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Deep Fantasy QB Sleepers 2017: Hoyer has much garbage-time appeal

Liz Loza
For the deep league crowd, Liz Loza gives Brian Hoyer a thumbs up. (AP)
For the deep league crowd, Liz Loza gives Brian Hoyer a thumbs up. (AP)

In the darkest recesses of every fantasy draft hidden value exists. Find an uncovered gem and your team could soon gain the upper hand. With flashlights and pickaxe’s in hand, our Yahoo Fantasy treasure hunters dig deep in attempt to score late-round riches. Tuesday’s topic: QBs.

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Brian Hoyer, SF (183.1 ADP, QB27)

Brian Hoyer may not be a world-beater, but he is serviceable. In 2015, after officially being named the Texans’ starter in Week 4, Hoyer consistently surprised, racking up five of nine top-twelve fantasy finishes. Having a weapon like DeAndre Hopkins certainly gave Hoyer’s numbers a boost, as he racked up a career-high 19 TDs (averaging nearly 2 scores per game). While he may not have a receiver like Nuke in San Fran, he does get to reunite with Kyle Shanahan.

Hoyer’s weapons are far from shiny and new, but four of them (Pierre Garcon, Aldrick Robinson, Logan Paulsen, and Tim Hightower) come to the table with a mutual understanding of Shanahan’s notoriously complex playbook. And buzz around camp is that the connection between these players is real.

Furthermore, the Niners’ defense (a unit that was ranked twenty-eighth against the pass and thirty-first against the run by Football Outsiders last year), should continue to keep Hoyer throwing the ball (yes, Dalton, even given their most recent upgrades). For more on the 49ers fantasy forecast check out Pressing Questions. (Liz Loza)

Paxton Lynch, Den (209.8 ADP, QB30)

Lynch is a former first-round pick who finds himself in a position battle with Trevor Siemiam, a perfectly ordinary passer. It’s hardly a stretch to think he can win the preseason battle. If he does, he’ll be throwing to one of the league’s best receiver tandems, directing Mike McCoy’s offense. Lynch has a quality arm and dual-threat ability. He has almost no shot to crack the top-12 at his position, but, if he wins the gig in Denver, he’ll get interesting in two-QB formats. (Andy Behrens)

Mike Glennon, Chi (205.3 ADP, QB29)

We are going deep here, and guys like Glennon are only going to be relevant in 2-QB or super flex leagues. He’ll certainly be cheap either way. But Glennon is 27 years old and has a 30:15 INT ratio over 21 games during his brief career. He’s also slated to start all of 2017 for the Bears (maybe). Chicago isn’t exactly loaded, but Jordan Howard, Kevin White, Cameron Meredith and Zach Miller aren’t the worst weapons to utilize. Glennon will cost you nothing, and as far as a QB2, at least his job security seems to be safe. (Dalton Del Don)

Deshaun Watson, Hou (181.8 ADP, QB26)

In the heat of battle, Watson is the coolest cucumber on the field. Exhibited at Clemson, his leadership, stoicism and performance under pressure are truly unique for a first-year quarterback. He’s the anti-Brock.

Running quarterbacks may be a passing fad compared to the heights of RGIII and Cam Newton, but remaining ground opportunists sport high floors. For instance, look at Tyrod Taylor. Though he plummeted in several passing categories last year, his rushing contributions lifted the bottom line and placed him inside the QB top-12. Watson could be a poor man’s version.

Due to various unknowns, the steep learning curve, questionable progressions, turnover issues in college and his fluttering deep ball, Watson is a wildcard. His unflinching attitude, rushing abilities and short-to-midfield accuracy (Ranked top-15 among college QBs last year in adjust completion% on passes between 1-30 yards), however, are plus qualities. If he supplants Tom Savage in short order, a likely outcome, he’ll be an effective player for the two-QB crowd. Bill O’Brien, who’s normally against throwing rookies in the fire, is growing increasingly convinced Watson may be the man for the job. If he’s announced the starter, lines around 220-1-35 could become routine. Best of all, you’re basically shelling out peanuts to acquire him. (Brad Evans)

Sam Bradford, Min (159.4 ADP, QB24)

The constant focus with Bradford is what he can’t do, not what he can do. The guy landed in Minnesota last September, for crying out loud, and still found a way to post a 99.3 QB rating and a 71.6 percent completion percentage (best in league history). Also remember, Minnesota had a coordinator change in the middle of the year. Sammy’s a quick study.

Bradford preferred to dink and dunk his way down the field, partly because of personal style, partly because of Minnesota’s horrendous OL play last year. But if the Vikings can upgrade the blocking even a little bit, there’s hope for this passing game. Adam Thielen and Stefan Diggs are coming off breakout years, and Kyle Rudolph is a Top 10 tight end on everyone’s board. Minnesota could also have fun with its 2017 schedule, which matches up against the AFC North and NFC South (home of the shootout). Bradford is a solid depth choice for Superflex or two-quarterback leagues; in more traditional formats, consider him a preferred streamer. (Scott Pianowski)

Follow the Yahoo fantasy gang on Twitter: Brad (@YahooNoise), Andy (@andybehrens), Scott (@scott_pianowski), Dalton (@DaltonDelDon) and Liz (@LizLoza_FF)