QB + TE Fantasy Football Draft Rankings & Tiers | Must-Have Targets & Busts To Avoid (Ep. 2018)

In this episode of the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Podcast, hosts Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Tara Roberts dive into early quarterback and tight end draft rankings for the 2026 season. They analyze the top 12 quarterbacks, debating the value of Lamar Jackson versus Drake May, with both experts favoring Jackson due to health concerns and schedule difficulty for May. Jalen Hurts is a divisive pick—while Pat and Chris question his high ranking due to declining rushing production and offensive changes, Tara defends him for his week-to-week consistency and trustworthiness. Caleb Williams is highlighted as a rising talent with significant upside, though his ceiling is tempered by a conservative offensive system. On the tight end side, the discussion centers on Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and Colson Loveland, with Pat favoring Bowers for his improved offensive context and target potential, while Tara supports McBride for his volume and Jacoby Brissett’s role. Kyle Pitts is seen as a potential breakout due to Kevin Stefanski’s tight end-friendly offense, and Travis Kelsey is viewed as a safe, low-upside fallback. The episode emphasizes strategic drafting, with a consensus to wait on quarterbacks and prioritize early investment in elite tight ends. Key takeaways include: 1) Wait on quarterbacks unless a top-tier player like Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow falls; 2) Prioritize elite tight ends like Bowers, McBride, or Pitts early; 3) Be cautious with Jalen Hurts due to declining rushing upside; 4) Caleb Williams offers high upside but comes with volatility; 5) Travis Kelsey is a reliable late-round safety net; 6) Use the Draft Simulator on FantasyPros.com to test strategies; 7) Monitor coaching changes and offensive schemes closely; 8) Trust consistency over upside in high-leverage positions. The overall tone is optimistic and strategic, with a focus on data-driven decisions and long-term planning.