It’s time to hunt for those late-round QB targets you should be grabbing in your 2026 fantasy football drafts.
If you’re like me and prefer not to pay premium draft capital on an elite quarterback early—say, a Round 2/3 investment in Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen—then your strategy is clear: stack up on high-upside wide receivers and running backs early, then wait on a signal-caller.
But who can you actually draft in the double-digit rounds that you won’t hate starting week in and week out?
You don’t always need a high-flying, 40-touchdown superstar to win a championship. Sometimes, you just need a reliable starter—fantasy’s equivalent of 2000-era Trent Dilfer—a solid quarterback who gets the job done without destroying your lineup while your top-tier receivers and running backs carry you to victory.
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In this article, we’re focusing on quarterbacks routinely available in Round 10 or later (Pick 109+). (Note: While Patrick Mahomes’ ADP has slid into this range due to recovery concerns following his late-season knee injury, we’re skipping him here—everyone already knows his name, and he’s going to be a popular high-upside target regardless).
Late-Round Quarterbacks to Target
If you missed out on taking an elite quarterback early, here are three late-round QB targets I’m happily drafting in every single league.
Target 1: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy may not be the flashiest signal-caller, but he consistently gets the job done. Perennially underrated and undervalued by fantasy managers, Purdy is one of the top late-round QB targets after you’ve stocked up on elite wide receivers, running backs, and mid-round targets.
Overcoming Injuries with High Efficiency
Purdy battled through a frustrating 2025 campaign, dealing with a right big toe injury, a left shoulder issue, and a Week 18 neck stinger. While these injuries limited him to just nine games, the 26-year-old still produced at a high level. He averaged 20.8 fantasy points per game while leading San Francisco to a 7–2 record in his starts, completing nearly 70% of his passes and throwing 2.2 passing touchdowns per game.
Under-the-Radar Dual-Threat Ability
When healthy, Purdy adds significant value on the ground—and as fantasy managers know, QB rushing is the ultimate cheat code. Over 15 games in the 2024 season, the Iowa State product posted 323 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns alongside 20 passing scores, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game. Now fully recovered from his toe and shoulder ailments, expect his rushing involvement to bounce back.
A Stacked Offensive Environment
Purdy steps into a pristine situation featuring an elite supporting cast with Christian McCaffrey, newcomer Mike Evans, and George Kittle. Playing in a competitive NFC West with a middle-of-the-pack 49ers defense means San Francisco won’t be able to take its foot off the gas. Whether playing in high-scoring shootouts or chasing negative game scripts, the passing and rushing volume will be there to deliver QB1 numbers all season long.
Consistently falling to Round 10 or later, Purdy is a steal as your primary fantasy starter.
Target 2: Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
Assuming Kyler Murray beats out J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 spot in Minnesota, get ready for Kevin O’Connell’s next high-profile reclamation project and one of the highest-upside late-round QB targets.
The former No. 1 overall pick fell victim to organizational dysfunction during his tenure in Arizona. Yet, despite those rough team conditions, Murray remained a borderline fantasy QB1 on the back of his dynamic rushing upside.
Proven Dual-Threat Production
Before his 2025 season was cut short after five games due to a Week 5 mid-foot sprain, Murray reminded us what he can do across a full year. Playing in all 17 games in 2024, the 28-year-old averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game, racking up 33.6 rushing yards per game and 5 rushing touchdowns on the season.
An Elite Passing Ecosystem
Now fully healthy and working with quarterback guru Kevin O’Connell, Murray steps into an elite offense loaded with talent. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, newcomer Jauan Jennings, and old reliable T.J. Hockenson at his disposal, there are zero excuses holding back a huge bounce-back year for the Oklahoma product.
Unbeatable Draft Capital
Currently going dirt cheap in Round 15 or later in 12-team leagues—or even sitting on waiver wires after the draft—Murray offers massive top-10 upside at virtually zero cost.
If you choose to bypass elite early QBs like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen to stack your skill positions, Murray is the ultimate late-round gamble. Not only is he a favorite to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but he could very well be the Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year. Don’t miss out.
Target 3: Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
As noted earlier, running quarterbacks are the ultimate cheat code in fantasy football—and Malik Willis has all the makings of this year’s ultimate code-breaker among late-round QB targets. Even if his passing accuracy leaves something to be desired, a rebuilding Miami team expects to play behind in plenty of games, forcing Willis to generate offense with his legs.
Elite Rushing Baseline
Look at his production during his spot starts for the Green Bay Packers: over three starts, Willis averaged 58 rushing yards per game and scored 3 total touchdowns.
That rushing baseline guarantees an automatic 11.8 fantasy points per game floor purely off his legs—before adding a single passing yard or aerial touchdown into the mix. Willis offers one of the highest late-round ceilings in fantasy, paired with a remarkably safe floor thanks to his rushing volume.
Locked-In Starter with a Financial Stranglehold
Currently falling to the late 13th or early 14th round of fantasy drafts, Willis is an incredible bargain. While Kyler Murray offers immense upside, Murray comes with a bit of a gamble.
Willis, on the other hand, enters the season as Miami’s unquestioned QB1. The Dolphins proved their financial commitment to him by handing him a 3-year, $67.5 million contract ($45 million guaranteed). That serious investment gives him a massive leash as the starter for the entire season. Barring injury, you get a locked-in dual-threat starter with huge upside in an offense that will rely heavily on his mobility.
Conclusion: Trust the Late-Round Strategy
You don’t need to spend top-tier draft capital in the first few rounds on Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to build a championship roster. By waiting at quarterback, you give yourself the flexibility to load up on elite running backs, high-upside wide receivers, and dependable tight ends during the heart of your draft.
When you do finally pull the trigger on a signal-caller late, you don’t need a 40-touchdown superstar—you just need a reliable fantasy producer to steer the ship while your stacked roster does the heavy lifting.
Whether you opt for Brock Purdy’s efficient consistency, Kyler Murray’s bounce-back ceiling in Minnesota, or Malik Willis’ dual-threat rushing floor in Miami, all three are premium late round QB targets available in Round 10 or later and are fully capable of leading your fantasy squad to the promised land. Skip the early QB run, stack your roster, and target these late-round gems with confidence.
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