The Late‑Round Landscape
As fantasy football managers fine‑tune their 2026 draft strategies, the late‑round quarterback pool offers a blend of upside and reliability that can pay dividends when the right name is snagged before the final rounds.
Malik Willis, who inked a three‑year, $67 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, brings a dual‑threat profile that has already shown up in his limited starts. He has logged 44.8 rushing yards per game and four career rushing touchdowns, while his passing accuracy sits at a crisp 78.7 % with an average of 10.9 yards per attempt during his Green Bay tenure.
Tyler Shough stepped into the New Orleans Saints’ lineup in Week 9 of the 2025 season and guided the team to a 5‑4 finish. He completed 67.6 % of his throws, amassed 7.3 yards per attempt, and threw for ten touchdowns against six interceptions. His ability to extend plays on the ground adds 16.9 rushing yards per game and three rushing scores, a combination that the Saints bolstered by drafting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick.
Sam Darnold’s revival in Seattle has been nothing short of impressive. Over the past two seasons he has completed 66.9 % of his passes, averaged 8.2 yards per attempt, and posted a passer rating of 100.9. He threw 60 touchdowns to 26 interceptions and handled an average of 28.1 pass attempts per game, positioning him as a steady, mid‑tier option with a high floor.
The supporting casts around these quarterbacks only amplify their fantasy appeal. In New Orleans, the arrival of Chris Olave alongside Tyson creates a potent receiving corps, while Miami’s offensive scheme under new coordinators is designed to exploit Willis’s mobility. Seattle, meanwhile, continues to lean on a balanced attack that keeps Darnold’s target distribution healthy.
Key Considerations
For managers eyeing value in the later stages of drafts, the blend of proven efficiency, rushing upside, and favorable landing spots makes Willis, Shough, and Darnold compelling choices. Their respective teams have positioned them to maximize snap counts and red‑zone opportunities, suggesting that a well‑placed late‑round pick could yield a disproportionate return.
Evaluating these prospects also means weighing injury risk, offensive line stability, and the durability of their respective backfields. While Willis’s contract guarantees a substantial role, Shough’s ascent hinges on continued health of the Saints’ offensive line, and Darnold’s success will depend on Seattle’s ability to protect the pocket.