Inputting the Konami Code: Late Round Quarterbacks with Rushing Upside
Years ago, fantasy analyst Rich Hribar first referred to rushing QBs as the “Konami Code.” For those of you that weren’t around in the 80s, the Konami code was a cheat code used in Konami-manufactured video games. And rushing quarterbacks are a cheat code in fantasy football. Conceptually, most managers seem to have learned this over the past decade or so, as the top passers that come off the draft board are dual threat quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Jayden Daniels. But for whatever reason, each year we let some QBs with this Konami code ability slide into the late rounds.
The purpose of this article is to highlight those rushing quarterbacks that you can target late if you decide you want to wait on the position in your fantasy draft. Take a flier on one of these three guys if you want to secure some cheap rushing production at the position in 2025.
Justin Fields, Jets (ADP 129.0). In every season where Fields has started more than 12 games, he has at least 4 rushing scores. Let’s not forget his magnificent 2022 campaign, in which he rushed for 1143 yards and crossed the goal line 8 times! You’d love that sort of production from a running back, but from a quarterback, it ain’t even fair. Last season, Fields started 6 games for the Steelers. He averaged 46.2 yards rushing and scored 5 times. Now with the Jets, he has the starter’s job secure, and doesn’t have many reliable pass-catchers aside from Garrett Wilson. I expect a run-heavy scheme.
Drake Maye, Patriots (ADP 152.9). Maye was an absolute beast running the ball in college.g In 2022, he turned 184 carries into nearly 700 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2023, he had 112 rushes for 449 yards and 9 touchdowns (while sharing the load with Omarion Hampton, who had 1500 yards rushing and 15 TDs). As a rookie in 2024, he barely scratched the surface of what he can do as a rusher, but he did have 420 yards rushing (top 10 at the position) along with a couple scores.
Anthony Richardson, Colts (ADP 169.1). I’m not writing him off yet. This is a dude that was going in Rounds 4 or 5 last year, and this year he’s essentially free. In two-thirds of his career games that he has played to completion, he has at least 45 yards rushing and/or a score. He’s got 9 rushing scores in 15 career games, a 60% clip. I’m slightly worried about the reports concerning his shoulder injury, but if he’s deemed out, I’m going to pivot to his backup, Daniel Jones, who is no slouch himself when it comes to rushing. There’s a reason they call the dude “Vanilla Vick”! In 2022, Jones was a top 10 fantasy QB, primarily on the strength of 700+ yards rushing and 7 rushing scores. Regardless of which Colts signal-caller is under center in 2025, both are able to put up fantasy points with their legs, and both are worthwhile investments at their current costs, as they are essentially free.