- Must-haves 1/3
- Boosters 5/7
Requirements — the must-haves
✓Rushing upside: ≥ 20 rush yds/game36.2 vs >=202025Designed QB rushing is the single biggest fantasy-QB differentiator; it raises both floor and ceiling. · 41.4% break out with it vs 13.8% without
✗Pass volume: ≥ 33 attempts/game28.8 vs >=332025Attempts compound into counting stats and TD chances. · 25.5% break out with it vs 16.1% without
✗Age 25 or younger30.3 vs <=252025The year-2/3 QB leap is real; younger arms have room to grow. · 28.8% break out with it vs 11.8% without
Boosters — what raises the ceiling
✓First-round pedigree (pick ≤ 32)7 vs <=322025Draft capital buys job security and a longer runway. · 21.5% break out with it vs 16.7% without
✗Pass-friendly / mobile-QB scheme (PROE ≥ 0)-3.1 vs >=02025A scheme that throws and uses the QB's legs multiplies output.
✓Two-plus quality pass-catchers2 vs >=22025A QB can't break out without people to throw to.
✓Downfield aggressiveness: average throw ≥ 7.5 yards7.5 vs >=7.52025Pushing the ball downfield raises yardage and big-play scoring.
✓Goal-line rushing role: 2+ carries inside the 517 vs >=22025Designed short-yardage runs turn into rushing TDs.
✗Pass protection: line top-1012 vs <=102025Time in the pocket is what a line actually gives a quarterback. Sacks end drives, cost yardage, and cap the volume everything else is built on. · 28.9% break out with it vs 15.7% without
✓Line projected to improve: top-10 preseason rank4 vs <=102026A line that got hurt or was overhauled does not show up in last season's tape. This is the only scored rule built on outside analysts' opinion instead of something this site measured, which is why it carries half the weight of the measured pass-protection rule above.
