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I wrote my original dynasty quarterback rankings while tripping on mushrooms, which led to the ranking of Kyler Murray ahead of Deshaun Watson and Tua Tagovailoa ahead of Joe Burrow. Now I’ve moved on to a new concoction of LSD and MDMA. Because pandemics are once in a lifetime events, let’s make the most of it. Needless to say, I’m not backing of the drug-induced hot takes. But I did make a few tweaks to my top 20 dynasty quarterbacks for 2020 fantasy football: 

Originally posted 4/6/20

Tier 1 

1. Patrick Mahomes –  A league-winner in his first season as a starter, I’ll venture a guess that the best is yet to come from the 24-year old. I foresee Mahomes topping 50 touchdowns in a season multiple times in his career. Most “experts” will advise against an early round quarterback in 1-QB leagues, but there’s many ways to cook a moose. I have no problem building a dynasty squad around our Mahomie.    

2. Lamar Jackson – Basically everything I wrote about Mahomes applies except I don’t expect him to ever throw for 50 touchdowns. He could maybe run for 50 touchdowns. Those shrooms are really hitting me now. Mahomes gets the edge over LJax since Jackson’s wheels won’t age quite as well as Mahomes canon, but we won’t have to worry about that until at least COVID-25. 

Tier 2

3. Kyler Murray – Helloooooo DeAndre Hopkins! I was excited about Murray’s sophomore campaign in the Kliff Kingsbury offense even before Hopkins landed on the scene. I want every piece of the Cardinals offense I can get my hands on for 2020 and beyond. Kyler will be my most owned QB in 2020. 

4. Deshaun Watson – Murray over Watson may be a little bit of a hot-take, but losing one of the top receivers in the game isn’t ideal. That said, Watson’s still an elite dynasty QB and there’s speculation he could land in New England somehow. Seems unlikely but that could be fun . . . for his dynasty owners anyway. 

5. Russell Wilson – He’s capable of being the #1 fantasy QB in any given season and now has two elite weapons at his disposal with Metcalf and Lockett. But Wilson also has his share of frustrating fantasy outings in Sneaky Pete’s malleable offense and he’s 7-8 years older than the four youngsters above.

6. Josh Allen – Guessing this is the highest you’ll see Allen ranked on any dynasty QB list. He’s a young dual-threat on a rising offense and now has an elite option at his disposable in Stefon Diggs. Bold prediction: the Bills defeat the Cardinals in this year’s Superbowl. Mmmmm these are some good mushrooms!

7. Dak Prescott – Amari’s new 5-year/100-million dollar deal is great news for Prescott in 2020, but makes it unlikely Dak resigns with Dallas next offseason due to cap constraints. Remember, they just gave Zeke Federal Reverse stimulus type money last year. There aren’t many more fantasy friendly situations for Dak than the Cowboys offense. I shy away from dynasty uncertainty as much as possible. UPDATE 4/24/20: CeeDee Lamb fell into the Cowboys’ lap at pick 17 as the rich get richer. I’m moving Dak up into tier 2. 

Tier 3

8. Carson Wentz – Starting to feel like Wentz will forever remain in the ‘good not great’ fantasy quarterback territory. I’m not writing off the possibility of him making the leap into the elite tier, but he’ll already be 28 this year and the plus mobility won’t last forever. While Arcega-Whiteside has nice upside, I’d still like to see the Eagles draft one of the many exciting wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft class.

9. Baker Mayfield – This is a make or break season for Mayfield in my mind. Coming into 2019 he was as high as #2 on some QB lists but it quickly became apparent that he was more interested in partying than training last offseason. I expect a nice bounce back from a guy who’s been counted down and out before. 

10. Sam Darnold – Sammy D feel victim to the kissing disease in 2019. While he only missed 3 games with mono, the physical effects likely lingered for longer, not to mentioned the missed practice reps. The second half performance was encouraging and I’m looking for another step forward in 2020; hopefully the Jets snatch up one of those sexy receiving prospects for Darnold later this month. UPDATE 4/25/20: The Jets have spent a second round pick on explosive receiving prospect Denzel Mims. If you’ve read my 2020 rookie rankings then you know I love Mims. The Darnold to Mims connection could be a fun one. 

11. Aaron Rodgers – A-A-Ron is definitely over the hill but he was missing Davante Adams to turf toe for a chunk of 2019 and I expect some of those 18 Aaron Jones touchdowns should funnel back to Rodgers in 2020. He’s still a startable option, but the dynasty sell window was plastered shut long ago.

12. Matt Ryan – As long as he’s meeting up with Julio down by the school yard, Matt Ryan will be a startable option. Let’s just hope Julio never gets too old for school. 

13. Daniel Jones – Fairly strong rookie showing for Danny Dimes in 2019, but he faded down the stretch as defenses caught on. I think there’s real upside here but it could just be the mushrooms talking again. UPDATE 4/25/20: The Giants spent their first and third round picks on offensive linemen. This great news for Daniel Jones’s outlook.

Tier 4

14. Tua Tagovailoa – Thought I might be out on my own with Tua over Burrow, but I’ve now seen several others express the same opinion in spite of Tagovailoa’s November hip injury. He’s an exciting dual threat lefty with a great arm. May take a little more patience than Burrow, but I want the upside. UPDATE 4/25/20: The Dolphins have spent the #5 overall pick on Tagovailoa. Plenty of readers have questioned my ranking of Tua over Burrow. The Bama product likely won’t be making an immediate impact and has some very real injury risk. But I see more long-term upside as a threat outside the pocket with the ability to rip off 20 yard gains on the ground along the lines of a Dak Prescott. If I’m spending a 2nd round rookie pick on a quarterback in a 1 QB league, then I want the guy who I think has more upside.

15. Joe Burrow – I’m not sold on Burrow as a future elite NFL QB. He has great pocket presence, accuracy, footwork and intelligence. But scouts question his arm strength—maybe kind of an important piece for an NFL QB. And how much of Burrow’s 2019 success at LSU was mostly the product of an absolutely loaded surrounding cast? I’ll remain on the fence until we see Burrow operate against pro defenses. UPDATE 4/25/20: The Bengals have spent the number one overall pick on Burrow and released Andy Dalton. This will be Burrow’s job out of the gates and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including 2nd round pick Tee Higgins. I’m fine with taking Burrow over Tua if you need immediate help at QB.

16. Drew Brees – The old man is tough to value in dynasty. On one hand, he still has a great situation with weapons galore in Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and Emmanuel Sanders. On the other hand, Brees is so old he’s in the conoravirus high risk group. On the third hand, oh man, I have three hands now! These are some good drugs!

17. Matthew Stafford – Before his back injury, Stafford was on his way to his best season since Calvin Johnson guided him to a 41 touchdown campaign in 2011. Kenny G is now singing tunes in his ear. Assuming the back is alright, Stafford could be a decent bargain bin option for 2020.

Tier 5

18. Kirk Cousins – Diggs is out of the twin cities but Tajae Sharpe swoops in to the rescue. Alright, so not exactly a lateral move there but Cousins put up decent numbers in Washington while throwing to the misfit group of Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Vernon Davis. Just beware, starting Kirk him will still feel like kissing your cousin(s). UPDATE 4/25/20: The Vikings spent a first round pick to bring in Justin Jefferson, a very exciting receiving prospect out of LSU with elite upside. Cousins has all of the pieces available for a couple more QB1 seasons.

19. Drew Lock – The youthful Broncos offense is an enticing investment with Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Phillip Lindsay and now Melvin Gordon at Lock’s disposal. Many Bronco fans are hoping the Alabama speedster Henry Ruggs joins that stable later this month as well. After whiffing on Paxton Lynch (2016 1st rounder) and Brock Osweiler (2012 2nd rounder), the third time may be the quarterback charm for John Elway with Drew Lock (2019 2nd rounder). UPDATE 4/27/20: The Broncos come away from the draft with hot rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler to go with all those other weapons. All systems go for Lock!

20. Gardner Minshew –  The 6th round pick out of Washington State burst onto the scene last year in his jorts and headband. You know who else was a 6th round pick? That Tom Brady guy. And he didn’t even bring any jorts to the table. If Uncle Rico doesn’t have a better career than Brady then I’ll eat my tail. In all seriousness, the Foles trade was a huge vote of confidence for Minshew and I really wouldn’t be surprised if this Cinderella story turns into a perennial fantasy QB1.

 

SEE DYNASTY QUARTERBACKS 21-40