The game of fantasy football has evolved over the years. We’ve gone from non-PPR scoring and 1QB leagues being the “default” settings to a wide range of scoring and lineup options. Fantasy leagues have replaced team defenses/special teams for individual defensive players (IDP), kickers for an extra flex spot, and even a second matchup against the median score every week.

However, the biggest change in the game has arguably been the move from 1QB to superflex leagues. Some fantasy leagues still only have one quarterback slot in your lineup. However, there are more fantasy leagues every year that add a superflex spot to their starting lineup. So, how much does that extra starting spot impact your fantasy draft plans? More than you would think.

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Superflex Fantasy Football Draft Guide

What are Superflex Leagues?

Superflex leagues are like any other fantasy league, except for one exception. Unlike regular flex spots, superflex spots allow you to play a quarterback in that slot. While you do not have to start a quarterback in your superflex spot, you will want to, even if the quarterback isn’t an elite fantasy player.

The quarterback position is extremely valuable in superflex leagues. The QB20 will outscore a typical RB2 or WR2 most weeks. Joshua Dobbs was the QB20 last season despite playing in only 13 contests, averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game. He averaged more fantasy points per game than all but five wide receivers and four running backs in half-point PPR scoring. While starting Dobbs wasn’t the most appealing option, it was the correct move to make for your fantasy team statistically for several weeks.

Does Size Matter?

Without a doubt, size matters. Your draft strategy should change in a fantasy league with only eight teams compared to one with 14. In a 10-team or smaller league, every team could draft three starting NFL quarterbacks. However, in 12 or more team leagues, some teams will only have two (or one) starting quarterbacks. Between injuries and bye weeks, you want to leave your draft with at least three quarterbacks, ideally four. The bigger the league, the more emphasis you should put on drafting quarterbacks early.

Traditionally, fantasy experts recommend waiting till the later rounds to draft a quarterback or stream the position. However, that rule mainly applies in 1QB leagues. If you try that approach in superflex leagues, you won’t be eliminated from the playoffs before the start of Week 1. Yet, it’s far more difficult to build a consistent contender without strong quarterback production.

Different Types of Strategies

The Two-Quarterback Start

In this strategy, you spend your first two picks on quarterbacks. Doing this will guarantee you two excellent starting options and lessen the need for a strong QB3. However, this also comes with downside. If you start your draft going with back-to-back quarterbacks, it will impact the strength of the rest of your roster. You will not get a top-tier running back or wide receiver, thus putting a ton of pressure on your quarterbacks to perform. If they bust or get injured, your season is over before the playoffs begin.

The best time to use this strategy is when you have an early first-round pick. With a top 2-3 pick, you can secure a superstar like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. In the second round, you can still grab a top-15 quarterback. Then you’re quickly back on the clock in the third round and can still land a solid WR1 like Marvin Harrison Jr. or Drake London.

Two Quarterbacks in the First Four

This strategy is my favorite to use in superflex drafts. You get your two starting quarterbacks early but can still add a top-tier running back and pass-catcher to your roster. Ideally, you grab a quarterback or a superstar wide receiver in the first round. If I have a top-six pick, I’m selecting a quarterback. After that, I would draft an elite wide receiver before a quarterback in the first round.

Ideally, you want to use this strategy if you have an early first-round pick. You can grab a top quarterback in the first round and get a top-10 wide receiver in the second round. Then you can draft a star running or tight end in the third round and your second quarterback in the fourth.

Furthermore, you can adjust this strategy depending on how your league mates draft. You can grab your second quarterback in the third round if there is a run on the position. However, you could wait until the fifth round to draft your QB2 if the rest of your league mates are letting quarterbacks slide. You have to be flexible using this strategy.

Hero Quarterback

Everyone has heard of the Hero-RB strategy. You take a stud in the first round of your draft and then wait till the middle rounds and load up on running backs there. The mindset is to have your plug-and-play RB1 and fill your RB2 slot based on the best matchup/situation each week. You can do similarly with quarterbacks in a superflex league.

While this strategy sounds ideal, it does come with some risks. Your league mates could start a run on quarterbacks, forcing you to break away from this strategy. If you decide to ignore the run, you could end up with a sup-par quarterback situation. Furthermore, your season could be over if your hero quarterback suffers a multiple-week or season-ending injury. You could get left with a quarterback unit of a low-end starter like Russell Wilson and a top backup like Jameis Winston or Joshua Dobbs.

Final Thoughts

You should always know your league’s scoring system before drafting. However, it matters even more in superflex leagues. Four points per passing touchdown and one fantasy point for every 25 passing yards scoring systems mean you want to target quarterbacks with rushing upside. Two early draft targets are Lamar Jackson and Anthony Richardson.

Even if your league’s scoring system is six points per passing touchdown and one fantasy point for every 20 passing yards, you should still target quarterbacks with rushing upside. However, pocket passers like Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins have more value in this scoring system.

Also, don’t turn your nose down at “ugly” quarterbacks. Yes, Baker Mayfield and Matthew Stafford aren’t the most appealing quarterbacks to roster. However, both averaged more than 16 fantasy points per game last season. By comparison, Puka Nacua was the WR4 in 2023, averaging 14.5 half-point fantasy points per game. Remember, always play a starting quarterback in your superflex spot if possible.

All 32 starting quarterbacks will get drafted in your superflex leagues. Several of the top backups and rookies will also get picked. In total, you could have up to 42 quarterbacks drafted in your superflex leagues, depending on the league size and the playing experience of your league mates. Several of the top backup quarterbacks could get picked. Furthermore, any rookie quarterback with a chance to start this year will likely get drafted. So be prepared for little or no options on the waiver wire at the quarterback position.

The depth at the quarterback position is very thin in superflex leagues. Plan ahead and pick 3-4 quarterbacks during the draft or save your free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) or waiver priority for when a starter becomes available on the waiver wire.

Now, that doesn’t mean ignoring the popular running back Week 1 waiver wire target. Instead, avoid using a big chunk of your FAAB or the top waiver priority on a two-week filler at running back or a streaming tight end. Save it for when you need it to secure a quarterback.

More Fantasy Football Draft Advice

• Erickson’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
• Fitz’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
• DBro’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
• Hoppen’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.