As 2QB leagues become more popular, articles like this become more important. In standard 1QB leagues, managers tend to (with a few exceptions) wait on QB and TE since you only play one of each and instead load up on RB and WR. But 2QB leagues are a little different. You go into the draft knowing that you have to start two quarterbacks so the way you approach the position changes, impacting how you view the other positions and how you build your roster. Quarterbacks get pushed up, while other positions get pushed down. Still, there is some debate about the right approach to a 2QB league. While there is no definitive right way to do it, I will be discussing how I like to approach this type of draft.
Don’t Overvalue QBs
This may seem like an odd perspective when the very nature of a 2QB league means that QBs hold more value than in your traditional 1QB league, but hear me out. I understand the instinct to prioritize QBs in the first two rounds since they do tend to score more points on average than any other position, and with several QBs coming off the board early, it’s easy to panic. But prioritizing QB too much could compromise the overall strength of your team. I’m not saying that you should bypass the position altogether in the first two rounds, but going back-to-back could be a mistake. Typically, the QBs selected in the first two rounds will give you an advantage, but ignoring other positions completely could leave you shallow at those positions. If the elite QBs are taken before you pick, it is a smart idea to pivot away from the position. The difference in scoring between those at the top of the middle-tier of QBs and those at the bottom is marginal so getting an elite player at another position can give you a better chance of winning. If you do land someone like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes in the first round then be patient with your second QB and use a value-based system, taking advantage of falling values at other positions.
What’s The Right Number Of QBs
When it comes to the number of QBs you should roster in a 2QB league, there is no right answer. But I typically prefer to roster four. However, some things can influence that number. First of all, the size of your league will be important. If you’re in a smaller league (10 teams) then there will be enough starting QBs to go around, but if you’re in a larger league then the QB pool is much thinner, which increases the value of rostering more QBs. The size of your bench will also play a role. If you have a larger bench, then it is wise to take advantage of it because you will be able to add QBs without sacrificing depth at other key positions. But if you play in a league with a shallow bench then that may not be possible. If you’re playing in a typical 12-team 2QB league with a large bench, try to get that fourth QB. You can succeed with three QBs but having four provides more flexibility for bye weeks and injuries. It also allows you to play the matchups and have some leverage in trade negotiations. Pay attention to bye weeks. It’s easy to overlook bye weeks when you get caught up in the momentum of a live draft, but that can be extremely detrimental to your success, especially if you only choose to roster three QBs.
Know The Possible Sleepers
If you choose to take my advice and roster four QBs, then you will have to target a sleeper or two, but how do you identify a sleeper? First (and most importantly) know your scoring settings and how they impact the QB position. Does your league reward four points or six points for passing TDs? How much do they penalize the QB for throwing an interception? How many passing yards are needed per point? All these things will have an impact on the value of the QB and as a result, will change how you approach your draft. The next thing you’ll want to look at is their rushing ability. QBs with the ability to gain yards and score on the ground are more valuable in leagues that award four points for each passing touchdown than in those that award six.
Last season Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts were the top two fantasy QBs in large part due to their dual-threat capability. Allen scored 136.4 points on the ground, and Hurts scored 150.5, which was 33.2% and 40.5% of their overall total, respectively. The last two major things to consider are offensive scheme and age. Generally, you want QBs in pass-heavy offenses, but there are exceptions. Brock Purdy was in a low-volume, but very efficient offense last year and finished as QB6. Also, younger QBs often have more upside, while experienced veterans provide consistency. Balancing the potential of younger players in later rounds with the reliability of more seasoned veterans early in drafts is often a winning strategy.
Mock Draft, Mock Draft, Mock Draft
2QB leagues are arguably one of the most difficult formats to find success in. This is largely because it’s almost impossible to predict when runs on certain positions, especially QB, will happen. Because any run on a position will push the value of other positions down the board, it’s important to participate in as many mock drafts as possible so that you can play out different scenarios. Mock drafts are very good at simulating what you may experience in a real draft which can help you get a good idea of when certain positions and players are coming off the board. This will clue you into when you might want to be prepared to pivot so that you don’t miss out on top-tier options. This is why I don’t think going QB/QB in the first two rounds is wise. Historically, the difference between the top quarterback and the 10th-ranked quarterback has been much smaller compared to the top running back and 20th-ranked running back. By participating in mock drafts you get a feel for positional scarcity. This is especially true for QBs and will help you better understand how to build a more well-balanced competitive team. Plus, since it’s a mock draft you can make mistakes, so don’t be afraid to swing big and see how things go.
In the end, there are many ways to succeed in fantasy football regardless of format. While I believe the suggestions above are a good guide and a great start that is all they are: a start. You can never predict how a draft will go. It’s important to have a game plan going in, but stay flexible and be prepared to change your strategy if the draft dictates it.
