Fantasy football rankings: Eric Karabell's quarterback tiers

Fantasy football drafts are all about value, supply and demand and, to some degree, just plain going with your gut. Anyone can see the raw stats from last season, project ahead and make those numbers tell the story they desire, but there must be something more that separates how we choose the players. Relying in part on a positional tiered system can be of the utmost help during those pressurized moments in a draft when the clock is ticking and the seconds are winding down. Checking the tiers by position aids in decision-making.

Rankings are everywhere, of course, in our game and others, and everyone and their mail carrier can do them, but a tiered system takes the process further, allowing you to further clarify remaining value at a certain position and evaluate depth. Round 4 comes around and you're focused, as you should be, on the best available players. Say you don't have a quarterback yet -- it's the smart move -- but you've already invested in several flex-eligible players. Well, check your tiers for available options. The answers are there.

For example, perhaps you see four available quarterbacks in the highest tier, negligible difference between them. Pass. Pass for a while. There's also quite the crew of wide receivers clumped together. Pass again. There's ample wide receiver depth. You can wait. Then there are one or two running backs alone in a tier and, in your opinion, a significant jump in production compared to the next section. There -- thanks to a tiered system -- is the answer. Reduce your stress, crave efficiency. As the saying goes, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Anyway, fantasy managers should rank, project and tier players themselves, for their league format, using analysts as a guide to help construct their opinions. Then do what you want! The fantasy teams are yours. If you do not agree with the tiers below, well, good, you shouldn't! Follow your own advice, your gut and build the teams you want. Below are one analyst's tiers for quarterbacks (standard league, PPR), but again, make your own. You will be pleased you did.

Tier 1: Round 3

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Notes: Yes, Allen really does stand alone at the top, and it's because of his ability to accrue rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The passing strides he has made since the 2019 season are incredible. Also, don't take a quarterback in the first three or even seven or eight rounds. The running back depth -- and to some degree, wide receiver depth -- ends earlier than you realize.

Tier 2: Rounds 4-5

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Notes: They're great and you'll be set at quarterback if you take them, but again, get your passers later. The value here just doesn't work when compared to flex-eligible positions. Mahomes, by the way, has not finished among the top three quarterbacks in fantasy in any of the past three seasons, since he dominated in 2018. That seems a bit relevant.

Tier 3: Rounds 6-7

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Notes: Here we have three superstars adding considerable statistical value with their running prowess, though they are a bit flawed as passers. The quarterbacks in this tier are strong values compared to the quarterbacks in earlier ones.

Tier 4: Rounds 8-9

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Notes: Yeah, that is a considerable tier with several future Hall of Famers, options who have won MVP awards and an up-and-comer we think will add tremendous value with his legs in Lance. After this, there seems to be quite a drop-off in talent, but in 10- and even 12-team leagues, you should be able to secure one of these players. Don't feel the need to reach for quarterbacks in this tier five rounds earlier.

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Tier 5: Rounds 11-12

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Notes: Quarterback is deep enough and most of the top options are quite durable, so fantasy managers need not leave their traditional draft or salary cap draft -- unless it's a superflex format or 2-QB league -- with more than one. Wait for the bye weeks. One can invest in a safe veteran such as Carr or Cousins, or take some chances with a young option such as Lawrence, Tagovailoa or Fields who might blossom into a star.

Tier 6: Rounds 14-15

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

Notes: These are hardly bad quarterbacks, which proves the point that waiting on the position is wise. Winston threw for 5,000 yards in 2019. Ryan was the No. 2 fantasy QB in 2018. Wilson was right next to Jacksonville's Lawrence in these rankings/tiers before hurting his knee in the first preseason game. Tannehill, like Ryan, could easily bounce back this season.

Tier 7: Undrafted

Mac Jones, New England Patriots
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Baker Mayfield, Carolina Panthers
Davis Mills, Houston Texans
Drew Lock/Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Marcus Mariota/Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Kenny Pickett/Mitch Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacoby Brissett/Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Notes: There is a fine line between late-round picks and picks who just aren't worth it. Daniel Jones played well as a rookie in 2019 and might do so again. Many once loved his upside. Now, he has much to prove. So do Wentz and Mayfield in their new homes. There are rookies and veterans here. In standard leagues, they will be available during the season.