Our guy Sam Darnold, the Seahawks’ quarterback, went off the board in Round 8 of a recent 12-team Superflex fantasy mock draft. That R8 spot tells you a lot about how folks are valuing him right now in a format where QBs can disappear fast. This isn’t your grandad’s one-QB league. In Superflex, two quarterbacks start, making those signal-callers way more precious. Last year, we saw six QBs drafted in Round 1, eight by Round 2, 14 by Round 3, and a whopping 18 by the end of Round 4. The landscape has clearly shifted, and your quarterback strategy is everything.
Going All In on Quarterbacks From the Jump
Take Capotorto, picking from the No. 2 spot. They went full throttle, snagging Jackson and Lawrence right out of the gate with their first two picks. No messing around there; they didn’t even bother with a third quarterback. What’s wild is how they still built a “solid roster” around those early QB investments. After those two big swings, Capotorto still landed quality running backs like Kenneth Walker III and Josh Jacobs, plus top-tier receivers including Davante Adams and Tee Higgins. Isaiah Likely led their tight end group. It just goes to show you can lock down your QB room early and still find talent if you draft smart in later rounds.
The Balanced Play and Our Guy Sam Darnold
My own approach from the No. 6 spot was a bit more balanced, leaning on elite wide receivers first. I grabbed Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson with my first two picks, which, come on, who wouldn’t? Then I went for Purdy in Round 3 and Kyler Murray in Round 6 before scooping up our Seahawk, Sam Darnold, in Round 8. Yeah, Darnold in the eighth round. My roster included running backs like D’Andre Swift and Zach Charbonnet, with Jayden Reed rounding out the receiver corps alongside Chase and Jefferson, plus Kyle Pitts at tight end. I loved that roster, even if I wanted a little more depth at receiver. That combo of quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and tight ends feels like a legitimate playoff contender. Seeing Darnold go in the eighth round definitely highlights the perceived value and depth he brings to a Superflex squad, especially for us 12s watching him sling it on Sundays.
The Risky Business of Waiting Too Long
Then there’s the other side, like Cummings from the No. 11 spot, who waited until Round 7 for his first quarterback, C.J. Stroud. That’s a huge gamble in Superflex. He then grabbed Bryce Young in Round 9 and Tua Tagovailoa in Round 12. The source says it’s “not the ideal quarterback situation,” and that’s putting it mildly. While Cummings’ running backs are stacked with Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey, and receivers like George Pickens and Zay Flowers with Sam LaPorta at tight end, those QBs are a big question mark. His team “will be tough to beat if the quarterbacks are good,” but he’s “at a potential deficit” with Stroud, Young, or one of the Falcons duo for two starting spots. That’s a tough hole to climb out of, even with McCaffrey.
This early look at fantasy draft strategies, especially with our own Sam Darnold being valued in Round 8, really sets the stage for how much quarterback play will matter this season. Keep an eye on Darnold’s early performances for us in the Emerald City. If he pops off, that Round 8 stock is gonna look like an absolute steal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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