Fantasy Football Today: Quarterback Breakouts! Trevor Lawrence? Caleb Williams? Drake Maye?

Release Date: August 14, 2025

Hosts:

• Adam Azer
• Heath Cummings
• Dave Richard
• Jake Seeley

Introduction

In the August 14, 2025 episode of Fantasy Football Today, CBS Sports' ensemble of fantasy football experts—Adam Azer, Heath Cummings, Dave Richard, and Jake Seeley—delve deep into the potential quarterback (QB) breakout candidates for the upcoming NFL season. The episode, titled "Quarterback Breakouts! Trevor Lawrence? Caleb Williams? Drake Maye?", offers an in-depth analysis of emerging QBs, their fantasy prospects, and strategic drafting advice to help listeners dominate their leagues.

Breakout Quarterbacks Analysis

Justin Fields (Heath Cummings, Dave Richard, Jake Seeley)

Justin Fields sparks the discussion as a potential breakout QB. Heath Cummings advocates for drafting Fields in the late rounds, emphasizing his dual-threat capabilities.

• Heath Cummings (04:25): "Justin Fields has improved as a passer every year he's been in the NFL. He’s going to run for 800 yards and might score eight touchdowns, providing both upside and floor protection."

Adam Azer considers Fields a top 10 QB based on his performance over the past three seasons, acknowledging Field's consistency when healthy.

• Adam Azer (05:05): "Justin Fields has finished as a QB with 14 points per game on average, often landing in the top 10 at least two out of three years."

However, Dave Richard offers caution, highlighting Fields' injury history and suggesting a more conservative ranking.

• Dave Richard (05:36): "I like him as a top 12 quarterback, but I would not take him in round seven or eight. He’s a quarterback you might have to wait on."

Heath Cummings counters by emphasizing Fields' potential when healthy and his ability to contribute both in passing and rushing.

• Heath Cummings (07:56): "If he plays 15, 16 games, he could accumulate 1,000 rushing yards, making him a valuable QB7 pick."

Adam Azer notes Fields' current Average Draft Position (ADP) at 108th overall, aligning more with Dave's conservative approach.

Jaden Daniels (Heath Cummings, Dave Richard, Jake Seeley)

Moving to Jaden Daniels, Jake Seeley positions him as a premier fantasy QB option.

• Jake Seeley (08:44): "Jaden Daniels is projected as the number one quarterback in six-point passing touchdown leagues. He’s expected to outperform established stars like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen if drafted in round three."

Dave Richard echoes enthusiasm, sharing personal experiences and insights into Daniels' potential.

• Dave Richard (09:28): "In my draft today, I picked Daniels in round four and built a strong team around him. His connection with Debo Samuel in the Commanders' offense is promising."

Jake Seeley remains optimistic about Daniels' stability, dismissing concerns about teammate Terry McLaurin's potential holdout.

• Jake Seeley (10:07): "I don’t believe Terry McLaurin will miss games. If he is present, Daniels should thrive without significant setbacks."

Dave Richard emphasizes Daniels' improved passing efficiency and the supportive offensive structure.

• Dave Richard (14:34): "JJ McCarthy is a solid thrower, and with improved offensive schemes, Daniels can achieve around 4,000 yards, providing substantial fantasy value."

Drake May (Heath Cummings, Dave Richard, Jake Seeley)

Drake May emerges as another key candidate, with varying opinions among the hosts.

• Dave Richard (11:44): "Drake May averages 18.6 fantasy points per game and plays in an offense led by a young offensive line and talented receivers like Stefan Diggs."

Heath Cummings remains skeptical about May's consistency but acknowledges his potential upside.

• Heath Cummings (13:16): "I have Drake May ranked around 14th. While his receiving core isn't as strong due to Kyle Williams' injury, his rushing ability provides valuable upside."

Jake Seeley concurs, noting that May's role in the offense could translate to significant fantasy points.

• Jake Seeley (14:04): "With better offensive schemes and support from players like Treveon Henderson, May's productivity could see a noticeable increase."

Dave Richard reinforces May’s potential, highlighting his improved passing and rushing contributions.

• Dave Richard (14:10): "May won’t run as much as Fields, but his improved passing in a structured offense could make him a reliable fantasy option."

Trevor Lawrence & JJ McCarthy (Heath Cummings, Dave Richard, Jake Seeley)

The conversation shifts to Trevor Lawrence and JJ McCarthy, both seen as intriguing breakout prospects.

• Heath Cummings (15:17): "Trevor Lawrence hasn't had a true breakout yet, but with Travis Hunter's elevation, there’s potential. JJ McCarthy, a rookie, brings promise with his ability to connect with talent like Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter."

Jake Seeley humorously remarks on Lawrence's consistent lack of a breakout despite high expectations.

• Jake Seeley (15:18): "Trevor Lawrence is breaking records for consecutive breakout years without fulfilling an actual breakout."

Dave Richard underscores the offensive support both QBs receive, making them viable late-round picks.

• Dave Richard (16:37): "Both Trevor and McCarthy offer potential 4,000-yard seasons, especially with strong receiving corps like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison supporting them."

Heath Cummings acknowledges McCarthy's potential while expressing concerns about his decision-making and the Vikings' balanced offense.

• Heath Cummings (16:04): "McCarthy might face a more balanced offense, potentially limiting his rushing opportunities but still providing enough to justify a late-round pick."

Best Quarterback Values Over the Last Five Seasons

Adam Azer highlights historical QB draft values, emphasizing how certain QBs outperformed their draft positions.

• Adam Azer (22:35): "Sam Darnold is a great example of a quarterback who was a value pick, outperforming his draft position significantly."

He lists notable QBs like Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Ryan Tannehill, Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, and others who provided excellent fantasy value.

• Adam Azer (21:14): "Players like Josh Allen and Tom Brady were drafted much later than their performance warranted, offering significant upside to savvy fantasy managers."

This segment serves as a reminder not to overlook "boring" pocket passers who may deliver consistent fantasy points.

Rookies and Future Prospects: Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Cam Ward

The discussion broadens to include promising rookies who could impact fantasy football:

• Caleb Williams: Heath Cummings is cautiously optimistic, noting mixed reviews but potential upside if the offensive system improves.

  • Heath Cummings (24:29): "Caleb Williams has immense talent. With Ben Johnson optimizing the offense, he could become a valuable fantasy asset, albeit with some initial inconsistencies."

• Bryce Young: Expected to develop into a top 12 QB, combining improved passing with some rushing capabilities.

  • Heath Cummings (24:45): "Bryce Young could achieve top 12 status by the end of the season, especially if he incorporates more rushing into his game similar to early-career Dak Prescott."

• Cam Ward: Seen as a gamble with potential for both passing and rushing yards.

  • Heath Cummings (24:45): "Cam Ward's ability to throw out deep completions and run for approximately 300 yards makes him an intriguing late-round candidate."

Strategic Drafting: Young QBs vs. Veteran Stability

In the closing segment, the hosts debate whether to prioritize young, unproven QBs with high upside or more established veterans with consistent performances.

• Jake Seeley (26:40): "Don’t choose between them; take both a young QB and a veteran to balance upside with reliability."

• Dave Richard (26:53): "If you draft one top five quarterback, you might not need another, but having both can diversify your team’s potential."

• Heath Cummings (27:03): "Don’t waste bench spots on multiple QBs. Focus on running backs or wide receivers instead."

• Adam Azer (26:07): "Balancing your roster with both types of QBs can optimize your team’s performance and adaptability throughout the season."

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The episode wraps up with the hosts emphasizing the importance of balancing high-upside young quarterbacks with reliable veterans. They encourage fantasy managers to consider a mix of both to maximize their teams' potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Justin Fields remains a valuable late-round pick due to his dual-threat capabilities, despite injury concerns.
• Jaden Daniels shows promise as a top-tier fantasy QB, potentially outperforming established stars.
• Drake May offers a balanced mix of passing and rushing, making him a solid mid-round option.
• Trevor Lawrence and JJ McCarthy present late-round opportunities with strong offensive support.
• Historical insights suggest valuing pocket passers and not overlooking less flashy QBs who consistently deliver.
• Balancing young, high-upside QBs with established veterans can enhance team flexibility and performance.

With comprehensive analyses and strategic advice, Fantasy Football Today equips listeners with the knowledge to make informed drafting decisions and secure a competitive edge in their fantasy leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Heath Cummings (04:25): "Justin Fields has improved as a passer every year he's been in the NFL."
• Jake Seeley (08:44): "You can just watch Lamar and Josh and laugh when Jaden Daniels outperforms them."
• Dave Richard (11:44): "Drake May can average 18.6 fantasy points per game in six-point formats."
• Heath Cummings (24:45): "Bryce Young could achieve top 12 status by the end of the season."
• Jake Seeley (26:40): "Take both a young QB and a veteran to balance upside with reliability."

Whether you're a seasoned fantasy manager or just starting, this episode of Fantasy Football Today provides invaluable insights to help you navigate the quarterback landscape and build a championship-winning team.