As fantasy football drafts draw near, it’s time to start figuring out where to plant your flag one way or the other. Teams are figuring out rosters, while the fantasy world dives headfirst into research and drafting. Today we focus on quarterbacks & tight ends you must draft.
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Must-Have Fantasy Football Players
Must-Have Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
Brock Purdy is going to be completely overlooked on draft day, which makes him one of the easiest players to add to our recommendations as a must-have quarterback.
Whether it’s the injury narrative or the fact that his name doesn’t instill the same excitement as others at the position, Purdy continues to be someone who’s drafted very late. Purdy is one of the best low-risk values, and his current average draft position (ADP) allows you to load up on other positions.
Purdy finished last season tied for third in completion rate (69.4%). The quarterback who shares the same efficiency is none other than Josh Allen — the first quarterback being taken off the board in most leagues.
Purdy averaged 20.8 fantasy points last season — fifth amongst all quarterbacks. The 49ers quarterback also threw for 20 touchdowns in just nine games. This placed him second in touchdowns per game, behind Matthew Stafford. In Purdy, you’re getting one of the most efficient and productive quarterbacks in the league after the 10th round.
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
Dak Prescott is another player who’s seemingly being passed over for other quarterbacks in much worse situations. Prescott is the QB8 in ADP, which seems egregious. Prescott threw for over 4,500 yards last season and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt. He attempted 600 passes in 2025 and led the league in completions (404). Prescott was the fantasy QB5, and we expect a similar performance again this season.
Prescott supported not one, but two receivers who landed in the top 10 last season in receiving yards. Both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens put up over 1,000 yards, and Prescott also managed to throw for 600 yards to Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys quarterback threw for 30 touchdowns last season and averaged 19 fantasy points per game.
Waiting on Prescott gives you another opportunity to fill up your roster with as many wide receiver & running back options as possible. You don’t have to reach for a quarterback when a top-five option can be had later.
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
Drake Maye is one of the very few quarterbacks we can’t blame you for reaching on. His wide receiving corps just upgraded in a major way with the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
Maye put up enough fantasy points to finish second overall at the position last season. With the extra firepower at the ready, the young quarterback has an opportunity to produce the most points of any player in the upcoming season.
Maye averaged 21.1 points per game in 2025 and produced 19+ points in 12 games. The Patriots quarterback had a remarkable sophomore year. Last season, Maye led all quarterbacks in completion rate, threw for 31 touchdowns (third), nearly 4,400 yards (fourth) and 354 completions (fifth), while adding 450 yards and four more scores on the ground.
There’s very little reason to pass on Maye if you want an opportunity at the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback.
Must-Have Fantasy Football Tight Ends
Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)
Juwan Johnson is the TE16 in ADP. Again, fantasy football favors recognizable names. Johnson finished eighth among tight ends last season and is somehow being drafted after players who have not been cleared to participate in practice or who have retired. It’s the type of insanity we can’t subscribe to when Johnson is projected to once again see around 100 targets.
The Saints tight end hauled in 77 receptions for 889 yards, while crossing the goal line on three occasions. If there’s one knit to pick, it’s obviously the low touchdown total. Having said that, Johnson cracked the top 10 last season with only three scores.
Should Johnson see an increase in receptions in the end zone, we are easily looking at a top-five finish. Unless you go all-in on Trey McBride for the ultimate hammer at tight end, you’re going to have to find value later in the draft. Johnson not only gives you that, but he’s also a few scores away from being amongst the second-tier at the position.
Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
We close out our recommendations with a tight end who could be one of the most reliable options when the top names have been drafted. I’ll spare you any number of cliché analogies and simply state that Jake Ferguson is a very comfortable addition to your roster.
Given all the mounting injuries and volatility at the tight end position, there’s something to be said for knowing what you are getting and being content with it. Ferguson offers top-10 production without requiring any drastic measures to secure his services.
The tight end caught 82 passes for 600 yards last season, while adding eight touchdowns. Ferguson was targeted on over 100 plays and accumulated 188 fantasy points last season.
The 27-year-old is entering the prime of his career and has all the makings of a top-five tight end for the second consecutive season. Ferguson is one of Dak Prescott’s favorite safety nets, and that’s more than likely going to be the case once again.
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