CBS Sports analyst advises patience in 2026 fantasy football quarterback draft strategy
With sixteen viable starters for one-quarterback leagues, the analyst suggests managers delay selecting the position until late in the draft.
CBS Sports analyst Dave Richard has released his updated 2026 fantasy football quarterback tier rankings, structuring the player field into distinct categories based on depth, draft value, and positional scarcity. The analysis indicates that the current quarterback pool is significantly deeper than those of the previous three seasons, driven by a combination of enduring veterans and high-potential young players.
Richard identifies sixteen quarterbacks he considers viable Week 1 starters in one-quarterback leagues, with an additional five options suitable for bench roles. This depth has led to a strategic recommendation for fantasy managers to wait on the quarterback position during the early rounds of the draft, particularly in standard one-quarterback formats where the demand is naturally limited against a strong supply.
The analyst notes that while some managers may select quarterbacks before the third round, reaching for the position is unnecessary. Instead, Richard advises targeting high-upside players in later rounds or focusing on Superflex and two-quarterback formats, where positional scarcity is more acute. In these formats, four unnamed quarterbacks are projected as early first-round picks, followed closely by Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels, who offer value through rushing upside and potential improvements in passing metrics.
Performance consistency remains a key metric in the rankings. Richard highlights that between four specific quarterbacks, there have been only three seasons below 19 fantasy points per game over the past three years, citing specific injury-shortened or rookie campaigns for others. Justin Herbert is singled out for averaging at least 19 fantasy points per game throughout his six-year career, a trend expected to continue with new playcaller Mike McDaniel.
The tier structure extends to players projected as top-50 picks in Superflex leagues, with Richard emphasising that the depth allows managers to find value in later rounds without compromising team strength. The analysis suggests that in larger 14-team leagues, carrying two quarterbacks may be viable, whereas smaller formats should focus on finding value at other positions first.
