By Cedric “The 303 Bus Driver” Green | Shady Sports Network
Every fantasy football season starts with the same question: Which quarterback can carry your team to a championship?
After digging through projections, rushing upside, touchdown production, and offseason buzz, I’ve put together my Way-Too-Early 2026 Fantasy QB Rankings.
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Until someone takes the throne, Allen remains the king. The combination of passing production and rushing touchdowns gives him the highest weekly ceiling in fantasy football. Fourteen rushing touchdowns is just unfair. If you’re looking for the safest QB1 in fantasy, Allen is still the guy.
2. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
This may be my hottest take on the board.
Maye checks every fantasy box: passing volume, rushing ability, and touchdown upside. A projected 4,394 passing yards and 450 rushing yards is exactly the type of profile that produces fantasy championships. Don’t be surprised if Maye finishes as the overall QB1 by season’s end.
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Every year fantasy managers try to talk themselves out of Hurts, and every year the rushing touchdowns keep him at the top. Eight projected rushing scores make him one of the safest bets in fantasy. When quarterbacks are basically goal-line running backs, they stay elite.
4. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Injuries limited his sample size, but the upside remains massive. Few quarterbacks can change fantasy matchups with their legs the way Daniels can. If he stays healthy for a full season, a Top-5 finish is well within reach.
5. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Williams took a major step forward and looks ready for another jump. Nearly 4,000 passing yards and additional rushing production give him both a high floor and a high ceiling. The talent is obvious, and the supporting cast continues to improve.
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert may be the best value quarterback entering drafts. Nearly 500 rushing yards paired with his arm talent creates an underrated fantasy profile. He’s not getting the same attention as some of the younger stars, which may make him a steal on draft day.
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence quietly put together one of the most fantasy-friendly projections on the board. Over 4,000 passing yards, 38 total touchdowns, and meaningful rushing production make him one of my favorite breakout candidates. If you’re looking for a quarterback capable of outperforming his ADP, start here.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Putting Lamar outside the Top 5 feels wrong, but injuries and missed games create some uncertainty. That said, no one should forget what happens when Jackson is healthy. His rushing ability alone can swing fantasy weeks.
9. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
As a fan favorite in Denver, Nix deserves attention. Nearly 4,000 passing yards, 356 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns create a fantasy profile that continues to climb. He may not be getting drafted with the elite names, but his production says he belongs in the conversation.
10. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
It feels strange seeing Mahomes this low, but fantasy football and real football aren’t always the same thing. Mahomes remains one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but his fantasy value hasn’t matched the rushing-heavy stars ahead of him. Still, betting against Mahomes has never been a comfortable position.
Editor’s Note:
These rankings reflect current team situations, projections, offseason movement, and training camp expectations as of July 2026. Rankings will continue to evolve throughout training camp, preseason, and the regular season as player performance, injuries, and roster changes occur.
Final Thoughts:
Quarterback is deeper than ever, but fantasy championships are still won by quarterbacks who can make plays with both their arm and their legs.
That’s why Josh Allen remains at the top of my rankings and why Drake Maye, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Bo Nix find themselves near the top of this list. The modern fantasy quarterback isn’t just a passer anymore—he’s a weapon.
Will Drake Maye live up to the hype? Can Trevor Lawrence finally make the leap into the elite tier? Is Bo Nix ready to become Denver’s next fantasy star? And can Patrick Mahomes remind everyone why he’s still one of the best quarterbacks on the planet?
Those are the questions that will help define the 2026 fantasy football season.
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