Quarterback Tiered Rankings Analysis

The NFL season is near and fantasy drafts are already underway. Preparation is in full swing, so with that in mind, our newest rankings for all draft types and positions are out! For a full look at our updated rankings, check here.

There are around 20 quarterbacks that you could conceivably use as your QB1 this season. While some have more guaranteed production, this is countered by their increased draft price. It is also important to remember that there will be quarterbacks available to stream each week, and almost every week an unowned QB will finish in the top 10. Drafting a QB early allows you to be lazy in that position and start them every week regardless of matchup. However, playing matchups and drafting later, you can use a number of QBs throughout the season and still get a good result.

Here is the breakdown of our latest standard quarterback rankings for single-QB leagues. In two-QB or Superflex leagues, the Overall Rank of all of these quarterbacks will be far higher up the draft. However, the tiers and position rankings are the same.

QB Tiered Rankings - August Update

 
Tier 1

We start with a slight surprise in tier 1 from Russell Wilson, who now sits at the top of the QB rankings. However, tier 1 is an A1/A2 situation. A difference of only three positions in the overall ranking, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson sit comfortably above all other QBs. You can't really make a mistake choosing the wrong player in this tier, as barring injury both of these QBs will have huge seasons. The decision to make is whether it is worth using a third or fourth round pick to get one of Rodgers or Wilson, as there are still some excellent QB options available far later in the draft.

Tier 2

The difference in this tier of quarterbacks from tier 1 is that not all of these QBs are going to finish as a QB1. It is likely that two or three will, but you aren't getting the surefire thing you get with the QBs in the tier above. All of these QBs have QB1 potential and Brady probably has the highest floor. However, Cam Newton is just ahead in the rankings due in part to his extra rushing upside.

Deshaun Watson is probably the biggest risk in this tier. He is returning from an injury that devastated his and the Texans' season. Also, he is only a second-year player and has significantly less NFL experience than any quarterbacks near him in the draft. However, the ceiling and the big-play ability of Watson and Hopkins not only gives him great upside, but makes the two a fantastic QB-WR stack. If you are drafting a QB this high you may want to take Watson from this tier if you already have Hopkins from Round 1.

Tier 3

This is the first tier that shows excellent value in drafting a quarterback. Drew Brees is falling down the rankings and sits next to Cam Newton on Average Draft Position. This is an example of where tiered rankings can improve your drafting. The QBs in tier 2 may all be on the board together in the fifth or sixth round and getting a QB like Newton in this situation provides you with far greater value at the position than the people still waiting on a QB from a lower tier.

Andrew Luck is rising up the rankings and rising on draft boards. All the news coming out of camp is that Luck is healthy and ready. Before the start of the season, Luck will continue to climb, so buy in now if you are drafting soon. Luck would be my pick from this tier that has the highest ceiling; it is between him and Brees, but you can get far better value on Luck right now.

Tier 4

Unless you were able to secure a top-five quarterback at a good value, this tier may be the most ideal to target a quarterback out of all of them. Drafting your QB later in the draft allows you build out a better starting roster of RBs and WRs, and there are many QBs this late that provide big fantasy production. Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan represent the veteran and at many times throughout their careers have been elite QBs. Marcus Mariota and Jared Goff represent the high ceiling potential in this tier.

Everyone has heard of Roethlisberger's home-road splits, but at least these can be managed if need be, as he has possibly the best offense around him in the league. This tier starts with the QB12 in the rankings this means these quarterbacks are outside of everyone else getting a QB. Pairing up two tier 4 QBs can leave you with two options at an incredible value.

Tier 5

This tier provides the final names that are serviceable and can start some weeks for your fantasy side. These players will likely fill up your QB2 spot but shouldn't be written off from starting.

Patrick Mahomes offers huge upside after only limited NFL action, he has shown glimpses of very exciting potential. As a QB2 he offers the highest potential to break out into a high-level QB1 this season. He is a bit more hit-and-miss than some of the other names in this tier but that extra upside makes him more than worth it is a late-round grab.

Derek Carr also provides some intrigue, he has looked incredible at times and less so at others. He has a new big-name big-money head coach in the building, who is renowned for his QB whispering talents. Also, new receiving talent in Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant leaves Carr with the chance to explode.

Tier 6 and above

Many of these QBs are still fighting for jobs and provide very little in guaranteed production. Not many of these names should be drafted when all is said and done, but some of the rookies in particular might break out later in the season.

One name to keep an eye on is Jameis Winston, due to his suspension he may even go undrafted in some leagues. He will become a very valuable pickup a couple weeks into the season. Also, Mitch Trubisky should make strides this season with a new offensive-minded head coach, so he may also become a useful addition.

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