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Fantasy Football: Previewing The 2026 Qb Free Agent Class, Including Which Teams Need A Signal-caller Most

Football analyst Joel Smyth covers potential QB moves in NFL free agency that could shift the outlook for 2026 fantasy drafts. Which quarterbacks could land in new and improved spots, and which teams are primed to bring in a new player?

2026 fantasy free agency previews

Most Likely Teams to Sign a Free Agent QB

1. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is far and away the best option for a fantasy QB. In Kevin O’Connell’s first three seasons as head coach, Minnesota ranked fifth in passing fantasy points. The 2025 season is the reason the team is looking for a new QB however, as only the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets scored fewer through the air last season. With the Vikings’ receiver core and consistently high passing volume, any free agent quarterback that lands in Minnesota will be thankful.

2. Arizona Cardinals

Everything is up in the air in Arizona. Although new head coach Mike LaFleur did not succeed as a play-caller with the Jets, Zach Wilson did not help. The potential is high. Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson are a great trio for an incoming quarterback to pair with a Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan style of offense. Add in a struggling defense, and the fantasy volume can be a major factor as well.

3. Miami Dolphins

Bobby Slowik will look to reignite this Miami offense with a new quarterback in 2026 after being the pass game coordinator last season. C.J. Stroud’s first two seasons came with Slowik calling plays before his rough junior season, as the overall potential of the Slowik passing offense remains relatively unknown. It’s not a home-run spot, but it’s clearly better than the two following homes.

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4. New York Jets

Garrett Wilson plays for them! Outside of that, there’s not much positive to mention outside of a severe need at the position. Frank Reich will return to NFL coaching after two years away to take his shot at turning the Jets offense around.

5. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are interchangeable with the Jets here. There isn’t much going for them as Todd Monken will take on the large task of improving the Browns offense. Cleveland will need a lot of help at the WR position and offensive line to put together a successful passing attack.

Top Free Agent Quarterback Options

Kyler Murray

Recency bias sometimes affects fantasy ADP too much. After one bad season, players such as Michael Pittman Jr. and Travis Etienne Jr. became huge values as they bounced back to their normal career averages in 2025. Kyler Murray, who is expected to be released by the Cardinals, may be next. From 2019-2024, Murray was the fantasy QB5! Only Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow have averaged more points per game. One year after his sixth consecutive QB1 season, and he’s seen as undraftable. Rushing quarterbacks late in drafts are rare, but a risk I will always be willing to take. If he lands in the perfect fit, he has the potential of being one of the best QB values of 2026.

Malik Willis

His career sample size sits at 522 snaps, a low-experience player who has slowly developed into a top free agent commodity. In his minimal playing time last season, Willis led all QBs in fantasy points per snap, showing off his upside as a fantasy asset with his combination of rushing and an aggressive passing style. The former Packers backup is expected to have his pick of the litter, giving him the opportunity to choose a friendlier landing spot. If he secures a starting role, get ready for Willis to be one of the most common sleeper picks for 2026.

Geno Smith

After his success in Seattle, Smith attempted to replicate it elsewhere after last year’s free agency cycle. It did not go as planned with the Raiders. While there’s a chance the Raiders still keep him after taking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, we’re going to project him with a different club for this exercise. If Smith ends up with a new squad, he has the chance to bounce back in a significant way, especially if the Vikings come calling. The system O’Connell runs in Minnesota would be a great fit for the former fantasy QB5, not to mention a tremendous and necessary upgrade in offensive line play. The move may not bring Geno back to fantasy QB1 level necessarily, but it would be one of the best options for Justin Jefferson and Co.

Geno Smith (if released) is likely the #Vikings number one target to go after at QB this offseason, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned via @SKORNorth.

“I would put Geno Smith probably right now at the top of the list.” pic.twitter.com/gOmniGGByg
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) March 3, 2026

Tua Tagovailoa and Kirk Cousins

The final two quarterbacks who are expected to be released and hit free agency are less likely to land a starting quarterback gig in 2026, and at minimum, unlikely to land in your starting fantasy lineup. Neither QB crossed 13 fantasy PPG as a starter last season and provided nothing outside of the air attack. Wherever they land, they will be a positive emergency plan for fantasy WRs in need of good backup quarterback play and the ability to keep an offense afloat. Each has shined in the past, but I would not rely on them to make a major impact next fall.