RADIO
Can Joe Burrow Challenge to be QB1 in 2026?
Since being selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, only injuries have been able to slow Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Over his past 25 starts, Burrow has averaged 2.4 touchdown passes per game, and in a fantasy space largely dominated by quarterback mobility, he is one of the few players who can routinely challenge for a QB1 finish on arm talent alone. While the notable improvements made to a Bengals defense that ranked among the worst in the league could put him in more favorable game scripts and ultimately lower his ceiling, Burrow comes into 2026 healthy and still surrounded by one of the NFL's premier pass-catching units. Burrow is RotoBaller's QB5, but if the Bengals offense can stay intact in a way that it has rarely been able to do in recent years, he is as safe a bet as any to lead the league in touchdown passes and could easily outperform ADP.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinn Ewers Little More Than a Back-of-Roster Dynasty Handcuff
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers was given the chance to start the final three games of his rookie season. While he did not look glaringly out of place running an NFL offense, averaging 189.7 passing yards across those starts while throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions, the new Dolphins regime moved quickly to add former Packer Malik Willis on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that would presumably lock him in as the starter for the duration of Ewer's rookie contract. At RotoBaller's QB49, Ewers is still a roster-worthy handcuff in superflex dynasty leagues, though any fantasy consideration he sees is likely to come in a worst-case, emergency situation with no other fill-in options. Even then, his upside will still be capped by his conservative play style and Miami's lack of receiver talent, making him an easy player to move on from for managers facing a roster crunch.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Milroe Remains a High-Ceiling, Low-Floor Dynasty Hold
After being selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe carried the ball three times as a rookie, fumbling once on his way to four yards while attempting zero pass attempts, and he has fallen to QB42 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. Always viewed as a developmental prospect, he was never going to threaten for a starting role in his first season, but with veteran Drew Lock still on the roster and presumed to again serve as Sam Darnold's primary backup after signing a two-year deal in 2025, Milroe is unlikely to see even a path to playing time until 2027. An athletic marvel, Milroe scored 20 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Alabama and ran an unofficial 4.37-second 40-yard dash at his 2025 Pro Day, and with a skill set that has historically translated to fantasy points regardless of on-field results, he remains a hold in all superflex dynasty leagues. While accuracy issues could prevent him from ever making a start in the NFL, his rushing upside would make him an immediate plug-and-play fantasy option if ever provided the opportunity.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joe Flacco One of 2026's Most Trustworthy Backups
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco began his 2025 campaign with the Cleveland Browns, and through four starts, he threw six interceptions to only two touchdowns, scored fewer than 5.3 fantasy points per game, and looked as if his time in the NFL was coming to an end. Following a rare in-division mid-season trade, he started six games for the Bengals in place of an injured Joe Burrow and immediately became a viable fantasy option while elevating the entire Cincinnati offense. He finished as the QB7 or better in three of those games, and in signing a one-year deal this offseason to return to the Bengals, he remains a must-roster backup in superflex dynasty leagues and raises the floor of receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as running back Chase Brown. With Joe Burrow RotoBaller's QB5 for 2026, any appearance by Flacco still represents a worst-case scenario, but at 41 years old, the 19-year veteran is more than capable of preventing a complete bottoming out if called into action.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love Happy With his Pass-Catching Group
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he "still has some great weapons" in the passing game going into the 2026 season despite losing Romeo Doubs in free agency and Dontayvion Wicks to an offseason trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, mentioning Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and second-year wideout Matthew Golden as his top options. The Packers also have tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) coming back from a torn ACL that cut his season short in 2025, so Love certainly still has plenty of pass-catching weapons to take the next step in 2026 in his sixth year in the NFL. The 27-year-old former 26th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Utah State threw for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 15 regular-season starts last year, which placed him as the QB16 in fantasy scoring. Love has proven to be a strong downfield passer -- that should continue if Watson stays healthy all year -- but Green Bay's offense as a whole will need to be more consistent if Love is going to jump up to the QB1 ranks in fantasy. Right now, RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 18 fantasy QB for the 2026 campaign.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jayden Daniels has a "Long Way to Go" to Master the Offense
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued second year in the NFL in 2025, said he has a "long way to go" as he attempts to master the new system of offensive coordinator David Blough, according to John Keim of ESPN. It is the second offensive system that Daniels has had to learn in his first three NFL seasons. Daniels has looked comfortable with his footwork while operating more under center, but he still has plenty to work on. A sprained knee and hamstring and a dislocated left elbow limited him to just seven games in his sophomore campaign, a big change from when he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 while helping the team to a 12-5 record and its first appearance in the NFC Championship game since 1991. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 891 yards and six more TDs on the ground. If the former second overall pick out of Louisiana State University can stay on the field in 2026, he's an obvious high-end bounce-back candidate at the QB position. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 3 QB for 2026, behind only Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Can Cole Payton Develop into a High-Value Dynasty Handcuff?
Eagles quarterback Cole Payton currently sits fourth on the Philadelphia depth chart behind Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton, but his long-term fantasy upside is as high as any of the non-first-round quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both McKee and Dalton are in the final year of their contracts, and while the former could potentially seek greener pastures elsewhere in 2027, the soon-to-be-39-year-old Dalton may choose to call it a career after his 16th season in the league. Ironically, it is the lefty Payton who is perhaps best equipped to run an offense similar to the one helmed by Hurts, serving as the only other dual-threat quarterback on the roster after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns during his collegiate career at North Dakota State. At 6'3" and 223 pounds, and with the luxury of developing behind the scenes, Payton could eventually grow into one of the most fantasy-relevant backup quarterbacks in the league and is a must-stash player in superflex dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Taylen Green's Fantasy-Friendly Skill Set Makes him a Must-Stash Dynasty QB
When the Cleveland Browns selected Taylen Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, he became their third quarterback taken in the last two drafts. With Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders still on the roster, and veteran Deshaun Watson currently battling Sanders for the starting job, Green will presumably have the opportunity to develop behind the scenes. Still an incredibly raw prospect who went 2-9 as a starter in his final season at Arkansas, Green possesses traits rare for his (or any) position. At 6'6" and 227 pounds, he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and while the player and team have both insisted that his future is at quarterback, it isn't difficult to envision a specific package of plays designed to get him the ball in space. While it may take until 2027 or beyond to truly gain a sense of Green's fantasy viability, as RotoBaller's dynasty QB33, he is one of the most obvious stash candidates in the later rounds of rookie drafts, and in best ball formats, he adds potential value as a player who could feasibly be given a late-season opportunity that coincides with the fantasy playoffs.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Garrett Nussmeier has Late-Round Dynasty Value
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has decent long-term upside as a potential handcuff option for Patrick Mahomes' fantasy managers. Mahomes is currently recovering from a torn ACL, so Justin Fields is expected to start Week 1. Nussmeier might be able to jump Fields on the depth chart, but more than likely, he'll be the primary backup until Mahomes returns. The LSU product was projected to be a mid-round pick, but fell to the Chiefs in the seventh round. Nussmeier didn't look great during his senior year, but threw for over 4,000 yards in 2024. Mahomes will eventually take his starting gig back, but who knows what kind of toll that torn ACL will take on his body long-term. Nussmeier isn't a bad stash option, given he could be one injury away from the starting job.
Source: ourlads.com
Source: ourlads.com
Deshaun Watson Lacking Consistency During Offseason Workouts
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns new head coach Todd Monken would have liked to have a starter already named going into training camp in late July, but he "wants and needs to see more" from both quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders this summer. Ultimately, Monken said he will play "whoever gives us the best chance to score, and I won't know that until we play." He wants to see more "consistency and confidence" from both Watson and Sanders in training camp than what he saw this spring. Jackson adds that it's safe to say that Watson "looked like the same player in his return from a year and a half away that he was before his two Achilles tendon injuries." Watson is healthy and threw downfield occasionally with confidence, but he "lacked consistency and too often threw into traffic." Jackson doesn't think there is much reason to want Watson to play unless he's "clearly their best option." The 30-year-old Watson has been a Pro Bowler three times (all before he came to Cleveland), but it appears he might have to thoroughly outplay Sanders to win the starting gig going into Week 1. Either way, this QB situation is one to ignore for fantasy managers, if at all possible. Whoever wins the starting job this summer probably will have a very short leash to begin the regular season.
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Carson Beck Carries Stash Appeal for Dynasty Rebuilders
After completing 72.4% of his pass attempts for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 16 games for the University of Miami in 2025, quarterback Carson Beck was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Beck may be entering his rookie season as the QB3 in Arizona behind veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II. However, neither Brissett nor Minshew II projects as the Cardinals' quarterback of the future, which could put Beck in a position to earn a starting opportunity at some point in 2026 or 2027. Arizona has a strong core of offensive weapons around its quarterbacks in tight end Trey McBride, wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, and running back Jeremiyah Love, which could help Beck have success if he gets on the field. For dynasty managers in the midst of a rebuild, taking a shot on Beck in rookie drafts could be a worthy dart throw.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Geno Smith Carry Buy-Low Appeal for Dynasty Contenders?
With the 2026 season now just a few months away, veteran quarterback Geno Smith appears likely to open the year as the QB for the New York Jets. Smith had a disastrous year as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, completing 67.4% of his pass attempts for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions across 15 games. The 35-year-old averaged just 6.8 yards per pass attempt and also took a league-leading 55 sacks despite missing two games. While the Jets were one of the worst offenses in the NFL last season, the team should get a healthier season out of star wideout Garrett Wilson and also added wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. New York should also put a much better offensive line in front of Smith than the line he played with in Las Vegas in 2025. Smith's dynasty upside is limited at this point in his career, but he could be worth buying low on as a depth option for dynasty contenders ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tua Tagovailoa Continues to Lead First-Team Offense
With the Atlanta Falcons wrapping up the final session of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, it was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the first-team offense as the team worked on third-and-goal situations. Following his release from the Dolphins, Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, and as Michael Penix Jr. continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season, the seventh-year veteran has been given an early advantage in a battle expected to carry into training camp. The Falcons spent a first-round pick on Penix in the 2024 NFL Draft and face a critical decision about his fifth-year option following the 2026 season, so there is a belief that he'll be given every opportunity to claim the starting job once healthy, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski has long valued accuracy as one of the most important traits of the position. While Tagovailoa has completed exactly 68% of his passes since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2020, Penix ranked near the bottom of the league in on-target throw percentage in 2025. With a strong supporting cast of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, whoever claims the starting job could have fantasy viability throughout the year, and if that becomes Tagovailoa out of the gates, RotoBaller's QB30 could have early-season appeal as a streaming option.
Source: Garrett Chapman
Source: Garrett Chapman
Bo Nix Takes Part in Seven-on-Seven Drills at Mandatory Minicamp
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) took part in seven-on-seven drills during the team's second mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. On his first throw of the day, Nix hit second-year running back RJ Harvey for a touchdown during a red-zone drill with a well-placed ball. Nix is recovering from offseason surgery for a fractured ankle that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills in January, and he had a follow-up procedure in April. Head coach Sean Payton has said that Nix is expected to be a "full-go" for training camp at the end of July, which means that, barring a setback, the former University of Oregon product should be ready for a Week 1 Monday night showdown against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old has been a top-10 fantasy QB in each of his first two years in the NFL, but in what should be a more balanced offense under Payton in 2026, and coming off ankle surgery, fantasy managers are better off targeting the third-year signal-caller as a high-end QB2 with upside in drafts later this year.
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Source: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
Does Brendan Sorsby Have Starting QB Upside in the NFL?
ESPN's Field Yates believes that former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who is applying for the NFL's supplemental draft, has starting QB upside at the next level. It's unclear what level of interest Sorsby will receive from NFL teams after admitting to placing bets on a variety of sports. The NCAA denied Sorsby's request for reinstatement in May, but a Texas judge granted him a temporary injunction in early June, making him eligible for the 2026 college season. But after a Big 12 lawsuit against Texas Tech and backlash around his eligibility, Sorsby has decided to leave for the NFL. NFL analyst Ben Solak thinks the Arizona Cardinals are the most obvious team that would be interested in Sorsby, as their current QBs are veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, and rookie third-rounder Carson Beck. Solak thinks Sorsby would "easily clear" Beck as the potential franchise signal-caller in the desert. The New York Jets are another team that could be interested, with veteran Geno Smith set to be the starter in 2026. Sorsby is clearly a better developmental prospect than fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik.
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
