This article groups the backups for all 32 teams into one of five tiers, with the goal of providing another tool for roster construction. Identifying this secondary layer of volatility can be useful when deciding between similarly ranked receivers and tight ends. The trickle-down effect can certainly affect running backs as well -- see Jonathan Taylor after Daniel Jones got injured for a clear example -- but that's harder to quantify.

In Tier 1, we have players where there shouldn't be a huge difference in skill-position production. In Tier 2, we have players where a manageable dip should occur. In Tier 3, we have players who at least have the potential to put together a good game or two. In Tier 4, we have players who are likely to severely undermine the output of those around them. In Tier 5, we have players we simply haven't seen enough of to get a good feel for.

Please note that players are ranked by their ability to maintain the value of the players around them, NOT on their own value. That's why someone like Anthony Richardson, who might offer weekly QB1 upside because of his running, is in the middle of Tier 3. We'd expect him to devalue players like Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce.

Tier 1: Steady as She Goes

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals: In six games as the starter for the Bengals last year, Flacco averaged 272 yards and 2.5 TDs. Even at age 41, he's the gold standard for QB2s.

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers: Jones was excellent in place of an injured Brock Purdy, putting up 269 yards and 1.6 TDs per game in eight starts. If Purdy misses more time, Jones should keep the offense humming along.

Jameis Winston, New York Giants: Winston's struggles with decision-making are the main reason he's stuck in a reserve role. However, his arm talent and willingness to attempt nearly any throw leave him well positioned to succeed if Jaxson Dart is out.

Davis Mills, Houston Texans: Mills played well enough during the regular season that he had fans calling for him to replace an ineffective C.J. Stroud in the playoffs.

Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders: Technically, he's an unknown commodity, but we all know he's taking over at some point from Kirk Cousins. Whenever that happens, I don't expect significant changes for Brock Bowers and company.

Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears: Everyone is high on Caleb Williams right now, but as a rookie, there was reportedly belief within the Bears locker room that the team would be better with Bagent. Even if that sentiment has ended, Bagent has looked capable whenever called upon.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons: There isn't much daylight between Tua Tagovailoa and Penix, so if/when a switch is made, look for business as usual from Atlanta's offense.

Tier 2: Manageable Turbulence

Andy Dalton, Philadelphia Eagles: Although there's a definite shelf life with Dalton, he could step in for a few weeks and keep the Eagles receivers and tight ends from falling off a cliff.

Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders: We saw a lot of Mariota last year as Jayden Daniels dealt with multiple injuries. Mariota clearly lacks Daniels' upside, but he's able to approximate his skill set enough to run the offense as constructed.

Tyrod Taylor, Green Bay Packers: Taylor is entering his 16th season, and though his best success came a decade ago in Buffalo, the veteran is a capable stopgap. If you saw what the Packers did with Malik Willis, there's reason to believe Taylor can have some success.

Update - Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings: While there's been nothing official from the Vikings as to who is Kyler Murray's direct backup, it certainly seems like as of now it would be Wentz. The veteran averaged 243 yards per game in five starts last year and was a boon for Justin Jefferson. Wentz is a high-variance performer from week-to-week, though.

Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints: Rattler started eight games before giving way to Tyler Shough last year, and he did enough in that time to make Chris Olave a fantasy factor. If called upon, he should be able to do it again.

Joshua Dobbs, Detroit Lions: It's been a while now, but Dobbs proved something in 2023 with the Cardinals and Vikings. He's played under a lot of savvy quarterback whisperers and has enough game experience to deserve some level of trust.

Tier 3: So, You're Saying There's a Chance

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns: He had his moments last year and should be better with another training camp under his belt. Despite Deshaun Watson getting the nod for Week 1, it's likely we'll see Sanders starting at some point this season.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings: Yes, McCarthy struggled badly last year, and by all accounts, the decision to go with Kyler Murray wasn't inspired by an incredible camp from Murray. Still, I'm not ready to fully write McCarthy off.

Justin Fields, Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid is smart enough that I think he could work around Fields' deficiencies as a passer to keep the top guys involved. Then again, Fields had four starts last year in which he completed fewer than 10 passes.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts: Poor decision-making and poorer accuracy have marked Richardson's time under center, and he's coming off an injury-marred season. He's looked decent in preseason, though, so perhaps there's been some growth.

Mitchell Trubisky, Tennessee Titans: Trubisky is a “been there, done that” backup, and if pressed into action, he's someone who could at least feed Tennessee's top playmakers in the short term.

Update - Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys: The former Commanders starter beat out Joe Milton III for the backup job. Howell hasn't really played since 2023, but he averaged 232 yards and 1.2 TDs per game. Given the talent Dallas has at receiver and tight end, he'd at least have a puncher's chance at keeping the top names fed.

Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks: We haven't seen much of Lock since 2020, and he threw just three passes in 2025. In truth, the Seahawks don't ask that much of Sam Darnold, and the only real pass catcher of note in Seattle right now is JSN. I think Lock could get him the ball.

Trey Lance, Los Angeles Chargers: There's only so much you can glean from watching Lance play in meaningless Week 18 games with other backups, which is all he's done the past two years. Still, I don't think Lance would be a death sentence to Ladd McConkey and the rest of the passing game.

Jake Browning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: There's a law of diminishing returns with Browning, where the more he throws, the more mistakes pile up. He's capable of getting the ball to his targets for 200-plus yards with a couple of scores, though, which is about all you can ask for from a fantasy perspective.

Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens: He's a decent backup, but his strengths lie in running the offense and avoiding mistakes. Someone like Zay Flowers should still have a puncher's chance at producing, but any Huntley game will be rooted in the rushing attack.

Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos: Don't read too much into his AFC Championship Game struggles. Sean Payton believes in him, and his numbers from limited extended regular-season action across his career are solid.

Update - Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins: The Jags traded for Ewers late in camp and installed him as QB2 behind Trevor Lawrence. Ewers averaged 190 yards in three late-season starts after taking over for Tua Tagovailoa. It's a small sample size, but Jacksonville's desire to bring him on board and a better set of weapons to work with move him up from Tier 4 with Miami.

Tier 4: Abandon Ship

Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers: Rudolph threw for 171 yards in his lone start for the Steelers last year, with no player logging more than 36 receiving yards.

Tommy DeVito, New England Patriots: Tommy Cutlets had his 15 minutes of fame back in 2023, but even at the height of his run, he only threw for more than 200 yards once.

Kyle Allen, Buffalo Bills: Allen has only started two games in the last five seasons, and he's thrown just three passes total in the last three. In an offense that relies so heavily on Josh Allen's unique skill set, a move to Kyle could be disastrous.

Kenny Pickett, Carolina Panthers: In his last two NFL starts, Pickett threw for 143 yards and 64 yards, respectively. He's on his fourth team in as many years for a reason.

Tier 5: Unknown Commodities

Joe Milton III, Dallas Cowboys: Milton has a huge arm — he earned a 99 rating in Madden NFL 27 for throw power — and big-time athleticism, but that's about all we know. His only extended action came in a glorified exhibition game against the Bills in Week 18 of 2024.

Stetson Bennett, Los Angeles Rams: A fourth-round pick in 2023, Bennett hasn't played a snap in the regular season. He could easily be overtaken by rookie Ty Simpson at any point.

Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals: In the short term, Gardner Minshew would probably get the nod if Jacoby Brissett got hurt. Beck is more likely to get an extended look, though.

Cade Klubnik, New York Jets: Klubnik won a three-way competition for QB2 with Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe. The fourth-rounder impressed in camp, so much so that the Jets are only carrying Klubnik and Geno Smith on the 53-man roster. Still, it'd be a wait-and-see scenario if he sees regular-season duty this year.

Update - Kyle McCord, Miami Dolphins: After trading Ewers to Jacksonville, the Dolphins acquired McCord from Green Bay. A sixth-round pick of the Eagles in 2025, McCord had some nice numbers in preseason, but that was largely done against guys that are applying at Home Depot right now. He's a complete unknown on a team that's full of them.

Update - Jalon Daniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: An undrafted rookie out of Kansas, Daniels took the backup job in camp from veteran Jake Browning. While clearly he impressed the team during training camp, it'd be tough to trust the former Jayhawk sight unseen.