Updated Fantasy QB Rankings 2022: Best quarterbacks, top sleepers & breakouts in fantasy football drafts

In fantasy football, one of the most important goals is having a steady quarterback. If you can get Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson, then you are in great shape to win your league (assuming you don't overpay). However, there are always other players outside the must-start tier who rise up the ranks and become viable starters during the regular season. Our 2022 fantasy QB rankings highlight the top signal-callers going into this season, as well as the sleepers and breakouts who need to be circled on your draft cheat sheet.

The debate starts at the top, where Patrick Mahomes no longer resides. In fact, Mahomes is now No. 2 in his own division (at least in the preseason consensus fantasy rankings). Josh Allen and Justin Herbert now occupy the top-two spots. While all three should be solid starters, it’s fair to wonder just how high each should be drafted. It’s likely Mahomes will be available into the third round this year in single-QB formats.

2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex

Perhaps more interesting are the starting quarterbacks who changed places this offseason (Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, and Baker Mayfield). All three seem to be in better positions, but Wilson especially could be primed to have a huge bounce-back season in Denver with a host of weapons at the skill positions and hopefully a better relationship with his coaches. Wilson averaged just 17.34 fantasy points per game last season (242.82 total fantasy points in four-point passing TD leagues), but we know the upside is there for much more. The same is true for former fantasy darling Mayfield, who landed in a quietly decent spot in Carolina. Is a comeback season on the horizon?

2022 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex

While all the attention will be on the veteran quarterbacks, we’ll also see how the QBs from the 2021 NFL draft fare in their second campaigns. Trevor Lawrence might garner the most attention, as he has a new head coach in Doug Pederson. Last season, Lawrence completed just 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,641 passing yards, 334 rushing yards, 14 total touchdowns (12 passing, two rushing), and 22 turnovers. Despite his struggles throughout the season, Lawrence still had six games where he scored 15 or more fantasy points, and the Jags acquired Christian Kirk and Evan Engram in the offseason, which should help.

2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team

However, Lawrence probably doesn’t have the most fantasy upside among the sophomores. Justin Fields not only produced at a similar level as Lawrence in their respective starts, but he also has much more rushing upside (420 yards in just 12 games, 10 starts). If he settles into a groove in his second year, he could produce starting-caliber fantasy numbers at a value price. The same is true for Trey Lance, who has the most fantasy upside (and expectations) of the three going into this year. He’ll cost more than Fields, but he could still prove to be a steal if things fall into place in San Francisco.

2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall

Quarterback can often be a “boring” position on draft day, as we largely know who’s going to reliably produce (Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, etc.) and who isn’t. However, with all the big-name movement (including among key pass-catchers like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill), uncertain situations (Deshaun Watson anyone?), and intriguing youngsters (don’t forget about Zach Wilson and Kenny Pickett), fantasy owners will have to focus a little more on fantasy’s highest-scoring position.

2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

We’ll be updating our QB rankings throughout the preseason, so check back frequently for updates. For full analysis of all key QBs, click here.

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet

Fantasy QB Rankings 2022: Best quarterbacks, top sleepers

Rankings based on four-point passing TD formats