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🏆 The three QBs I'm avoiding in drafts this year and why

All three have paths to elite production, but the opportunity cost is too high when you can secure similar value later in drafts. JOIN PFF+ ANALYSIS FANTASY MDS RANKINGS

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July 21, 2026 3:14pm EDT

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Lamar Jackson is a Clear Fade at ADP

Lamar Jackson has two of the best fantasy seasons by a quarterback all time, but more often than not, he's ranked outside the top six in points per game. It's hard to expect him to return to those statistical heights with how much has changed in Baltimore.

The Ravens have lost center Tyler Linderbaum, tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and fullback Patrick Ricard. Three of the players Jackson depends on most, Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews and Ronnie Stanley, will all be 31 or older by the start of the season, and each has already seen his grades decline.

Most notably, Jackson's rushing production, the thing that made him so special and so dependable for fantasy purposes, has steadily declined. Injuries played a role last season, but the drop-off started back in 2022 and hasn't stopped since. Factor in the opportunity cost of taking him over a third-round running back or wide receiver, with so many good quarterbacks available several rounds later, and it makes sense to pass on Jackson and the rest of the top tier and wait.

Check out the other quarterbacks I'm avoiding this season here.

Also, if anyone is at the Fantasy Football Expo in Canton, Ohio this weekend, say hello. I'll be in the King's Classic draft on Saturday and the Expert Mock Draft on Sunday, and I'll be around for the rest of the festivities. I'll be the one in the PFF hat.

Nathan Jahnke

Lead Fantasy Football Analyst

SEE WHICH QBs TO AVOID

Five Late-Round Sleepers to Target

Greg Dulcich ranked third among all tight ends in yards per route run last season — and he did it as a situational player in Miami. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both gone, the Dolphins' GM is already pointing to Dulcich as the player poised to lead the team in targets. Nathan breaks down Dulcich and four other late-round names currently being left on the board that shouldn't be.

SEE NATHAN'S FULL SLEEPER LIST

Three Early-Round RBs to Avoid in Drafts

Omarion Hampton has the talent to be a top-10 fantasy back — but his backfield is getting crowded fast. Kimani Vidal was already a factor, and the Chargers just added Keaton Mitchell to the mix. Nathan breaks down the touch share risk threatening Hampton's early-round price tag, plus two more backs currently going in Rounds 1-3 that carry more risk than their ADPs reflect.

SEE THE RBs TO FADE EARLY

Every Format. Every Position. One Rankings Page.

The PFF fantasy rankings tool covers every format you draft in — PPR, Half-PPR, Standard, Dynasty and Best Ball. Back this season: IDP rankings, now built by Nathan, who has finished top-10 in FantasyPros' in-season accuracy competition for IDP in six consecutive years. Whether you're in a traditional redraft league or a long-running dynasty league, the rankings you need are all in one place and updated throughout the offseason.

VIEW THE RANKINGS

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Nathan's updated PPR top 200 rankings📊

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DEF/ST rankings and tiers for your draft 🛡️

The Rams are Nathan's top fantasy defense after an aggressive offseason. Six defenses make his top tier.

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PFF+ gives you Nathan Jahnke's rankings and analysis all season long, plus the tools to win your league: Fantasy Mock Draft Simulator, Player Comparison Tool, Live Draft Assistant, League Sync with start/sit advice, and premium stats that go deeper than anywhere else.

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🏆 The three QBs I'm avoiding in drafts this year and why

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