Maybe you’ve heard the term “Superflex” before but aren’t sure what it means. There are many different ways for Superflex leagues to exist, but all it means is that, in addition to starting a quarterback in your lineup like normal, you can also start a QB in a flex spot. So, instead of only having running back, wide receiver and tight end options, you have RB, WR, TE or QB. From there, lineup requirements can get as simple or as elegant as you can imagine and anything in between.

Check out Richard Sickels’ Complete Guide to Fantasy Football Terms

Superflex Draft Theory | 2025 Fantasy Football

What’s the Difference Between Superflex and 1QB Leagues?

In short, QBs are more valuable. In a 1QB league, there’s no point in carrying more than one QB except for your starter’s bye week. This is because there are always viable starting QBs on the waiver wire. It’s kinda like the waiver wire works as an extension of your bench for the QB position in these 1QB leagues.

If you look at how QBs score compared to other positions – assuming relatively normal scoring of 25 passing yards/point, four points/passing TD, 10 yards rushing or receiving/point and six points/rushing or receiving TD – you’ll notice some patterns emerging. Thanks to touching the ball on almost every offensive play, QB scoring tends to have a much higher floor week-to-week compared to any other starting position. This makes it very attractive to start a QB in that Superflex spot.

Unlike one QB leagues, there is no “I can use the waiver wire as my bench” mechanic in Superflex leagues. Which makes sense, right? If so many teams want to use two QBs every week, there’s a big increase in demand thanks to that Superflex spot.

Do I Always Want to Start a QB in That Superflex?

In a word, no. But like anything else, there’s nuance.

While QBs tend to have a higher scoring floor, they also have a generally lower scoring ceiling. Of course, you might run into Josh Allen’s 2024 Week 14 and 15 – where he put up over 51 and 41 points, respectively – but that’s why he’s an elite option. Even then, it’s definitely the exception and not the rule. Keep in mind, Superflex means you can start an additional QB. You do not have to. 

Thanks to things like draft strategy, injuries, bye weeks, and just generally how things evolve throughout the season, it’s absolutely valid to run into situations where it makes a lot more sense to start a non-QB in that Superflex spot. As the season progresses, you’ll also get the feel of whether you’re a favorite or not in your weekly matchups. If you’re the favorite, using a QB for their higher floor is logical. If you’re the underdog, using a WR or RB who usually will have higher spike weeks can make sense. 

Let’s Talk Specifics

For all average draft position (ADP) references from here on out, I’ll be using FTN 1QB and Superflex ADP information. 

Even if we take a look at the difference between the 1st round ADP of 1QB leagues vs Superflex leagues, the differences jump out at you.

1QB Top 12:

Superflex Top 12:

Please don’t ask me why Bowers is going top 12 in Superflex but not 1QB. I don’t know. Humans are weird.

But that’s the general mechanic we see. In Superflex, Justin Fields’ ADP as the QB20 is pick 73. Compare that to 1QB leagues, where QB20 Trevor Lawrence’s ADP is pick 139. Superflex is the rising tide that lifts the ADP of all QB boats. 

But Should All QBs’ ADP Rise?

As always, selecting players who perform the best and avoid time lost to injury is the real key to success. This holds true in every format, in every round, in every league. Anyone who tells you differently is selling you fool’s gold.

With that in mind, it’s my position that folks generally overvalue QBs in Superflex (SF from here on out). The cream of the crop QBs are the exception to this. In 2024, we saw six QBs exceed 20 fantasy points/game, and five of them are top 12 in SF ADP. This makes sense. All five of them are difference makers at QB. They deserve to go top 12.

I believe it’s that next group of QBs specifically who folks overvalue. Particularly in full PPR (a full point per reception) or TEP (tight end premium) leagues. There’s a grand total of approximately 4.7 fantasy points/game that separated Jared Goff (QB7) from Derek Carr (QB18). That means 12 QBs averaged over 15 fantasy points/game.

I don’t mind not getting the first QB in this tier. I just don’t want to miss out on this tier altogether if I didn’t grab one of the elite QBs. The idea is to capitalize on the inflated value of those QBs by zigging and building value at RB, WR and TE, while others chase more rapidly diminishing returns at QB. Leagues with bonuses for non-QB positions, such as point-per-reception PPR or TEP, only exacerbate this issue. 

All Good Rules Have Exceptions. Does Yours?

An excellent observation, Dear Reader! And yes, it does. If you believe a QB is going to vastly outproduce ADP, then it makes sense to alter your approach and nab them and take a QB where maybe you usually wouldn’t. “OK, cool. But that’s really nebulous and not super helpful.” Alright, that’s fair. Let me give you an example to help.

I believe Caleb Williams, ADP as QB10, will make a massive jump in 2025 and join those top 5 QBs at the 20+ fantasy points/game. I have no problem breaking my rule and taking him in the fourth round. Similarly, I believe Justin Fields will be a top 10 QB in 2025, and have no problem “reaching” a little and taking him in the sixth round. Pairing the two and using fourth- and sixth-round picks to do it means a significant, consistent weekly point advantage, thanks to the aforementioned higher floor for QBs, but at a discount. Those are exactly the kinds of ways to take advantage of SF.

Is There Anything I Should Be Aware of Regarding In-season Management?

Ahhh, very astute! I’m proud of you.

Just like SF is the rising tide for QB ADPs, it also impacts waiver wire adds in a big way. QB injuries and/or benchings happen a lot more frequently than we like to think about. In 2024, we had Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, Bryce Young, Derek Carr, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Jacoby Brissett and Deshaun Watson, all of whom were Week 1 starters who missed significant time due to injury or benching. This means at least 10 backup QBs played a significant role in 2024.

If you’re in a deep league that rosters >200 players total, it’s a good practice to know which backups are most likely to matter. What does “matter” mean? For my purposes, “matter” simply means “you see yourself in a position where you would start this player.” In 2024, injuries hit Carr, and Spencer Rattler replaced him. The Saints were already terrible at this time. In no world would I have started Rattler even if I rostered him. Rattler didn’t “matter.” Conversely, you have Jake Browning in 2023. Joe Burrow goes down, Browning stepped into an excellent offensive unit, and was QB8 during his starts. Browning mattered.

Know who the quality backups are going into the season, keep up to speed on injury reports, and pay attention to chatter about starters getting the hook. If you do this, worst case, you’ll be ready to pay up on the waiver wire for the quality backups and ignore the run-of-the-mill ones. Best case, you’ll roster the right backups a week or two ahead of when you need them. In either case, you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

Bring It All Together

So what did we learn? In SF leagues, QBs will go very quickly. Use that to your advantage and take value at other positions while league mates reach for run-of-the-mill QBs. Stay frosty and be ready to take specific QB values throughout your draft.

Doing this will allow you to build a deep roster that will be able to better weather the storms of bye weeks, injuries, and the general randomness of a game based around an oblong sphereoid.

Lou Brunson is a Senior Analyst and THE social media brains for Optimus Fantasy. Find his dynasty stylings on right here and at draftbuddy.com.