Backup QBs Worth Stashing in Dynasty Before Training Camp

Kevin Coleman breaks down the backup quarterbacks who could gain dynasty value with one opportunity.

Backup quarterbacks are some of the most overlooked assets in dynasty leagues, especially during the offseason when roster spots start to feel tight. The reality is that most of these players will never become long-term fantasy starters, and there’s no guarantee any of them will ever see meaningful NFL action. But in Superflex formats especially, we are not always chasing elite production with these types of stashes; we’re chasing value insulation and potential market swings.

Every season we see backup quarterbacks gain sudden dynasty value due to injuries, preseason buzz, trades, poor quarterback play ahead of them, or unexpected opportunities. Managers who are proactive with these roster spots often create leverage before the rest of the league reacts. Sometimes, all it takes is one start, one strong preseason performance, or one coaching staff believing in a player for the market to shift dramatically.

In this article, we’re looking at backup QBs worth stashing in dynasty leagues right now. Not because they are guaranteed future stars, but because they carry pathways to gaining value over the next year. In deeper dynasty and Superflex formats, those are exactly the types of bets worth making.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

I’m still not giving up on Anthony Richardson yet, and honestly, this might be the exact type of dynasty buy-low window sharp managers should be attacking. There’s no denying how ugly things have looked over the past two seasons. Among quarterbacks with at least 350 dropbacks between 2023 and 2024, Richardson ranked 41st out of 43 in PFF passing grade (56.3) while finishing dead last in uncatchable throw rate at 31.1%. The passing efficiency simply has not been there, and at this point, most dynasty managers have mentally moved on from him entirely.

That said, where there’s panic in dynasty, there’s usually opportunity. Richardson’s value is now at an all-time low in both real-life NFL circles and fantasy football. That’s exactly what makes him interesting. We are no longer paying for the dream version of Anthony Richardson. We are buying the uncertainty, the athletic traits, and the possibility that another organization or even Indianapolis itself gives him another opportunity to start.

And despite all the struggles, we’ve still seen flashes. During his injury-shortened rookie season, Richardson still managed to produce low-end QB2 numbers early in the year because of his rushing upside alone. That matters in fantasy football. Quarterbacks with elite athleticism continue to get chances in today’s NFL, especially former top-five picks with rare physical tools. Richardson still has the arm talent. He still has the size. He still has the rushing ability that can create fantasy relevance quickly if he ever gets back on the field consistently.

The reality is there’s absolutely a chance he never develops into a reliable NFL starter. The accuracy concerns are real. The turnovers are real. The inability to consistently operate within structure has been a major issue. But that’s exactly why the acquisition cost has cratered. You are no longer paying a premium for Richardson, which dramatically lowers the risk attached to the bet.

And there are still pathways to value. Whether it’s with the Colts or another team eventually looking to take a swing on upside, Richardson is the type of quarterback archetype that tends to get multiple opportunities around the league. We’ve already seen players like Malik Willis regain value after changing situations and getting additional developmental time. Richardson is still young, still talented, and still carries fantasy-friendly traits that can create temporary spikes in value with even a small stretch of starts.

If he remains in Indianapolis, there’s also an avenue there. Daniel Jones is coming off a torn Achilles, and while the Colts clearly feel more comfortable with Jones operating the offense right now, quarterback situations can change quickly in the NFL. Richardson doesn’t need to suddenly become a franchise quarterback for this stash to pay off. He simply needs another opportunity. That’s the bet here. Not certainty. Not safety. Just upside at a dramatically discounted price.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2027 3rd

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2028 3rd

• Anthony Richardson FOR Joe Milton

• Anthony Richardson FOR Kirk Cousins

• Anthony Richardson FOR 2027 4th

Cade Klubnik, New York Jets

I’ll be honest, Cade Klubnik is not one of my priority dynasty adds right now, but he still deserves mention in deeper Superflex formats because of the pathway backup quarterbacks can take around the league. The New York Jets selected Klubnik in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a four-year career at Clemson where he showed flashes but never fully developed into the elite prospect many expected coming out of high school.

The production was solid at times, but it never truly took off. In 2025, Klubnik threw for 2,943 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while operating in a Clemson offense that leaned heavily on RPO concepts and quick-game structure. The issue that continued to show up on film was the lack of high-end arm talent and downfield creation ability. Even statistically, the profile felt more stable than explosive. Among quarterbacks invited to the NFL Combine, Klubnik ranked 10th in Big Time Throw rate and outside the upper tier in most efficiency metrics that translate to fantasy upside.

Still, there are some things working in his favor. The Jets clearly targeted him in the draft and have already spoken highly about his intelligence and ability to process information early in camp. Aaron Glenn and the coaching staff seem to value his composure and willingness to operate within structure, which is exactly the type of trait that can keep a quarterback employed in the NFL for a long time. And honestly, that may ultimately be Klubnik’s path: a reliable backup quarterback who bounces around the league and occasionally gets opportunities to start.

That type of player still carries value in deep dynasty Superflex formats. The problem for me is the long-term ceiling. Everyone knows I’m not exactly the biggest Geno Smith believer, but I also don’t think the Jets view Klubnik as their future franchise quarterback either. If the Jets struggle this season, which is likely, it would not be surprising at all to see them aggressively pursue a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.

That makes Klubnik more of a watchlist/deep stash player than a major target. There’s still a chance he develops into a quality NFL backup capable of spot starts, and quarterbacks who can simply function in an offense tend to stick around longer than people think. But from a dynasty perspective, I’m not chasing major upside here. This feels more like a player who could provide temporary value spikes during injuries or short-term opportunities rather than someone likely to develop into a long-term fantasy starter. Those value spikes would be expected this season when Smith most likely gets benched.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Cade Klubnik FOR Bryce Lance

• Cade Klubnik FOR 2027 4th

• Cade Klubnik FOR Jack Bech

• Cade Klubnik FOR 2028 3rd

• Cade Klubnik FOR Shedeur Sanders

Jameis Winston, New York Giants

Jameis Winston is one of those backup quarterbacks that dynasty managers continuously overlook until he’s suddenly forced into the lineup and throwing the ball 40 times a game. At this stage of his career, we know exactly who Winston is as a player: volatile, aggressive, turnover-prone, but also capable of putting up usable fantasy production whenever he gets an opportunity to start.

There’s still a realistic avenue to Winston seeing the field this year. Dart has already dealt with injuries early in his career, and second-year quarterbacks often experience growing pains even when healthy. If the Giants are forced to turn back toward Winston for stretches of the season, we’ve already seen the type of fantasy production he can provide in spot starts. Last season, Winston stepped in for two starts and threw for 567 yards with two touchdowns while adding value as a runner and even catching a touchdown pass. It wasn’t perfect, it never is with Winston, but fantasy points tend to follow volume, and Winston has never been afraid to push the ball downfield aggressively. That matters for dynasty managers searching for emergency QB2 production.

There’s obviously very little long-term insulation here. Winston is 32 years old and likely nearing the final stage of his NFL career. He’s not someone you’re adding expecting future franchise-quarterback upside. But for contenders or deep Superflex rosters, there’s still value in quarterbacks capable of stepping into starting roles and producing usable fantasy weeks on short notice. Sometimes, the goal with these backup quarterback stashes is not finding a long-term QB1. Sometimes it’s simply surviving bye weeks, injuries, or flipping short-term production into future value. Winston still offers that pathway whenever he’s thrust into action.

12 Team SF/TE Premium Trades

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 4th

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 5th

• Jameis Winston FOR Will Howard

• Jameis Winston FOR Quinn Ewers

• Jameis Winston FOR 2027 3rd

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

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