6 Fantasy Football Quarterback Draft Steals for 2026

Let's start a new fantasy football series here and look at draft steal and bust candidates at each position. We'll start with some draft steals at quarterback.

Check back for the draft bust article for quarterbacks, plus steal/bust articles for running backs, wide receivers and tight ends. I have a lot of quarterback draft steals I want to get to (and could have included others), so let's dive right in!

Fantasy football average draft position data can be found on FantasySP in the leadup to the 2026 NFL season! Conduct your fantasy football mock drafts through FantasySP too - you can now customize the scoring settings to tailor to your fantasy leagues!

Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams

Stafford is an obvious draft steal candidate after finishing as fantasy QB3 last season and sitting QB13 off draft boards so far. He is going near pick 102.

If you can even get him around pick 80, or maybe even a round or two earlier, Stafford could be a big-time draft steal. Stafford is likely to regress a bit, but his ADP is far too low right now.

Take advantage of his low ADP and get a possible high-end fantasy QB later in your fantasy draft.

Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence is another obvious draft steal candidate after finishing as fantasy QB4 last year. He sits 11th right now, going near pick 90 on average.

Lawrence ended last season hot, and if he picks up where he left off, another top-five finish is doable. He'd be a big-time draft steal as a result.

I'd be happy to take Lawrence near his ADP - if you get him even later, that's great for your fantasy team's outlook. I see Lawrence shining again and outperforming his draft stock at least a little bit.

Bo Nix - Denver Broncos

Nix is QB15 right now, going at about pick 108. He was QB7 last season, so again, this seems pretty obvious.

The injury he suffered before the end of the postseason last year is a bit concerning, but there's no concern about his availability this season. If Nix plays all year, he could easily outperform his ADP, so he could be a huge draft steal if he stays healthy in 2026.

I expect his ADP to rise as the season nears, but if you are drafting soon, take advantage of his low ADP and get a possible weekly starter when teams are taking backup fantasy QBs.

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions

Goff was fantasy QB9 last season. He currently sits 16th among QBs in drafts, going near pick 115 on average.

While the chance for him to greatly outperform that draft slot isn't as great as some of the other QBs we've already mentioned, I think the value with Goff is stellar. Detroit should be a good offense again in 2026, and with the team losing David Montgomery, I see more on Goff's plate.

Goff has been a steady fantasy performer over the past few seasons, so he's a pretty safe and affordable pick at that ADP. Get him as a QB2 and you might end up starting him most weeks depending on your first QB choice.

Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers

Purdy is currently the 14th fantasy QB off draft boards, going near pick 104 so far. He was outside the top 20 last year, but barely, and that was while only playing nine regular season games.

Injuries are lowering his ADP, and I think it's creating a great draft value for the Niners' QB. I'd be happy to snag him as a QB2 near that ADP, and again, you might end up starting Purdy more than your first choice in 2026.

The Niners' offense is going to look a little different this year, but I like the group of playmakers around Purdy, so if he stays healthy, I see him outproducing his ADP pretty easily.

Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers

Love is the last fantasy QB I'm going to discuss, even though I could highlight several others going after him. He is QB17 right now, going near pick 127 on average. Love was QB15 last season, and that was while missing a couple regular season games.

Love had a great TD-to-INT ratio, and had arguably his best season last year. I think there's a good chance he improves again in 2026. The Packers' offense has playmakers all over the place, and as others age/mature, I think Love's value grows too.

Love is going as a backup fantasy QB, and I think he will be a good starting option most weeks. Getting him near that ADP could be a big-time draft steal, and be a major help to your fantasy team.