2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: QB & TE to Target & Avoid

The early 2026 fantasy football rankings are already creating sharp divides at quarterback and tight end. That was the focus of the latest episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast, where Pat Fitzmaurice, Terra Roberts, and Chris Welsh broke down the toughest decisions at both positions heading into draft season.

2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: QB & TE to Target & Avoid

From the Lamar Jackson versus Drake May QB2 debate to the Trey McBride versus Brock Bowers TE1 argument, there are clear tiers forming already. More importantly, there are strategy clues hiding inside those rankings that fantasy managers should pay attention to now before ADPs start shifting all summer.

Should You Draft an Elite Quarterback Early in 2026?

One of the biggest themes from the discussion was how difficult it is to justify spending early-round capital on quarterbacks when wide receiver and running back depth dries up quickly.

Even though the consensus top tier currently includes Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Drake Maye, both Terra Roberts and Pat Fitzmaurice admitted they often end up waiting at quarterback despite loving the top names.

That creates an interesting draft environment where elite quarterbacks may fall further than expected.

Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL) Remains the Safest Elite Fantasy QB

There was little disagreement about Jackson separating himself from the QB2 conversation.

Pat Fitzmaurice pointed to Jackson’s rushing upside and previous fantasy dominance as the deciding factors. Even after an injury-affected 2025 season, Jackson still carries league-winning upside because of his weekly rushing floor.

The Ravens also added pass-catching help, which could stabilize the offense even further.

The biggest takeaway here is simple: if you want security at quarterback, Jackson remains one of the few players capable of carrying an entire fantasy roster during playoff weeks.

Still, neither analyst sounded eager to take him aggressively in the third round. That matters.

The overall strategy takeaway from the conversation was this: fantasy managers may love elite quarterbacks, but many still prefer grabbing premium tight ends or skill-position depth before investing at QB.

Drake Maye (QB – NE) Has Massive Upside, But There’s Risk

Maye was one of the more polarizing names discussed.

The upside is obvious. Fitzmaurice called him one of the best pure passers to enter the league in years, while Roberts acknowledged that he belongs firmly inside the top quarterback tier.

But concerns remain:

A significantly tougher schedule
Potential regression in passing efficiency
Questions about offensive volume
Increased defensive attention after New England’s breakout season

The consensus feeling was that Maye is appropriately ranked, but not necessarily a player fantasy managers must force onto their rosters at current ADP.

That distinction matters.

There’s a difference between loving a player and loving the price.

Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) Could Be the Most Divisive QB in Fantasy Football

No quarterback generated more disagreement than Jalen Hurts.

Fitzmaurice was notably lower on Hurts, pointing to declining rushing production and uncertainty surrounding Philadelphia’s offensive identity. The tush push decline, lower rushing totals, and offensive coordinator changes all contributed to the concern.

Meanwhile, Roberts defended Hurts based on weekly consistency and overall fantasy reliability.

That divide perfectly captures Hurts’ fantasy profile entering 2026:

The ceiling may not feel as explosive as previous seasons
The weekly floor still looks incredibly stable
Managers may feel uncomfortable drafting him early despite reliable production

Hurts may end up becoming the bridge quarterback for late-QB drafters. If fantasy managers miss the true elite options, they may simply wait even longer rather than settle in the middle tier.

Caleb Williams (QB – CHI) Is Quietly Climbing

The optimism surrounding Caleb Williams was impossible to miss.

Fitzmaurice highlighted major growth in Williams’ development, especially after reducing sacks dramatically while improving efficiency late in the season. The belief is that coach Ben Johnson is steadily unlocking Williams’ ceiling.

There are still concerns about weekly volatility because Chicago’s offense may remain balanced rather than pass-heavy, but Williams looks like one of the biggest breakout candidates in fantasy football.

If his ADP stays outside the elite quarterback tier, he could become one of the best values in 2026 drafts.

Tight End Rankings Are Starting to Separate Into Clear Tiers

Unlike quarterback, the analysts sounded much more willing to invest early at tight end.

That’s especially true at the very top.

Trey McBride (TE – ARI) vs. Brock Bowers (TE – LV) for TE1

This was the headline tight end debate.

Terra Roberts leaned toward Trey McBride because of Arizona’s projected pass volume and his established role as the focal point of the offense.

Pat Fitzmaurice preferred Brock Bowers, believing Las Vegas could funnel an absurd target share toward him again in 2026.

Both arguments were convincing.

McBride offers proven elite production and volume stability.

Bowers may have the higher overall ceiling if the Raiders continue forcing targets his direction.

The important takeaway is that both tight ends are now legitimate early-round fantasy anchors.

Colston Loveland (TE – CHI) Is Entering the Elite Tier

One of the biggest risers from the conversation was Colston Loveland.

Both analysts agreed Loveland belongs in the top tier alongside McBride and Bowers because of his potential role as a primary target in Chicago’s offense.

That’s a huge statement for fantasy drafts.

If Loveland’s ADP remains lower than the top two tight ends, he could quickly become one of the sharpest values at the position.

Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) Might Finally Be Worth Buying Again

Yes, fantasy managers have heard this before.

But there’s at least a stronger process-based argument this time around.

Both analysts ranked Kyle Pitts ahead of Sam LaPorta because of projected target volume in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

The key point was simple:

Stefanski consistently funnels targets toward tight ends.

That system-driven optimism gives Pitts legitimate bounce-back potential, especially if his ADP stays reasonable.

Fantasy managers burned by Pitts in previous seasons may still hesitate, but this could finally be the year where the workload matches the talent.

Travis Kelce (TE – KC) Is No Longer a League Winner, But He’s Still Useful

The conversation around Travis Kelce felt noticeably different than previous years.

Nobody expects peak Kelce anymore.

Still, the analysts acknowledged that his role and reception totals continue giving him a relatively safe fantasy floor compared to lower-tier tight ends.

Kelce now feels more like a fallback option than a priority target.

If fantasy managers miss on the elite tier, he remains a viable veteran safety net later in drafts.

Fantasy Football Takeaways

Lamar Jackson remains the safest elite fantasy quarterback outside of Josh Allen.
Drake Maye has league-winning upside, but fantasy managers may hesitate at current ADP.
Jalen Hurts is shaping up as one of the most divisive quarterbacks in 2026 drafts.
Caleb Williams could become one of the best QB draft values if his ADP stays outside the top tier.
Trey McBride and Brock Bowers are legitimate early-round fantasy anchors.
Colston Loveland is rapidly entering the elite fantasy TE conversation.
Kyle Pitts finally has a coaching situation that could unlock his target upside.
Travis Kelce is no longer a ceiling play, but still offers stability later in drafts.