Good day readers! Having fun with the World Cup? So am I. However like a lot of you, I’m counting down the times till one other kind of soccer takes middle stage.
At present’s column begins my 2026 Fantasy Soccer redraft rankings and tiers. RB, WR, and TE will comply with, and I’ll replace them in August, when season-long redraft season kicks in. Hopefully, these preliminary seems to be at every main place will assist as you begin to take into account participant values and draft methods.
You may hyperlink to all my preseason fantasy content material right here, together with all of the rankings and tiers (as soon as they’re posted), and way more.
Earlier than we get to the rankings, tiers, and commentary, listed below are three fast observations in regards to the quarterback place in 2026. The primary two are largely copy and paste jobs from final yr.
Quarterback is loaded! I’ve been enjoying fantasy for 30-plus years and might’t recall this a lot high quality and depth on the place. Look down the rankings and also you’ll see what I imply. There are names nicely previous QB12 which can be very interesting starters for fantasy. All that depth means you’ll be able to wait longer on QB, even in 2-QB codecs like Superflex, in the event you select to move on the elite choices on the place. It additionally means it’s not tough to seize two good beginning QBs in a Superflex format.Twin-threat quarterbacks are fantasy gold! I’ve written quite a bit up to now in regards to the emergence of the working QB and the way it’s modified fantasy. An elite dual-threat is nearly like having two gamers in a single. With a degree awarded for each ten dashing yards and 6 factors per dashing TD, cellular signal-callers can pile up factors extra simply than pocket passers. A QB who runs for 500 yards and 5 TDs on the season is getting on common 4-5 extra fantasy factors per recreation (FPPG) than a QB who doesn’t run. There are extra cellular QBs now than at any time up to now, and also you’ll see how they’re favored all through my rankings.Youth is serving! There was a time not so way back when the QB panorama was dominated by guys of their 30s. That script has flipped within the final decade. The 2018, 2020, and 2024 QB courses had been particular. 13 of the 32 projected opening day starters will likely be from simply these three stellar draft courses. 9 extra are from the opposite draft courses since 2019. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, who’re inarguably two of the sport’s absolute best, have hit 30, however nonetheless, solely 4 projected opening-day starters are 35 or older: Aaron Rodgers (42), Matt Stafford (38), Kirk Cousins (will likely be 38 in August), and Geno Smith (35). QB ought to keep robust and deep (for fantasy, anyway) for fairly some time.
I’ve organized the QB rankings into tiers, as I do at each place. It’s best to too. I’ve written quite a bit up to now on why it’s good to make use of tiers in your draft board. Everybody desires to roster the most effective gamers, and sorting every place group into tiers permits fantasy managers to have a fantastic view of (a) ranges of gamers who could be anticipated to have related fantasy manufacturing, (b) the drop-offs between these ranges, and (c) what number of gamers in a variety stay accessible at any given time. Tiers assist when place runs come, and facilitate simpler drafting, no matter format.
My quarterback rankings assume 4 factors per passing TD. Season-long rankings proven are on a FPPG foundation and exclude the ultimate week of the season.
You may hyperlink to all my preseason fantasy content material right here, together with all of the rankings and tiers (as soon as they’re posted), and way more.
Two of the sport’s greats have turned 30 Getty Photographs
Tier I – The One in all One
Josh will get his personal tier. He earned that by ending as the general participant #1 or #2 in fantasy for six straight seasons (which covers your complete 2020s), and never lacking a begin since his 2018 rookie season. Consistency, sturdiness, and sustaining the elite dual-threat functionality year-to-year all set him other than the remaining. Positive, others have related ceilings, however no one else has his flooring.
Commentary: This group consists of the highest dual-threats, for all the explanations mentioned above, plus Burrow, who joins the runners due to his ceiling as a passer and his scenario (two stud receivers and a foul protection). In 6-point passing TD leagues, bump him up above Hurts. Jackson and Daniels are coming off injury-plagued seasons, and cellular QBs can deliver just a little added damage threat. The burning query for fantasy managers (in one-QB leagues, particularly) is whether or not any of the primary six QBs is definitely worth the excessive value, given the depth beneath them.
Dak may put up large passing numbers in 2026 Getty Photographs
Commentary: The standard and depth of this tier and the one beneath it’s why it’s so tempting, and possibly smart, to simply wait on QB when you load up at different positions, and particularly in one-QB leagues. There are ceiling performs (Williams, Lawrence) and flooring performs (Goff, Prescott) and all the things in-between. Enjoyable reality: Goff has completed because the QB7 in three straight seasons. Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and the way good he’s for fantasy will rely partly on how a lot he’s prepared to run. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, will the Giants attempt to maintain Dart from working an excessive amount of, to guard his well being?
Tier IV – Overflow QB1s
Commentary: The one factor separating this tier from the one above is that there’s a bit extra of a draw back case with every of those gamers, for numerous causes. However once more, simply have a look at the depth. All or any of those QBs may find yourself as Prime-10 choices, and it wouldn’t be a shock. Mayfield (2024) and Stafford (2025) every completed Prime-5 on the place within the final two seasons.
Sam Darnold, World Champion Getty Photographs
Tier V – The Upside Guys
Commentary: This group gives just a little little bit of all the things. A redemption story (Murray), a accomplished redemption arc (Darnold), an unproven starter with main upside as a dual-threat (Willis), a second-year starter who, like Bo Nix the yr earlier than him, was a lot better than anticipated as a rookie (Shough), and a participant who has the instruments and has proven flashes however nonetheless hasn’t had that one nice season for fantasy (Love). All these gamers are good QB2 choices, with upside to a QB1 end.
Commentary: There isn’t quite a bit to say right here. Given the depth on the place, most of those gamers received’t get drafted in one-QB leagues. However that doesn’t imply there isn’t worth for fantasy. There are some intriguing names, who may pop if issues break proper. Jacoby Brissett was the QB4 over the ultimate 8 weeks of final season, and Daniel Jones was the QB5 over the primary seven weeks. I don’t count on a repeat in both case, however you by no means know.
Coming subsequent: RB rankings and tiers, so maintain it right here!
