The fantasy football quarterback position has changed dramatically in recent years, with the increased emphasis on mobility redefining what an elite QB looks like. This evolution has changed the way we build our 2025 Average Draft Position (ADP) tiers, giving precedence to dual-threat playmakers. With the 2025 fantasy football season approaching, fans are immersing themselves in generating rankings, developing projections, and experimenting with strategies via mock drafts to determine current ADP. However, one thing remains unchanged: grouping players into tiers is still a foundation of an efficient draft strategy.

 

Fantasy Football ADP: 2025 Quarterbacks

Andrew Cooper has done a great job breaking down how he goes about looking at the quarterback position in his Dynamic Tier QB Rankings feature, so make sure you check that out as part of the 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.

I’ll discuss how I go about breaking down the current fantasy football quarterback tiers as I prepare for the upcoming 2025 draft season, but we must get one thing out of the way firsst.

 

What Is ADP In Fantasy Football?

ADP in fantasy football means "Average Draft Position," which is an important statistic that signifies where a player is most likely to be picked in a variety of drafts. It's based on actual or mock drafts, omitting computer picks to ensure validity.

ADP is a critical resource for draft preparation since it mirrors the perceived value of a player and the general opinion of fantasy football managers. Through ADP, you can tell how other people perceive certain players, which allows you to make intelligent draft choices as well as a better strategy.

With that in mind, here's my strategy for breaking down quarterback tiers for the 2025 fantasy football draft season.

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: The Mobile Quarterbacks

This tier represents the pinnacle of fantasy quarterbacks, featuring dual-threat stars who dominate with their arms and legs. Lamar Jackson, with 700+ rushing yards in each of his last six seasons and 41 passing touchdowns in 2024, and Josh Allen, the reigning MVP with 25+ passing and 10+ rushing touchdowns, are early-round locks for their unmatched ceilings. Jayden Daniels, fresh off a stellar 2024 rookie campaign, benefits from Washington’s additions of Deebo Samuel though the recent trade request from Terry McLaurin could be shaking up that passing attack. Jalen Hurts remains a safe bet with 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024, driven by the “Brotherly Shove”. Hurts still has some potential passing upside with big play receivers AJ Brown and Devonta Smith at his disposal. Kyler Murray is another one of the more active running QBs’ though he doesn’t find the end zone as much as his counterparts. If Marvin Harrison can break out in his sophomore season there is some nice upside here. With Justin Fields the story is the same as always. He has the ability to rush for 1,000 yards as a QB and Garrett Wilson is the best WR he’s had a chance to play with. If the Jets can get him to play within their system and limit the mistakes there is a Top 10 QB here just with his rushing potential.

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: Pocket Passers

For managers prioritizing passing production, this tier delivers reliable, high-volume quarterbacks. Joe Burrow led the NFL in 2024 with 652 pass attempts, 4,918 yards, and 43 touchdowns, offering a safe floor despite limited rushing (201 yards). Patrick Mahomes, despite a statistical dip in 2024, remains a high-floor pick in Kansas City’s dynamic offense, though Rashee Rice’s potential suspension, Travis Kelce’s “down season”  and Xavier Worthy’s Year 2 development could create early volatility. Baker Mayfield surprises as a top-10 QB, Liam Coen is no longer in town but he should continue to thrive in Tampa Bay’s pass-heavy system with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka. 

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: Mid-Tier Quarterbacks

This tier blends dependable starters with upside, perfect for late-round QB strategies. Bo Nix, with nine games of 19+ fantasy points as a 2024 rookie, is a rising star for Denver. He not only has the passing upside after throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns as a rookie but also the most rushing upside of this tier after totaling 430 yards on the ground . Dak Prescott, rebounding from an injury-plagued 2024, could hit top-5 status with additions like George Pickens now opposite of CeeDee Lamb. Over his last three fully healthy seasons we’ve seen Prescott finish as QB3 (2023), QB7 (2021) and QB2 (2019).  Brock Purdy, often undervalued, thrives in San Francisco’s efficient system though questions at the wide receiver position could cause some early inconsistencies with Brandon Aiyuk working back from a torn ACL, Jauan Jennings looking for a new contract and second-year WR Ricky Pearsall looking to take on a more prominent role. Jared Goff (6th in 2024 fantasy points) and Jordan Love (16th) offer high floors in pass-heavy offenses. Love sees the Packers offense bolstered by new weapons like Matthew Golden but we need to see more consistency game-to-game here. With Goff, he’s the un-sexy pick and we have to see how the Lions offense looks now that Ben Johnson is now in Chicago. That said, Goff still has elite weapons in Amon-Ra St.Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta to catch the football.  This tier’s depth allows managers to prioritize skill positions early while securing a QB1, though their limited rushing caps their ceiling compared to the top tier.

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: Breakout Potential?

This tier is loaded with young quarterbacks poised for breakouts, appealing to managers seeking upside. Honestly, Bo Nix could be here too but I kinda think he already broke out last season so we go with Caleb Williams who shows promise in Chicago, especially with Ben Johnson now as his coach, a rebuilt offensive line and high upside pass catchers in DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and rookie tight end Colston Loveland but faces tempered expectations in a developing offense. Drake Maye, with 17+ fantasy points in six of his last 12 starts in 2024, benefits from New England’s retooled offense with the signing of Stefon Diggs and drafting of Kyle Williams. The offensive line is improved after 4th overall pick Will Campbell was selected to anchor the left tackle position and he will have improved coaching from Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. Maye offers 500+ yards of rushing upside which can boost him into the top 12 of fantasy QB’s. J.J. McCarthy is one of my favorite QB’s to draft this season. I’m buying into the Kevin O'Connell system and many are acting like McCarthy didn’t get to sit, watch and learn all of last season while he rehabbed his injury. An offense with Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison is good for any young QB. Trevor Lawrence’s fit with Jacksonville’s new coach Liam Coen sparks optimism as we saw what Baker Mayfield was able to do under Coen in Tampa Bay. Lawrence also has some sneaky rushing upside and with playmakers Brian Thomas and Travis Hunter at wide receiver the opportunity to finally live up to the hype is there. Michael Penix and Bryce Young remain speculative plays. Young’s late-2024 improvement and Carolina's investment in their offense with the drafting of Tetairoa McMillan is enticing. With Penix we saw the potential late in the season and if he can build his chemistry with Drake London and get a healthy year from Kyle Pitts there is definitely a chance to outperform his ADP. 

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: Old Faces, New Places

Veteran quarterbacks in new environments populate this tier, offering limited but situational fantasy value. Sam Darnold, now with Seattle, benefits from a pass-friendly system with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp but lacks consistency after 2024 playoff struggles. Geno Smith’s fresh start with the Raiders could yield QB2 production, though Las Vegas’ inconsistent offense and investment in running back Ashton Jeanty could cap his ceiling. Aaron Rodgers, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, brings experience and more pure talent that the Steelers have had at the position in a long time, but his age (41) and recovery from a 2024 Achilles injury temper expectations, even with DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh as his top WR, making him a risky streaming option. Russell Wilson, projected to start for the Giants over rookie Jaxson Dart, faces challenges in a rebuilding offense, with his declining mobility limiting his fantasy upside. 

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: NFL Rookie Quarterbacks

The 2025 rookie class brings exciting potential, with both quarterbacks projected to start. Cameron Ward, the 1 overall pick and confirmed Week 1 starter for the Titans, threw for 4,313 yards and 37 touchdowns in college in 2024, offering immediate QB2 value despite a tough early schedule (Broncos, Rams, Texans). Tyler Shough, projected to start for the Saints following Derek Carr’s retirement, showed promise in OTAs but many are questioning the upside of this Saints offense.

 

2025 QB ADP Tiers: The Rest

This tier includes quarterbacks with varying fantasy relevance. C.J. Stroud, despite a QB17 finish in 2024, offers a high floor but there are a lot of questions at the receiver position once you look past Nico Collins and now the running game has taken a hit with Joe Mixon’s injury. Tua Tagovailoa provides steady but unspectacular production and health concerns are very real. That said, getting to throw the football to Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane provides the potential for upside. Matthew Stafford, bolstered by Davante Adams in Los Angeles, is hampered by age and a lingering back injury. Joe Flacco, competing with Kenny Pickett and rookies like Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland, is a last-resort option. Yes, Flacco has shown to still be a “gunslinger” when called upon but that provides some inconsistent performances week-to-week.