The game of fantasy football has evolved over the years. We’ve gone from non-PPR scoring and single-quarterback leagues being the “default” settings to a wide range of scoring and lineup options. Fantasy leagues have replaced team defenses/special teams for individual defensive players (IDP), kickers for an extra flex spot and even a second matchup every week against the median score.
However, arguably the biggest change in the game has been the move from 1QB to superflex leagues. Some fantasy leagues still only have one quarterback slot in your lineup. However, there are more fantasy leagues every year that add a superflex spot to their starting lineup. So how much does that extra starting spot impact your fantasy draft plans? More than you would think.
What are Superflex Leagues?
Superflex leagues are like any other fantasy league, with a small exception. Unlike regular flex spots, superflex spots allow you to play a quarterback in that slot. While you do not have to start a quarterback in your superflex spot, you will want to, even if the quarterback isn’t an elite fantasy player.
The quarterback position is very valuable in superflex leagues. The QB20 will outscore a typical RB2 or WR2 most weeks. Last year Taylor Heinicke (QB – WAS) was the QB20, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game. Only seven wide receivers and 12 running backs averaged more fantasy points per game than Heinicke in 0.5 PPR scoring. While starting Heinicke isn’t the most appealing thing on paper, it’s the correct move to make for your fantasy team statistically.
The game of fantasy football has evolved over the years. We’ve gone from non-PPR scoring and single-quarterback leagues being the “default” settings to a wide range of scoring and lineup options. Fantasy leagues have replaced team defenses/special teams for individual defensive players (IDP), kickers for an extra flex spot and even a second matchup every week against the median score.
However, arguably the biggest change in the game has been the move from 1QB to superflex leagues. Some fantasy leagues still only have one quarterback slot in your lineup. However, there are more fantasy leagues every year that add a superflex spot to their starting lineup. So how much does that extra starting spot impact your fantasy draft plans? More than you would think.
What are Superflex Leagues?
Superflex leagues are like any other fantasy league, with a small exception. Unlike regular flex spots, superflex spots allow you to play a quarterback in that slot. While you do not have to start a quarterback in your superflex spot, you will want to, even if the quarterback isn’t an elite fantasy player.
The quarterback position is very valuable in superflex leagues. The QB20 will outscore a typical RB2 or WR2 most weeks. Last year Taylor Heinicke (QB – WAS) was the QB20, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game. Only seven wide receivers and 12 running backs averaged more fantasy points per game than Heinicke in 0.5 PPR scoring. While starting Heinicke isn’t the most appealing thing on paper, it’s the correct move to make for your fantasy team statistically.
Size Does Matter?
Without a doubt, size matters. Your draft strategy should be different in a fantasy league with only eight teams compared to one with 14 teams. In a league with 10 or fewer teams, every team has a chance at drafting three starting NFL quarterbacks. However, in 12 or more team leagues, some teams will only have two (or one) starting quarterback(s). Between injuries and bye weeks, you want to leave your draft with at least three quarterbacks and ideally four. The bigger the league, the more of an emphasis you need to put on drafting quarterbacks early.
Traditionally, fantasy experts recommend waiting till the later rounds to draft a quarterback or stream the position. However, that rule only applies in single-quarterback leagues. If you try that approach in superflex leagues, you will lose the league before the start of Week 1. That recommendation doesn’t apply to superflex leagues.
Different Types of Superflex Draft Strategies
The Two-Quarterback Start
In this strategy, you spend your first two draft picks on quarterbacks. Doing this will guarantee you two excellent starting options and lessen the need for a strong QB3. However, this also comes with some downside. If you start your draft going with back-to-back quarterbacks, it will impact the strength of the rest of your roster. You will not get a top-tier running back or wide receiver, thus putting a ton of pressure on your quarterbacks to perform. If they fail or get injured, your season is over before the playoffs begin.
The best time to use this strategy is when you have an early first-round pick. With a top-three pick, you can secure a superstar like Josh Allen (QB – BUF) or Justin Herbert (QB – LAC). In the second round, you can still grab a top-12 quarterback. Then you’re quickly back on the clock in the third round and can still grab a solid RB1 like D’Andre Swift (RB – DET) or Aaron Jones (RB – GB).
Two Quarterbacks in the First Four
Personally, this is the best strategy to use in superflex drafts. You get your two starting quarterbacks early but can still add a top-tier running back and pass-catcher to your roster. Ideally, you grab a quarterback or a superstar running back in the first round. If I have pick 1.01, I’m taking Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND) over any quarterback. After that, it’s up for debate.
Ideally, you want to use this strategy if you have a mid-first-round pick. You can grab a top quarterback in the first round and get a top-10 running back in the second round. Then you can draft a stud wide receiver or tight end in the third round and your second quarterback in the fourth. Furthermore, you can adjust this strategy depending on how your league mates are drafting. If there is a run on quarterbacks, you can grab your second one in the third round. However, you could potentially wait until the fifth round to draft your QB2 if the rest of your league mates are letting quarterbacks slide.
Hero Quarterback
Everyone has heard of the Hero-RB strategy. You take a stud in the first round of your draft and then wait till the middle rounds and load up on running backs there. The mindset is to have your plug and play RB1 and fill your RB2 slot based on the best matchup/situation each week. You can do similarly with quarterbacks in a superflex league.
While this strategy sounds ideal, it does come with some risks. Your league mates could start a run on quarterbacks, which will force you to break away from this strategy. If you decide to ignore the run, you could end up with a sup-par quarterback situation. Furthermore, your season could be over if your hero quarterback suffers a multiple-week or season-ending injury. You could get left with a quarterback unit of a low-end starter like Jared Goff (QB – DET) and a top backup like Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA) or Tyrod Taylor (QB – NYG).
Final Thoughts
You should always know your league’s scoring system before drafting. However, it matters even more in superflex leagues. In a scoring system where it is four points per passing touchdown and one fantasy point for every 25 passing yards, you want to target quarterbacks with rushing upside. Two potential early targets are Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL) and Kyler Murray (QB – ARI).
Even if your league’s scoring system is six points per passing touchdown and one fantasy point for every 20 passing yards, you should still target quarterbacks with rushing upside. However, pocket passers like Tom Brady (QB – TB), Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN), and Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB) have more value in this scoring system.
Also, don’t refuse to draft “yucky” quarterbacks. Yes, Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN) and Carson Wentz (QB – WAS) aren’t the most appealing quarterbacks to have on your roster. However, both averaged more than 15 fantasy points per game last season. By comparison, Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game in 0.5 PPR scoring in 2021. Remember, always play a starting quarterback in your superflex spot if possible.
All 32 starting quarterbacks will get drafted in your superflex leagues. Several of the top backups and rookies will also get picked. In total, you could have 40 quarterbacks drafted in your superflex leagues, depending on the league size and the playing experience of your league mates. Backup quarterbacks like Bridgewater, Taylor, and Gardner Minshew (QB – PHI) could get picked. Furthermore, the rookie quarterbacks with a chance to start this year are likely to be drafted. So be prepared for little or no options on the waiver wire at the quarterback position.
The depth at the quarterback position is very thin in superflex leagues. Plan ahead and pick three-to-four quarterbacks during the draft or save your free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) or waiver priority in case a starter becomes available on the waiver wire. That doesn’t mean ignoring the popular running back target in every waiver wire article after Week 1. Instead, avoid using a big chunk of your FAAB or the top waiver priority on a two-week filler at running back or a streaming tight end. Save it for when you need it to secure a quarterback.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
