Superflex Draft Strategy For Fantasy Football: Don't Sleep On Quarterbacks

Hey, you! Yes, you … the one with the shirt! Is your waiver wire too easy to navigate? Are you tired of seeing Matthew Stafford just sitting there in Week 5 available for all the world to spend FAAB on? Do you long for a format where your hopes of making the playoffs depend on choosing between Bryce Young and Michael Penix? Well, do I have the format for you?

Introducing, SUPERFLEX!

*clears throat*

Superflex Fantasy Football

Whew, sorry about that. Not sure what came over me. In all seriousness, for fantasy folk looking for a new or bigger challenge from their standard one-quarterback leagues, the superflex format is gaining in popularity across the fake football landscape. As with any change in league configuration, there are different ways to approach the game. One thing that remains the same is that it all starts with the draft. You might not win your league on Draft Day, but you can certainly screw it up royally. Stick with me, dear reader, as we take you into the world of superflex.

The Basics

Let’s begin at the beginning. What is a superflex league? Like your stock-standard fantasy leagues, a superflex league requires you to start players at the normal positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end). Also like in a conventional fantasy league, managers have a flex spot that can accommodate a running back, receiver, or a tight end.

The difference in a superflex league is that you can also flex (wait for it) … a quarterback! That’s right, in a superflex league, you have the option of putting two quarterbacks in your starting lineup. Remember in 2021 when you drafted Dak Prescott before taking a late-round flier on Jalen Hurts, then you spent the entire season tied in knots trying to figure out which one to start on a weekly basis? If you were playing in a superflex league, you wouldn’t have had to choose. Your leaguemates also would have been salty at you because you had two top-10 quarterbacks. But that’s a different conversation for a different time.

The point is, a superflex lineup gives your more roster *ahem* flexibility by letting you start a wider range of players. It also means you have to approach roster construction a little differently than you would in a single-quarterback format. So let’s get into it.

DON’T Wait On A Quarterback

This probably goes against the grain of what you’ve constantly been told about fantasy drafting. The idea of waiting on a quarterback was conventional wisdom for years. Like not wearing wet socks. Or drinking orange juice right after brushing your teeth. 

(Yes, I know the consensus is starting to shift thanks to the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks. But we’re not going to let the facts get in the way of a good story. Just drink your orange juice and keep reading.)

The initial idea behind superflex was to create greater value at the quarterback position. That hasn’t quite happened. Instead, it’s created scarcity at the position. The end result is the same. You need to draft quarterbacks early. Preferably, you get at least one in the first two rounds and possibly taking two signal-callers within the first four rounds. When exactly you do that depends a bit on what your leaguemates are doing. But don’t wait too long. Otherwise you could be like Charlie Brown on Halloween and left with a bag full of rocks*.

(*aka Kirk Cousins and Anthony Richardson)

Draft AT LEAST Two Quarterbacks

In a standard, one-QB league, it’s possible to leave the draft with just one quarterback. Even if several other managers take multiple players at the position, there are usually enough good options left over on the waiver wire for you to stream during the bye weeks. 

Because superflex managers are aggressively drafting in the hopes of starting two quarterbacks weekly, the chances of you finding a reasonable streaming option during the season are significantly diminished.

In a perfect world, you would draft three quarterback—one to hold you over during your starters’ bye weeks or as injury insurance. But let’s be honest, the idea of putting a chip on Mason Rudolph feels like purposely walking around with a rock in your shoe. 

Starting Two QBs Is Good, But Not Mandatory

The beauty of a superflex league is the ability to start multiple quarterbacks. But is starting two QBs always the best way to go? Well … no. After all, it’s a SUPERFLEX league. Not a TWO-QB league. There is a difference.

If you do a good job drafting quarterbacks, starting two of them is an easy decision. Remember my Hurts/Prescott analogy earlier? (Go back and read it again. I’ll wait.) But maybe you can’t bear to watch Bryce Young throw up another 13-spot in your lineup. That’s the advantage of a superflex roster. If you didn’t do well drafting QBs, hopefully you found depth at other positions. It might be that throwing your third running back or fourth wide receiver in that spot pays more dividends. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain and try some new lineup combinations. Different can be good!

There you have it. Don’t miss out on what everyone is talking about. Ask your fantasy commissioner if superflex is right for you. And while you're at it, maybe change your socks.