Quarterback rankings always create fantasy football arguments, but this year’s debate feels especially centered around one thing: rushing upside.
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The latest FantasyPros quarterback tiers broke down the position into clear buckets, and the conversation repeatedly circled back to the same conclusion. If a quarterback can run for 700-plus yards, he has a realistic path to finishing near the top of fantasy scoring regardless of what happens as a passer.
That’s why players like Jayden Daniels, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and Jaxson Dart continue to dominate fantasy conversations heading into 2026 drafts.
Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS) Belongs in the Elite Tier
One of the biggest disagreements in the discussion centered around Daniels and whether he deserves to sit alongside the elite fantasy quarterbacks.
Jake Ciely made the case that Daniels should already be viewed as a Tier 1 fantasy option because the rushing floor is simply too valuable to ignore. He pointed to Daniels averaging more than 21 fantasy points per game as a rookie while dealing with injuries throughout the season.
The argument is straightforward. Daniels already proved he can produce fantasy QB1 numbers, and there’s optimism the offense could become even more quarterback-friendly with more play action and designed movement concepts added to the scheme.
There’s still injury risk here. Nobody denied that. But fantasy managers are usually willing to accept volatility when the ceiling includes 800 rushing yards and top-three weekly upside.
That rushing production changes everything.
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL) Is a Polarizing Quarterback in Drafts
Lamar Jackson sparked the biggest debate of the show.
One side argued last season should largely be viewed through the lens of injuries. The idea is that Jackson was never fully healthy, the offense deteriorated around him, and fantasy managers shouldn’t overreact to a down stretch.
The counterargument from Derek Brown was more aggressive.
Brown pushed Jackson down to QB5 in his rankings because of concerns about age, accumulated rushing wear and tear, offensive uncertainty and a rough finish to last season. He highlighted that Jackson was QB20 in fantasy points per game from Weeks 9-18 while also struggling badly as a passer during that span.
Still, even the skeptics acknowledged the rushing baseline matters. Jackson has never rushed for fewer than 695 yards in a season, and that kind of production alone keeps him in the fantasy QB1 discussion.
The interesting wrinkle is the expected shift toward more play action concepts in Baltimore. The discussion noted Jackson ranked first in the league in first downs or touchdowns per attempt off play action, despite the Ravens using it at a relatively low rate.
If that changes, Jackson could rebound quickly.
Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) Has Bounce-Back QB1 Overall Potential
Brown was far more aggressive ranking Hurts than consensus rankings currently suggest.
The reasoning came down to two factors: coaching and touchdowns.
The panel discussed how Hurts has dealt with poor offensive coordinator situations since Shane Steichen left Philadelphia. The belief is that improved coaching could unlock more efficiency as a passer while the rushing touchdown upside remains elite.
There’s also an interesting fantasy angle with Hurts that often gets overlooked.
He has never thrown 30 touchdown passes in a season. The argument made on the show was simple: what if this is finally the year that happens?
If Hurts combines double-digit rushing touchdowns with a career-best passing season, he immediately re-enters the QB1 overall conversation.
Health also mattered in this discussion. The show pointed out Philadelphia dealt with multiple injuries to key pass catchers and offensive line pieces last year, which likely limited the offense more than many fantasy managers realize.
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) Comes With More Risk Than Expected
Justin Herbert‘s fantasy outlook created a quieter but still important debate.
The concern isn’t talent. Nobody questioned Herbert’s ability after surviving behind an injury-riddled offensive line while taking 54 sacks last season.
The concern is volume.
Brown questioned whether this Chargers offense will actually throw enough to support a top-tier fantasy season. He pointed to uncertainty surrounding offensive philosophy and whether the offense leans run-heavy again.
Herbert also posted a career-high rushing average last year, which may not be sustainable long term.
That creates a tricky projection. If the rushing regresses and passing volume stays modest, Herbert may need extreme efficiency to justify a high-end fantasy ranking.
Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG) Might Be the Ultimate Fantasy Swing
Dart might be the quarterback fantasy managers argue about all summer.
The conversation around him focused heavily on context. Jake Ciely pointed out that Dart barely played with Malik Nabers last year and still managed nearly 20 fantasy points per game once early-season statistical outliers were removed.
The appeal is obvious.
Dart runs aggressively, creates fantasy production with his legs and plays the kind of high-variance style that can win fantasy weeks. The downside is also obvious: he exposes himself to hits constantly.
Still, in single-quarterback leagues, the upside may outweigh the risk.
The panel made the point that fantasy managers can always stream replacements if Dart misses time, but quarterbacks with his rushing profile are much harder to find on waivers.
That’s the kind of logic that pushes fantasy players toward ceiling outcomes instead of safe mediocrity.
Fantasy Football Takeaways
- Rushing quarterbacks still dominate fantasy football ceilings and weekly consistency.
- Jayden Daniels is being treated too cautiously by some drafters after already posting elite fantasy production as a rookie.
- Lamar Jackson remains a high-upside QB1, but there are legitimate concerns about age, injuries and offensive transition.
- Jalen Hurts has a realistic path back to QB1 overall if the passing efficiency improves alongside his rushing production.
- Justin Herbert‘s fantasy value depends heavily on offensive pace and passing volume.
- Jaxson Dart profiles as a boom-or-bust fantasy quarterback whose rushing upside makes him attractive in single-QB formats.
- Quarterbacks capable of 700-plus rushing yards carry a fantasy floor that traditional pocket passers struggle to match.
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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.