Fantasy Football Quarterback Analysis: Best Backups, Sleepers, and Streamers
Quarterback depth makes the bench and waiver wire important parts of a fantasy draft plan. The right backup can protect an early investment, while sleepers and streamers give managers cheaper paths to usable production when matchups, injuries, or role changes create opportunity.
This 2026 fantasy football quarterback analysis focuses on passers who may not open the year as locked-in starters in fantasy lineups but still carry practical value. We'll also dive into all of the other situations worth tracking and some you should avoid.
Top-Tier Backup Fantasy Quarterbacks
15) QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 335.9
Losing surefire Hall of Famer Mike Evans in free agency will sting, even after the star suffered through the worst season of his career. Mayfield, however, has reestablished himself in Tampa and has ample targets at his disposal. At WR, Emeka Egbuka is poised for an explosion, Chris Godwin is healthy, Jalen McMillan returns, and Ted Hurst was drafted in Round 3. The backfield also boasts two capable receivers, and TE Cade Otton is a decent safety blanket. Zac Robinson takes over as the fourth OC in as many years here. Baker is a much safer high-end QB2 than a starter.
16) QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 334.0
The unlocking of Love's full potential remains to be seen. He missed time in each of the last two seasons with myriad injuries and has seen his fantasy offerings dip in consecutive years. The Packers have individual talent at receiver but no true alpha, and now arguably his best weapon, TE Tucker Kraft, is coming off an ACL tear. Protection has been an issue too, and Love offers little in the ground game. Healthy and ready to roll, Love is in a pivotal year. If Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed ascend, he'll outdo this modest ranking.
17) QB Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 333.8
The failed two-year J.J. McCarthy experiment was met with the offseason addition of Murray. While he's coming off a midfoot sprain and is no stranger to injuries of his own, the veteran at least understands how to operate a pro offense and won't be wasting another year of elite talent for fantasy managers in Justin Jefferson. Toss in Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson, and there's a multilayered talent pool for Murray to rely on in a bounce-back bid. His legs are still dangerous enough to enhance his adequate aerial offerings. Murray's upside is evident, but the floor is shaky.
18) QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 318.0
Injuries are becoming part of the equation when considering Purdy, but he's remained productive despite the setbacks and talent losses around him. He enters 2026 healthy and with an upgrade in Mike Evans at wideout, though TE George Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles. Last year, Purdy played only nine games but averaged a career-best 24.6 fantasy points. While not a run-first quarterback, he still offers bonus rushing value. Due to durability concerns for him and those around Purdy, this is a floor ranking. Bump him up closer to the fringe QB1 range if you're willing to risk it.
19) QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 313.3
Do you hear that silence? That's the sound of Darnold's doubters. After a breakout 2024 season in Minnesota, he signed with Seattle to the sneers of many, and the former USC star had the last laugh with the Lombardi Trophy in his hands. Fantasy-wise, Darnold is a modest backup target who contributes almost nothing as a runner and still throws more picks than you'd like to see. Among full-time starters in 2025, Darnold ranked third in interception rate (2.9%). With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Rashid Shaheed on his side, he's at least a competent backup.
High-Upside, But Risky
20) QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 305.8
The fantasy stardom we came to love from Mahomes feels like a distant memory. He's recovering from a December torn ACL and is ahead of schedule, but Week 1 isn't a lock yet. Andy Reid would be foolish to risk a setback with Justin Fields being a capable fill-in. Upon Mahomes' return, his line play should be better, and there's no shortage of receiving options with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce. Mahomes hasn't topped 4k yards in two years or broken the 400-point fantasy barrier since 2022. He's a high-caliber backup if the knee responds well.
21) QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 305.7
Shough enters his second NFL season turning 27 by the end of September, and his maturity was on display in 2025. He finished with 10 passing scores, three rushing TDs, six picks, and averaged a respectable 17.8 fantasy points in 10 appearances. Over the last six games, though, Shough's floor was 20.2, and he ended on a high note with consecutive 25-plus-pointers. New Orleans bolstered his supporting cast with RB Travis Etienne in free agency and WR Jordyn Tyson in Round 1. His protection was buffed, too. The ceiling is high, the floor is pretty solid, and Shough has breakout potential in this proven offensive system. He's a No. 2 with unprojected upside.
22) QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 290.3
Will he, or won't he? The question was finally answered when Rodgers signed a one-year deal to return. He turns 43 in December, for starters, but Rodgers played pretty well in 2025 in Arthur Smith's neutered offense. Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin, giving Rodgers a familiar face in a proven, pass-friendly system, so that's a plus. Pittsburgh added WR Michael Pittman Jr. via trade and signed RB Rico Dowdle. Rookie Germie Bernard gives the offense more range. Rodgers is a matchup play, in line with throwing the 13th-most TDs a year ago, but don't be shocked if there's one last strong year left in him with McCarthy at the helm.
Last-Resort Backup Candidates
23) QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 289.8
Stroud enters Year 4 having failed to capture his rookie magic over the past two seasons. Houston has a wealth of talent assembled around him, so there's no excuse for not taking a leap in 2026. To his credit, the offensive line was beefed up, which helps a great deal, and Houston's running game should be stronger. Tank Dell has a chance to return from a horrific knee injury in 2024, and Nico Collins is a true WR1. Stroud just doesn't do enough with his legs to overcome pedestrian passing stats, and injuries are a factor to consider.
24) QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 284.3
Speaking of a make-or-break situation, Young improved across the board in 2025, completing 63.6% of his throws, surpassing 3,000 yards, tossing 23 touchdowns, and averaging 17.3 fantasy points -- all career highs. Unfortunately, only one-third of his appearances were even useful as a fantasy starter, and Young needs to take another jump in Year 4 if he's to be viewed as anything more than a matchup play in fake football. The weaponry didn't improve, and the offensive line has a question at left tackle as Ikem Ekwonu recovers from a January patella tendon rupture.
25) QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 250.1
A Week 14 Achilles tear ended Jones' rebound campaign, his first year with the Colts. He is on track for Week 1, but there's more downside than reward here. It typically takes around 18 months before the mobility returns after an Achilles injury, and rushing is a major portion of his fantasy profile as Jones ran for five TDs in 2025. Now, it doesn't take much to plunge in from the 1, but the risk is outsized. Indy traded WR Michael Pittman Jr., re-signed Alec Pierce, and downgraded at right tackle with Braden Smith's departure.
26) QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 246.3
Ward is coming off a Grade 2 AC joint injury in his throwing shoulder, which didn't require surgery, but any setback would chip away at his velocity and create potential future damage worries. Gloom and doom aside, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick has the requisite talent and acquitted himself well enough, all things considered, as a rookie. He gets an upgrade in coaching and has more talent around him after the fourth pick was spent on WR Carnell Tate and veteran Wan'Dale Robinson was signed. Ward is a superflex QB3 and should be avoided in redraft leagues.
27) QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals | Bye: 14 | Projected Fan Pts: 235.4
After five games with at least 24 fantasy points last year, Brissett topped that number only twice over the final seven games. While he filled in admirably last year when Kyler Murray went down, no one should view him as more than a late-round QB2 if you invested in a premium starter. Arizona drafted Carson Beck in Round 3 as the presumed future starter, and Gardner Minshew enters as the primary backup, so Arizona has options if Brissett struggles.
28) QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 228.1
Green Bay needed Willis to bail them out in 2025 when Jordan Love went down, and the Liberty University product earned himself bank in the process. While the 36.4-point explosion vs. Baltimore in Week 17 was exceptional, Willis is severely lacking as a passer and remains wholly dependent on his legs for fantasy purposes. He has thrown more than 20 times only twice in his four-year career (22 appearances), and Willis has never tossed multiple TDs in a game. In Miami, he has suspect weapons, a shaky line, and is likely set up to fail. Tread carefully.
29) QB Geno Smith, New York Jets | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 224.7
Smith returns to the Jets with hopes of truly completing the redemption arc, but that's a foolish bet after he led the league in interceptions and has only so-so weaponry at his disposal. Sure, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are cornerstones, but beyond them Smith is counting on two rookies and a one-trick pony in AD Mitchell. Positively, the offensive line isn't terrible, and Smith is an underrated runner. With rookie Cade Klubnik awaiting his turn if the season goes sideways, the almost 36-year-old is merely a waiver target for matchups when a warm body is required to fill a lineup void.
Fantasy Streaming Quarterbacks
30) QB Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 207.2
The second-year quarterback will enter training camp in a battle with Deshaun Watson for the starting job, and some reports point to the veteran having a leg up. However, there's a new regime and it stands to reason they'll want to know what they have in Sanders. Even if Watson opens Week 1 under center, he'll be 31 in September, is coming off yet another massive injury, and hasn't played well since 2020. The best advice: Avoid Cleveland quarterbacks altogether.
31) QB Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 198.4
Michael Penix Jr. was a surprise selection with the No. 8 pick in 2024 after Kirk Cousins inked a massive deal. Fast forward to present time and it's now Tua who is expected to quarterback the Falcons under new coach Kevin Stefanski as Penix recovers from his third torn ACL, an injury suffered in Week 11 and likely to keep him out most, if not all, of 2026. Tagovailoa has shown he can offer matchup-based fantasy utility when he's at his best, but injuries, erratic play, and doing nothing with his legs really hamstring the veteran's value.
32) QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 189.6
It was a foregone conclusion the Raiders would draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, but new head coach Klint Kubiak publicly stated he isn't keen on throwing a rookie into the fire. Insert Cousins, who comes over after a forgettable stint with Atlanta that padded his bank far more than the stats sheet. He turns 38 before the season kicks off, and while he's still capable of managing an offense, there's nothing to see here in fantasy, especially with Mendoza looming.
33) QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 109.0
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner went No. 1 overall to Vegas in a selection that surprised absolutely nobody. He will transition to the pro-style offense and has to acclimate to playing under center, so expect a learning curve once he makes his way onto the field. It's unlikely we'll see Mendoza in the early going as head coach Klint Kubiak wants veteran Kirk Cousins to steer the pirate ship. Mendoza's redraft league value is low, but he has a midrange QB1 ceiling in dynasty formats come 2028.
So You're Telling Me There's a Chance?
34) QB Justin Fields, Kansas City Chiefs | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 84.1
Fields has thrown 12 touchdowns to just two picks in his last 19 appearances, which may surprise some people, but he has averaged only a touchdown per game in contests with at least 20 attempts dating back to 2024. Top-end rushing skills are what put him on the fantasy radar, and now he learns under Andy Reid with Patrick Mahomes rehabbing a torn ACL. Reid gets to teach Fields all summer before deciding to risk putting his franchise QB on the field too soon. Mahomes is ahead of schedule, so monitor his status in camp.
35) QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 47.8
Early reports point to Watson as the frontrunner for Cleveland's starting job, so this projection probably is too low, but the summation of it all: He's irrelevant in fantasy. Even if Watson wins the job, the talent around him is only decent, and that includes multiple rookies who'll need to ascend in a hurry. Shedeur Sanders is younger and arguably better at this point than a quarterback we haven't seen play meaningful football since 2020 after scandals and severe injuries derailed a once-promising career. While Sanders likely takes over even if Watson wins, fantasy gamers ought to punt entirely on Cleveland quarterbacks.
36) QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 44.6
Coming off a third torn ACL, the latest suffered in Week 11, Penix is not expected to see the field without Tua Tagovailoa struggling or missing time. The 2024 eighth-overall pick has posted a few fantasy-relevant games in his short tenure with Atlanta, but he never was particularly mobile, and accuracy has been an issue. Kevin Stefanski takes over as head coach, which could help with the latter, but no fantasy manager should expect to see Penix before midseason, if at all in 2026. It's this simple: If Tua plays well and stays healthy, Penix will get a redshirt year.
37) QB Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 33.7
Jones' career was derailed after a promising rookie season only to be revitalized under Kyle Shanahan in 2025 as Brock Purdy missed time yet again. In eight appearances, Jones threw for two-plus TDs five times and topped 275 yards in all but three showings. He was a legit QB1 option with Purdy out, and few backups present as much stable fantasy utility as Jones would if he were granted another chance in 2026.
38) QB Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 23.4
Dinking and dunking his way through limited action in 2025, Ewers gets a fresh start with a new coaching staff, but the incoming regime opted to invest heavily in Malik Willis' respectable play in just a handful of appearances. Ewers won't see action without an injury paving the way, and even then, he's a bottom-tier consideration in any format due to weak weaponry and a passive playing style.
39) QB Jameis Winston, New York Giants | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 22.3
Last year, Jaxson Dart showed flashes of being a legitimate NFL starter as a rookie, but we also saw reckless running in the open field that begs for injuries. That is where Winston fits in. The only way managers can expect to see him chucking as many picks as TDs every week is if Dart suffers an injury. In that event, Winston would be a hot waiver add if you can stomach the turnovers.
40) QB Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 22.1
Unless Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffers a setback, he's expected to return for Week 1 and no later than Week 4, which drastically hampers any meaningful role for Leonard in fantasy. The only reason he's even this high is the speculation of Jones' health and Leonard having some rushing ability to boost his potential fantasy worth.
41) QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 20.1
The only way Flacco will make a difference in 2026 fantasy action is if Joe Burrow suffers yet another injury. Even in that scenario, we're still looking at a 41-year-old quarterback who offers nothing on the ground. Short of Flacco's marvelous run in 2023 with Cleveland, he has averaged weak QB2 numbers in six straight seasons of limited play.
42) QB Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals | Bye: 14 | Projected Fan Pts: 19.2
With excellent size at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds, plus plenty of arm strength, Beck is more of a classic pocket passer with a bright future in the NFL. As a rookie, he's buried behind a pair of veterans, and it's likely both will be on the field ahead of him as long as Arizona is competitive. Despite turnover concerns and limited athleticism, Beck has the tools to develop into a starter and fantasy contributor, but he's merely a late-season waiver curiosity in superflex this year and best viewed as a multiyear stash in dynasty formats before anyone should trust him in a lineup.
Avoid in 2026 Fantasy Leagues
43) QB Cade Klubnik, New York Jets | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 19.0
Acquiring Geno Smith via trade to bring his career full circle is a fun story, but the Jets waiting until the fourth round to draft a quarterback strongly implies we'll see the veteran under center until the wings fall off this plane. Klubnik's game translates more to glorified game manager, and he isn't likely to hold immediate fantasy value if opportunity comes knocking. He has some athleticism and is experienced as a winner with three years starting at Clemson as a five-star recruit, but durability and a capped ceiling are concerns for fantasy.
44) QB Drew Allar, Pittsburgh Steelers | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 18.3
Pittsburgh invested a third-round pick in Allar after taking Will Howard in the sixth last year, but it's all meaningless with the return of Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh wouldn't have burned the 76th pick on Allar if Howard was the future. Learning behind a future Hall of Famer will help the rookie better position himself for 2027 and beyond, assuming Rodgers ever actually retires.
45) QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 16.5
The first two years of the Michigan Wolverine's NFL career really couldn't have gone much worse. Between a preseason knee injury in 2024 and then an injury- and mistake-marred sophomore campaign on a team that was built for the playoffs, McCarthy quickly earned the dreaded bust label. As a result, Minnesota fired its GM and turned to veteran Kyler Murray as the expected quarterback of this offense. Technically, it's a competition, but does anyone actually buy that? While Murray also is no stranger to injuries, that appears to be the only likely path in order for McCarthy to see meaningful reps in 2026.
46) QB Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 14.0
Baltimore continues to stick with Huntley behind Lamar Jackson, largely because it means the offensive structure won't have to drastically change. Even with his rushing ability, Snoop has managed to matter exactly once for fantasy purposes in the last 10 games with at least 10 attempts.
47) QB Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 13.9
The career journeyman moves to Tennessee and will be reunited with OC Brian Daboll after they spent 2021 together in Buffalo. Unless Cam Ward misses extended time and Trubisky pulls off a Sam Darnold-like resurrection, there's nothing to see here in any fantasy format.
48) QB Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 12.8
Even though Bo Nix underwent a second surgery on his ankle, there's no reason to expect we'll see Stidham for anything other than cleanup work in 2026. The veteran wilted in the AFC Championship Game and has yet to establish himself in any meaningful way that translates to fantasy.
49) QB Taylen Green, Cleveland Browns | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 11.4
Green's raw athleticism could find him thrown into action on trick plays or as a sneaky runner around the stripe, but he is not expected to see time under center. In the long term, it's questionable whether Green even stays at quarterback. He has more worth if Cleveland gives him the Taysom Hill treatment.
50) QB Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 11.1
Los Angeles surprised many by taking Simpson 13th overall amid discussion of a contract extension with Matthew Stafford merely months after an MVP season. Barring an injury to the 38-year-old veteran, Simpson will see the field only in mop-up duty or a Week 18 resting scenario. He's a developmental prospect who is two-plus years away from even starting.
51) QB Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 9.6
Milroe has the athleticism to offer something of use in fantasy if Sam Darnold were to miss extended time, but gamers should expect hiccups in the passing aspect of the sophomore's statistical offerings.
52) QB Garrett Nussmeier, Kansas City Chiefs | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 4.3
As long as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields are both healthy, the rookie won't have any fantasy value in 2026. Even if Nussmeier were to get a chance to play, he's a long shot to be anything but a shaky QB3 in superflex formats.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 5:25 PM.