Fantasy QB bargain hunt points to Purdy and Nix pairing
ESPN analysts say managers can wait on quarterbacks, then draft two late options to stream by matchup, led by Brock Purdy and Bo Nix.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Fantasy managers eyeing a late quarterback run have a new marching order from ESPN’s Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft: wait, then grab two.
The plan is built for standard, non-superflex ESPN fantasy football leagues, where only one quarterback is active and early picks can be poured into running backs and wide receivers. Karabell argued that Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen is excellent, but not worth a second-round pick in that format.
Karabell said he sees little reason to draft any of the first seven quarterbacks at their current ESPN average draft positions. His case is value: fantasy lineups need a steady supply of running backs and wide receivers all season because of injuries, bye weeks, matchups and changing roles.
Cockcroft’s twist is schedule-based. He described the strategy as quarterback streaming with a draft-day head start: take two passers outside the early tiers, then start the one with the better matchup each week.
Purdy gets a favorite running mate
Brock Purdy sits at the center of the plan. Karabell called the San Francisco 49ers quarterback one of his favorite sleeper options, while Cockcroft identified Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix as Purdy’s best schedule partner.
According to Cockcroft, the two line up well in several key weeks. In Week 2, Purdy faces the Cardinals while Nix gets the Rams. In Week 6, Purdy has the Commanders while Nix gets the Seahawks. In Week 14, Nix faces the Jets while Purdy has the Rams.
The pairing also covers one bye cleanly. Cockcroft noted that when Nix is off in Week 10, Purdy faces the Cowboys, a matchup he described as middling to favorable for quarterbacks.
The catch comes in Week 8, when Purdy is on bye and Nix draws the Chiefs, which Cockcroft rated as a tougher quarterback matchup. Even so, he said Nix is the preferred partner if a manager waits until around Round 10 and starts with Purdy.
If Nix is gone, Cockcroft listed Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence as the next-best Purdy partners, with Kyler Murray also fitting well for deeper leagues.
Mahomes becomes the flexible play
Patrick Mahomes is the unusual name in this midround discussion. Cockcroft said Mahomes pairs well with much of the group, assuming he is ready for Week 1 as expected.
He would avoid using Mahomes for the opener against the Broncos, but pointed to the Kansas City quarterback’s Week 5 bye as helpful because the Panthers are the only other team off that week. Cockcroft named Nix, Matthew Stafford and Purdy as Mahomes’ best partners, with Murray again viable in deeper formats.
Goff, Dart and even Geno enter the chat
Beyond the main group, Cockcroft put Jared Goff at the front of the next quarterback tier, which also includes Shough, Murray, Baker Mayfield and Jordan Love. He said Goff works especially well with Nix and Purdy.
Cockcroft also said Jaxson Dart and Goff form one of the strongest schedule fits for 2026. Dart faces the Saints during Goff’s Week 6 bye, while Goff gets the Vikings during Dart’s Week 8 bye. Karabell, however, said he is not planning to draft Dart at his current average draft position and is wary of the injury risk when he runs.
For deeper leagues, Cockcroft even kept Geno Smith on the board. In 16-team or superflex formats, he said Smith pairs best with Mahomes. His suggested path: use Smith in Weeks 1 and 2 against the Titans and Packers, start Mahomes in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Dolphins and Raiders, then use Smith against the Browns during Mahomes’ Week 5 bye.
Cockcroft added that his projections rate the Browns as an above-average quarterback matchup, despite their broader defensive reputation.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.