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Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings And Analysis

Seahawks fantasy insider Scott Engel provides quarterback rankings and insights heading into the 2025 season.

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Scott Engel is beginning his 14th season as the official fantasy writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. Scott is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA award winner and 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy analysis on *RotoBaller.com*, The Athletic, and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Quarterback is widely regarded as one of the prime on-field positions in real-life NFL football. Many teams have gone to great lengths to pinpoint or develop a franchise QB. But how important is a QB in fantasy football in 2025?

The answer depends on what type of format you play in. In a mainstream fantasy football league where one QB is permitted in the starting lineup, you don't have to draft one of the top QBs in the first round. Because two-plus starters are required at running back and wide receiver, and tight end is thin at the top, you can wait until at least the middle of the second round to draft an elite QB.

Depending on the flow of your draft, a top 10 QB may be available as late as the seventh to ninth rounds in a one-QB format, because the position is deep this season. There are about 20 QBs that can comfortably be considered as starting options.

"Superflex leagues" have become increasingly popular in recent years, though. This fast-growing format allows you to start a second QB at a flex position, and most fantasy football players do. A superflex league is essentially a two-QB league.

In a superflex draft, QBs will fly off the board quickly, and you may even see the top 5 players at the position go off the board in the first five picks. The top 12-plus QBs might be taken in the first two rounds. QBs taken outside the top 20 become even more useful, and three should be drafted as fantasy insurance for bye weeks and injuries.

We look at the top fantasy football QBs in groupings, providing insights and analysis for both types of leagues. We also spotlight Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, who is a good target in superflex formats, and provide the top 20 fantasy football QBs for 2025.

Fantasy Football QB Draft Guide: The Big Four, Plus One

There is a clear separation between the Top 4 players at QB this season, with a prime pocket passer not far behind. The very best dual-threat players at the position are highly coveted fantasy football draft picks for 2025, with a superstar passer close by in terms of the best pick otherwise.

Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, and Jalen Hurts are the "Big Four" of fantasy football, with Joe Burrow considered a solid No. 5 draft target. The top 4 are highly sought-after because they are all among the best passing/rushing hybrid QBs.

Allen is our No. 1 overall fantasy QB and leads all players at his position in Average Draft Position in one-QB leagues (23rd overall in PPR formats, per FantasyPros). He is arguably the safest high-floor QB in fantasy football, as he finished as a top 2 QB in each of the last five seasons. The Buffalo standout should be a No. 1 overall pick in many superflex drafts.

Jackson finished as the No. 1 QB in fantasy football in 2024, and his weekly average of 25.6 points per game was three points higher than the second-highest QB by average. He set new career highs in passing TDs (41) and yards (4,172). Jackson is a top alternative to Allen and will be a No. 1 or No. 2 pick at QB in most drafts.

Daniels exploded onto the fantasy scene as a rookie, finishing as a top 5 QB, and piloting the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game to raise his appeal further. NFL playoff performances don't count for the fantasy football season, but when a QB performs so well in his first taste of postseason action, fantasy leaguers will take notice. Don't be scared off by a "sophomore jinx" concern, because you don't want to miss out on another elite season from him. Always gun for significant higher-end upside when possible, and don't draft "scared."

In the past three seasons, Hurts has rushed for 42 touchdowns, as the "Brotherly Shove" is very much appreciated for fantasy football purposes. Even if Philadelphia passes more this season, Hurts will finish off many scoring drives again.

Burrow finished as fantasy QB3 last season, passing for career highs in TDs (43) and yards (4,918). He led the NFL with 652 attempts and should be very prolific as a passer again this season. In any format, pairing him with Ja'Marr Chase at WR is a fine approach if you can pull it off.

When you see one of the top QBs picked before your turn, don't hesitate to get in on the "run" for one of the best four or five. They may be all gone by the end of the third round or early in the fourth in a one-QB league draft.

Fantasy Football QB Draft Guide: More Quality QB1 Targets

Patrick Mahomes finished outside the top 10 last season, yet he is always capable of a resurgence to top 5 form. After the top 5 QBs are drafted, he has an ADP of 58 overall, which is in the late fifth round range in 12-team one QB leagues. Mahomes is still a comfortable superflex starter.

Baker Mayfield is coming off a career season, as he finished as fantasy QB4. He will feature a deep receiving crew again and is a viable target at an ADP of 73 overall in one QB leagues. If you miss out on a top 5 QB in a superflex league, the Tampa Bay passer is a good pick to complement the top players drafted earlier at other positions.

Bo Nix was another impressive rookie in 2024, and he finished as QB7 in his first pro season. Under the guidance of Sean Payton, Nix can continue to ascend in 2025. A healthy Dak Prescott is a terrific value. I have seen him picked as late as the 10th round in some early drafts. The Dallas passing game should be a very busy one this season.

Kyler Murray always provides rushing upside, but be sure to draft a reliable QB2 as insurance. Drake Maye is a popular pick to crack QB1 territory this year. His receiving crew is improved, and he does offer some added rushing appeal. Justin Fields rounds out my top 12. He carries top 5 upside as a projected full-time starter again.

Many of these QBs will be drafted between the sixth to 10th round in one QB leagues. In superflex formats, any passer inside the top 10 can be considered one of the better picks at the position.

Fantasy Football QB Draft Guide: Quality Options

The approach at QB when you can start one is to wait after the third round when not targeting one of the top four or five. In a superflex league, depending on the flow of the draft, you might be able to pass on a QB1 in the first two rounds, as most guys from 12 to 20 will function as acceptable starters. Taking two in the 12-20 range can be comfortable enough if the rest of the lineup looks very good at other positions.

Jared Goff was a top 6 QB last year and can even be drafted a spot or two earlier based on his weaponry. Brock Purdy provides a respectable statistical floor and is the 10th QB off the board according to the ADP reports. Jordan Love and C.J. Stroud are inviting bounce-back candidates and may function as ideal QB2 types in superflex formats.

Justin Herbert is a proven passer and a quality QB2. In his first true pro season, J.J. McCarthy carries some significant promise and is an interesting late-rounder at an ADP of 132. Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence might be motivated by desires to prove themselves more, and both QBs feature a healthy amount of supporting playmakers.

Fantasy Football QB Draft Guide: Sleepers And Values

Bryce Young performed well down the stretch last season and is a tempting later-round pick. … Cam Ward is a quality target as a QB3 in superflex leagues, and as a late pick in one QB formats. … Once Anthony Richardson gets healthy again, we cannot forget his potential fantasy ceiling as a top 10 QB. … Jaxson Dart could carry some later-season appeal as a superflex QB3.

Seahawks Fantasy Football Spotlight: Sam Darnold

Last season with Minnesota, Darnold finished as a top 10 fantasy QB for the first time. The Seahawks' staff has made it no secret that they intend to improve the running game this season. Still, after his emergence last season and a secure seat as a starter, Darnold is a worthy pick as a QB2 in superflex leagues when you wait until the late rounds for a second starter. He is also is a respectable backup QB target in one-QB formats.

The familiarity with Klint Kubiak's offense, along with the threat of play-action based on a strong running game, plus a crew of promising pass-catchers, positions Darnold as a value target in the later rounds of all drafts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp should be very reliable, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Elijah Arroyo, and Tory Horton offer some splash play potential. Target Darnold as a top 25 QB.

In dynasty leagues, Jalen Milroe is a great pick for the future. Consider him a top 30 draft-and-stash QB in new dynasty leagues. He looks to be an eager learner and naturally possesses a lot of upside for future fantasy purposes.

Fantasy Football QB rankings: The Top 20 for 2025.

For full rankings at all positions from Scott Engel, *visit RotoBaller.com*.

  1. Josh Allen
  2. Lamar Jackson
  3. Jayden Daniels
  4. Jalen Hurts
  5. Joe Burrow
  6. Patrick Mahomes
  7. Baker Mayfield
  8. Bo Nix
  9. Dak Prescott
  10. Kyler Murray
  11. Drake Maye
  12. Justin Fields
  13. Jared Goff
  14. Brock Purdy
  15. Jordan Love
  16. C.J. Stroud
  17. Justin Herbert
  18. J.J. McCarthy
  19. Caleb Williams
  20. Trevor Lawrence

Check out photos of the Seahawks active roster during training camp.

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