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Matthew Stafford

Veteran looking for salary bump

Not too long ago -- 2022 -- everyone had pretty much put aging, banged-up Matthew Stafford out to pasture. Now, he seems pretty underrated, and according to a story this week, perhaps underpaid. He's looking for a salary bump from the Rams, and most likely he'll get it.

Stafford took the Rams to a Super Bowl in his first year with the team (2021), but then struggled and was injured for most of his second season, with it looking like the Rams would start rebuilding with a youngster, and Stafford shuffled off to retirement. But today, it doesn't seem that far-fetched to think he might have another deep playoff run in him.

Stafford is 36, but while he was looking pretty cooked at age 35, he seems to be OK for another year or two of high-quality play. He's certainly been a nice fit for Sean McVay's offense.

He doesn't run, which works against him in some fantasy leagues, but the passing stats have been pretty impressive. Among all quarterbacks to start at least 15 games in either of his two healthy seasons with the Rams, Stafford has posted the 4th and 14th best seasons, in terms of passing yards per game, of those 51 players. His 2021 season was also the 2nd-best in terms of passing touchdowns per game, trailing only 2021 Tom Brady. (Last year he was 10th in that regard among 2023 quarterbacks.)

I haven't seen much interest in Stafford in fantasy drafts. As noted, he doesn't run, and given his age there's the concern that he'll break easy.

But I like him as a possible top-10 quarterback who will be drafted closer to 15th or lower at the position. A nice option for those who want to wait on their quarterback, as long as you can also secure a viable backup, just in case.

Table shows per game passing numbers for quarterbacks from 2021 and 2023, sorted by yardage.

QUARTERBACKS PER GAME PASSING, 2021 AND 2023
YearPlayerStPYdTDPPts
2021Tom Brady, T.B.17312.72.5326.9
2021Justin Herbert, LAC17294.92.2426.6
2021Joe Burrow, Cin.16288.22.1324.4
2021Matthew Stafford, LAR17287.42.4124.3
2021Patrick Mahomes, K.C.17284.62.1826.0
2021Derek Carr, L.V.17282.61.3520.2
2021Dak Prescott, Dall.16278.12.3124.6
2023C.J. Stroud, Hou.15273.91.5322.3
2023Tua Tagovailoa, Mia.17272.01.7120.9
2021Kyler Murray, Ariz.14270.51.7125.5
2023Jared Goff, Det.17269.11.7621.6
2023Brock Purdy, S.F.16267.51.9422.8
2023Dak Prescott, Dall.17265.62.1224.1
2023Matthew Stafford, LAR15264.31.6020.3
2021Kirk Cousins, Min.16263.82.0622.5
2023Patrick Mahomes, K.C.16261.41.6922.3
2021Josh Allen, Buff.17259.22.1228.3
2021Aaron Rodgers, G.B.16257.22.3123.9
2021Jimmy Garoppolo, S.F.15254.01.3319.6
2023Josh Allen, Buff.17253.31.7128.2
2023Trevor Lawrence, Jac.16251.01.3121.5
2023Jordan Love, G.B.17244.61.8822.9
2023Geno Smith, Sea.15241.61.3319.1
2023Justin Herbert, LAC13241.11.5421.5
2021Lamar Jackson, Balt.12240.21.3324.7
2023Baker Mayfield, T.B.17237.91.6520.0
2021Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.16233.81.3817.6
2021Matt Ryan, Atl.17233.41.1817.3
2023Sam Howell, Was.17232.11.2420.1
2021Jared Goff, Det.14231.81.3617.6
2023Lamar Jackson, Balt.16229.91.5024.6
2023Gardner Minshew, Ind.13229.21.0818.2
2023Derek Carr, N.O.17228.11.4717.8
2023Jalen Hurts, Phil.17226.91.3525.6
2021Mac Jones, N.E.17223.61.2917.1
2021Russell Wilson, Sea.14222.41.7920.4
2021Taylor Heinicke, Was.15219.81.2718.4
2021Ryan Tannehill, Ten.17219.61.2420.0
2021Teddy Bridgewater, Den.14218.01.2917.7
2021Baker Mayfield, Cle.14215.01.2117.0
2021Trevor Lawrence, Jac.17214.2.7116.2
2023Desmond Ridder, Atl.13213.8.9217.9
2021Jalen Hurts, Phil.15209.61.0724.0
2021Carson Wentz, Ind.17209.61.5918.5
2021Tua Tagovailoa, Mia.12207.91.3317.8
2023Russell Wilson, Den.15204.71.7320.9
2023Justin Fields, Chi.13197.11.2321.7
2023Joshua Dobbs, 2TM12192.2.9219.1
2023Bryce Young, Car.16179.8.6913.6
2021Zach Wilson, NYJ13179.5.6915.2
2023Kenny Pickett, Pitt.12172.5.5011.6

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index