Drafting in a 2 QB league is a special kind of hell. Honestly, it’s the only format where you’ll see a grown man panic-pick a backup in the fourth round because he saw three other quarterbacks go off the board in ten minutes. If you’re playing Superflex, you have a safety net. If you’re in a true 2 QB league, you’re basically walking a tightrope over a pit of Sam Darnolds and rookie question marks.
The strategy is different. The value is warped.
Most "expert" rankings you see online are just standard lists with the QBs pushed up a little higher. That’s lazy. In a real 2 QB environment, the scarcity of the position changes how you have to look at guys like Drake Maye or even a veteran like Matthew Stafford. If you aren't holding at least one "anchor" passer by the end of the second round, you’ve already lost.
The Elite Tier: Why Josh Allen Still Rules 2026
It feels repetitive to say Josh Allen is the QB1. Again. But until the man stops running for 10-plus touchdowns a year, he’s the undisputed king of 2 QB fantasy rankings. In 2025, he finished as the overall QB1 with roughly 425 fantasy points. That's a massive gap over the field.
Behind him, the landscape is shifting.
Drake Maye has officially arrived. After a 2025 season where he averaged over 23 fantasy points per game, he’s jumped over guys like Lamar Jackson in many consensus circles. The Patriots finally figured out how to build an offensive line, and Maye’s rushing floor—which people weirdly ignored during his draft process—is legit.
Lamar is still Lamar, but there’s a creeping concern about his longevity in high-volume rushing systems. He’s the QB3 for me right now. He’s still a league-winner, but the "injury tax" is real. Then you have Joe Burrow. If he can actually stay on the field for 17 games, his passing volume in that Bengals offense is unparalleled. He had a toe injury that capped his 2025 ceiling, but early 2026 projections have him neck-and-neck with the dual-threat guys.
The 2026 Top 12 Anchor Rankings
- Josh Allen (BUF): The rushing floor is a cheat code.
- Drake Maye (NE): The new elite. High ceiling, improving weapons.
- Lamar Jackson (BAL): Still the most dangerous runner at the position.
- Joe Burrow (CIN): Pure passing volume. Needs a healthy Chase and Higgins.
- Jalen Hurts (PHI): The "Tush Push" might be aging, but the goal-line work is still there.
- Jayden Daniels (WAS): Sophomore slump? Maybe. But the speed is undeniable.
- Jaxson Dart (NYG): The rookie riser. The Giants are messy, but Dart is a fantasy producer.
- Justin Herbert (LAC): Post-Jim Harbaugh era stability. He’s a bounce-back candidate.
- Patrick Mahomes (KC): Coming off the knee surgery (ACL/LCL). Risk/reward is huge here.
- Dak Prescott (DAL): Boring but bankable. 30 touchdowns is his basement.
- Caleb Williams (CHI): Finally looks comfortable in Ben Johnson’s system.
- Matthew Stafford (LAR): The ultimate "old man" value pick.
The Mid-Tier Trap: Where 2 QB Leagues are Won and Lost
This is where the draft gets weird. In a 12-team league, 24 quarterbacks are starting every week. That means by round six, people are starting to look at Bo Nix and Baker Mayfield as their QB2.
Actually, Bo Nix was surprisingly consistent as a rookie. He had nine games with at least 19 fantasy points. That’s better than what Patrick Mahomes did for large stretches of last year. If you can snag Nix as your second starter, you’re in a great spot to load up on elite WRs early.
Don't Overlook the Veterans
We need to talk about Matthew Stafford. He’s like that old truck in your neighbor's driveway that shouldn't start but somehow runs perfectly every morning. In 2025, he was the QB2 in total points. Read that again. QB2. He outscored Lamar, Hurts, and Mahomes.
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Yet, in early 2026 ADP, he’s often drafted as the QB15 or lower.
That’s a mistake. If you’re playing in a 2 QB format, you don’t need two superstars. You need one superstar and one guy who won't give you a zero. Stafford gives you a high floor every single Sunday.
Strategy: The "Three Starter" Rule
You have to draft three starting quarterbacks. I don't care if your bench is thin. I don't care if you love a sleeper running back in the 9th round. If you only draft two starters, and one gets a high ankle sprain, your season is essentially over.
There are only 32 starting jobs in the NFL. In a 12-team 2 QB league, there are literally not enough starters for everyone to have a backup.
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"Scarcity is the only thing that matters in 2 QB leagues. A mediocre starter like Sam Darnold is worth more than a high-end WR3 because you can't find 15 points on the waiver wire at QB."
I like to go QB-WR-QB or QB-RB-QB in the first three rounds. If you wait until the 5th round to get your second signal-caller, you're looking at guys like Bryce Young or Michael Penix Jr., and honestly, that’s a stressful way to live your life.
Hidden Gems and Risky Bets for 2026
Keep an eye on Justin Fields. He’s with the Jets now, and despite a toe injury late last year, his per-game averages were top-10. If he stays healthy, he’s the ultimate "Konami Code" quarterback who can be had for a mid-round price.
Then there’s the Jaxson Dart situation. The Giants are a bit of a disaster, but Dart is a runner. He had nine rushing touchdowns last year. In 2 QB fantasy rankings, rushing ability is the Great Equalizer. A guy who throws for 180 yards but runs for 50 and a score will outscore a pure pocket passer every time.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: The Giants and Jets are looking at staff changes. This affects Dart and Fields directly.
- Check the Health of Mahomes: If he’s ready for Week 1, his current ADP is a steal. If he lingers on PUP, stay away.
- The Rookie Class: Aside from Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 rookie QB class looks thin. Don't count on a rookie savior this year.
Actionable Next Steps
Start by auditing your league's scoring. If interceptions are -2 or -4 points, guys like Jordan Love or Trevor Lawrence take a massive hit. If it's 6-point passing touchdowns, Joe Burrow moves into the top 3.
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Next, look at the bye weeks. In a 2 QB league, having both your starters on bye the same week is a guaranteed loss. Space them out. Finally, don't be afraid to reach. If your "guy" is there and there's a run on quarterbacks happening, take him. The value of a Tier 2 QB in a 2 QB league is higher than any other position in fantasy football.
Go grab your "anchor" in the first round and don't look back. Tighten up your rankings by prioritizing rushing floors and guaranteed starters over "upside" backups who might not even see the field.