Possible Fantasy Football Quarterback Draft Busts for 2025: Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray and More

After identifying several possible fantasy football quarterback draft steals, let's now go over several possible quarterback draft busts.

For this list, I'm using the FantasySP Average Draft Position list, and limiting myself to players in the top-120 picks, which currently has 17 quarterbacks in it.

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Jayden Daniels - Commanders

I'm a big fan of Daniels as a fantasy asset in all formats, but going into his second year, he's also got some bust potential. Now that the league has a year's worth of tape on him, things won't be as easy in his second year.

I think Daniels will overcome that because of his dual-threat ability, but the possibility is definitely there for the second-year quarterback to really underwhelm this season. C.J. Stroud was that guy last season, and Daniels is among the second-year fantasy quarterbacks who could be the next to underwhelm in year two.

Patrick Mahomes - Chiefs

Mahomes is currently the No. 6 quarterback on the ADP list. He was outside the top 10 on a per-game basis last season, so it's possible he delivers a similar season and busts again.

Mahomes is capable of monster fantasy numbers in any season, but he's been more of an average fantasy QB than anything over the past couple seasons. Don't get caught up on his big name and draft Mahomes too early this season.

Bo Nix - Broncos 

Nix is another second-year quarterback who could take a step back this coming season. He's eighth on the ADP list so far, which is where he finished on a per-game basis last season.

Nix has more offensive talent around him, so he could also be better as a second-year player, but I think there's a better chance he finishes below his current ADP. Depending on where Nix moves as the season nears, he might be a player I'd avoid - unless he falls to a certain point in the draft.

Kyler Murray - Cardinals

Murray is the No. 9 fantasy quarterback on the ADP list right now. He finished 12th on a per-game basis a season ago, and I'm not sure why he's a top-10 option right now.

A lot of fantasy owners are projecting him to take a noticeable jump forward, and I just don't see that happening. I'd like to see him about 10 or so picks later, jumbled up in that current stack of five QBs going between picks 102-115. If he doesn't get there, he's got a better chance to bust than be a good value pick, or steal.

Caleb Williams - Bears

Williams is the No. 12 QB on the ADP list right now. He was outside the top 20 last season, so lots of fantasy owners are expecting a major step forward for the second-year QB.

I expect better results for Williams, especially with Ben Johnson running the show in Chicago now. I'm not sold on Williams making that big of a leap though and think Williams is quite overrated right now.

He'd be more of a late-round fantasy pick in a standard league for me, or someone to grab off the waiver wire if he starts the season well. So for now, I'd be telling fantasy owners to avoid Williams and look for a better value fantasy quarterback elsewhere.

Justin Fields - Jets

Fields is the No. 14 fantasy QB on the ADP list for now. He was a solid fantasy asset early last season for Pittsburgh before losing the starting job to Russell Wilson.

That's a pretty telling thing in my eyes, and moving to the Jets this offseason didn't do him any favors. Fields' dual-threat ability always appeals to fantasy owners, but he typically underwhelms and rarely lives up to the draft hype he has.

Again, I think he's going too early in fantasy drafts. I'd prefer to add him off the waiver wire in a standard league if he starts the season well. I think there's a better chance he becomes just a streaming option than is a weekly starter, so he's a likely bust where he's being drafted for now.

J.J. McCarthy - Vikings

I think No. 16 on the ADP list is a fair spot for McCarthy, but after looking at some of the names going after him, I'm going to call him a bust.

He didn't play a regular season game as a rookie because of a knee injury. McCarthy will start this season after Sam Darnold moved to Seattle.

Coach Kevin O'Connell has turned a few quarterbacks into great fantasy assets already, and I think that's why McCarthy ranks where he does. Instead of drafting him late in a standard league draft, I'd much rather scoop him off the waiver wire if he proves he too can be a weekly option.