Quarterback and tight end are single-starter positions in most fantasy football leagues, with tight ends eligible but usually a lousy selection for the flex. When selecting must-have quarterbacks and tight ends, I kept single-QB leagues in mind and chased upside.

Additionally, the following suggestions are available after the seventh round in 12-team leagues, with the Average Draft Positions (ADP) courtesy of Underdog Fantasy.

Must-Have Quarterbacks & Tight Ends (2025 Fantasy Football)

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix (QB – DEN) | 85.9 ADP (QB7)

Bo Nix stumbled out of the blocks in his rookie campaign. Nevertheless, among quarterbacks with more than one start in 2024, Nix was the QB8 in fantasy points per game (19.3), and he averaged 20.3 fantasy points per game from Week 3 through Week 18.

The former Oregon Duck had a rock-solid season as a passer. He was tied for 19th in PFF’s passing grade among 39 quarterbacks with at least 250 dropbacks last season, tied for 22nd in big-time-throw rate (3.7 BTT%) and tied for the fifth-lowest turnover-worthy-play rate (1.8 TWP%).

Courtland Sutton was Nix’s only consistent pass-catching weapon, and Marvin Mims stepped up as a dynamic role player by the end of the year. The Broncos will likely add weapons for Nix during the offseason, possibly through free agency, the trade market and the draft.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III is the most mocked player to the Broncos in the consensus mock drafts during the previous week. In mock drafts published over the last two weeks, Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is the top projected prospect to Denver. Nix would welcome either Burden III, Loveland or another first-round pass-catching weapon with open arms.

Of course, his passing is only part of the equation. He also averaged 26.3 rushing yards per game and scored four rushing touchdowns in 18 games. Nix’s rushing ability elevates his floor and ceiling, making him an appealing pick for gamers who don’t spend an early-round pick on a stud signal-caller.

Bryce Young (QB – CAR) | 142.3 ADP (QB21)

Bryce Young was a tire fire for the first two games of his sophomore campaign before riding the pine for five contests. The benching proved to be a shrewd move by head coach Dave Canales and the organization since Young played much better after returning to the starting lineup in Week 8.

Among 35 quarterbacks with at least 150 dropbacks from Week 8 through the Super Bowl, Young was sixth in PFF’s passing grade, first in big-time-throw rate (7.7 BTT%) and tied for the 11th-lowest turnover-worthy-play rate (2.3 TWP%).

According to Fantasy Points’ data suite, Young had the following stats in that 10-game stretch:

• 371 dropbacks
• 61.8% completion percentage
• 73.6% adjusted completion percentage
• 201.4 passing yards per game
• 15 passing touchdowns
• six interceptions
• 5.9% sack rate
• 9.2-yard Average Depth of Target (aDOT)
• 37 rushing attempts
• 22.3 rushing yards per game
• 6.03 yards per carry
• five rushing touchdowns

Young was the QB18 in fantasy points per game (18.6) from Week 8 through Week 18. However, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner kicked it up a notch after Carolina’s Week 11 bye, ranking as the QB6 in fantasy points per game (21.2) during that period.

Young is trending upward. He’d benefit immensely this year from youngsters Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker or Ja’Tavion Sanders taking a step forward. The club could and should also add more talent around him to get a more accurate evaluation of Young’s ability to be their long-term answer at quarterback.

Moreover, the 2023 first-overall pick should sneakily benefit from Carolina’s defensive ineptitude, which could set the stage for fantasy-friendly shootouts if Young’s ascension continues.

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB) | 119.1 ADP (TE11)

After teasing his potential as a rookie, Tucker Kraft thrived in his sophomore campaign. According to Fantasy Points’ data suite, among 53 tight ends with at least 150 routes in 2024, Kraft was seventh in route participation (72.5%), eighth in yards per route run (1.81), second in yards per target (10.47), first in yards after the catch per reception (8.89), first in yards after contact per reception (3.47) and tied for sixth in touchdown receptions (seven).

The 24-year-old was a monster after the catch in his second professional season. Matt LaFleur understands how dangerous Kraft is with the ball in his hands, and he indicated he needs to “do a better job” of getting the ball in his hands in 2025.

Kraft’s next step is earning more targets. He was the TE12 in half-Point Per Reception (half PPR) points per game (8.1) in 2024. Even a slight uptick in pass-catching opportunities would make him a stellar bet to crack the top 10 scoring tight ends in 2025.

Brenton Strange (TE – JAX) | 232.0 ADP (TE36)

Evan Engram presently blocks Brenton Strange on Jacksonville’s depth chart. However, according to Over The Cap, the Jaguars can save approximately $6 million by eating $13.5 million in dead cap if they cut Engram before June 1. Furthermore, they can get $15.5 million in cap savings by eating only a $4 million cap hit after June 1 or by designating him a post-June 1 cut.

Strange could award them the luxury of dumping Engram after the former turned some of his athleticism and tools into production in his second professional season. Speaking of Strange’s athleticism, he scored a 9.09 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) for his testing during the 2023 NFL Draft process.

Brenton Strange was drafted with pick 61 of round 2 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.09 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 102 out of 1105 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/Apw5zXGmEs pic.twitter.com/sREwcpMOv5

– Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023

Not every toolsy tight end turns into a fantasy producer, but the top-shelf fantasy tight ends are usually athletically gifted. Strange has the tools, and he showcased some on-field ability when given an opportunity last year.

When Engram missed eight games (Week 2 through Week 5 and Week 15 through Week 18), Strange had a 64.8% route participation rate, 0.20 targets per route run, 29 receptions (3.6 per game), 275 receiving yards (34.4 per game), two touchdowns, 6.6 half PPR points per game and 9.2 expected half PPR points per game.

Strange’s ADP will surge if Engram is cut, making him a worthwhile dice roll in the 20th round of Underdog best ball drafts.

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