Fantasy QB Rankings

Our 2022 fantasy football quarterback rankings will help you identify the elite players who will help you finish first in your fantasy football league. Consensus rankings agree that Josh Allen should be the first quarterback off the board, but there are questions regarding who the No. 2 QB should be for the 2022 NFL season. In one quarterback league, because of the depth at the position, you should be looking for upside with your signal-callers.

What is a QB in Fantasy Football?

The quarterback is the player who lines up behind the center. They are the most important player on their NFL team. They are responsible for communicating with the head coach, audibling at the line of scrimmage, and getting everyone in the right spot. There is no more crucial position in all of sports. In years past, fantasy managers have largely decided to wait on this position because of how many quality passers there in the league, but with the increase in how many quarterbacks can run, the elite guys on top are becoming more and more valuable because they possess week-winning upside.

QB Fantasy rankings

Josh Allen is largely viewed as the No. 1 quarterback. He finished as the highest scoring QB last season and the year prior. He's one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league and has unbelievable arm strength. Justin Herbert is our QB2 and Patrick Mahomes is right behind him at QB3. Mahomes struggled a bit last year with his deep ball, which has created plenty of questions throughout the offseason to determine how he'll handle the loss of Tyreek Hill. Rounding out of the top five are two of the best rushers at the position, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray. Jackson, since becoming a starter has one of the highest fantasy points per game average among quarterbacks of all time.

Jalen Hurts, despite throwing just 16 touchdown passes last year, finished as the QB6 in fantasy points per game and led all quarterbacks with 10 rushing touchdowns. The Eagles also traded for A.J. Brown this offseason, upgrading the weapons around him. Joe Burrow, after having his rookie season cut short due to a torn ACL dominated in his second season with some of the very best weapons in the NFL. Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers complete our top 10. Fantasy managers will have to determine if he's still capable of putting up elite fantasy numbers without Davante Adams.

Drafting a QB in Fantasy Football

There are different scoring formats that can affect how fantasy managers value certain passers. Some levels use 6-point passing touchdowns. This type of scoring puts a bigger emphasis on the traditional pocket passers. This type of scoring will boost quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford up the quarterback rankings for the 2022 NFL season. This type of scoring also will negatively affect QBs that struggle to put up traditional passing stats, such as passing yards and touchdowns.

In 4-point passing touchdowns, fantasy managers are introduced to what is now being called konami code passers. These are the kinds of players that come with high mobility and carry high upside due to their rushing metrics. Quarterbacks who fall into this category include Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Jalen Hurts. Lance is one quarterback who could make the jump into the top five because of his perceived ability to rack up points on the ground.

QB History

In 2019, Lamar Jackson, using 4-point passing touchdowns scored 421.7 points by becoming the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He also had 3,127 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns. Prior to Jackson, Peyton Manning was the best fantasy quarterback from his 2013 season with the Denver Broncos. He had 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns en route to 410 total points.

Other notable quarterback performances include Patrick Mahomes (2018, 417.1 points), Tom Brady (2007, 390), Aaron Rodgers (2011, 397.4), and Drew Brees (2011, 394).

Fantasy QB Rankings FAQ

Who is the best Fantasy QB?

Josh Allen is largely viewed as the best passer in fantasy football. He has the most overall talent in regards to his ability as a pocket passer and his rushing skillset. He is set to once again lead one of the most explosive offenses in the league and has been the No. 1 fantasy quarterback in back-to-back seasons.

How important is a QB in fantasy?

The quarterback position had been devalued in the past and fantasy managers have often been told to wait on the position because there are so many quality players to choose from. However, in recent seasons, the elite quarterbacks have such a high ceiling that it's becoming more reasonable to target some of these elite passers. Guys like Allen, Herbert, Mahomes, Murray, and Jackson offer weekly upside of 35+ and those types of performances can easily sway fantasy contests.

Should you have 2QBs in fantasy?

It all depends on who your starter is. If you've used a premium draft pick on one of the top five passers in fantasy football, it may not be necessary to roster two quarterbacks. However, without rostering one of these passers, it makes sense for fantasy managers to target a high-upside passer, such as Justin Fields because of his elite rushing ability. The bench is for upgrading our starting lineup. That can come in many different ways.

Are 2QB and Superflex Leagues Different?

There is a difference between two-quarterback leagues and Superflex leagues. In 2 quarterback leagues, fantasy managers are required to start two quarterbacks each week. In Superflex leagues, you'll be required to start one quarterback. The option to start two quarterbacks is always there and most often, it'll make sense to start two quarterbacks, but it is not a requirement. Fantasy managers can start any other positional player in their superflex spot, which also includes a second quarterback.

What is Streaming QB?

Streaming quarterbacks is the practice of using a new quarterback in your starting lineup on a weekly basis. This practice tends to involve playing the right matchups and looking at which defenses typically struggle to slow down quarterbacks. Other things fantasy managers should look for when streaming the position are games with a high implied point total.

What Should I look for when drafting a QB?

There are several things to consider when looking at quarterbacks. To determine just what their ceiling is, fantasy managers will need to look at how many rushing attempts they have and what their skill set is on the ground. If they're not rushing quarterbacks, it's important to consider the pace of play of their offenses, how many pass attempts they'll have, the talents of their pass catchers, offensive line, and coaching staff.

When Should I Draft a QB?

In one quarterback leagues, fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to draft a quarterback until at least round five. The first four rounds offer so many quality positional players, that it's hard to pass on these options for a quarterback because as great as the elite passers are, there still are plenty of quality options. Once you enter round five, fantasy managers can begin considering drafting some of the top-six passers. This includes Allen, Herbert, Mahomes, Jackson, Murray, and Hurts. If you miss out on these signal-callers, fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to wait on the position for a while before finally drafting someone like Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, or Kirk Cousins. These three players provide a safe floor and a cheaper draft cost. If taking this route, it makes sense to then target some later passers such as Justin Fields who is a konami code passer and presents significant upside.

In Superflex and two quarterback leagues, their value grows immensely. Fantasy managers will need to be prepared to use first and second-round draft picks for the elite quarterbacks. If it's a 6-point passing touchdown league, this can be a viable strategy because they are the most valuable position.