- QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert’s new scheme will help him produce career-best numbers.
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The overall QB1 will almost assuredly be the highest-scoring fantasy asset in the 2026 NFL season. While popular chalk options deservedly sit atop most rankings, players typically occupying the position’s mid-tier can improve their fantasy standing when things break their way.
The article below breaks down three contenders for the overall QB1 finish. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert are all in play to be the position’s top scorer.
Allen’s, Maye’s and Herbert’s 2025 data
| Metric | Josh Allen | Drake Maye | Justin Herbert |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFF Offensive Grade | 90.6 | 81.1 | 78.4 |
| Weeks 1-17 Total Fantasy Points | 374.8 (QB2) | 343.2 (QB2) | 299.9 (QB9) |
| Weeks 1-17 Fantasy Points Per Game | 23.4 | 21.5 | 18.7 |
| QB1 Season Streak | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Reg. Season Comp./Att. – Yards – TD – INT | 319/460 – 3,668 – 25 – 10 | 354/492 – 4,394 – 31 – 8 | 340/512 – 3,727 – 26 – 13 |
| Reg. Season Rush Att. – Yards – TD – Fum. | 112 – 579 – 14 – 6 | 103 – 450 – 4 – 3 | 83 – 498 – 2 – 4 |
| OL PFF Pass-Blocking Grade | 73.4 | 72.2 | 53.0 |
| Team PFF Receiving Grade | 74.9 | 84.6 | 72.3 |
Allen has finished as the overall QB1 or QB2 every year since 2020. Maye is entering his third NFL season. Herbert is heading into his first year with a forward-thinking offensive coordinator.
Buffalo replaced defensive-minded former head coach Sean McDermott by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Bills general manager Brandon Beane overpaid to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore in exchange for a second-round pick before drafting talented rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell in Round 4. He earned an 85.1 PFF receiving grade last year. Moore secured a career-worst 67.9 PFF receiving grade last year, though questions remain as to his 2025 effort level.
Brady served as Moore’s offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers from 2020-21. The familiarity is a plus.
Beat reporter Matt Bové believes Brady will increase the team’s downfield passing attempts this season. Buffalo’s personnel upgrades and Brady’s potential schematic changes only reinforce Allen’s status as an elite QB1.
Last year’s overall QB2, Maye enters his third NFL season and second in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme. McDaniels recently said his offense is “going to push the tempo” this year.
The Patriots’ 2.4% tempo rank ties for dead last among NFL offenses in 2025, and their 64.6 offensive plays per game rank 17th. The New Orleans Saints’ 19.2% tempo rate ranks first by 7.3%. If McDaniels can at least triple New England’s tempo rate, it would significantly increase Maye’s fantasy-scoring ceiling.
Among 17 NFL quarterbacks with at least 50 rushing attempts in 2025, Allen’s 43.7% first-down and/or touchdown conversion rate placed fourth. Herbert’s 39.8% was sixth, while Maye’s 37.1% slotted ninth.
Herbert is an underrated scrambler. He possesses the requisite rushing upside to finish as the overall QB1 this season.
As detailed in “Best environments for 2026 fantasy football purposes, Part 1,” “The Los Angeles Chargers hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator this offseason. It will be remembered as the NFL’s best offseason hire. McDaniel’s fullback-centric offensive scheme features play action, plus shifts and motion, and is a perfect fit for quarterback Justin Herbert’s quick-passing strengths.”
The Los Angeles pass-catching corps is dotted with exceptional post-catch producers, and general manager Joe Hortiz boosted the unit with McDaniel’s handpicked fourth-round rookie, wide receiver Brenen Thompson. He earned a 79.9 PFF receiving grade last year.
Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in August 2025. His accolades include a spot on the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team, two Pro Bowl nods and one second-team All-Pro spot. Among 66 NFL offensive tackles with at least 1,750 offensive snaps from 2021-24, Slater’s 87.8 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks fifth.
Chargers right tackle Joe Alt was moved to left tackle following Slater’s season-ending injury. Alt suffered a right high-ankle sprain in Week 4. He missed Weeks 5-7, returned in Week 8 and aggravated the high-ankle sprain in Week 9, leading to season-ending surgery. Among 89 NFL offensive tackles with at least 300 offensive snaps in 2025, Alt’s 82.3 PFF pass-blocking grade tied for sixth.
Herbert averaged 7.6 yards per passing attempt in games where Alt started and 6.9 in games without Alt. Similarly, Herbert’s 288 pressured dropbacks were the most among NFL quarterbacks in 2025, and his 60 sacks were the second-most. He suffered a left, non-throwing-hand fracture in Week 13, leading to an in-season surgery. He missed no time and wore a cumbersome protective device.
Both offensive tackles were cleared to practice last week. Herbert should be expected to post career-best passing numbers this season, playing behind a healthy offensive line in a significantly upgraded offensive scheme.
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