5 Late-Round Quarterbacks to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

By Ryan Ward

Robert Griffin III has officially entered the post-post-hype phase for fantasy footballers, and nobody seems to think he stands a chance to be fantasy relevant anymore.

I disagree.

Currently coming off of fantasy big boards as the 23rd quarterback drafted, any investment in him essentially comes cost free.

Griffin is also surrounded by a cadre of capable weapons in the passing and running games. DeSean Jackson is a secondary’s nightmare, posting the second highest Reception Net Expected Points (NEP) per target in the league in 2014. Pierre Garcon is coming off of a down year, but figures to be more productive moving from the “X” to “Z” receiver role.

Jordan Reed, while injury prone, posted the third highest Reception NEP per target among qualifying tight ends in 2013. And Alfred Morris has posted three straight 1,000 yard seasons since his breakout rookie season.

Griffin’s 2014 season was awful, but he has upside that most other quarterbacks can’t deliver; the ability to run the football. And while RGIII’s volume of RGIII circa 2012 will likely never return, numberFire still projects Griffin to rush for 404 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2015. So consider Griffin’s legs as a hedge on the passing yardage that you’ll likely give up (we project 3,288 passing yards and 16 touchdowns for 2015).

Ultimately, with a late-round pick, you want upside. Griffin has shown the ability to be a top 10 or better fantasy quarterback in the not-so-distant past. With greater confidence emanating out of Washington from coaches, a corps of weapons that would make most quarterbacks jealous, and an ability to score points via the arm or the leg, Griffin could end up being a nice risk-free late-round surprise.