4 Quarterbacks Who Could Bust at Their 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Cost

Yesterday, we discussed some fantasy football quarterback draft steal options, and today, we are back to go over some possible draft busts.

I was only able to identify four draft bust options, but we will go into more detail on why I believe those QBs could end up as busts, so we have plenty to discuss.

Check back in the coming days for draft steal/bust stories for running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

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!

Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Jackson is going the earliest in fantasy drafts among my four potential draft busts. He's the second quarterback taken, going near pick 45 so far.

Jackson finished as QB20 last season, with injuries playing a big role in that. He played 13 games, and had a few games cut short, so that's why his numbers lacked a season ago.

Little injuries have derailed a few seasons now for Jackson, which is part of the reason why he's on the draft bust list for me. He's been in the NFL for eight years now, and there's now been three occasions where he didn't play over 13 games. He's certainly a risky pick knowing that injury history, and it could turn him into a bust again in 2026.

Jackson is an intriguing fantasy QB because of his dual-threat ability. He's asked to do a lot for the Baltimore offense, and a big reason why is because the offense lacks high-end playmakers. Not much changed this offseason, but there were a few rookie wideouts taken who could help Jackson.

Don't get me wrong, when healthy, Jackson can be one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the game, but that injury history has me worried a little bit, and that lands him on this draft bust list going into 2026. I'd prefer to select him later in fantasy drafts, or just wait on my quarterback a bit longer.

Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders

Daniels is the next quarterback who I think could be a draft bust in 2026. He is currently QB5, going near pick 64 on average.

Daniels finished well outside the top-20 fantasy QBs last season. Again, injuries were a major issue, as he only played in seven games last year.

The dual-threat QB was great as a rookie, but now has injury issues after being battered in his second year. He certainly is capable of finishing in the top five at the position, but the injury issues concern me.

I also don't see a lot of room for Daniels to improve on his draft slot. If he's healthy all year, I expect him to be around that QB5 slot, but not much above it.

I think he'd be a much more valuable pick a couple rounds later. If he doesn't make it that far, look to draft another quarterback later on. I just don't look at Daniels as a must-start fantasy QB every week right now, so he has a higher chance to be a fantasy draft bust than a draft steal in 2026.

Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts is the next draft bust option. He's the sixth quarterback drafted so far, going near pick 68.

Hurts finished as QB8 a season ago. He made 16 starts, so that was an underwhelming finish for the once high-end fantasy QB.

The Eagles' offense lost A.J. Brown this offseason, and while the team added some playmakers to the mix, I don't see how the Eagles' offense isn't in worse shape now - that works against Hurts.

So after a QB8 season, to see him going as QB6 doesn't make a ton of sense to me, and sets Hurts up to be a draft bust. Again, I'd be OK taking him a couple rounds later, but if he doesn't make it there, just look elsewhere for QB help.

I think fantasy owners would be better off waiting on Hurts, not drafting him near pick 70.

Jaxson Dart - New York Giants

Dart is the final draft bust I'd like to discuss here. He's the eighth quarterback taken overall, going near pick 86 so far. 

He was QB13 last season, which was pretty impressive given he only made 12 starts (and appeared in 14 games overall). Dart emerged as another dual-threat fantasy QB, and was a solid option most weeks.

I like what Dart brings to the table, and what he could become, but being the eighth QB taken right now, I don't love that value. Again, I don't think it leaves much room for him to exceed his draft expectations.

If he falls past pick 100, then I think there's some value with Dart. I just don't love the idea of getting him near his current ADP, and I'd bet that goes up, not down, before the season kicks off.

Give me two fantasy QBs being drafted well past pick 100 over grabbing Dart near pick 85. It's all about value, and especially at a tough fantasy spot to get great value out of, I'm a fan of passing on Dart unless he falls a couple rounds.