There are 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL, and in 2023, 66 quarterbacks recorded at least one start. So figuring out which quarterbacks to target for Fantasy Football, and when to target them in your drafts, is way easier said than done. As a Fantasy Football analyst, it is important for me to identify separating factors for players to assist you in figuring out who to select in your drafts. For Fantasy Football, we tend to look for players with “upside,” or factors that elevate their production over others of the same position. Finding players with safer “floors,” or their scoring baseline, also helps. Mobile quarterbacks provide both a safer floor and an elevated ceiling, for their position in Fantasy Football.
Below you will find data from 2019-2020 that specifically looks at quarterbacks who rushed for 300+ yards, their full statistics, and their Fantasy Football production details. Variables for this sample size include health, receiving weapons, offensive lines, coaching, scheme, game scripts, and passing production. The goal is to simply break down what it means for Fantasy Football when a quarterback rushes for 300+ and 500+ yards.
Win Your Fantasy Football League by Drafting Mobile Quarterbacks
2019-2020: 300+ Yard Rushing Yard Quarterbacks
300+ Yard Quarterback Notes:
- 300+ Rushing QB Averages:
- Overall QB Finish: 10.17
- Total Fantasy Points: 307.83
- Fantasy PPG: 20.12
- Percentages:
- Of the 41 sample-size QBs to hit 300+ rushing yards, 26 finished as a Top 12 Fantasy QB (63.41%)
- Of the sample-size QBs to hit 300+ rushing yards, 17 finished as Top 5 Fantasy QBs (41.46%)
2019-2020: 500+ Yard Rushing Yard Quarterbacks
500+ Yard Quarterback Notes:
- 500+ Rushing QB Averages:
- Overall QB Finish: 6.95
- Total Fantasy Points: 335.96
- Fantasy PPG: 21.87
- Percentages:
- Of the 19 QBs to hit 500+ rushing yards, 15 finished as a Top 12 Fantasy QB (78.95%)
- Of the QBs to hit 500+ rushing yards, 8 finished as Top 5 Fantasy QBs (42.10%)
Quick Thoughts:
Looking at the averages and percentages above, rushing for 300+ yards has a great impact on Fantasy Football production. There is a long list of variables at the end of the day, but that baseline translates well to Fantasy Football success. 500+ rushing yard quarterbacks are a near lock for Fantasy Football success. When these players are having a great day through the air and on the ground, the ceiling for scoring is high due to the combination of passing and rushing points for Fantasy Football. If one of these players is having a rough day through the air but is having a solid day as a runner, those rushing points can help make up for the lack of passing points which creates a safer scoring floor. Conclusion: target mobile quarterbacks for Fantasy Football. Let’s project ahead to who may fit these two rushing categories in 2024
2024 Quarterback Candidates to Rush for 300+ Yards
LOCKS
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens): Six straight seasons over this mark. 821, 764, 767, 1,005, 1,213 rushing yards in his five seasons as a starter
- Anthony Richardson (Colts): Extremely mobile prospect profile. 34 rushing yards per game as a rookie
- Jalen Hurts (Eagles): 605, 760, 782 rushing yards in his three seasons as a starter
- Kyler Murray (Cardinals): Career-high 819 rushing yards in 2020. 544 his rookie season. 30.5 yards per game in 2023 post-ACL tear
- Josh Allen (Bills): 524, 776, 763, 421, 51o, and 631 rushing yards through six seasons as a starter. Wide receiver room question marks can emphasis running more
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders): 710 to 885 to 1,134 rushing yard progression his final three college seasons from 2021 through 2023.
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs): 389, 358, 381 and 308 rushing yards the last four seasons in a row
- Deshaun Watson (Browns): 444, 413 and 551 rushing yards in the three full seasons played (2018-2020)
POSSIBILITIES
- Caleb Williams (Bears): 442 rushing yards in 2021 and 382 rushing yards in 2022 as a prospect
- Drake Maye (Patriots): 698 rushing yards in 2022 and 449 rushing yards in 2023 as a prospect. We are unsure of how many games he will start
- Daniel Jones (Giants): 34.3 rushing yards per game in 2023. 708 rushing yards in 2022 and 423 in 2020. Coming off an ACL tear draws the rushing upside question for Dimes
- Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars): 339 rushing yards (2023) and 334 rushing yards (2021) in two of his three seasons played
- Russell Wilson (Steelers): 341 rushing yards in 2023, 513 in 2020, 342 in 2019, 376 in 2018, 586 in 2017, 553 in 2015, 849 in 2014, 539 in 2013 and 489 in 2012. Does Russ hold off Justin Fields the entire year?
- Justin Fields (Steelers): 657 rushing yards in 2023 (13 games), 1,143 rushing yards in 2022 (15 games) and 420 rushing yards in 2021 (12 games). Likely starting the season as the backup, so how many games Fields plays is the ultimate factor
- Justin Herbert (Chargers): New offensive coordinator has mentioned Herbert running the ball more. 302 rushing yards in 2021. A lack of proven weapons could mean rushing the ball more often
2024 Quarterback Candidates to Rush for 500+ Yards
LOCKS
- Lamar Jackson
- Jalen Hurts
- Anthony Richardson
- Jayden Daniels
POSSIBILITIES
- Josh Allen
- Kyler Murray
- Justin Fields
Who’s your favorite dark horse QB1? Drop some names in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.