By the end of this month, the quarterback position is going to change, and hopefully for the better. And Superflex leagues should benefit in a big way.
The incoming rookies have the chance to be special with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. all likely to get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Not all of them will be an instant success -- or even have a lengthy career -- but hopefully one or two will be difference makers this season.
We'll find out soon enough. And Williams and Daniels look like the best bets to help Fantasy managers in 2024.
For now, we didn't include rookies in our latest 12-team, Superflex mock draft. This was our last mock draft to see how our CBS Sports staff feels about the veterans prior to the NFL Draft.
The first six picks of this PPR mock draft were quarterbacks (Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud). Allen, despite the loss of Stefon Diggs, was still the No. 1 overall pick. And Stroud, with the addition of Diggs, is a borderline top-five selection in this format.
Dak Prescott was the only other quarterback drafted in Round 1, but Jordan Love, Anthony Richardson, Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa all went in Round 2. Four managers started their teams with a QB-QB approach, including Dave Richard (Allen and Tagovailoa), Joel Cox (Lamar Jackson and Purdy), Dan Schneier (Joe Burrow and Herbert) and me (Prescott and Murray)
I did this on purpose from the No. 10 spot to see how it would play out, and I like it. I followed a best-player available approach from Round 3 on, drafting Travis Etienne, Drake London, Rachaad White, George Pickens, Dalton Kincaid and Marquise Brown with my next six picks. Those are some of my favorite breakout candidates this season.
The rest of my team includes Courtland Sutton, Chase Brown, Romeo Doubs, Josh Downs, Dontayvion Wicks, Miles Sanders and Israel Abanikanda. I love the upside of Brown, who could be the best running back in Cincinnati this season. And I'm hopeful one of Doubs or Wicks (or both) becomes a consistent contributor for the Packers this year, which could make them a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver.
Now, compare this approach to what Thomas Shafer did from the No. 7 spot since he didn't draft a quarterback until Round 7. But his first six picks were amazing with Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, D.J. Moore, Mike Evans, Stefon Diggs and Cooper Kupp.
Thomas also has T.J. Hockenson at tight end, and his bench consists of Keaton Mitchell, Jameson Williams and A.T. Perry -- and a lot of quarterbacks. Thomas has Justin Fields, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Flacco and Sam Howell on his roster.
Now, Thomas has one quarterback situation locked up in Pittsburgh with Wilson and Fields, so he's good there. But he'll need Brissett to start for the Patriots, or something to happen in Indianapolis or Seattle for Flacco or Howell to see playing time.
This strategy could work out great for Thomas, especially as he uses the waiver wire during the season. His skill players are fantastic, and he just needs capable quarterback play to succeed.
In this league, all touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We also award one point for every reception. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, FLEX (RB/WR/TE) and Superflex (QB/RB/WR/TE) with six reserves for a 15-round draft.
Our draft order is as follows:
1. Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer
2. Heath Cummings, Senior Fantasy Writer
3. Joel Cox, CBS Sports VP Business Development
4. Zach Brook, FFT Social Media Coordinator
5. Daniel Schneier, Fantasy Editor
6. R.J. White, Managing Editor, SportsLine and CBS Fantasy
7. Thomas Shafer, FFT Podcast Producer
8. Jack Capotorto, CBS Sports HQ Producer
9. Adam Aizer, FFT Podcast Host
10. Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
11. Brandon Howard, Fantasy Editor
12. Meron Berkson, CBS Sports HQ Producer
