed, and Pittsburgh gave up the sixth-highest amount of points to the quarterback position. Carr is now armed with an excellent wide receiver in rookie Amari Cooper which makes him a great backup to target in fantasy drafts this season.
3. Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
Provided Bradford is the starter for the Eagles come Week 1, he has a couple of easier opponents he faces in 2015 which make him worthy of selecting as a backup quarterback. In Week 4 the Eagles play the Redskins who handed over an average of 20.53 fantasy points per game last year. The New England Patriots have a Week 4 bye for those who plan to take their chances with Tom Brady.
Bradford then faces the Saints in Week 5 where he could be an adequate replacement for Cam Newton. New Orleans allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the position last season. Swap Bradford for Mark Sanchez if he doesn’t look start-worthy as the preseason games play out.
4. Alex Smith, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
Smith was not a reliable option as a starting fantasy quarterback last season. This year he has an upgrade in wide receiver with Jeremy Maclin now on the team. Smith also faces some favorable opponents making him a quality backup to target for some quarterback’s bye weeks.
Smith faces the generous Bears’ defense in Week 5 who gave up an average of 278.6 passing yards per game last season. He also plays the Steelers in Week 7 and Chargers in Week 11 who allowed the sixth and 12th highest amount of points last year, respectively. As mentioned above, Rodgers and Manning both have a bye Week 7 and Brees is out in Week 11.
5. Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Not an ideal option as a starter, Mariota has a couple of matchups which will make him a serviceable backup this season. In Week 7, Mariota and the Titans face the Atlanta Falcons who gave up the second most passing yards to their opposing quarterbacks. Mariota could certainly take advantage of this potentially enticing matchup.
Mariota plays the Saints in Week 9 when quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford go on their byes. New Orleans gave up the fourth-most rushing yards to quarterbacks last season. We know that Mariota is going to be handy on his feet this year.
He makes a great grab and stash and might just surprise us while piling up fantasy points in the rushing department this season when faced with softer competition.