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2022 Fantasy Football QB Rankings & Tiers — McFarland

Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) moves out to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking players by position is integral to fantasy football preparation, but grouping them into tiers is crucial to identifying the value you might be leaving in the draft room. For example, if you're on the clock and looking at several quarterbacks in the same tier, it could make sense to wait until the next round — someone equally as worthy may be available with your next pick.

Tiers can also help group players with similar expectations based on upside and floor. Most importantly, we don't want to pay more than the next drafter for a similar player.

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ADP = includes ESPN, RTSports, Fantrax and Sleeper PPR data per Fantasy Pros

FFPC ADP = Football Guys Players championship; tight end premium data per Fantasy Mojo

Last updated: Aug. 24, 2022
Tier Rank Pos ADP Ovr ADP FFPC Pos ADP FFPC Ovr ADP Player Team
1A 1 1 25 1 40 Josh Allen Bills
1A 2 5 62 5 75 Kyler Murray Cardinals
1B 3 4 51 4 69 Lamar Jackson Ravens
1B 4 3 36 2 55 Justin Herbert Chargers
1B 5 2 35 3 60 Patrick Mahomes Chiefs
1B 6 7 69 6 76 Jalen Hurts Eagles
1B 7 13 106 8 96 Trey Lance 49ers
1C 8 6 63 7 89 Joe Burrow Bengals
1C 9 9 79 10 112 Tom Brady Buccaneers
1C 10 10 82 9 103 Russell Wilson Broncos
2A 11 8 76 11 118 Dak Prescott Cowboys
2A 12 12 95 12 136 Matthew Stafford Rams
2A 13 11 93 14 144 Aaron Rodgers Packers
2A 14 14 109 13 137 Derek Carr Raiders
2A 15 15 116 15 153 Kirk Cousins Vikings
2B 16 17 138 18 182 Justin Fields Bears
2C 17 16 127 17 179 Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins
2C 18 18 142 16 169 Trevor Lawrence Jaguars
2C 19 22 172 29 217 Mac Jones Patriots
2C 20 21 171 22 198 Jameis Winston Saints
2C 21 26 210 24 202 Daniel Jones Giants
2C 22 29 221 28 215 Jared Goff Lions
2C 23 27 213 31 219 Baker Mayfield Panthers
2D 24 23 176 32 223 Ryan Tannehill Titans
2D 25 20 164 21 197 Matt Ryan Colts
2D 26 25 204 30 219 Carson Wentz Commanders
2D 27 28 217 23 199 Davis Mills Texans
3A 28 32 272 33 224 Marcus Mariota Falcons
3A 29 24 195 34 230 Zach Wilson Jets
3A 30 34 304 20 195 Mitchell Trubisky Steelers
3A 31 19 157 25 209 Deshaun Watson Browns
3B 32 35 318 0 0 Geno Smith Seahawks
3B 33 31 263 27 212 Kenny Pickett Steelers
3B 34 36 325 0 0 Jacoby Brissett Browns
3B 35 33 297 0 0 Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers
3B 35 37 329 19 194 Desmond Ridder Falcons
3B 36 39 359 0 0 Drew Lock Seahawks

TIER 1A – GREAT PASSING/GREAT RUSHING OPTIONS

This tier represents the two players with 4,500 passing yards and 750 rushing yards, reasonably within their range of outcomes.

Josh Allen is one of them, the reigning back-to-back fantasy football QB1. In addition, the Bills love to throw the ball well above league average in all game scripts, which insulates the fifth-year starter's production profile in a way that only a few other quarterbacks experience.

  • Trailing by four or more points: 4th
  • Within 3 points: 1st
  • Leading by four or more points: 4th

Allen’s receiving corps isn’t as strong as some other quarterback options, but Stefon Diggs is an elite option who can work against all coverage types. Gabriel Davis had moments that created optimism over the past two seasons, but his underlying metrics don’t scream “breakout season.”

Buffalo didn’t spend an early draft pick on a receiver, but the team did add receiving-back James Cook in the second round and slot receiver Khalil Shakir in the fifth round.

There is no doubt that Allen deserves to be the QB1 in drafts. The challenge is how much earlier he goes than similar dual-threat options. To get Allen, you must pass on a high-end running back or wide receiver, which makes it prohibitive to draft him at cost.

Allen’s receiving depth chart:

Wide Receiver: Diggs, Davis, Jamison Crowder, Isaiah McKenzie, Khalil Shakir
Tight End: Dawson Knox, O.J. Howard

Kyler Murray‘s passing production is on an upward trajectory
2019 2020 2021
Passing yards per game 232 248 271
PFF passing grade 61.1 77.2 88.1
Adjusted completion % 74% 77% 78%
Yards per attempt 6.9 7.1 7.9
Touchdowns per attempt 3.7% 4.7% 5.0%

The Cardinals looked to keep the momentum going on draft day by making a trade for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Murray’s former Oklahoma teammate. The fourth-year receiver has eclipsed the 20% TPRR mark in all three NFL seasons, including a career-high 22% in 2021.

Murray's receiving depth chart:

Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Brown, Rondale Moore, A.J. Green
Tight End: Zach Ertz, Trey McBride

Hopkins battled injuries all of 2021 before shutting things down early. If he returns to his 2020 form, this could be a lethal aerial assault, and the Cardinals’ schedule is loaded with shootout potential.

Murray is one of only a handful of quarterbacks with the upside to take on 20% to 25% of his team's rushing volume. The former No. 1 overall selection already has an 822-yard rushing season (2020) — meaning a 4,500-yard passing and 750-yard rushing season is in his range of outcomes.

Murray is a centerpiece quarterback to build your draft strategy around in 2022.

TIER 1B – ELITE PASSING/ABOVE-AVERAGE OR ELITE RUSHING OPTIONS

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