Top 40 Quarterback Rankings And Tiers - 2026 Fantasy Football

Aaron Rodgers is projected to start 17 games but will not be good for fantasy; he topped 20 points only three times in 2025 (finishing as QB7, QB10, and QB6 in those games), making him only viable in best-ball formats but not recommended for regular redraft leagues.

Anthony Richardson is grouped in the tier of quarterbacks not projected to finish the 2026 season, alongside Kirk Cousins, Carson Beck, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, and Cade Klubnik.

Mayfield took a huge step back in efficiency last season, finishing as QB4 the year before but QB19 last year. Despite having great wide receivers (Chris Godwin, Mecole Hardman, Jaylen McMillan, Ted Erse) and a new pass-catching RB in Kenneth Gainwell, the source notes that at age 31 he will not generate much rushing production and his 'valleys are a little bit too deep' to prefer him over Malik Willis.

Nix averaged 17 fantasy points per game last year and will add good rushing production, particularly near the goal line. However, the source doesn't love Nix as a passer and notes his ceiling is not incredibly high because he's just not that good. The Jaylen Waddle addition is viewed as quite nice and could tilt the Broncos more pass-heavy, which would be good for Nix.

Purdy is described as 'probably one of the most underrated guys in fantasy football' with a career track record of QB6, QB10, and QB8 finishes. The 49ers reinvigorated their offense with George Kittle returning, Mike Evans, and Deebo Samuel additions. Purdy also gets free points near the goal line from throwing to Christian McCaffrey. The source recommends waiting on quarterback and targeting Purdy as the 13th or 14th quarterback drafted, arguing that getting Purdy as your QB1 puts you at no huge disadvantage most weeks.

Bryce Young is projected to start all 17 games for the Panthers in 2026; the team released Andy Dalton to Philadelphia, eliminating the backup option that could have challenged Young's role.

The source assesses Stroud as not a good fantasy quarterback for 2026; the Texans are expected to run the ball heavily and not utilize wide receivers as much as typical, limiting Stroud's fantasy ceiling.

Klubnik is projected to take over as the Jets' starting quarterback by week 15 of the 2026 season, following the pattern from 2025 when Geno Smith was benched mid-season. The source expects a mid-season transition rather than Geno Smith starting all 17 games.

Massive buy with MVP and QB1 upside in 2026; age-24 season comparable to Andrew Luck's 18-to-21 PPG jump; had very low games (QB20, QB24, QB27) due to 58% completion percentage, worst in NFL last season, but the source views this as intelligent strategy with Ben Johnson—three-is-greater-than-two mentality prioritizing downfield efficiency over completion rate; reduced sacks from 68 as a rookie to only 24 in year two—a monumental improvement rarely seen in quarterback development; was quite good on intermediate and deep throws; the source calls Williams the number one target in his tier for 2026 fantasy football.

Carson Beck is one of two backup options (along with Gardner Minshew) projected to potentially finish the 2026 season for the Cardinals if Jacoby Brissett is benched mid-season.

Undervalued in fantasy football; finishes as a top-10 QB in nearly every season he plays a full game; the Cowboys have strong complementary pieces: CeeDee Lamb, Stefon Diggs, and Flournoy, who played okay last year; the source plans to target Prescott in the B tier (third tier) and expects to draft multiple QBs from this range in most of his leagues.

Jones is coming off an Achilles injury heading into 2026. He was fantasy QB3-5 in the first month of 2025 when the Giants were generating rushing production and goal-line opportunities (sneaks and tush pushes), but the Eagles later reduced his rushing volume to prioritize Jonathan Taylor's offensive player of the year candidacy. The source does not have high expectations for his return from injury.

Deshaun Watson is projected to start the 2026 season for the Cleveland Browns but is expected to be replaced by Shedeur Sanders mid-season, indicating the source does not expect him to finish the year as the starter.

Ranked lower than some peers despite his 20 fantasy point rookie season; while acknowledging Maye has Josh Allen-like upside and a strong floor, the source worries the offensive compliments around him are not quite good enough to elevate him further; Maye's 2025 numbers were touchdown-heavy and inflated by the easiest schedule in the NFL by a historic margin; the source projects he could step back to 17–18 fantasy points per game in 2026; complementary WRs Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, and Hunter Henry are below-average players; however, the source acknowledges AJ Brown's addition helps and that Maye in the 60s or 70s ADP is acceptable value.

Gardner Minshew is one of two backup options (along with Carson Beck) projected to potentially finish the 2026 season for the Cardinals if Jacoby Brissett is benched mid-season.

The source expresses skepticism about Brissett's fantasy value despite his 2025 performance, citing that the Arizona Cardinals were dead last in the entire NFL in point differential in games Brissett played, suggesting his fantasy success was not reflective of actual team performance or sustainable efficiency. Additionally, Brissett is projected to start the 2026 season for the Cardinals but is expected to be replaced mid-season by either Carson Beck or Gardner Minshew, indicating the source does not expect him to finish the year as the starter.

Strong buy despite last year's perception of poor performance; actually posted multiple elite fantasy games (QB8, QB2, QB8, QB3, QB2 finishes) with consistent rushing TD upside; Eagles' coaching staff change and A.J. Brown trade, plus additions of Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Mekai Lemon, and Elijah Stowers suggest potential shift to pass-heaviest Eagles offense ever; the source is a buyer on Hurts' rushing TD floor and potential pass-heavy upside.

Second-tier QB option but with significant durability red flags; played only 7 games in 2025 due to health concerns; listed at 210 lbs but the source is skeptical, estimating closer to 185-190 lbs, raising durability questions; new coaching staff (David Blough replacing Kliff Kingsbury) with only 180 passing yards per game last season; upside hinges on 1,000-yard rushing potential with 7-8 rushing TDs; the source targets him less than average drafter due to preference for Jalen Hurts.

Positioned in the sweet-spot second tier of 2026 QB rankings despite recurring health issues (8 games in 2025, 10 games in 2023, finished QB3 in 2024); elite passing weapons in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins plus pass-catching RBs Chase Brown and Samaje Perine; rushing production declining (2 TDs recent years vs. 5 in 2022), but compensates with potential 40-touchdown passing seasons in current NFL meta where passing is down; the source likes Burrow as one of the few guys who can throw for 40 touchdowns.

The Eagles reduced Daniel Jones' rushing production and goal-line opportunities in 2025 to prioritize Jonathan Taylor's offensive player of the year candidacy, indicating a shift in offensive role allocation.

The source expresses concern about Love's overall volume, noting he had only one or two regular season games with 40+ passing attempts last year and generates minimal rushing production (five rushing touchdowns for his entire career), which LaFleur's coaching staff does not emphasize. This limits his weekly ceiling and fantasy upside.

Ranked in the top tier of 2026 QB fantasy options alongside Lamar Jackson; described as one of the best quarterbacks ever seen in fantasy football with consistent QB1/QB2 tier production.

Justin Fields is grouped in the tier of quarterbacks not projected to finish the 2026 season, alongside Kirk Cousins, Carson Beck, Mac Jones, Cade Klubnik, and Anthony Richardson.

The source is optimistic about Justin Herbert with Mike McDaniel now calling plays, hoping he returns to his 2021 form when he scored 22 fantasy points per game. Herbert has been a bad fantasy QB for the last four years, but the source believes he could 'go full systems go' with McDaniel. The Chargers have a very good group of wide receivers, a pass-catching tight end, and three pass-catching running backs that position Herbert favorably for fantasy production.

Cousins is projected to start the 2026 season for the Raiders but is classified in the tier of quarterbacks not expected to finish the season, indicating the source expects a mid-season benching or injury.

Murray was a top-12 quarterback every year of his career until last year, when he was a horrible fit for the Drew Petzing system. The Arizona Cardinals were terrible at every level (offensive line, defensive line, wide receivers). With Kevin O'Connell as an 'absolute quarterback whisperer,' Murray should rebound significantly. However, the source sees only a potential leap and does not consider it 'particularly likely' that Murray will add rushing production; he ran frequently at Incarnate Word and Washington State but was not used as a rusher at Miami or in Tennessee last year. The source suggests monitoring preseason and early-season usage to see if Brian Daboll's offense will add rushing production to Murray's game.

Fifth-round ADP represents strong value despite last year's injury-plagued season; when fully healthy, projects as QB1 with 25 fantasy points per game (vs. QB3 with 20 PPG in recent years); resolved interpersonal conflict with old coaching staff positions him for an all-time year; the source calls him a clear target at current price, though would reconsider if ADP rises significantly.

Mac Jones is grouped in the tier of quarterbacks not projected to finish the 2026 season, alongside Kirk Cousins, Carson Beck, Justin Fields, Cade Klubnik, and Anthony Richardson.

The source identifies Willis as a legitimate fantasy football sleeper, noting that quarterbacks who run 80+ times per season consistently finish as top-12 quarterbacks. Willis is expected to run significantly, and the source believes he will 'easily beat out his ADP.' Willis is positioned as the ideal QB2 in redraft and all formats, with strong appeal in superflex and dynasty. The source states 'Of this tier, he would be my top buy,' citing the bias against mobile QBs (Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Anthony Richardson) has caused the market to undervalue Willis.

Penix Jr. is projected to take over as the Falcons' starting quarterback mid-season in 2026, replacing Tua Tagovailoa. The source expects him to finish the season as the starter.

The source calls Patrick Mahomes 'the biggest no-brainer in fantasy football' and 'the easiest profit you can generate in fantasy football.' Mahomes is trending toward being ready in week one with his full complement of wide receivers. While he will run less in 2026 (down from 422 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs last year, over 4 PPG from rushing), his career QB finishes are QB1, QB6, QB2, QB4, QB2, QB14, and QB11. The key catalyst is Eric Bieniemy returning as offensive coordinator after Matt Nagy's departure; Bieniemy was the OC from 2018–2022. Getting a top-five to top-six fantasy quarterback at QB12 pricing represents exceptional value.

Darnold is placed in the D tier, described as a quarterback expected to start all 17 games but not considered a target for fantasy purposes.

Shedeur Sanders is projected to take over as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback mid-season in 2026, replacing Deshaun Watson.

Lawrence finished as QB5 last year and added 359 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, though the source expects rushing production to regress to around five to six rushing touchdowns. He has arguably the best complement of wide receivers in the entire NFL (Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange, Liam Cohen). The source believes the Jaguars could get a QB1 finish from Lawrence if they decide to be aggressive offensively, and expresses genuine confidence in him.

Tagovailoa is projected to start the 2026 season for the Falcons but is expected to be replaced by Michael Penix Jr. mid-season, indicating the source does not expect him to finish the year as the starter.