With the fantasy football 2025 season on the horizon, building a champion team rests on player worth, potential, and risk. Quarterbacks, being the backbone of most fantasy squads, need to be vetted to weigh dependability against game-breaking ability. Based on an extended debate between fantasy insiders Andrew Cooper and Howard Bender, this article segments quarterbacks into tiers to direct your draft plan. These levels—Elite, QB1s, Upside QB2s, Safe QB2s, Should Start, and Bench—are a combination of projection in performance, situation on the team, and fantasy value.

Elite Fantasy Football QB's: The Best of the Best

The Elite level is for quarterbacks that combine high passing production with high rushing potential and provide steady QB1 production with the opportunity to be league-champions.

Lamar Jackson (QB1)

Jackson is pacing the league at Elite as 2025 consensus QB1. His dual-threat potential—demonstrated by 170 carries a year ago—has a high ceiling and floor. Baltimore's RPO-based attack, with the help of his playmakers Derrick Henry and Isaiah Likely, sets Jackson up as a threat to defenses in multiple facets. His capacity to take advantage of defensive focus on Henry makes him a thorn to defenses and a fantasy treasure.

Josh Allen (QB2)

Allen is still a fantasy powerhouse, but worries over a reduced number of running attempts (102 last season) mute expectations a tad. Behind Joe Brady, Buffalo's offense could become more about dinking-and-dunking, with Khalil Shakir and others soaking up the leftovers after Stefon Diggs. Nonetheless, Allen's arm strength and goal-line runs place him firmly in the Elite category.

Jalen Hurts (QB3)

Hurts' rushing potential (similar to Jackson's) and Philadelphia's aerial assault qualify him as a solid Elite. His regular running with a fully stocked receiving corps assures quality fantasy production. Hurts' age and scheme fit more than Allen for sustained rushing production.

Jayden Daniels (QB4)

The incoming star concludes the Elite tier with his scorching speed and Washington's investment in his growth. Still not QB1 in the country, Daniels' upside as a runner and Cliff Kingsbury's system make him a high draft pick with upside to ascend.

Draft Strategy: Hit on five of these quarterbacks early (Rounds 1-3) in one-QB leagues if you desire to start a set-and-forget player. In superflex or two-QB leagues, they're a first-round projection. Their ability to run gives them a great edge over pocket passers.

QB1s: Elite Starters with Minor Flaws

The QB1 level consists of quarterbacks who have the ability to finish within the top 12 but lack rushing upside and Elite-level consistency. They are boom week situational starters with consistency.

Joe Burrow (QB5)

Burrow’s placement in QB1 reflects his lack of mobility, which caps his ceiling compared to dual-threat QBs. Cincinnati’s pass-heavy offense, fueled by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, ensures a high passing volume, but a potentially improved defense could reduce his need to throw. He’s a safe, high-floor pick.

Patrick Mahomes (QB6)

Mahomes' fantasy value has fallen because Kansas City's offense is balanced and features old guns (Travis Kelce) or injury-risk receivers. As great an NFL legend as he is, his fantasy production these days is like Peyton Manning's in his later years—solid but not his peak. He's a QB1 whose upper limit is less than those 50-touchdown days.

Kyler Murray (QB7)

Murray's resurgence in Arizona, along with his running and reconfigured receiving corps, puts him as a solid QB1. His ADP is value relative to Burrow or Mahomes since his dual-threat is an asset.

Bo Nix (QB8)

Fantasy worth from 5600 college rush yards and Denver's investment in catching assets like Evan Engram and Pat Bryant. A passing structure designed to maximize his skills, e.g., a receiving back, enhances his worth beyond that of standard pocket passers.

Baker Mayfield (QB9)

Mayfield's finish in the top 10 last year, coupled with new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard's pass-happy attack, keeps him in QB1 status. The four-wideout configurations in Tampa Bay and receivers such as Ama Ebuka indicate a dedication to going deep, although his ADP expresses doubt about duplicating 2024's success.

Justin Herbert (QB10)

Herbert's QB1 upside is dampened by the Chargers' run-first offense under Greg Roman. His added rushing element raises his floor, but tight passing volume in a conservative system makes him a less intriguing option even though he has the talent.

Draft Strategy: These QBs are best for Rounds 4-7 in single-QB leagues, providing stability at non-elite cost. In superflex, they're mid-round targets once the Elite tier is gone. Package them with high-upside backups to guard against down weeks.

Upside QB2s: Boom-or-Bust Gambles

The Upside QB2 tier includes quarterbacks that have the potential to break into the QB1 group but are high-risk plays because of a lack of experience, injury issues, or situational inconsistency.

Justin Fields (QB11)

Fields' transition to the Jets opens him up to his fantasy ceiling, with world-class running ability and playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall around him. His upside-based game flourishes in a system set up to maximize his skillset, and he's a steal at QB2 ADP.

Drake Maye (QB12)

The Patriots' rookie possesses rushing upside (420 yards on 54 carries in college) and a dedication to his growth with Stefon Diggs as his WR1. Less explosive than Fields, Maye is a high-upside selection with his upside in a rebuilding offense.

Caleb Williams (QB13)

Chicago's first-year player arrives with a deep WR corps and a coach eager to unleash his talent. His ceiling is based on being able to adapt to the NFL, but the potential for a break-out year puts him over more solidified QB2s.

JJ McCarthy (QB14)

McCarthy's premier situation in Minnesota with stud firepower and a pass-happy attack makes him the top-10 touchdown potential (Vegas is projecting 25.5). His rushing potential and low ADP make him the upside-seeker favorite.

Dak Prescott (QB15)

Prescott's transition to Upside QB2 serves as a reflection of Dallas' pass-happy strategy and new playmaker George Pickens. His capability to put up 300-yard, three-TD games is intriguing, but inconsistency and lackluster ground game keep him out of QB1 contention.

Anthony Richardson (QB16)

Richardson's natural passer and injury profile make him a risky pick, but his ceiling for rushing (when healthy) is undeniable. He's a boom-or-bust pickup who could blow up or disappoint.

Draft Strategy: Draft these guys in Rounds 8-12 in single-QB leagues as high-ceiling QB2s or starters in superflex leagues. They're perfect for owners who want to take chances on breakout potential, especially in best-ball leagues where upside trumps floor.

Safe QB2s: Reliable but Limited

Safe QB2s are a group of quarterbacks who offer a good floor but lack the ceiling to challenge QB1s on a weekly basis. They make excellent streaming or bench players.

Jared Goff (QB17)

Goff's limited rushing (minimal yards in recent years) caps his ceiling, but Detroit's pass-happy attack ensures a reliable floor. He is a suitable pick for managers seeking reliability.

Matthew Stafford (QB18)

Stafford’s connection with Puka Nakua and Davante Adams in Los Angeles makes him a reliable QB2. His late-round ADP in best-ball formats is a bargain for a potential stack that could mimic Cincinnati’s late-season heroics.

Trevor Lawrence (QB19

 Jacksonville’s pass-centric offense under Liam Cohen supports Lawrence’s QB2 status, but his limited rushing and inconsistent production keep him below Stafford.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB20)

Miami’s potent offense gives Tua a solid floor, but his lack of rushing and reliance on Tyreek Hill limit his upside. He’s a safe streaming option.

Brock Purdy (QB21)

Purdy’s massive contract doesn’t translate to fantasy stardom in San Francisco’s balanced offense. He’s a low-ceiling QB2 despite his efficiency.

Jordan Love (QB22)

The 2024 regression and run-heavy system of Green Bay (lowest called pass plays) make Love an apathetic but reliable QB2. Hopeful new WR Matthew Golden is the issue, though; volume is the issue.

C.J. Stroud (QB23)

Stroud's injured shoulder and Houston's conservativeness put him in the same category as Love. It's a talented young quarterback with a good floor but limited ceiling in 2025.

Michael Penix (QB24)

Penix's limited sample as a starter in Atlanta is interesting, with weapons such as Drake London and Bijan Robinson. He's a decent QB2 with a bit of an advantage over others because he has some experience.

Bryce Young (QB25)

Young's end-of-2024 development provides QB2 potential, but Carolina's run-heavy offense under Dave Canales and rushing downplay kept him at the bottom of this tier.

Geno Smith (QB26)

Seattle's offbeat roster build (strong TE and RB, average WRs) restricts Smith's ceiling. He's a boring but consistent QB2.

Sam Darnold (QB27)

Darnold's workload in Minnesota's ground-based offense renders him a low-end QB2. His 212 rushing yards last year provide a negligible boost, but his ADP rewards his limited ceiling.

Draft Strategy: These QBs are late-round picks (Rounds 13-18) in single-QB or mid-to-late-round picks in superflex. Use them as backups or with streaming-based matchup strategies, prioritizing floor over ceiling.

Should Start: Potential Starters with Uncertainty

This tier includes QBs who could start but face competition or situation issues. They're deep leagues and best-ball format speculative pick possibilities.

Tyler Shough (QB28)

Shough's potential to start all his team's games places him as a sleeper on ADP, with upside if he takes the job.

Cameron Ward (QB29)

Ward's opportunity to start for Buffalo is excellent, but he is behind veterans at the moment. His upside makes him a stash.

Russell Wilson (QB30)

Wilson's hot seat limits his appeal, but he could start sooner and throw QB2 numbers for Pittsburgh.

Joe Flacco (QB31)

Flacco's heavy passing in Cleveland's prolific offense makes him a solid starter, but his age and inconsistency are risks.

Shedeur Sanders (QB32)

Sanders might pass Flacco in Cleveland with long-term potential as a rookie with a strong arm.

Daniel Jones (QB33)

Jones' availability as a Colts starter is uncertain, but his rushing skills make him a fantasy option if he plays.

Mason Rudolph (QB34)

Rudolph's short stint as a starter in Pittsburgh makes him a short-term pick, but his ceiling is low.

Draft Strategy: They're waiver wire pickup or late-round fliers in deep leagues. They're perfect in superflex or bestball scoring formats where upside to start takes precedence.

Bench: Stash or Avoid

The Bench tier consists of quarterbacks who will not be starting or contributing much fantasy-wise. They're valuable only in dynasty or extremely deep leagues.

  • Jameis Winston: Part-time backup with some upside if he does play.
  • Kirk Cousins: Unsigned, with limited upside even if he does sign.
  • Kenny Pickett: Steelers backup with no chance to play.
  • Malik Willis: Bench stashing running quarterback with no near-future path to starts.
  • Jalen Milroe: Rookie who'll likely backup a vet, with upside for the future.
  • Jaxson Dart: Rookie who's going up against a deep Giants QB depth chart and won't play.
  • Will Howard: Steelers backup with no near-term role.
  • Dylan George: No rookie starting future.
  • Aaron Rodgers: Retired or de facto retired QB with no fantasy relevance.
  • Desmond Ridder: No real opportunity to start.
  • Deshaun Watson: Not likely to play in 2025 due to off-field circumstances.

Draft Strategy: Shy away from these players in redraft settings unless playing in deep dynasty setup. Keep tabs on their situations for possible waiver wire stashes.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the 2025 fantasy football quarterback landscape is all about complementing established stars, emerging talent, and situational sleepers. The Elite tier provides unmatched upside, while QB1s and Upside QB2s provide flexibility based on competing draft strategies. Safe QB2s and Should Start players provide value in conservative or speculative drafts, respectively. Use these tiers to inform your draft, with rushing upside early rounds and value late rounds. By having the correct choice, your quarterback can be the cornerstone of a champion squad.

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