If you’re still checking your 2025 draft board to make decisions in January 2026, you’ve already lost. Fantasy football—especially as we hit the Divisional Round of the playoffs—is a completely different beast than it was in September. The "rest of season" window is now a microscopic, high-stakes sprint. Honestly, the names at the top of the rest of season qb rankings right now might make you double-check your screen, but the data from the 2025 regular season doesn't lie.
Drake Maye is a superstar. That’s not hyperbole; it’s just what the numbers say. While everyone was busy drafting Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson in the early rounds, Maye was quietly putting up a historic sophomore campaign in New England.
We saw a massive shift this year. Rushing production from the quarterback position actually dipped across the league, making those pure "Konami Code" players a bit more vulnerable than we’re used to. If you didn't adjust, you likely finished in the basement of your league.
The Elite Tier: Who Actually Wins You a Title?
When we look at the current landscape, the hierarchy has shifted. It’s not just about who has the biggest arm anymore. It's about system familiarity and, surprisingly, staying healthy through a brutal 18-week schedule.
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1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
He is still the king. Period. Allen finished as the QB1 overall again, and there’s no reason to think he’ll slow down in the playoffs. He’s the only player in NFL history to post 25+ passing touchdowns and 10+ rushing scores while keeping his interceptions under 10 in a single season. The floor is just too high to ignore. In the Divisional Round against Denver, he's the safest bet in the world.
2. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
If you told me a year ago that Maye would eclipse Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen in efficiency, I would’ve called you crazy. But here we are. Under Josh McDaniels, Maye finished the 2025 regular season with 4,203 passing yards and a blistering 8.9 yards per attempt. He’s not just a pocket passer either; he’s added a scramble element—averaging over 6 carries per game—that makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. He just shredded the Jets for 5 touchdowns in Week 17. He’s the real deal.
3. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
Stafford is basically a fine wine at this point. At 37 years old, he just led the NFL in passing yards with 4,707. The Rams' offense is a juggernaut, and Stafford’s chemistry with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp is almost telepathic. Even with a minor finger injury heading into the matchup against Chicago, he’s a must-start. The Bears' defense ranked 31st against QBs to end the year. Stafford is going to eat.
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4. Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)
I’ll admit, I was a skeptic. Lawrence had been regressing, but the arrival of Liam Coen changed everything. He finished 2025 as the QB4 in total fantasy points. He’s finally playing with the consistency we expected when he was drafted first overall. He’s mobile enough to snag a rushing TD and accurate enough to distribute the ball to a healthy Travis Hunter.
Why the "Safe" Picks Failed This Year
Patrick Mahomes is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and LCL. It’s a gut-punch for the Chiefs and fantasy managers alike. He’s aiming for Week 1 of 2026, but for the rest of this season, he’s obviously a non-factor. This opens up a massive void in the rankings that was filled by some truly unexpected names.
Sam Darnold resurrected his career in Seattle. You read that right. Darnold finished as a top-15 QB and is currently a viable starter for the Seahawks in their divisional clash with the 49ers, oblique injury notwithstanding.
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Then there’s the Lamar Jackson situation. Lamar is always a threat, but the Baltimore offense is in a state of flux with coaching changes looming. His rushing yards took a hit this year, which lowered his ceiling significantly compared to the 2023-2024 era. He’s still a QB1, but he’s no longer the "cheat code" he once was.
Navigating the Playoff Matchups
Matchups matter more than talent when you're down to the final eight teams. For example, Bo Nix has been surprisingly consistent for Denver, but he faces a Buffalo defense that has been a brick wall for the second half of the year.
- Caleb Williams (Bears): He’s had his ups and downs, but fitting into Ben Johnson’s system has stabilized his value. He's a fringe Top 10 guy right now.
- Dak Prescott (Cowboys): Bankable volume. He doesn't run, but he’ll throw 40 times a game. If George Pickens is healthy, Dak is a top-5 ceiling play.
- Brock Purdy (49ers): People still call him a "system guy," but when the system results in 20 touchdowns over 8 games, who cares? He’s efficient and rarely makes the mistake that kills your week.
The Strategy for Late-Season Success
You’ve got to be aggressive on the waiver wire even this late. If you’re playing in leagues that extend into the playoffs, or if you're playing DFS, look at the guys who are peaking. Jaxson Dart in New York is a name to watch for next year—he finished as the QB3 in points per game as a rookie. That’s insane.
The "Late-Round QB" strategy actually worked better in 2025 than it has in years. We saw 15 different quarterbacks average over 20 points per game. In 2024, that number was only six. The parity at the position is at an all-time high, which means you don't have to overpay for a name brand.
Actionable Next Steps for Managers:
- Check the Injury Reports Daily: Specifically, watch Matthew Stafford’s finger and Sam Darnold’s oblique. If Darnold sits, the Seattle offense becomes a complete fade.
- Ignore the Name, Trust the Volume: Drake Maye is currently a better fantasy asset than Lamar Jackson. It sounds wrong, but the 8.9 YPA doesn't lie.
- Target the Bears' Opponents: Chicago's secondary was a sieve to end the year. Whoever is playing them is a smash start.
- Prioritize Passing Volume: With league-wide rushing yards for QBs down, look for the guys with 35+ pass attempts per game like Dak and Stafford.
The 2025-2026 season has been a wild ride of rookie breakouts and veteran resurgences. If you want to stay ahead in your rest of season qb rankings, you have to stop looking at what these guys did three years ago and start looking at who they are right now in January.