Top Five Fantasy Football Quarterbacks for 2023

The fantasy football season is just around the corner, and there is a lot of preparation for managers heading into the 2023 season. Whether that is going through several mock drafts or making your own rankings of players, it is never too early to be talking fantasy football. One of the most important positions to examine when playing fantasy football is the quarterback spot. There are those elite quarterbacks that will be flying off the board, and there will also be those late-round values that could be the difference in you winning your league. With that, here are the top five fantasy football quarterbacks heading into the 2023 season:

5. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

Bears QB Justin Fields (1) – Jamie Sabau/USA Today Sports

The Chicago Bears will be looking to have a better 2023 season after a disappointing 3-14 record that resulted in them having the No. 1 pick. Chicago ended up trading that pick to the Panthers, and they were able to add a valuable weapon for Justin Fields. Fields was electric as a rusher in 2022, as he helped fantasy managers win at the end of the regular season. Fields finished the 2022 season with 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He was able to ascend as an elite rusher, even though he wasn’t that much of an effective passer.

Not being an effective passer isn’t entirely his fault, as he has had to deal with no help from his supporting cast. The Bears have been lacking some pass catchers, as Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet haven’t gotten the job done. Adding Moore can only help Chicago’s offense heading into the 2023 season.

The Bears’ offense definitely has some room for improvement, but there are signs of optimism for Fields this season. Fields will now have a true WR1 in Moore and an improved offensive line that will boost his fantasy stock. Chicago also parted ways with David Montgomery and that leaves Khalil Herbert as the RB1 for the Bears. Without Montgomery in the backfield, Fields will get most of the carries.

Fields has high expectations going into this season as he is being selected as the QB6 in mock drafts. Dual-threat quarterbacks are starting to become normal in the fantasy football landscape, especially with how the quarterback scoring is set up. He will look to continue the momentum he had in the second half of last season. There is a lot to like about the former Ohio State product as he set to perform at a high level in 2023.

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals QB Joe Burrow (9) – Brynn Anderson/AP Photo

Joe Burrow is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has consistently shown that he can be consistent year in and year out. In 2022, Burrow finished as the QB4 in fantasy as he posted yet another great season in Cincinnati. Over the last two years with the Bengals, Burrow has completed 69.3% of his throws, averaging 8.1 yards per attempt. During the 2022 season, Burrow passed for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns. His 35 touchdowns would be a career-high, and he was also able to add five touchdowns with his legs.

The Cincinnati offense will remain to be one of the best offenses heading into the 2023 season as the offensive line continues to improve. The key losses to this offense were Samaje Perine and Hayden Hurst. Outside of that, most of the elite talent remains. A lot of fantasy managers would rather have the elite upside with a running quarterback, but it will be hard to pass on Burrow in 2023. It helps when you have Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase leading the wide receiver group.

With the talent coming back on offense, it’s hard not to expect Burrow to keep being elite at his position. The Bengals were able to add more pass protection this offseason with Orlando Brown Jr., and that signing will work wonders for the Cincinnati offense moving forward. There is no need to overthink about taking Burrow, as he is set to be a top-five fantasy quarterback in 2023.

3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (1) – Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Jalen Hurts delivered a huge season in 2022 as he was one of the key contributors in the Philadelphia Eagles making a trip back to the Super Bowl. Hurts was on a lot of people’s radars when they were drafting their teams in 2022, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Hurts was an efficient passer last season, as he threw for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns. What everyone loves about Hurts is the elite upside that he gives in the running game. In 2022, Hurts ran for 13 touchdowns and is projected heading into this season to do the same.

There isn’t going to be much of a drop-off with Hurts heading into the 2023 season, as he still plays behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Philadelphia parted ways with Miles Sanders this offseason, but there are still talented running backs in the mix. The Eagles have one of the best wide receivers duos, with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith leading the charge. Hurts has been able to top over 750 rushing yards in the last two seasons and has quickly become one of the safest picks in fantasy.

He dealt with a shoulder injury late in the year, but he is expected to be fully headed into 2023. Hurts was able to finish as a top-five QB in 11 of 15 games last season. It is without question that Hurts will continue to be a factor when the Eagles are in the red zone and will continue to be an impact in the passing game.

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Bills QB Josh Allen (17) – Scott W. Grau/Getty Images

Josh Allen has put himself into the elite category in fantasy football as he continues to finish as a top-five quarterback each season. Allen finished right behind Patrick Mahomes in 2022 and there is certainly nothing stopping him from being right there again in 2023. In 2022. Allen finished the year with 4,283 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Over the past three seasons, Allen has finished as the QB2, QB1, and QB1 in total points.

There is still a lot to like with Allen’s situation in Buffalo as the wide receiver group will be led by Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Devin Singletary was one of the key departures to the Bills’ offense, but they were able to bring in Damien Harris to replace him. It is expected that James Cook and Harris will be the two featured backs. Outside of the running backs, Buffalo was able to add Dalton Kincaid to the mix. Dawson Knox has been inconsistent as of late, so Kincaid will be able to provide that upside that the Bills were looking for in that position.

Allen remains one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and is one of the most consistent fantasy quarterbacks on the market. The only downside about Allen is that he tends to turn the ball over and forces the ball to his top playmaker, Diggs. Allen is able to add value in the running game, as he’s rushed for over 700 yards in each of the last two seasons. Don’t hesitate to take Allen in the early rounds of the draft this year.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (15) – Ed Zurga/AP Photo

Looking at the top three quarterbacks in fantasy football, the gap isn’t very far from them. Hurts, Allen, and Mahomes have separated themselves from the pack. Heading into last season with Patrick Mahomes, the question was if Kansas City’s offense was going to be the same without Tyreek Hill being there. The Chiefs were able to add wide receiver talent with the likes of Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Juju-Smith Schuster. The talent around Mahomes at the position was good enough for the Chiefs to continue their dynasty as they hoisted another Lombardi Trophy.

Mahomes finished as the QB1 in fantasy even without having Hill in the high-powered offense. He was able to lead all quarterbacks in scoring last year with 428.4 points. In 2022, Mahomes passed for 5,250 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. The offense will have a new face calling the plays, as Eric Bieniemy is now with the Washington Commanders. Matt Nagy was named as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator heading into the 2023 season. Even with the coaching change, the Chiefs’ offense will be looked at as one of the best heading into 2023.

The wide receiver core will have some question marks heading into this season, but Travis Kelce and Isaiah Pacheco will be a huge factor in this year’s offense. Mahomes doesn’t give you the upside in the running game as Fields, Hurts, and Allen do, but it is hard to pass up on one of the elite passers in the game. He dealt with a high-ankle sprain at the end of the playoffs, but he is expected to be back to full strength by the time the regular season rolls around. Fantasy managers shouldn’t sweat it as Mahomes continues to distance himself from the other quarterbacks in the league.