You know the deal with quarterbacks in fantasy football. They score the most points out of any position, and almost any quarterback can have a huge game on any given week.
That's why the prevailing opinion among fantasy analysts is to wait on drafting a quarterback until after you've grabbed your key starters at the other skill positions.
So why is it so hard resist a QB in the fourth or fifth round when we know there will be other almost-as-good options available later in the draft?
In short, it's the fear of missing out: If everyone keeps waiting, what happens when the QB run inevitably begins?
Top 4 fantasy QBs in 2026
In terms of average draft position (via NFFC, since Aug. 1), there are four quarterbacks who are clearly at the top of this year's fantasy rankings − with
Josh Allen really in a tier of his own.
- Josh Allen, Bills (ADP: 31.1)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (ADP: 61.3)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (ADP: 63.8)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (ADP: 63.9)
After Maye, there's an ADP gap of about 1½ rounds before we get to the likes of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott, who all have ADPs in the 80s. That's usually where the expected QB run begins.
The case for waiting even longer for a QB
One problem with taking one of those middle-round quarterbacks is that you're mentally committed to that player as your every-week starter.
If you pass on those guys, it's much easier to justify taking a pair of quarterbacks in the late rounds and just seeing which one emerges as the better option.
And who knows? Last season, we had several late-round QBs blossom into full-fledged fantasy stars.
2025 QB ADPs
- Drake Maye, Patriots (Drafted: QB16, Finished: QB2)
- Matthew Stafford, Rams (Drafted: QB25, Finished: QB3)
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (Drafted: QB20, Finished: QB4)
- Caleb Williams, Bears (Drafted: QB13, Finished: QB5)
Certainly, Josh Allen (Drafted: QB1, Finished: QB1) justfied his lofty pick. But the rest of last season's top five in ADP did not pay off: Lamar Jackson (finished 20th), Jayden Daniels (34), Joe Burrow (29) and Jalen Hurts (8).
Late-round QBs to target in 2026
So which quarterbacks are worth targeting in this year's drafts?
The key is to get a couple bites of the apple. If you're waiting until the ninth or 10th round to get your first quarterback, grab another one shortly afterward. Maybe even another one in the last round. You just might find this year's Stafford.
All of these signal-callers should be available after other fantasy managers have already drafted their starters.
- Jaxson Dart, Giants (ADP: 115, QB14): New head coach John Harbaugh knows a thing or two about taking advantage of a running quarterback from his time with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. Dart can be the same kind of impact player and has top wideout Malik Nabers back.
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (ADP: 117, QB15): There's some uncertainty about Mahomes' health after offseason ACL surgery, but he's on track to start Week 1. We've seen the magic he can perform, and the addition of RB Kenneth Walker should help open up the passing lanes.
- Bo Nix, Broncos (ADP: 118, QB16): In his two NFL seasons, Nix has finished as the QB7 both times. Yet he's being drafted as the QB16 this summer. And that's with the offseason acquisition of WR Jaylen Waddle. Make it make sense.
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (ADP: 129, QB17): Mayfield is 31 now, so some skepticism is warranted. But he was the QB12 last year and QB4 in 2024. He'll need his receivers to stay healthy, but the offense is solid.
- Kyler Murray, Vikings (ADP: 134, QB18): Coach Kevin O'Connell has a reputation for getting the most out of his quarterbacks (though the jury's still out on J.J. McCarthy). The still-mobile Murray should thrive in an offense that features star receiver Justin Jefferson.
- Daniel Jones, Colts (ADP: 176, QB23): Jones was on his way to a career year in 2025 before suffering a torn Achilles. He has excellent rushing ability, though that will likely be constrained early in the season. But he's practically free in drafts and an excellent lottery ticket in a good offense.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Late-round QBs who could carry you to a fantasy football title
