Fantasy Football 2025: Draft Strategy for Two-QB Leagues

Sport: NFL

Not all fantasy football leagues are created equal. Ultimately, the key is to find the league that best fits you and what you’re looking for. This should be a personal decision, and the answer differs based on who’s providing the response. From my perspective, there’s nothing wrong with some variety to keep things fresh. One way to do that is to play in a Two QB league. Being forced to start two quarterbacks certainly changes how you build and manage your team. Let’s take a look at some items that are more specific to two QB draft strategy.

Two Quarterback Draft Strategy

Points are Points

Yes, you have to start two quarterbacks each week. I mean it makes sense since we are talking about two-QB draft strategy, but we can’t let that thought paralyze you. It does sound counterintuitive to a point, but let me explain.

At the end of the day, the objective here is to score more points than your opponent. It’s ok if both of your quarterbacks are outscored each week, but if you have the advantage at running back and wide receiver by a larger margin, victory is yours. While we can’t ignore the fact that you need two quarterbacks, just treat them like any other position. Know the player pool and draft the player that makes sense for your roster in each round. Ultimately, it’s all about following a strategy that allows you to draft the most possible points.

Playing Time Matters

Each team only has one starting quarterback. Depending on league size and if there are bye weeks, things can get thin very quickly when looking at quarterbacks. When drafting, you need to be confident that your quarterbacks will be on the field each week for the duration of the season.

This isn’t the situation where you draft and stash a young player with upside to use in a month. If there’s room on your bench and you already have two legitimate starters, and potentially a reserve option, than that’s a different conversation. But your starters, along with your QB3, shouldn’t have any obstacles towards starting in each week of the season. Veterans that have a tenuous hold on the job also have to be devalued here. The replacement value is a lot less, or potentially non-existent, when compared to standard leagues.

Avoid Committees

We want certainty. Having to guess who will start each week isn’t ideal. It’s all not conducive to strong roster management. In these leagues, it’s difficult and also counterproductive to depth at other positions as well, to have more quarterbacks on your bench than you really need.

Don’t Reach

Just because you need to start two quarterbacks, it doesn’t mean you have to have the position filled in the first four rounds. You should build your draft board within the 2-QB draft strategy, but then you need to follow it. Reaching for a quarterback means you let a strong running back or wide receiver slide past you. That’s detrimental to the overall success of your team.

Health Matters

While we can’t also predict and forecast injuries, there are some quarterbacks who seem to be predisposition to spending time on the sidelines with injury. This is likely built into their draft price, but it’s prudent to look elsewhere. Relying on a quarterback that’s likely to get injured based on their track record sets you up for a scramble all season.

Follow the Board

In the first round, draft the best available player. Depending on where you are in the round, it’s very possible that could be a quarterback. However, each league is different. In some leagues, the majority of quarterbacks could be off the board by the third round. Other leagues might slow play things a little bit.

Ultimately, it becomes a game of chicken. If you are on either end of the draft with a long time between picks, it becomes that much more difficult to wait. But at the same time, if there are 15 suitable options available, don’t jump into drafting one.

Break the quarterbacks into tiers and further highlight who you are willing to roster. Use this as your guide for when to pounce at the position. In the race to start two quarterbacks each week, you can’t forget about the rest of the team you also are building. If your draft position allows for it, let your league mates determine how quarterbacks are drafted.

Don’t Draft Quarterbacks Back-to-Back

If you are doing this in the second and third round then perhaps I can be convinced otherwise. That’s certainly the case as we get to the third and fourth round if you are drafting your two starters. However, drafting a quarterback in both the first and second round is not something I’d look to do.

The drop off at quarterback if you wait to secure your second starter isn’t as great as what you’ll see at running back or wide receiver. You can’t lose sight of drafting top options at both of those positions.

Know the Tiers at Running Back and Wide Receiver

When considering how to address the quarterback position, it’s important to know the opportunity cost you are giving up in other areas. Compare this to that at quarterback to truly make the best selection.

Stream Tight End

There are only so many positions you can target. When you are only drafting one quarterback, it’s a lot easier to let the draft come to you and wait on your signal caller. In 2 QB leagues though, it’s clear that we don’t have the same luxury. You likely need to make up ground at running back and wide receiver, so targeting a top tight end becomes that much more difficult. There’s also less of a benefit from a projected points perspective to do so here at the risk of missing out on your top running backs and wide receivers. Instead, target upside and be prepared to churn your tight ends.

For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!