It is fascinating how a lot the quarterback place has modified in fantasy soccer over the previous 20 years. Twin-threat quarterbacks who can put up factors via the air and on the bottom are way more frequent, and the place is deeper than ever. Nonetheless, one fixed is that having the correct signal-caller could possibly be the distinction between making the fantasy finals or watching from the sidelines.
It is no coincidence {that a} excessive proportion of groups that made the finals in 2024 ESPN leagues sported dual-threat quarterbacks, led by Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (20.8%) and Washington’s Jayden Daniels (16.4%).
The truth is, 5 quarterbacks averaged at the very least 5 speeding makes an attempt per sport final season: Jalen Hurts, Daniels, Jackson, Josh Allen and Bo Nix. This quintet averaged 21.6 fantasy factors per sport, reinforcing the concept that having a cellular beginning quarterback offers a constant week-to-week matchup benefit.
When making ready to your drafts, among the best methods is to place gamers at every place into tiers. That means that you can group gamers who’re projected to have comparable manufacturing collectively, with the drop-off between tiers representing a extra vital anticipated factors distinction. With that in thoughts, here is a breakdown of the QB tiers heading into the 2025 season.
Tier 1: Excessive-end QB1s
Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
These elite 4 supply consistency and excessive ceilings because of their speeding capacity. Quarterbacks who ran the ball at the very least 5 instances in a sport final season scored 20-plus fantasy factors in 43% of their begins. Allen has completed as a top-two fantasy QB in every of the previous 5 seasons. Although his passing yards have declined in three of the previous 4 seasons, he has boosted his fantasy worth with 27 speeding touchdowns over the previous two years. In 2024, Jackson set profession highs in go makes an attempt, completions, yards and touchdowns whereas nonetheless producing vital fantasy factors on the bottom. Daniels (355.8 fantasy factors), who’s coming off the perfect rookie season by a quarterback since Cam Newton (370.3) in 2011, scored 24-plus in seven video games. Hurts had a diminished passing workload final season, however he nonetheless boasts one of many league’s elite extensive receiver tandems in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Hurts has led (or tied) all quarterbacks in speeding makes an attempt and speeding touchdowns for 4 straight seasons.
Tier 2: Midrange QB1s
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You’ll be able to confidently begin any of those quarterbacks in your fantasy lineup, although they do not supply fairly the identical ceiling because the Tier 1 group. Burrow performed in 17 video games for the primary time final season, main the league in go makes an attempt, completions, yards and touchdowns as receiving goal Ja’Marr Chase scored 40-plus fantasy factors in three video games. Nix had a formidable rookie 12 months, ending as fantasy QB7 and rating sixth in go makes an attempt, completions and passing touchdowns, plus fifth amongst quarterbacks in speeding makes an attempt. Mahomes hasn’t completed among the many high six QBs in fantasy factors per sport since 2022, however has remained a top-12 rusher at his place over the previous 5 seasons. Mayfield broke out in 2024, ending because the QB4 with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, a 71% completion charge and a career-high 378 speeding yards, setting him up for an additional robust marketing campaign.
Tier 3: Low-end QB1s
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Justin Fields, New York Jets
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
These quarterbacks are stable should you wait on the place. Nevertheless, every comes with questions. Purdy was QB13 final season and boosted his speeding with profession highs in a number of classes, however questions stay about Deebo Samuel’s absence (he is now with the Commanders), Brandon Aiyuk’s well being (he is recovering from an ACL damage and can miss the beginning of the season) and Christian McCaffrey’s sturdiness. Murray completed because the QB10 with a career-best 69% completion charge however struggled on deep throws. His speeding capacity (572 yards, 5 TDs), robust playmakers and favorable schedule set him up nicely for 2025. Fields’ limitations as a passer (he has accomplished 61.1% of his passes for 7,780 yards in his profession) stay the most important query mark heading into this season, however his speeding upside and proficient playmakers in Garrett Wilson and Breece Corridor hold him on the QB1 radar. Prescott’s 2024 was minimize quick because of accidents, however in six full video games he averaged 16.8 fantasy factors. With a doubtlessly weak speeding offense and high receivers corresponding to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, he is set for a high-volume passing function, although he is now not a lot of a speeding menace. Herbert had considered one of his most effective seasons in 2024, throwing for 3,870 yards, 23 TDs and simply 3 interceptions, plus 306 speeding yards and a couple of scores on the bottom. The principle query is whether or not Greg Roman’s offense will give him sufficient passing makes an attempt.
Tier 4: Excessive-end QB2s
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
We are actually in superflex territory, the place these gamers are superb QB2 choices. Maye, Williams and Lawrence have probably the most speeding upside on this tier. The one I wish to spotlight is Maye, who averaged 16.0 fantasy factors in his begins for the Patriots final season and now has an improved offensive line and new playmakers corresponding to Stefon Diggs and rookie third-rounder Kyle Williams. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is returning to New England for an additional tour of obligation.
Tier 5: Midrange and back-end QB2s
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Bryce Younger, Carolina Panthers
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
These gamers can work as your QB2 in superflex lineups however are higher suited as a QB3 in your bench. Younger stands out on this tier. The 2023 No. 1 NFL draft choose enters his third season following a robust end to 2024 when he averaged 18.0 fantasy factors from Week 8 on and showcased a serious leap as a rusher. The Panthers have added rookie Tetairoa McMillan — the No. 8 choose within the 2025 NFL draft and the primary receiver chosen — and keep continuity alongside the offensive line.
Tier 6: Superflex QB3s or deep-league depth choices
Cameron Ward, Tennessee Titans
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Russell Wilson, New York Giants
Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
You will wish to take a wait-and-see strategy with the quarterbacks on this tier, as they’re primarily bye-week fill-ins in superflex codecs and are finest seen as bench stashes. Ward and Sanders are probably the most intriguing choices on this tier.
