The Lineup Show - Updated Top 24 QB Rankings & Tiers | 2026 Fantasy Football

Baker Mayfield dropped from quarterback seven ADP in 2025 to quarterback 19 in 2026 despite finishing as quarterback 12 last season while dealing with a sprained MCL and PCL from week two onward. The source views him as a bounce-back candidate and value pick, especially in two-quarterback, super flex, or best ball leagues. He retains rushing ability and was healthy enough to be a top-12 finisher despite injury limitations, making his current ADP a potential steal.

QB14 ranking; source describes him as "the year three quarterback I'm targeting at cost" and notes he's been QB7 the last couple of years, making him a value target when available late. Source is a "recovering Bo Lever" who now sees the disrespect in his pricing and wants to "get on the right side of history."

Ceiling is capped due to physical limitations; unlikely to finish top-3 or top-4 QB. However, could repeat QB7 finish. Broncos had fourth-ranked neutral pass rate last year; even if it falls with new offensive play caller, addition of Jalen Waddell should help counteract reduced volume.

Tied for second in points per game last season among quarterbacks with 21.1 PPG; averaged 32 PPG in fantasy playoffs; finished first in touchdown rate in four NFL seasons and fourth overall; now available at QB12 ADP despite elite per-game production. The source calls him a "slam dunk" value pick and "league winner" if healthy, noting he has "not a shot in the world" of finishing lower than QB12.

Receives significant offensive upgrades with Mike Evans trade acquisition (replacing Jawan Jennings); Christian McCaffrey provides elite receiving upside (would rank WR15 on air targets alone); also possesses sneaky rushing ability. The source emphasizes the 49ers offense now has "weapons, weapons everywhere" for Purdy.

The source ranks CJ Stroud at quarterback 23 and projects he will outperform this ranking, as he has beaten his ADP all three years of his career. However, the source sees a limited ceiling due to Houston's run-heavy approach, strong defense, and offensive line concerns. Even if the offensive line improves, Stroud is unlikely to reach top-12 territory. The source expects him to finish around quarterback 19, making him a value play in two-quarterback leagues but not a ceiling play.

The source ranks Cam Ward at quarterback 22 but believes he is significantly undervalued. Ward finished as quarterback 23 as a rookie despite throwing to limited weapons (Ileke Aminor, DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley), and now enters year two with Wondale Robinson (1000-yard receiver) and Carnell Tate (number four overall pick) plus new offensive coordinator Brian Dayball. The source advocates for betting on Ward in super flex leagues as a year-two first-overall pick with dramatically improved receiving talent, though acknowledges his limited rushing upside (159 yards, 26th among QBs) may limit fantasy breakout translation.

Last year's QB5 with unchanged weapons (CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson) now priced at QB9, up from QB13-14 early summer. Source moved down slightly due to ADP rise but notes "if healthy, this is about as safe of a floor as you're going to get." Comparable to Joe Burrow's 1A/1B receiver setup and weak defense situation.

Threw 600 passes last year; Cowboys improved defense at deadline and in offseason (free agency and draft), which could reduce pass volume and bring Dak back to earth as a non-rushing QB. However, source still ranks him as "easily the top pocket passer I want in fantasy" outside Joe Burrow.

Drake May is reasonably priced at ADP 57 for the third QB off the board, which is 20 spots later than the historical average ADP of 37 for the QB3 from 2021-2025. This represents good value given his QB2 finish last season and the addition of AJ Brown.

May finished as QB2 last season with only 450 rushing yards, suggesting significant upside for rushing production in 2026 or future years given his mobility. The addition of AJ Brown, the best receiver he's ever played with, further supports his top-five QB upside.

The source considers May a value at his current ADP and does not mind taking him at cost, viewing his pricing as completely fair for a top-five QB in fantasy this season despite earlier concerns about potential regression.

Ranked QB6 but undervalued due to recency bias from 2025 Eagles' poor offensive performance; finished QB8 in 2025 despite the disastrous offense and will benefit from new offensive coordinator (replacing Kevin Petula), improved offensive line health, and addition of Makai Lemon. The source expects a much better year closer to 2024 production and positions Hurts as a league-winner value pick that home leagues will be disgusted by, available at a really good cost. Tush push remaining legal is a difference-maker for his rushing TD upside, where he leads the league in QB rushing attempts and TDs.

QB17 ranking; source feels like "a jerk" for ranking him this low. Second in both passing yards and touchdowns last year with unchanged weapons and situation. Vegas has him at highest passing yards line and third-highest passing TD line this season. Source considers him "Mr. Underrated" and would rank him above Dak Prescott if he had "any balls."

Last four years: QB9, QB6, QB7, QB10 finishes. Source considering long-shot MVP bet on Goff, noting his biggest issue would be narrative (hard to sell Goff as MVP). Could have "sensational season" but lacks MVP narrative appeal.

Jaden Daniels' ADP has dropped 38 spots from draft season last year due to his injury, creating a discount; the source views him as phenomenal value in the sixth round given his rookie QB5 overall finish and elite mobility/rushing production, though acknowledges the gap may have overcorrected from last year's overvaluation.

As a rookie, Jaden Daniels finished QB5 overall and led the NFL in scramble rate among quarterbacks, demonstrating elite mobility and rushing production that supports his value in the sixth round despite the injury setback.

Sixth-round ADP represents a discount for a rookie QB who finished QB5 overall in 2024; led NFL in scramble rate (100+ dropbacks) and was second in rushing attempts among all QBs with 891 rushing yards (second behind Lamar Jackson), 3,500 passing yards, and 25 touchdowns. The source dismisses 2025 injury concerns as recency bias and emphasizes Daniels as an upper-echelon dual-threat QB whose disrespect needs to stop; if he bounces back as expected, he'll be overdrafted next year.

Burrow is among the top candidates to pass for 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, positioning him as a premier pocket-passing quarterback for fantasy football.

Burrow is positioned to pass for 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns; he's a premier pocket passer paired with the best wide receiver duo in the NFL (Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins), and faces a third most difficult rushing schedule, forcing the Bengals to throw frequently. The source expects him to mirror or exceed his 2024 QB3 overall finish.

Burrow is the exception to the rule against drafting pocket passers high in fantasy; he can be taken early because he is an elite passer in a situation that cannot be scripted better—great weapons and a putrid defense force the game script to throw the ball, enabling him to reach the 40+ passing touchdowns needed to compensate for lack of rushing production.

If drafting Joe Burrow in the top four, the source advises stacking him with either Jamar Chase or Tee Higgins because the bet on Burrow is that he will be in a historically great passing offense; having one of those receivers ensures you capitalize on that offensive ceiling.

The source ranks Jordan Love at quarterback 21 but expresses skepticism about his fantasy ceiling. Love is characterized as much better in real life than fantasy due to limited rushing volume compared to modern dual-threat starters. He requires 45+ hundred passing yards and 35+ touchdowns to reach quarterback one territory, but Green Bay has been bottom-six in pass attempts the last two years with Josh Jacobs in the backfield. The source finished him as quarterback 15 and 17 in recent years and sees no reason to expect Matt LaFleur to increase volume, making the ceiling too limited despite potential ADP value.

Top-ranked QB for 2026; has been a top-two quarterback each of the last six years and won the QB position overall in four of those six years. Has not missed a game due to injury since his rookie year, giving him the safest floor and highest ceiling of all quarterbacks. Source notes he is probably drafted too late every year given how safe a pick he is and his difference-making ability at the position.

May be drafted too late every year given his safety and production, though the only argument for not paying a premium price in early third round is that quarterback depth feels deeper than ever in 2026, with great values available late in drafts.

Allen's durability is a key differentiator from other top-tier QBs; he reliably plays 16-17 games per season and has never missed time due to injury, making him a dependable fantasy asset at the QB1 position.

QB15 ranking; source's "single favorite late round quarterback to draft." Career-low rushing yards per game is 30; high is 51 per game. Healthy with best weapons and best offensive play caller (KOC) of his career; playing for his career as a starter. Source notes he's "never not been a quarterback one in points per game except for last season."

Now in best situation of career with Kevin O'Connell (KOC), the "reclamation project king with quarterbacks." Weapons include Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hawkinson, and Jawan Jennings. Source emphasizes this is "a star-studded roster" and Kyler "has never not been a quarterback one in points per game except for last season."

Jackson has missed 14 games over the last five years due to injury, raising legitimate durability concerns that differentiate him from peers like Josh Allen.

There is concern that as Jackson ages, he may rush less, which is a huge part of his fantasy success. Last year was the first season since 2018 that he averaged under 50 rushing yards per game, dropping to 26.8 yards per game, signaling a potential decline in his rushing production.

Ranked number two and viewed as the only quarterback that could dethrone Josh Allen as QB1 without debate. Source emphasizes Lamar Jackson is 'unbelievably elite' and argues there is a very real case he should have three MVPs. He was the overall QB1 in 2024, just two years ago, and is now back healthy with new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle from the Ben Johnson coaching tree, with source saying 'the sky's the limit.'

Despite rushing yard concerns, Jackson remains very good and is worthy of being the second quarterback off the board if he stays healthy. He has an incredible passing resume, having led the league in passing touchdowns before and consistently ranking near the top of the league in multiple years, making him a complete quarterback.

Injury concerns are legitimate; has missed 14 games over the last five years due to injury, a very different story from Josh Allen's durability. This injury history is a key differentiator when comparing him to Allen despite his elite talent.

QB18 lottery ticket with elite small-sample metrics: highest EPA per play of any QB in NFL, highest scramble rate, 85.7% completion rate. Source compares upside to Justin Fields' 2022 Bears season (top-5 QB without elite passing). Strategy: Willis could finish as top-10 fantasy QB through rushing alone if benched, given his athleticism and game scripts favoring pass plays.

One of best athletes at QB position; expected to lead league in scramble rate due to Dolphins' weak pass protection and game scripts playing from behind. Will accumulate fantasy points whether throwing or scrambling; source "would not be surprised in the slightest if he leads the league in scramble rate."

The source projects Willis as a top-ten fantasy quarterback despite being a first-time true starter. The reasoning centers on his elite athleticism, expected high scramble rate due to poor offensive line and game scripts favoring pass plays, and dual-threat upside where he scores fantasy points whether throwing or running. Even in a disaster scenario, his late-round ADP allows for a low-risk exit after week three, while the upside is a season-long starter finishing as quarterback eight.

Last year's QB3 now ranked QB16; source believes last year's finish is "not repeatable." Situation was "magical and perfect" with everything aligning; unlikely to throw for 50 TDs again. Expects regression to QB15 level (2024 finish). However, still valuable as late-round pairing with mobile QB like Kyler or Jackson Dart for safety.

Statue in pocket with one rushing yard last year (matching his career Lombardi count). Cannot replicate last year's passing production without elite circumstances. Source notes he "transcends pocket passer" but lacks rushing upside, making high-end QB finish unlikely.

Ranked QB13, which source finds potentially disrespectful given his historical dominance. Despite missing three games with ACL tear, rushed for career-high rushing yards last year. All indications show strong rehab progress; expected to be 100% for Week 1. Source notes he "could be a league winner" once fully back up to speed by October.

Suffered ACL tear last season but all rehab reports are positive; expected to be 100% for Week 1. Source's main concern is whether mobility will return to pre-injury levels, as mobility in pocket and rushing are critical to his fantasy production. Strategy: avoid drafting him early, then trade for him in Week 3 once he's fully back up to speed.

The source ranks Sam Darnold at quarterback 24 but views this as disrespectful given his quarterback 13 and quarterback 9 finishes over the last two years. Darnold won the Super Bowl and is considered a top-ten real-life NFL quarterback, but fantasy rankings are depressed due to his lack of rushing volume and the departure of offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak. The source acknowledges Darnold was likely elevated by Kevin O'Connell and Kubiak's system, creating uncertainty about 2026 production, but sees potential for him to jump higher as the season approaches.