3 Must-Have Quarterbacks (2026 Fantasy Football)

Drafters can benefit from waiting on the quarterback position in fantasy football, but there are some toward the top of preseason average draft position (ADP) that are highly desirable to pursue.

Below are three quarterbacks I’d consider as must-have options given their current situations. Two are in the QB2 range of drafts, whereas one is going inside the top four at the position.

Must-Have Fantasy Football Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray (QB – MIN)

I’ve been pounding the table all offseason long for Kyler Murray, and I’ll be doing so until he gives me a reason not to.

Last season, Murray played in just five games, but completed 68.3% of his passes. In 2024, he played 17 games and completed 68.8% of his passes for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while also adding 572 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He finished as the QB11 on a bad Arizona Cardinals team.

Now, heading into this season as the Vikings’ quarterback, he’s being drafted as QB17, but he is in a far better situation. He has a better offensive line protecting him; he has a quarterback-friendly coach in Kevin O’Connell and his pass-catchers are excellent, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.

On top of all of that, Murray can still run. He will be a fantasy QB1 this season and can be had at an extremely low price.

Everything you need to win your league—rankings, sleepers, projections, and more—is in the Draft Kit.

Joe Burrow (QB – CIN)

Joe Burrow is currently going as the QB4 (57 overall), per FantasyPros’ ADP. While that’s quite high, he’s a quarterback I’m extremely bullish on. To close out last season after coming back from injury, Burrow averaged 23.8 fantasy points from Weeks 16 to 18, including a 29-point performance.

Burrow still has Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins catching passes, his offensive line should be improved and the Bengals have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL.

Burrow still has 5,000-yard upside. If he can stay healthy, there’s a high likelihood he leads the NFL in passing yards.

Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC)

While the Chiefs had a terrible season, Patrick Mahomes was quietly stringing together some nice fantasy performances. He averaged 21.1 points per game, which was tied for the second-most in the NFL. From Weeks 1 to 15 (pre-injury), he was the QB2 in fantasy.

Yes, Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, but he’s ready to start the season. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Chiefs have the No. 12-ranked schedule in the NFL — slightly above average in ease.

Kenneth Walker III will eat into some of Mahomes’ rushing production, but he’ll also have Rashee Rice for a full season, whom he peppers with targets when he’s on the field.

The torn ACL is somewhat concerning, but given his preseason comments, Mahomes’ willingness to play and the Chiefs’ decision to keep him out, I think he’ll come out of the gate in Week 1 completely ready to go.

Right now, Mahomes is being drafted as the QB14, even though he was the overall fantasy QB2 before his injury last season. There’s way too much value here to pass up.