FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: 2026 Fantasy Football Quarterback and Tight End Rankings & Tiers
Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Joe P. Zeppia (Joey P)
Guests: Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros) & Jake Seeley (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode continues FantasyPros’ “Early Ranks Debate” series, focusing on 2026 fantasy football quarterback (QB) and tight end (TE) rankings and tiers. Host Joe P. Zeppia is joined by Andrew Erickson and Jake Seeley, who dissect the expert consensus rankings (ECR), debate upside, downside, and sleepers, and recommend draft strategies for the two most volatile fantasy positions. The trio offers both granular analysis and big-picture advice to help listeners win their leagues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early 2026 Quarterback Rankings & Tiers

Reference: [00:40–06:42]

• Top Tier QBs:

  • Josh Allen (#1), Drake May (#2), Lamar Jackson (#3), Joe Burrow (#4)
  • Second tier includes Jaden Daniels, Jalen Hurts (#6), Jackson Dart (#7)
  • Next includes Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott

• Jalen Hurts as QB6

  • Erickson’s Take ([02:16]):
    Concerned about the Eagles’ offensive infrastructure—uncertainties at coordinator and offensive line, and possible A.J. Brown departure. “If he does the exact same thing, yeah maybe he can finish in this type of range but where you have to take him relative to the other positions, I think it's much better to go with a late round quarterback approach.”
    • Cites declining fantasy points (under 20 per game); prefers upside like Caleb Williams.
  • Seeley’s Response ([04:25]):
    Values rushing QBs more and trusts Hurts’ proven upside. “Jalen Hurts just needs this much of a bounce back to get 21 fantasy points per game...Burrow needs to do 99% of it passing.”
    • Still worries about Philly's O-line decline.

• Joe Burrow at QB4/6

  • Seeley ([04:25]):
    “I have Allen, Lamar, May, Daniels as my top four. A healthy Daniels with a new offensive system… Those are all runners.”
    • Burrow falls in rankings because he requires prolific passing; less upside with legs than peers.
    • “Love Burrow...It just has to do with the names in front of him.”

• Justin Herbert Disagreement

  • Erickson ([06:42]):
    Ranks Herbert at 6 because if the offensive line’s healthy, he has a high ceiling. Likes Mike McDaniel as OC and Herbert’s dual-threat upside.

    “24 fantasy points per game and five games played with Joe Alt in 2025...I just like the pairing with McDaniel.”

  • Seeley ([07:34]):
    Lower at QB10 due to volume concerns:

    “My concern with Mike McDaniel is you’re not getting plays...Could be like the 31st in plays per game. I don't think [Herbert’s] going to improve on the 500, 510 pass attempts from past two years.”

2. QBs Outside the Top 12: Risks, Injuries, & Superflex Deep Dives

Reference: [09:00–13:45]

• Patrick Mahomes at 13 (Injury Risk) ([09:00]):

  • Not draftable at this rank unless there's IR; better as single QB stash than Super Flex.

• Baker Mayfield (ECR 18, Erickson’s QB14) ([10:28]):

  • Erickson notes strong stretches when healthy, but “second half decline due to injuries.”

    “With better injury luck, I think that he's a logical bounce back candidate...He adds a little bit as a rusher.”

  • Mike Evans’ return could boost or hurt value.

• C.J. Stroud (ECR 20, Seeley's QB25) ([11:56]):

  • Jake doesn’t see upside even with possible O-line improvement.

    “Reminds me of slightly more athletic Matt Ryan...You need everything firing for him to be top 10. Best-case rookie year: 18 fantasy points per game – not enough rushing upside.”

3. Notable Bounce-backs, Consistency, and Team Situations

Reference: [15:11–18:24]

• Jordan Love (ECR 16, Erickson’s QB13)

  • Erickson:

    “They just need to let him throw...He's a really efficient quarterback, second in the NFL in EPA per dropback…Coaching staff hasn’t unleashed him.”

    • Needs coaching trust, healthy weapons.
  • Seeley:

    “Jordan Love is just two-faced C.J. Stroud...One week, four TDs, 300 yards; next, 180 and a pick. Upside, but the inconsistency is killer for fantasy.”

• Sam Darnold (ECR 21; both experts lower)

  • Erickson ([18:54]):

    “QB 23 points per game last year...Lost OC Clint Kubiak...Seattle’s run-heavy, good real-life QB, not fantasy.”

  • Seeley ([20:26]):

    “Even Justin Fields and Aaron Rodgers averaged more fantasy points per game last year...Sam Darnold types need everything to break right, and still have a capped ceiling.”

4. High-Variance, High-Upside QB Outliers

Reference: [21:29–25:26]

• Kyler Murray (ECR 22, Erickson QB19) ([21:39]):

  • “He’s been a top 20 QB every year outside last year; four top-10 finishes. As long as he's starting, he's criminally underrated at QB22. Landing spot matters a lot.”

• Daniel Jones (ECR 28, Seeley QB17) ([23:22]):

  • “He played well and always has rushing equity. If he’s the Week 1 starter, there’s no way he should be rated this low. In the right system (Minnesota, Indy), could be a top-12 per-game guy.”

    “Terrible NFL player, but for fantasy – yay Daniel Jones.”

5. Tight End Rankings & Tiers: Major Debates and Strategy

Reference: [25:26–35:23]

• Top TEs:
  • Tier 1: Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland
  • Tier 2: Tucker Kraft, Harold Fannin, Tyler Warren, Sam LaPorta, Kyle Pitts
  • Tier 3: Dalton Kincaid, Orande Gadsden, Jake Ferguson, Juwan Johnson

- Orande Gadsden (ECR 10, Erickson’s TE13) ([26:07]):

• Erickson is “probably too harsh” for knocking his second-half drop-off; admits Gadsden could move up—especially if Keenan Allen departs:

  “Gadsden showed a ceiling with four top-12 finishes...If he gets a full role and Keenan Allen leaves, arrow up.”

• Seeley adds:

  “The splits with and without Keenan Allen were tremendous. If this offense is Ladd McConkey, Trey Harris, and Gadsden, there's a path for a breakout.”

- Dalton Kincaid (ECR 9, Seeley’s TE16) ([29:00]):

• Jake’s harsh:

  “Everyone wants Kincaid to be something he’s not. He’s very touchdown-reliant. Even with the Bills desperate for catchers, that’s all we got. If I’m drafting at TE, I want top-5 ‘break the position’ potential. Kincaid just isn’t there for me.”

- Tucker Kraft (ECR 5, Erickson TE8) ([30:16]):

• Erickson slows his roll as injury recovery remains uncertain:

  “Everyone still loves Tucker Kraft. But we’re not getting an injury discount. If he’s 100% by camp, though, he could be tight end three.”

  • Jake pushes him to chase upside if healthy rather than splitting hairs with “safety” TEs.

- Isaiah Likely (ECR 20, Erickson TE12, Seeley TE13):

Breakout Watch!

• Jake:

  “Isaiah Likely...is a severe matchup problem...If he's the main guy, we've already seen he can be top-10. On the right team, could be TE3.”

• Erickson:

  “When Mark Andrews missed time, Likely was a locked and loaded top five tight end...It's all about landing spot. Chasing that upside is worth it, especially at this volatile position.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jalen Hurts:
  “If he does the exact same thing, yeah maybe he can finish in this type of range but where you have to take him…much better to go with a late round quarterback approach.”
  – Andrew Erickson ([02:16])

• Comparing QBs:
  “Jalen Hurts just needs this much of a bounce back to get 21 fantasy points per game.”
  – Jake Seeley ([05:38])

• On Jordan Love’s volatility:
  “Jordan Love is just two faced C.J. Stroud. In the right light, he’s sexy as can be, in the wrong light, what the heck just happened?”
  – Jake Seeley ([17:27])

• On Sam Darnold:
  “Sam Darnold is a better real life quarterback than fantasy quarterback.”
  – Andrew Erickson ([18:54])

• On Dalton Kincaid hype:
  “Why is everybody’s favorite thing at tight end to make Dalton Kincaid something he’s not?”
  – Jake Seeley ([29:00])

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening & Top Tier QB Debates: 00:40 – 06:42
• QB2 Debate (Herbert, Mahomes, mid-tier): 06:43 – 11:00
• Mayfield/Stroud/Risk QBs: 10:28 – 13:45
• Jordan Love Volatility & Coaching: 15:11 – 18:24
• Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Landing Spot Talk: 18:24 – 25:26
• Tight End Tiers & Debates (Gadsden, Kincaid, Kraft): 25:26 – 32:23
• Isaiah Likely Breakout Discussion: 32:23 – 35:23

Final Thoughts and Listener Takeaways

• Draft for Upside at QB and TE – Both positions are volatile and often unpredictable. Don’t hesitate to chase ceiling, especially outside the top dozen.
• Monitor Offseason Changes Closely – Offensive line health, coordinator changes, and WR room shuffles can radically change a QB or TE’s fantasy profile.
• Don’t Overrate "Safe" Options Late – At tight end and QB2, high-variance, high-upside options offer more league-winning potential than placeholders.
• Landing Spot & Health Critical – Players like Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, and Isaiah Likely could swing many spots based on recovery or free agency.

“We always talk about chasing upside and as I'm thinking about this more, I really feel like I do have to move Tucker Craft up my Titan rankings because I just want to chase upside down, right?”
– Andrew Erickson ([34:10])

For full rankings, projections, and more debates, visit FantasyPros.com.