The Players

Jayden Daniels

The line: Draft him as a rushing-floor QB1 with passing upside, but shade your ranking down slightly given real offensive-line concern.

• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Loss of Tunsil could hurt the offense, but Daniels' mobility mitigates some risk; hosts may drop him slightly below Burrow/Herbert but keep him in the same overall tier.
• ▶Harris Football Podcast: Same environmental concern as McLaurin due to O-line losses, but no direct ranking change specified.

Jaxson Dart

The line: Draft Dart as a rushing-equity QB2/speculative add, not a locked-in starter — the accuracy and concussion questions are real.

• ▶Fantasy Life Show: Scored 6-7; hosts said his fantasy value is tied almost entirely to his rushing, and concussion-driven caution about running less makes his outlook binary between a top-6 or QB12-13 finish.
• ▼Harris Football Podcast: Fantasy value was almost entirely scrambling production; poor accuracy and decision-making, unsustainable reckless playing style compared to early Carson Wentz/Anthony Richardson.

Trevor Lawrence

The line: Draft Lawrence as your QB1 in rounds 7-9 — the coverage is unanimous that his rushing floor and Coen continuity make him underpriced.

• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Ran for nine rushing touchdowns last year under Liam Coen-style offense and is projected for solid rushing production again, ranked 9th QB by Jamey.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Green light; finished last season strong, Liam Cohen a strong play-caller, and career-high rushing numbers expected to continue.

Bo Nix

The line: Draft Nix as a QB1 value in the mid-to-late rounds — two years of top-10 results plus Waddle argue louder than one skeptic's doubts.

• ▲Fantasy Life Show: Scored 9 by both hosts, citing Sean Payton's system, the Jalen Waddle addition, and a low-100s ADP as reasons he's set up to significantly outperform his draft cost.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ninth-round favorite QB; back-to-back top-10 finishes, expected to jump into QB8 range with Jalen Waddle added and a friendly, pass-heavy Sean Payton/Davis Webb offense.

Kyler Murray

The line: Draft him as a streaming QB2 for the O'Connell/Jefferson upside, but don't bank on him holding the job past midseason.

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Officially named Vikings QB1; hosts see him as a fine late-round QB2/streamer who should modestly lift the offense, but Harmon is now more skeptical he'll hold the job all season without a midseason challenge from J.J. McCarthy.
• ▶Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Named the Vikings' starting quarterback, which Ross says is no surprise given the team's investment and desire to give the locker room its best shot.

Tyler Shough

The line: Draft Shough as a QB13-14 value now, betting his late-season Olave chemistry and Moore's scheme carry over.

• ▶The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Hosts note the Saints' offensive投資 in weapons depends on Shough being competent enough to get the ball to Jordan Tyson and Chris Olave.
• ▲Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Now entrenched as the clear starter with an offense being tailored to his strengths by Kellen Moore, after finishing 6th in passing yards over his starts last year.

Josh Allen

The line: Draft Allen as your Superflex 1.01 without hesitation; in single-QB leagues, let him fall — his value is format-dependent, not talent-dependent.

• ▼The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Sam Sherman and JJ agree he's overdrafted at pick 28 given the gap to Lamar Jackson/Jayden Daniels, who offer similar dual-threat upside 30-40 picks later; safe floor but likely not worth the ADP premium.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Ranked 28th-32nd overall as their clear QB1, but hosts argue drafting him in the second round (ahead of Bowers, Collins, A.J. Brown) is a mistake given QB depth.

Drake Maye

The line: Draft him as a QB1 upside bet on weapons and volume, but only if the price stays in value territory.

• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Referenced as a QB value target getting drafted around the seventh round in a prior discussion.
• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Both hosts love him personally (AJ Brown, Romeo Doubs, McDaniels) but still consider him a red/no-draft due to price versus depth of the position.

Joe Burrow

The line: Draft Burrow as a QB1 for the ceiling, but only if you can stomach paying premium price for real injury variance.

• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Slightly preferred over Jaden Daniels with 50-45 touchdown upside if healthy; the Tunsil injury pushes close calls in his favor.
• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Red light; nearly identical 3-year scoring average to Dak Prescott, so there's no clear edge to justify his higher price and injury history.

Justin Herbert

The line: Draft Herbert as a QB1 value pick a round or two after his ADP suggests — the McDaniel-system optimism is unanimous across shows.

• ▲Fantasy Football Today: Called one of Jamey's two favorite fantasy QBs this year alongside Trevor Lawrence, expected to have a big season.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Green light; paired with Mike McDaniel, could challenge for MVP if the offensive line and skill talent stay healthy.

Jalen Hurts

The line: Draft him for rushing touchdown upside at a discount, but know the passing offense is a real question mark this year.

• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Red light; concerns about a slow start with a new coordinator and banged-up new receivers (Devonta Smith, Makai Lemon hamstrings), plus declining rushing production.
• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Available at a discount (QB6-8 ADP) despite expected fantasy points that would have made him QB2 overall last year; touchdown regression expected upward.

Lamar Jackson

The line: Draft him as a high-floor QB1 only if his price falls below Maye or Burrow, given the goal-line vulture risk.

• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Red light due to cost and lack of a proven dynamic touchdown-scoring weapon; Derrick Henry likely vultures goal-line work.
• ▲FantasyPros Football Podcast: Ranked ahead of Caleb Williams in a superflex startup question due to proven track record, despite being older.

Caleb Williams

The line: Draft Williams as a QB9-ish scheme bet, not a top-four lock — the accuracy and red-zone issues are legitimate, unresolved risk.

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Green light; Ben Johnson's offense projected as a potential top-five fantasy offense if injuries to Burden/Odunze aren't severe.
• ▲The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 9; Mina Kimes called Tua ranking above him 'one of the greatest miscarriages of justice,' arguing Caleb should be top-four caliber.

Patrick Mahomes

The line: Draft Mahomes as a value QB2 bet on recovery, not a QB1 lock — nobody's arguing otherwise right now.

• ▶The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Expected to run less this season after December ACL/LCL surgery, which should increase checkdown and screen volume to running backs like Kenneth Walker.
• ▼Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Red light at 100th overall ADP; offense has trended run-first/defense-first the last three years, and Kenneth Walker may be the key offensive piece instead.

Jordan Love

The line: Draft Love as a value late-round QB2/streamer bet on LaFleur finally settling his weapons rotation.

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: 11th-round favorite; was QB2 in EPA/dropback last year and could reach top-12 QB range if the Packers increase offensive pace and pass volume.
• ▲Fantasy Focus Football: Field ranks him higher than consensus (16th) citing untapped offensive talent in Green Bay.

Jared Goff

• ▶Fantasy Football Today: Mentioned as a viable cheaper late-round QB alternative if replacing Trevor Lawrence in the roster build.
• ▲RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Compared to 2025 Matthew Stafford; projected for ~42 TD passes and 35 PPG offense, best value for wait-on-QB drafters.

Malik Willis

• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Cited for having one of the league's lowest checkdown rates in 2024 and 2025, limiting Achane's receiving ceiling.
• ▲The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: JJ pitches him as a high-upside, low-cost QB2/streamer given his rushing floor and the possibility he's a better passer than assumed, despite Miami's terrible receiving corps.

J.J. McCarthy

• ▶Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: With Murray now the starter, Ross raises uncertainty about whether Minnesota trades McCarthy or keeps him as insurance in case Murray falters.
• ▼RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Viewed as losing the QB battle to Kyler Murray despite first-round draft capital forcing a real competition.

Carson Beck

• ▶Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Surprised the hosts by playing well in the Hall of Fame Game after a strong college career at Miami.
• ▲The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Looked comfortable and showed arm strength/velocity in the Hall of Fame Game, easing some concerns about his elbow recovery, though the opposing defense lacked talent.

Brock Purdy

The line: Treat Purdy as a volatile low-end QB1 whose value hinges on Niners weapon health — draft him with a plan B.

• ▶Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Downgraded from green to yellow light due to concerns about an aging, injury-prone supporting cast including Mike Evans not practicing.
• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 13; hosts wildly disagreed (DK had him 32nd, Craig had him ~10th); Mina Kimes argued he looks bigger/better in person than photos suggest.

Baker Mayfield

• ▶Fantasy Football Today: Referenced as having a career-high rushing season under Liam Coen, used as comparison for Trevor Lawrence's rushing upside.
• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Sleeper green light; industry has overcorrected after losing Mike Evans, but he's finished QB10, QB4, and QB12 the last three years with strong weapons and O-line remaining.

Haynes King

• ▲Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Played well as a mobile backup QB in the Hall of Fame Game, exemplifying how scrambling ability is valuable in chaotic second-half preseason snaps.
• ▲The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Undrafted free agent who had the game-winning play in the Hall of Fame Game; being compared to a Taysom Hill-type role, drawing dynasty add interest.

Dak Prescott

• ▲Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Green light and called possibly the most underrated QB in football; historical resume (36 TDs in 2023, multiple 4,400-yard seasons) supports his ADP as a bargain vs Burrow.
• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 5; praised for 'beefcake energy,' bald head, and overcoming anti-Cowboys bias among voters.

Matthew Stafford

• ▲Fantasy Focus Football: Taken as QB1 in the mid-3rd round; hosts argue there's little gap between him and QBs going a round earlier given his elite situation.
• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 11; heavily discussed for his veneers ('mega chompers') and improved looks with age compared to his younger self.

Daniel Jones

• ▲Fantasy Focus Football: Expected to be ready by Week 1 despite an Achilles injury; was a top-12 QB in 6 of his first 8 games last season and posted career-high efficiency.
• ▲Harris Fantasy Football Podcast: Getting rave camp reviews for mobility and command eight months post-Achilles rupture; Harris plans to move him up from his current QB26 rank, possibly into starting Superflex range.

Tua Tagovailoa

• ▼The Audible: Concerns raised about fitting a short-area passer into Kevin Stefanski's scheme alongside downfield passer Michael Penix Jr.; questioned whether the offense can work with either quarterback.
• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Surprise No. 6 ranking that hosts and Mina Kimes felt was too high, especially over Caleb Williams; praised for smile and beard.

Shedeur Sanders

• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 8; hosts felt he deserved higher but was dragged down by association with Deshaun Watson and the Browns' struggles.
• ▲FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Expected to win his starting job; once he does, dynasty managers should flip him for a 2027/2028 second-round pick in Superflex.

Deshaun Watson

• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Reported to be struggling in camp, with speculation about being traded or losing snaps to Dylan Gabriel and Tyler (Talon) Green.
• ▼Harris Football Podcast: Reports suggest he may again be ahead of Shedeur Sanders at QB, a move the host thinks is a bad decision given Watson's expiring contract.

Ben Bryant

• ▼Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Bears free-agent safety signee is out roughly four to six months after knee surgery, though the early timing gives Chicago time to find another solution.
• ▼The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Signed for 3 years/$40M after helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, now out 8-10 weeks, weakening what was supposed to be the Bears' defensive strength.

Fernando Mendoza

• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Expected to go 1.01 in a Superflex rookie draft; hosts still preferred Love at pick two.

Cam Ward

• ▼FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Called the hardest of the trio to move up from since he hasn't proven enough yet.

Bryce Young

• ▶The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Ranked No. 12; called a 'cutie patootie' but docked for height and an unkempt 'chin cushion' beard style.

Geno Smith

• ▶Fantasy Football Happy Hour: Berry argues Smith's tape wasn't as bad as perceived last year and could be a competent-enough QB (17th-20th best) to support the Jets offense better than expected.

Justin Fields

• ▼Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Warner cited Fields as a prime example of an elite athlete who was thrust into starting before ever being taught conventional pocket processing, and has never fully developed that part of his game.

Aaron Rodgers

• ▶FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Noted as needing a running back who can pass protect and catch, favoring Jalen Warren over Rico Dowdle.

Sean Mannion

• ▶Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Called boom-bust with an absurd ceiling; questions remain about consistency against top competition, but worth the gamble at 1.04.

Kirk Cousins

• ▼The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Did not make the top 16; compared to a 'well-done robot' or Gary from Team America, called conventionally attractive but a 'dweeb.'

Matt Moore

• ▲Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Praised as the 'safe' QB1 pick with rushing upside, accuracy, and full college seasoning; transferred to Oregon.

Tanner McKee

• ▲Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: Competing with Andy Dalton for Eagles' QB2 job, making Philadelphia an appealing preseason betting target due to the open competition.

Andy Dalton

• ▲Fantasy Feast: NFL Fantasy Football Podcast: In a genuine competition with Tanner McKee for the Eagles' backup QB job, meaning both are expected to see real preseason snaps.

Ryan Willis

• ▲Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Had an incredible freshman season at Alabama as a 17-year-old but down junior year; hosts bet on ceiling and bounce-back.