Drafting quarterbacks in fantasy football has undergone many revisions of strategy in the past few decades.
In most games where you start only one, it's often best to wait. However, with the elite rushing production that's coming from more QBs, drafting one of the multi-faceted names who can pass and run could be a cheat code.
Now, with the rise of superflex games, when you can have one flex spot as a QB/RB/WR/TE, and even 2QB leagues where you're forced to start two quarterbacks, it's vital to get proper value at the most important position in sports.
Whether you're to going to invest in one of the top names or wait on a bargain sleeper, keep reading to see how to rank quarterbacks in fantasy football draft tiers.
Fantasy Football QB Tiers 2025: Who are the best fantasy football quarterbacks?
Rankings and tiers are based on four-point passing TD leagues.
QB Draft Tier 1
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The high-impact mobile quarterbacks dominate the top four. All four of these names run offenses that should earn trust -- Daniels' Commanders offense the least, but his dynamic two-way play elevates him into the top group.
Josh Allen being ranked No. 1 at this position despite boasting a true top target speaks to his consistent weekly ceiling. His strong arm and game-breaking mobility produce almost the prototype for a QB scouting report. Lamar Jackson is not far behind as the best rushing QB in the league; the Ravens' offense under Todd Monken has more consistently augmented Jackson's long-underrated downfield game.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
The NFL's preservation of the Tush Push keeps the defending Super Bowl-champion Jalen Hurts among the most expensive fantasy targets. Between his inside-the-5 brilliance, a standout group of pass-catchers headlined by workhorse back Saquon Barkley and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and an offensive system that plays to his every need, Hurts remains a safe buy-in.
Washington's contract dance with Terry McLaurin has complicated Daniels' ceiling; without F1, this pass-catching group looks much less appetizing with Deebo Samuel, Zach Ertz, and Austin Ekeler leading the way. (And the offense has been buoyed by the break-neck pace of Kliff Kingsbury's scheme.) The skill players are already an old personnel group (and squad, in general), and the passing game may be walking a tightrope that Daniels can thankfully balance with his feet.
PPR RANKINGS: Top 300 Cheat Sheet | RB | WR | TE | DST | PK
Fantasy Football QB Tiers 2025: Second-tier quarterbacks
QB Draft Tier 2
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
These names remain elite but come in just a notch below the impact runners.
Burrow belongs thanks to a mix of a winning pedigree, a star-studded pair of top wideouts in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and an offense that's likely going to air it out frequently thanks to lack of defense. His utter lack of scrambling stats, however, prevent us from nudging him up just a bit higher than this already lauded draft slot.
Mahomes' position is much more tenuous, given the dip in big-play production last year. Rashee Rice's possible suspension also looms large for quality targets. Any long absence would again elevate Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce's target totals -- not bad names to have, but it removes a huge weapon from Mahomes' plans.
This tier could prove tricky outside of superflex/2QB leagues but still deserves a strong investment where sensible.
Someone will likely reach for both names given their reputations, which is more justifiable in leagues that award 6 points for passing touchdowns (and/or in the much rarer settings with negative-2 points for interceptions thrown).
2025 FANTASY AUCTION VALUES (PPR & STANDARD)
Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF/ST | K
Fantasy Football QB Draft Strategy: Passing on the big names? When should you pick a quarterback?
QB Draft Tier 3
7. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
8. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
12. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Rounding out the top 12 are a few names who could deliver a profit if they slip into the middle rounds -- which could even dip into double-digit rounds in many 1QB setups.
He might not have to run as much anymore, but Bo Nix is in a system that can make up for any sophomore slump -- and he adds reliable TE Evan Engram.
Drake Maye's legs define most of his upside, but the Patriots also upgraded his offensive line (hello, Will Campbell), which should give him time to find veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, rookie Kyle Williams, and breakout candidate DeMario Douglas.
Dak Prescott is back after a season-ending hamstring injury and gets to throw to George Pickens, in addition to the elite CeeDee Lamb and reliable TE Jake Ferguson. The play-action-heavy Brian Schottenheimer offense could explode.
The biggest reasons Baker Mayfield dips despite an elite 2024 is the departure of Liam Coen and the ongoing injury saga of Chris Godwin (ankle/leg). However, there's still plenty to like: Mike Evans is a true No. 1, and emerging rookie Emeka Egbuka could be huge.
Kyler Murray might not run like the old days but remains active enough to provide a decent weekly floor, also buoyed by TE Trey McBride. If sophomore WR Marvin Harrison Jr. takes a step forward, K1 could be a major bargain.
If Brock Purdy had a more reliable wideout room, he'd be much higher. It's not a question of his skill anymore; he expertly runs Kyle Shanahan's system. "Mr. Irrelevant" could even be better than this price if WR Ricky Pearsall enjoys an expected major growth.
2025 DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | Deep Sleepers | 1 From Each Team
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: QB1 candidates, QB2 steals, & weekly streamers
QB Draft Tier 4
13. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
15. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
16. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
17. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
18. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
19. Justin Fields, New York Jets
20. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Quite the mixed bag, but those who want to go cheap at the position still have avenues to success by leaning on these starter-worthy names.
Thankfully, for 1QB games, you can easily pivot if you botch your pick.
The upside of Trevor Lawrence with Liam Coen's offense installation, and the presence of wideouts Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie Travis Hunter, elevates him. This may feel bold, but the stars may be finally aligning for the maligned former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.
There's also the security of Jared Goff, who at this draft investment point offers little downside even with the exit of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. In Goff's favor, John Morton could inject even more aerial attempts into the offense, with Jahmyr Gibbs acting as a receiver more often.
Unfortunately for Goff, his lack of wheels likely will hold him back in terms of ceiling -- even compared to Caleb Williams, who could again approach adding 400-plus rushing yards to the upside from Ben Johnson's system that heads from Detroit to Chicago.
Watch injury reports for Jordan Love (thumb) heading into your draft, but a healthy 2025 after an injury-riddled 2024 could lead to bigger things while he guides a talented offense with a new WR1 in field-stretching rookie Matthew Golden.
First-year starter J.J. McCarthy returns from a torn knee meniscus to have his "rookie" season. His combination of rushing ability and an offense stacked with a standout receiving corps (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and even RB Aaron Jones) gives him a huge ceiling out of the gate.
JJMC is one of my favorite QB2 targets in superflex formats.
Nudging his rushing yards up past 300 in 2024, Justin Herbert took a major step forward in ball security and thrives when targeting Ladd McConkey, but the Chargers' offense led by OC Greg Roman does not set Herbert up to approach anything close to his 5,014-yard 2021 again.
(Unfortunately, his reported dating of Madison Beer does not improve his ranking.)
Speaking of leaning on ground performance for fantasy value, Justin Fields has Garrett Wilson, perhaps Breece Hall (if he's not traded), and ... [shrug]. Tanner Engstrand, the Jets' new OC, does bring experience in the Lions' scheme, but we should pause before blindly claiming Fields will run it well.
On the other hand, I do trust the QB switch in Kevin O'Connell's Vikings system.
If we could pad Tua Tagovailoa in bubble wrap, he likely would rank as a consistent top-10 quarterback, but given his own concussion issues, the increasing physical and teammate drama around WR Tyreek Hill, and a concerning injury to DeVon Achane, Tua is a bonus and streamer, not a locked-in QB1.
EXPLOIT LEAGUE APPS: Yahoo, ESPN rankings can reveal sleepers, busts
Fantasy Football QB Rankings Tiers: Sleeper quarterbacks
QB Draft Tier 5
21. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
22. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
23. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
24. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
25. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
26. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young could find themselves in near every-week utility -- Stroud on the back of Nico Collins and a questionable run game, and Young in Year 2 of Dave Canales' offense with a blossoming group of receivers that includes potential rookie start Tetairoa McMillan.
The 37-year-old Matthew Stafford (back) would sit higher if not for his health concerns; anyone throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams has a high floor, all things equal.
Michael Penix Jr.'s own supporting cast of Bijan Robinson and Drake London could carry him to many standout weeks, especially against their NFC South opponents.
Same for Geno Smith, with TE Brock Bowers, RB Ashton Jeanty, and WR Jakobi Meyers, though in this offense, the passing volume may not be enough to make him a stable superflex start.
Sam Darnold steps into Smith's old Seattle shoes, but with Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. Cooper Kupp would have to remain healthy to maximize Darnold's upside, even with a true top WR in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
NON-PPR RANKINGS: TOP 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE
Fantasy Football quarterback deep sleepers
QB Draft Tier 6
27. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
28. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
29. Russell Wilson, New York Giants
30. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
31. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
32. Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
33. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Cam Ward could produce fantasy-worthy 1QB starts many weeks as a rookie, especially with Calvin Ridley looking spry enough to carry the downfield game. The Titans' game scripts could favor a ton of late-game, garbage-time passing, too.
If you draft DK Metcalf in best-ball leagues, pairing him with Aaron Rodgers could be a sneaky stack. Redraft leaguers should not
Russell Wilson's own WR1, Malik Nabers, could help elevate him, too, especially since Danger Russ still can throw a solid-to-awesome deep ball.
Daniel Jones was just named the Colts' Week 1 starter and has a diverse group of pass-catchers to target.
Tyler Shough, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart all have different timelines to start but remain great rookie stashes for deeper 1QB leagues.
Fantasy QB Roster Stashes and Watch List
QB Tier 7
34. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
35. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
36. Jalen Milroe, Seattle Mariners
37. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
38. Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
39. Jameis Winston, New York Giants
40. Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns
41. Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns
QB Tier 8
42. Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
43. Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
44. Joe Milton III, Dallas Cowboys
45. Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
46. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
47. Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers
48. Zach Wilson, Miami Dolphins
49. Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs
50. Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
QB Tier 9
51. Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
52. Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
53. Taylor Heinicke, Los Angeles Chargers
54. Sam Howell, Minnesota Vikings
55. Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
56. Cooper Rush, Baltimore Ravens
57. Kyle Trask, Tampa Bay Buccaneers