Choosing the right time to draft your quarterback can define your season in fantasy football. Should you invest early in a high-octane dual-threat like Lamar Jackson or phenom Jayden Daniels? Or should you wait until the later rounds and grab a value pick like Justin Fields or Trevor Lawrence?
And if you're in a Superflex league, the calculus changes entirely.
Let's break down the quarterback draft strategy for 2025 and how to find value at every stage.
The Value of Rushing Quarterbacks
Targeting quarterbacks who contribute with their legs - think "Konami Code QBs" - is one of the most effective ways to gain a weekly edge. Rushing stats add stability to your QB's weekly floor while offering a sky-high ceiling.
Since 2019, every QB1 overall has tallied at least 350 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.
- Over the last five seasons, Top-12 fantasy QBs have averaged 360 rushing yards and 4.2 rushing TDs.
- 9 of the last 15 top-3 QBs rushed for 4+ scores.
- 8 of those 15 surpassed the 350-yard mark.
2025 QB Rushing Leaders (Fantasy Nerds Projections)
| Player | Rush Yards | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | 915 | 4 |
| Jayden Daniels | 826 | 6 |
| Josh Allen | 566 | 9 |
| Jalen Hurts | 690 | 13 |
| Justin Fields | 826 | 7 |
Also close to hitting that threshold:
- Bo Nix: 372 yards, 3 TDs
- Caleb Williams: 374 yards, 2 TDs
- Drake Maye: 405 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing quarterbacks can be your weekly QB1 with the right matchup and give you built-in insurance even when the passing game sputters.
How Many QBs Should You Draft?
Your draft strategy should dictate your QB count.
- If you draft a top-tier QB like Lamar or Hurts, there's no need to use another roster spot on a backup. You can drop a different player for the one week that you need another QB.
- If you wait and grab someone with risk or uncertainty - like Caleb Williams or a back-end starter - it's wise to grab a second QB as insurance.
Both strategies can work, and Fantasy Nerds' Rest of Season Rankings can help if you're considering holding onto a high-value QB.
Drafting an Elite QB: Boom or Bust?
Early-round QBs like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen bring elite scoring potential every week. But it comes at the cost of missing top talent at RB or WR.
Example Draft Tradeoff:
| Team A | Team B | |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Round | Josh Allen (375) | Tee Higgins (281) |
| 9th Round | Michael Pittman Jr. (178) | Justin Fields (318) |
| Total Points | 553 | 599 |
Our Fantasy Nerds ADP shows that while elite rushing QBs carry upside, drafting them too early could cost you elsewhere. If Jayden Daniels or Jalen Hurts fall below ADP, they're excellent targets...but don't reach.
Late-Round QB Strategy
The late-round QB strategy is alive and well - especially in 2025.
- Opens early picks for RBs and WRs
- Allows you to take multiple shots on high-upside QBs
- Capitalize on weekly matchups
Just like Jayden Daniels in 2024, breakout QBs emerge from late rounds every season. Use Fantasy Nerds' fantasy football draft values to spot them early.
Superflex & 2-QB Leagues: Prioritize QB Early
In Superflex or 2-QB formats, quarterbacks are premium assets. Since you can start two, it's nearly impossible to win without investing in at least one QB early.
Fantasy Nerds mock draft data shows the best results come from grabbing one QB in the first two rounds and another shortly after.
2025 QB Targets to Draft
Here are three of our favorite QB values for this season:
Jalen Hurts (QB4 - Fantasy Nerds Projection)
- Going 1–2 rounds later than Lamar and Allen
- Averaged 42.2 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD per game in 2024
- Second-most red-zone carries among QBs (18 inside the 5)
- Elite weapons: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert
Verdict: Steal if he slips past Round 3
Justin Fields (QB14 ADP)
- Averaged over 9 rushes/game in 2024
- Top 5 in QB rush yards and TDs early in the season
- New OC Tanner Engstrand expected to build offense around him
Verdict: Massive value at his current price
Trevor Lawrence (QB20 ADP)
- Has reached 334+ rush yards and 4 TDs in two seasons
- Pass-friendly system under new HC Liam Coen
- New WR weapon: Travis Hunter
Verdict: Set to outperform ADP with best supporting cast of his career
Final Thoughts
Whether you go early with a high-floor rushing QB or stack late-round value, the key to dominating your draft is flexibility. Let the draft come to you, use tools from Fantasy Nerds, and never underestimate the power of rushing quarterbacks.
