Inputting the Konami Code: Late Round Quarterbacks with Rushing Upside

*Special Guest Article from fantasy analyst and frequent HMF collaborator Rob Mattox

Ahhhh, the 80s. Playing outside until dark, latchkey kids, scary milk cartons with missing kids, and video games! The 80s are arguably the golden age of video games despite the 8-bit prehistoric graphics and often unbeatable bosses (Wart in Super Mario Bros. 2, are you kidding me?) but it also gave us the gift of the Konami Code!  Savvy gamers were able to utilize the Konami Code and unlock unlimited lives, as well as unlimited fun. After all, losing sucks!

Fast forward decades later, and losing still sucks, but the Konami Code lives on.  However, for elite fantasy managers, the Code means something very different than unlimited lives playing Contra. No, for the skilled fantasy owner the Konami Code (originally coined by analyst Rich Hribar) means finding the quarterback that will unlock unlimited points with his legs, and subsequently a championship. 

As a grownup, video games can still be fun, but spanking your lifelong friends and various internet strangers in fantasy is the ultimate prize. The money, if that's how you play the game, is great, but little else rivals rubbing your friends’ noses in your glory for the entirety of the offseason. 

With this in mind, let's dive deep into the quarterbacks in 2024 that can deliver the ultimate reward and carry you to a fantasy title! As always, we are excluding the obvious. No one needs to tell an owner to draft Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but if you are patient and snag the following signal callers, the payoff will be sweet!

Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals

The diminutive Murray has largely spent the balance of his career disappointing fantasy managers. After flashing and displaying league winning potential his first three years in the league, NFL defenses, as they are wont to do, adjusted. 

This isn't to say Murray doesn't possess sufficient talent, but injuries, a lack of work ethic, and Kliff Kingsbury served to effectively blunt any real upside. The hope is that head coach Jonathon Gannon will build the offense around Murray's strengths and help to sharpen his focus and work ethic. Drafting all-world rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly won't hurt, so 2024 may well be the year Kyler the Compiler truly takes the next step as a professional and an Arizona Cardinal.

Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders

The LSU product simply lit college football on fire in 2023. Daniels rushed for 1134 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also threw for 3812 yards and 40 touchdowns (with an absurdly low 4 interceptions). 

Folks, make no mistake, those are rookie-difficulty-level Madden stats. So, should we temper expectations since Daniels is a rook who was drafted to turn around a moribund franchise in Washington? Nope! The Commanders have a solid infrastructure, a new coach with experience in Dan Quinn, and a nice stable of talent to ease the transition. 

Terry McLaurin is criminally overlooked as usual, and joins rookie Luke McCaffrey and battering ram Brian Robinson at running back to insulate Daniels with top shelf talent. Drafting the Bayou Bengal and being patient could very well translate to a championship.

Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears

Williams enters the NFL with great expectations, as well as a litany of questions. Some have doubted his dedication and are fearful of potential distractions, but how do we separate truth from fiction? 

Since our only concern is production, we should consider Wiilliams a solid prospect, even if the overall season record isn't great. The franchise has provided Williams a solid receiving corps with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and the running game should be serviceable, albeit uninspiring. 

Looking at Williams’ college production, one might be tempted to look at his 11 rushing touchdowns and think that will translate to the NFL. It should be noted, however, that he only had 97 total rushes and 142 yards, so to expect that equivalent touchdown production on the ground in the NFL would be a fool's bet. 

That being said, he could cross 7-8 scores on the ground with another 20 plus through the air, and that is solid rookie production with potential for more.

Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts

My goodness, the elite upside Richardson displayed in 2023 had fantasy managers spending their winnings and erecting shrines to "Big Tony" before the calendar turned to October. Sadly, by the time the month of September ended and October was in full swing, Richardson was all but done for the year with a torn meniscus in his throwing shoulder.

The sample size, despite being small, was tantalizing.  While he will likely never be a great passer, his rushing upside delivered 4 touchdowns and he threw for 3 as well. Richardson displayed a cannon arm and a disregard for his own health, which while is fun to watch, is also a recipe for disaster. 

The hope for 2024 is Richardson grows as a passer, the offense manages his rushing attempts, and he can play a full 17 game season. If that happens fantasy managers will have a quarterback that simply redefines the position. If it doesn't, we will be back here next year talking about Anthony Richardson and his Konami potential. 

While the aforementioned signal callers are good bets to provide potential league winning value in 2024, it's always good to look at the rest of the field and evaluate the possibility for disaster and success. Here are a few bonus thoughts about quarterbacks that that may disappoint or surprise this season:

Sam Darnold - Minnesota Vikings

Smooches Darnold is never going to fulfill his potential, but he IS going to start the season in Minnesota, and he has shown the ability to score with his legs. If you need an early season flyer to bridge the gap, you could do worse than the giant-headed Viking quarterback.

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles

So why am I discussing the most prolific running quarterback of the last couple years here? There are a couple of reasons. Let's start with retirement. Jason Kelce, Hurts' Hall of Fame center, has retired to do the podcasting thing. As a result, it’s fair to assume that the so-called "tush push" simply won't be utilized as often in 2024.

Second, the addition of Saquon Barkley to the Eagles backfield gives them their best rushing threat since Brian Westbrook [editor’s note: LeSean McCoy, anyone?]. Barkley will certainly eat significantly into Hurts' goal line carries. 

Take away the ground scores and Hurts is an average quarterback. Counting on Hurts’ rushing upside with Barkley now in the mix is a fool's game, and could very well land you near the bottom of your standings.