It’s important to adjust draft strategy based on league settings, especially in 2-QB leagues. Draft strategy varies greatly in 2-QB leagues in comparison to 1-QB leagues. In a 1-QB league, there are so many relevant quarterbacks that often people take the late-round quarterback route. However, in 2-QB leagues, you need to prioritize quarterbacks during the draft.
We’re going to take a look at different 2-QB draft strategies and discuss the differences from SuperFlex leagues. We’ll also look at different strategies and approaches to 2-QB leagues. Keep in mind that it’s important to adjust during the draft because each draft is a little different.
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2-QB Draft Strategy
2-QB vs. Superflex Formats
In both formats, most teams probably start two quarterbacks. However, in a 2-QB league, each team must start two quarterbacks as opposed to it being optional to start two quarterbacks in SuperFlex leagues. Most teams typically start two quarterbacks in both formats. Check out the SuperFlex rankings up on FantraxHQ as a starting point. Regardless, quarterbacks will typically be drafted early and often in both formats. In either format, the elite quarterbacks usually go in the first round, and sometimes Christian McCaffrey even goes third overall.
Draft Them Early
Let’s talk about different 2-QB draft strategies. As mentioned earlier, quarterbacks fly off the draft board, so adjust your draft strategy if you’re new to 2-QB leagues. One draft strategy is to take two quarterbacks in the first four rounds. Often, you’ll find wide receivers come at a value in 2-QB or SuperFlex leagues. In deeper leagues such as 14-16 teams, drafting two quarterbacks within the first six rounds becomes especially important. In a shallow 10-12 team league, then you will likely find values at quarterback in the draft.
Wait Until Round Five
Another 2-QB draft strategy is to wait until round five to take your first quarterback. If you use this strategy, then you should have stud running backs and wide receivers in the first four rounds. However, in rounds five and six, you should draft two quarterbacks. Check out Fantasy Football Calculator, and it will help give you an idea of ADP in 2-QB leagues. You will notice that 21 quarterbacks are drafted by the end of round eight in a 12-team league.
Late-Round Quarterback
A third 2-QB draft strategy would be to take the late-round quarterback approach. There are a couple of ways to go about this. One way would be to draft one quarterback in the fifth round and then take a couple of quarterbacks on the same team later. Or wait until the double-digit rounds to draft a combination of the Patriots, Chargers, or Dolphins starting and backup quarterbacks. For instance, you might end up with Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham paired with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa.
Preferred 2-QB Draft Strategy: Draft Them Early
My preferred 2-QB draft strategy includes two quarterbacks and two running backs in the first four rounds. Depending on how the draft goes, I usually end up with one top-end quarterback and one middle-tier quarterback through four rounds. Then in rounds 5-7, I plan to draft one wide receiver, running back, and quarterback. Often I find Tyler Lockett or Calvin Ridley as my first wide receivers in round five unless a top-6 wide receiver such as Davante Adams or Chris Godwin falls to me.
After drafting two quarterbacks, I prefer to take a third backend quarterback like Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater, or Ryan Tannehill. Just like other positions, you will want backups to fill in due to injuries or bye weeks. If you only roster two quarterbacks, then it will be hard to find an adequate replacement on waivers. It will also be especially dicey during bye weeks since generally all starting quarterbacks are rostered.
Draft NFL Backups
So why should we draft NFL backups in a 2-QB league? When there is a quarterback injury, it’s better to have one of the backup quarterbacks rather than trying to bid or hope you can add them on waivers. Almost like handcuff running backs, handcuff quarterbacks provide extreme value in 2-QB leagues. A few top backup quarterbacks to target in drafts include Jameis Winston, Jarrett Stidham, and Justin Herbert. Also, remember that eventually, the quarterbacks run out in drafts, and there are not too many sleeper picks in the later rounds like with other positions.
Quarterbacks to Target in 2-QB Leagues
Now let’s look at quarterbacks to target in 2-QB leagues. Since teams are drafting most or all starting quarterbacks, you should be looking at all quarterbacks. A few of the top-end ones I prefer include Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, or Kyler Murray. Then I’ll look to grab a middle-tier quarterback such as Daniel Jones, Carson Wentz, or Matt Ryan.
Other middle-tier quarterbacks to target include Matt Stafford, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, or Gardner Minshew. If I wait to draft a quarterback until this middle-tier, then I expect to be loaded at running back and wide receiver in the first several rounds. Although I prefer to draft two quarterbacks in the first four rounds because sometimes drafts do not end up going the way you think. Every fantasy draft is different, so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.
Summary
So why is it necessary to prioritize quarterbacks early and often in 2-QB leagues? First, the depth at quarterback eventually runs out since there are only 32 NFL teams. Also, when looking at fantasy points by quarterbacks, we often see the top and middle-tier quarterbacks finishing the season with most fantasy points. Amongst the top-20 players with the most fantasy points, we see 16 quarterbacks in the top-20. When sorting by fantasy points per game, we again find 16 quarterbacks in the top-20. The main takeaway being that quarterbacks score the most fantasy points, so they’re a difference-maker in 2-QB leagues. With PPR leagues being the norm in fantasy football, 2-QB and SuperFlex leagues should eventually be the norm as well.
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I am in a 12 team superflex league PPR 1 point. My draft position this year is 4. I am struggling with who to choose–should it be a Josh Allen or one of the stud RBs? I have even seen some publications recommending Davante Adams as the 3 pick. Any advice is appreciated.
In a Superflex league, I’d take Josh Allen at pick 4. Take the elite QB.
I’m in a dynasty league. We protect 8 players.
Mine are
Qb c. Wentz
Qb b rothlesbetger
Rb m. Sanders
Rb c.e. Hellaire
Wr t. Hill
Wr t. Higgins
Wr d. Samuel
Te t. Kielce
I have the #1 pick in our draft should I take T. Lawrence or N. Harris. We start 2 QB and 3 RB
Hi Corbin,
Great article and very enlightening for those of us still new to these 2QB formats. A league I draft in next week will have a couple of fantasy football firsts for me: 2 QBs and an 8-team league! Does the fact that this will be an 8-team league vs more traditional 10 to 12 team leagues enhance even more the need to draft 2 QBs in the first 4 rounds? I really like your strategy of taking 2 RBs and 2 QBs in the first four rounds and then hammer a couple WRs that offer great value. In an 8-team format like this how would you also weigh TE in all this? Should I look to take a Tyler Higbee or Hunter Henry somewhere in the 5 – 8 rounds or just keep hammering WRs and high upside RBs in those next 4 rounds and just wait on TE, maybe hoping to grab a Hayden Hurst if he falls far enough or if not, drafting Chris Herndon. Thoughts on maybe just taking a TE real late before I take a D/ST and K and then look to just stream the position each week since they’re only 8 teams that way I load up on more valuable WRs and RBs in the mid to upper middle rounds?
Best,
Corey
Hey Corey, my strategy would change slightly in an 8-team league. I may wait a little to get my first QB in the fourth or fifth round so I can get stud RB/WR in the first few rounds. Depending on your pick, I might go something like RB/RB/WR/QB in the first four. However, make sure to adjust during the draft if you notice people in your league are waiting or taking QBs earlier/later than expected.
With TE in an 8-team league, I may almost grab a stud TE (Kelce, Kittle, Andrews, Ertz) earlier instead of waiting a little longer than I typically would at TE in larger leagues. Typically I wait for TE, but I might grab a TE earlier with an 8-team league. If I can’t get one of the four I mentioned in the top tier, then I’m waiting at TE.
I have the second pick in a 12 team start up dynasty league that is 2QB and PPR. Should I go with RB or QB with the first pick? (It is also 6 points per TD Pass for QBs)
The math points to higher separation of points as the top RBs, but seems that QBs might last longer for dynasty leauge. I’m thinking CMAC, Mahomes, or Saquon Barkley, but can’t decide which to go for?
Hey Dan, with the first pick I’m probably still going CMC in a 2QB dynasty start up. However, can’t fault you if you’re interested in Lamar/Mahomes with the first pick. Odds are you can find a solid quarterback in the 2/3 round turn.
Hey, great article, but I’m not sure how to draft in a super flex but it’s an auction draft. Last year was first time we used this and I actually was wise enough to draft 3 qb’s. I believe it was Ryan, Murray, and Josh Allen. I’m pretty sure other owners this year are going to grab minimum of 2 and some may take 3. Btw, it is a 12 team , ppr with 6 pts for rush t.d. and 4 for passing, which is why I jumped at the chance to grab Allen and Murray last year. Any recommendations on how to use my budget of $250. Thanks for any help.
Thank you Jeff. In superflex, similar principles apply where I draft three starting quarterbacks. In deeper leagues, I’ll take a fourth and it’s usually high-end back up like Jameis Winston, Herbert, Tua, or Stidham. There are different strategies and approaches to auctions, and I’d potentially pay up for one high end QB and RB. Depending on the budget available, I think later round guys like Minshew, Bridgewater, or Burrow should be cheaper. Auctions are tricky and I wouldn’t recommend sticking with one strategy, but rather adjust to how the draft is going. You could pay up for one stud at QB and RB/WR then look for values at all positions. Look at auction values and make tiers to help rank players you like.
I am playing in a 10 team Superflex keeper league that allows managers to keep a max of two QBs. Seven of the ten teams have kept two QBs, the remaining three kept one each, which means 17 QBs gone. Considering how important that third QB could be having the ability to play two every week barring injury, when should a person grab that third QB considering 17 are already gone. Myself for instance took over a team which had no WRs worth keeping. We have five keeper spots. I kept two QBs and three decent starting RBs. My question, I am third pick. Should I grab one of the remaining QBs at 3 since I do not pick again until 18, or should I grab a stud WR not having any and take my chances with the two QBs an flex the spot out when need be? Or should I take a stud RB at number 3? Two of my three RBs have a week 8 bye. Cheers
Hi Kim,
A couple questions – what QBs did you keep? If they are in the top-15 or so, then I’d be fine drafting a WR or RB at the third pick depending on what players are available. For instance, if it’s a top-12 RB/WR at the third pick, then I’d consider that over at QB at third overall given how many are kept. However, it would also depend on the three RBs you kept as well. Keeper questions are a little trickier, but if you provide me some context I’ll try to help. Feel free to comment here again or hit me up on Twitter.
Corbin- I’m really glad I found your article about this because superflex advice is hard to come by. I have the 2nd pick in my upcoming superflex league draft. Right now I’ve been assuming #1 will be picking CMC… but assuming he picks Mahomes or Lamar instead, should I be picking the QB he doesn’t pick? Or should I grab CMC?
Hey Matt, that’s a good question and I would need to know other settings. Is it PPR and redraft? How many teams? If CMC falls to two, I’d take him at 1.02 in a superflex redraft league. Depending on the league depth, you can get middle tier quarterbacks if you prefer to get the stud RB at the second pick. Also check out the superflex rankings on the site – https://fantraxhq.com/superflex-hot-150-rankings/
^^ This might help you give a gauge for how some of our writers are ranking players in superflex leagues. There is a variety of ways to go, but I prefer to get two RBs and two QBs in the first four rounds.