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2-QB Draft Strategy (2024)

2-QB draft strategy is unique — especially compared to 1-QB strategy and even compared to superflex strategy.

Considering QB Supply vs. Demand

QB supply far outweighs demand in 1-QB leagues, where most leagues have 10 or 12 starters and fewer than 12 backups rostered.

The supply vs. demand equation tightens significantly in superflex leagues. Most teams start two QBs every week, meaning 20 or 24 QBs in starting lineups. And there are typically 32 QBs rostered — sometimes even more.

But superflex leagues at least give you the option to start a RB, WR, or TE in that superflex spot — even if it’s just in case of emergency.

That’s not the case in 2-QB leagues, where teams are required to start two QBs every week.

That changes the supply vs. demand calculation — and should change your draft strategy.

Finding Value in 2-QB Drafts

That doesn’t necessarily mean we change everything we know about optimal draft strategy in 2-QB leagues. We still want to be flexible and hunt for value, regardless of position, early in the draft. Then worry about filling positional needs later.

But where that value presents itself changes in 2-QB leagues.

Exactly how much does QB value change in 2-QB leagues vs. 1-QB and superflex leagues? We can answer that question precisely by looking at QB 3D values in each format.

There, of course, is no comparison between QB value in 1-QB and 2-QB leagues. But the differences in value between superflex and 2-QB are interesting. 

Let’s get into some of those differences – and what they mean for 2-QB draft strategy.

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 1: Prioritize Elite QBs

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but elite fantasy QBs are mega-valuable in 2-QB leagues.

If you look at our overall 2-QB league rankings, you’ll find a QB in four of the top five spots and eight of the first 11.

Landing one of these QBs – particularly Hurts, Allen, Mahomes, or Jackson – gives you a big weekly and season-long advantage over your competition.

Now, this does not mean that you need to spend your first-round pick on a QB no matter what. WR CeeDee Lamb, RB Christian McCaffrey, and WR Tyreek Hill are top-8 players in 2-QB leagues. (And WR Justin Jefferson checks in 12th.) All four are viable first-round picks if the value is right.

But our ADP Market Index shows that many of these elite QBs are actually being undervalued.

So it’s likely that your optimal 2-QB draft strategy will include grabbing an elite QB in Round 1. You might even find someone like Burrow, Richardson, or Prescott lingering in Round 2. Don’t be afraid to open with two QBs if the value is right.

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 2: Don’t Reach For Your QB2

You might feel pressure to quickly grab a second QB in your 2-QB league, especially if they start flying off the board.

But reaching for that second QB is one of the biggest mistakes we see drafters make in 2-QB leagues. There’s historically not a huge difference between the production you’ll get from, say, the 10th QB and 20th QB off the board. In 2024, that flat area of the rankings comes between QB12 and QB22.

You can see in the ADP Market Index that drafters are overvaluing a handful of QBs in this range.

There will certainly be pockets of value in this range. Just be patient in waiting for those pockets to present themselves. It might even make sense to just wait and grab one of the last few QBs in this big tier.

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 3: Be Aggressive in Getting a Third Starting QB

This is perhaps the biggest difference between 2-QB and superflex leagues.

Superflex leagues give you the flexibility to use a RB, WR, or TE in the superflex spot. It’s not ideal to do so, of course. But you at least have the option when you have a QB on bye or injured.

Not so in 2-QB leagues. If you don’t have a second QB available, you’re taking a 0 in that QB2 spot.

But in a 12-team league, there simply aren’t enough starting QBs to go around for every team to have three. So you should be aggressive in locking up that third starting QB.

Our 3D values agree. You can see the QBs in the back half of the top 32 – and particularly near the very bottom – climb in value.

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 4: Consider Rostering an NFL Backup

This one ultimately comes down to your specific league. But in leagues of 12+ teams with deep benches (think 8+ bench spots), it might make sense to stash an NFL backup with upside.

You might start that guy if he takes over – or use him as valuable trade bait.

Some backups to consider drafting in 2024:

• Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
• Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
• Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
• Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
• Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks
• Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
• Mike White, Miami Dolphins
• Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
• Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
• Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs
• Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia Eagles
• Josh Dobbs, San Francisco 49ers
• Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
• Desmond Ridder, Arizona Cardinals

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 5: Practice With Mock Drafts

2-QB drafts are unique. You can read all the 2-QB draft strategy articles you want, but the best way to prep is by practicing with mock drafts.

Of course, you need to make sure those mock drafts fit your 2-QB format. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time.

Our mock draft simulator can be customized to your exact league rules. You can then complete a mock draft against advanced AI in just a few minutes.

Practice from different draft spots. Test out different strategies. With enough reps, you’ll be the most prepared owner in your league.

2-QB Draft Strategy No. 6: Leverage Powerful Draft Tools

You might be wondering how you can execute all these 2-QB draft strategies during the heat of your draft.

And, to be honest, it’s nearly impossible without help from advanced draft tools.

Here are two tools that will help you draft a winning 2-QB team:

Live-Draft Sync

Live-draft sync pairs seamlessly with your league host site, pulling in starting-lineup requirements and scoring settings. During your draft, it automatically removes players as they’re selected, ensuring that you’re always looking at up-to-date rankings.

Draft War Room

The Draft War Room pairs that live-draft sync technology with a scientific algorithm to provide you updated and customized rankings. The rankings consider factors such as:

• Our award-winning projections
• Your league’s rules
• ADP
• Position scarcity
• Breakout potential
• Injury risk

Ready to Learn More About the Draft War Room?

Check out this quick video:

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.