What happens when you miss out on a top QB? Or when your perfect stack gets sniped?

It's a common occurrence for anyone partaking in these way-too-early best ball drafts on Underdog.

Because of this reality, we need multiple backup plans for when plans go awry in these drafts. 

In this piece, I'm going to share my five favorite "backdoor stacks" to bail you out in emergency situations.

Here is the criteria I'm looking for when identifying these cheap stacks:

  • The QB has to be relatively cheap. All but one of these suggestions involve a QB going after pick 100.
  • Multiple stacking partners available. There have to be at least two pass catchers with an ADP after the QB to make it work.
  • Breakout potential. I'm looking to target undervalued offenses that could smash expectations.

Let's get to the countdown, featuring my Top 5 cheap stacks going from my No. 5 to No. 1…

ICYMI:

Five Cheap Best Ball Stacks On Underdog 

5. Packers: Jordan Love (ADP: 117.7) & co.

Love didn't deliver on his elevated ADP in 2024, but I'm more than willing to buy the dip in 2025 drafts. The Packers are the perfect team to backdoor stack because of how much Love spreads the ball around. While I love Jayden Reed's talent, his ADP of 69.3 seems rich considering he was relegated to a part-time role down the stretch last year. 

In a recent Big Board draft, I snagged Love as my QB2 in Round 10 (pick 114) and immediately double-tapped Kraft in Round 11 (pick 127) and Doubs in Round 12 (pick 138). It's not sexy, but it gets the job done.

Wicks—and even Lloyd—are in play as well once you break the seal on Love. 

4. Patriots: Drake Maye (ADP: 119.9) & co.

Diggs is going slightly ahead of Maye, but both are going after pick 100 and present significant upside at these prices. Even if Diggs is somewhat washed, he should soak up a ton of targets as Maye's clear No. 1 WR.

From there, I like tacking on Henry at TE and perhaps one more WR dart depending on your preferred flavor–I still lean Douglas, though Hollins is interesting as the new signing who produced decently in Buffalo.

BONUS: Mix and match some Travis Hunter with your Maye stacks in case he falls to the Patriots.

3. Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (ADP: 133.5) & co.

The Jags are the cheapest of all of these stacks. After spending a 12th-round pick on Lawrence, you can lock in the new starting TE, Strange, for the low cost of a 15th-round pick. 

And then you can pick your favorite WR dart between Brown (new FA signing), Davis (the perennial boom/bust WR), or Washington (the youngin' who has flashed on limited opportunities). 

Brian Thomas is, of course, an animal, but a 165-pick gap between Thomas and the next Jags pass catcher gives us plenty of opportunity for profit if the offense exceeds expectations.

2. Broncos: Bo Nix (ADP: 91.8) & co.

Nix is the most expensive of the QBs featured in this piece—he's the QB8 by ADP—but there are enough intriguing stack pieces going after him that it's well worth the plunge.

Courtland Sutton goes early (ADP: 53.5), but the rest of the offense is affordable. 

Mims exploded down the stretch in 2024 when Sean Payton finally remembered he existed. Engram is a nice upgrade at TE, and Franklin + Vele are great last-round darts for players who could see a Year 2 leap.

In a recent draft in The Biggest Board contest ($250 buy-in), I stacked up Nix with Mims, Engram, and Franklin.

Even after breaking out as a rookie, I could see Nix taking a secondary jump as a sophomore while elevating the entire offense.

1. Panthers: Bryce Young (ADP: 154.3) & co.

It was neck and neck between the Broncos and Panthers for the top slot, but ultimately, the bargain bin prices and plethora of stacking options give Carolina the top slot.

After a rocky start to his second year, Young finished the season with three impressive games where he totaled 27.1, 16.9, and 36.4 fantasy points.

Even if the Panthers do select a WR in this class, which they absolutely should, there is plenty of room for a couple of these other late options to smash their ADP.

Legette got a recent vote of confidence from the team and possesses a "better in best ball" skill set … Coker is a best ball darling/folk hero with plenty of fans … Thielen is the steady eddie who always produces … Sanders is a very athletic Year 2 TE … and even Dowdle can be tossed in as the handcuff back behind Chuba Hubbard.

No matter how boxed out you are in a draft, you can always grab Legette in the 12th and fire up a Panthers backdoor stack.