Top 5 Quarterback Fades NFL Redraft 2025

The Quarterback position is just as important in fantasy, just as it is in actual play on the football field. I previously did my top-5 quarterbacks in fantasy a couple of weeks ago, now it’s time for my quarterback fades for fantasy this season. Fades can be a tricky situation to determine, especially in April, but I’m pretty sure that these five guys are going to be bad fantasy options as they are some of the bottom potential starters out there at the current moment in time.

So let’s get into the Fades of the 2025 NFL Fantasy season at the Quarterback Position, starting with a backup quarterback that was in the Super Bowl.

1. Kenny Pickett 

Pickett won Super Bowl 59 with his dream team, the Eagles, last season, and did have some great moments against the Cowboys in Week 17 before leaving the game after reinjuring his ribs that he first injured against the Commanders, on a hit by Cowboys Micah Parsons in the second half.

But the reasons I have him as a fade are that he still has his weaknesses as a player from when he was in Pittsburgh, as Tanner McKee outplayed Pickett in both the Cowboys game and his start against the Giants in the game that didn’t matter in Week 18, also look at that Commanders performance filling in for Jalen Hurts, if the Eagles had a better performance from him they win that game and finish the season 15-2 most likely. So, Cleveland is still going to be in quarterback hell with Pickett under center, unfortunately, in my opinion.

2. Russell Wilson 

Now we go from the 2023 Steelers QB to the second half of the year starter for Pittsburgh in 2024. Wilson signed a one year deal with the Giants in the offseason to fight for the starting job with Jameis Winston and potentially a rookie. I’m not fading Winston because at least Winston can have some fun fantasy games in a spurt, but Wilson is an underwhelming performer nowadays in fantasy. If he wins that job for the Giants, don’t expect Wilson to have any meaningful production in fantasy football in 2025. 

3. Daniel Jones/Anthony Richardson 

No matter who the starting quarterback in Indianapolis is in 2025, I’m FADING BOTH GUYS! I apologize to Pat McAfee for saying that a little bit, but not really, because both quarterbacks are awful as passers. Both can be really good runners, especially Richardson, but unless these guys show significant improvement in terms of their processing defenses and arm accuracy in 2025, both are HUGE FADES in Fantasy Football. 

4. Tua Tagovailoa 

Tua is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, especially when it comes to pass accuracy and anticipation in Mike McDaniel’s offense with those two studs at wide receivers on paper in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. BUT the reason he’s on the fade list is the most obvious reason when we talk about Tua, which is injuries/concussions. The best ability is availability, and that rings true, especially in football/fantasy football. If you don’t have your guy at quarterback you drafted, you’re struggling with the waiver wire throughout the season, looking for a fix. So don’t draft Tua ever!

5. Sam Darnold 

Even though Darnold had a strong season last year in Minnesota, I think he was a product of that offense led by Kevin O’Connell, and he did play poorly in his last two games of 2024. Also, going to Seattle, he lost Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf to throw the ball to this offseason. I think he won’t replicate the successes he had in the Twin Cities.

All of those thoughts lead to me not drafting him in fantasy football drafts. I think he’ll be decent in fantasy, but decent won’t win you a fantasy championship unless you have the most talented position players rostered around him on your roster.

These quarterbacks are on the fade because people might see some potential in at least a couple of these guys, but I promise these guys won’t live up to the hype of fantasy potential in 2025. Total Apex Fantasy is the place to be for not only NFL fantasy advice but also NBA, MLB, Soccer, amongst other sports throughout the year.