Pre-draft quarterback rankings for 2021 fantasy football

The 2021 NFL Draft is on the horizon while free agency has gone through its initial burst. That brings us to our next fantasy rankings update. We’ll take into account all of the signings, but will continue to steer clear of ranking rookies until they land on a team.

Free agency and offseason trades have moved some quarterbacks around and helped solidify others. We have new starters in Chicago and Washington, as Andy Dalton and Ryan Fitzpatrick should get the nod to start 2021 for their new teams. Neither are set for greatness on the fantasy football field, but Fitzpatrick will be a fun streamer with some strong pieces around him.

The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams swapped quarterbacks, as Jared Goff and Matthe Stafford switch teams. The Eagles seemingly gave Jalen Hurts a firmer grip on the starting job after trading their No. 6 pick for the Dolphins 12th pic after trading Carson Wentz to the Colts to be their new starter. Dak Prescott signed a longterm deal in Dallas to continue piloting that ship. The Saints signed Jameis Winston for another year and he appears to have the lead in the Saints quarterback competition.

We can be sure the Jaguars, 49ers, Patriots and Panthers want to bring in a new starter, but the Jets, Bears, Broncos, Washington, Lions, Steelers, and Falcons will also be in the market. We aren’t done with the quarterback landscape being altered, but the majority will be through the draft. Deshaun Watson’s legal troubles may end up stopping any trade or him playing, even if he wants to. That would push Tyrod Taylor into the starting lineup, but it’s still way too early to make an educated guess as to how that situation will resolve.