FlurrySports discusses which third-year QBs can dominate fantasy football in 2026, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and more.
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Drafting a quarterback in fantasy football can be tricky. There is no perfect QB draft strategy. If there were, it goes without saying that everyone would be drafting the same way. Depending on what type of league you are in — redraft, keeper, or dynasty — will obviously play a huge role in not only who is available to draft, but how you draft. For now, we will focus on a fresh redraft with all players available.
Regardless of how you decide to attack your fantasy football draft, one thing is for certain: you need a good quarterback to lead your team to championship glory. QBs can be found throughout the draft, but depending on who and when you take them will play a major role in how much success you find in the upcoming season.
Grab one too early, and you may miss on some of the bigger producers at other positions. Grab one too late, and you may find yourself streaming on a weekly basis, which can be an easy recipe for disaster. Is there a third-year quarterback who is ready to take the next leap and lead you to a fantasy championship? Let’s take a look!
Looking Back At The 2024 NFL Draft Class
Most can recall the historic run on quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft. The top three picks and six of the first 12 selections overall were QBs. This incredible class not only tied the record for quarterbacks taken in the first round, but they did so in the first dozen picks: Caleb Williams (1), Jayden Daniels (2) and Drake Maye (3) went with the first three picks.
They were followed shortly after by JJ McCarthy (8), Michael Penix Jr (10), and Bo Nix (12). There were plenty of other quality players available and taken in the first round, which only adds to the aura of the QBs picked in round one.
How Does This Affect Your Fantasy Team in 2026?
Looking at the majority of mock drafts, regardless of draft strategy, it seems that quarterbacks are being taken later this year than in years past. There is little surprise at Josh Allen being the top signal-caller being drafted, usually around the end of the third round, but aside from Buffalo’s Superman, no other QB is being projected in the top five rounds. That is crazy if you really think about it.
Allen is clearly the top quarterback in fantasy, but are there any third-year passers who could take a leap forward for your fantasy team this season? Just as in the actual draft when their respective NFL teams selected them, Williams, Daniels and Maye lead the way.
Williams has a pair of talented wideouts to throw to in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, along with tight end Colston Loveland. Maye has two new teammates to sling touchdowns to this season, as the Patriots added AJ Brown (trade) and Romeo Doubs (free agent). Daniels may have a lesser supporting cast around him, but what he lacks there he makes up for with his legs. All three of these QBs can get it done in the air and on the ground, with Daniels having the biggest rushing upside. Bo Nix has shown an ability to protect the ball beyond his years, making for a safe yet solid option at the helm of your fantasy squad.
If you somehow miss out on the big names and the big three from our group (Williams, Daniels, Maye), then Nix should be right up there on your list. Limiting turnovers is a big part of his game, and we all know how easily a guy that gives the ball to the other team can affect your weekly score. Leave McCarthy and Penix alone, as neither has yet to show much at the highest level, and both face QB competition in camp from veterans Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively. If either begins to show breakout potential, be sure to quickly snag them off waivers, but considering their circumstances, that is exactly where they should begin the season.
So, who are you targeting to lead your team this year? Are you prepared to be the guy in the room that sits back waiting to shock the room with your next pick, knowing that you have the right strategy in place to usurp the rest of the league? Perhaps you have not even given much thought to it at all yet; well, you better get ready. August is here, but luckily FlurrySports has a draft kit coming out soon that will be your tool to win your league.
