Bo Nix vs. Kyler Murray: Which Borderline QB1 Should You Draft in Fantasy Football?

Bo Nix has quickly become one of fantasy football’s top quarterbacks, finishing as the QB7 in each of his first two seasons. Kyler Murray was once a league winner with multiple top-ten finishes, but injuries have hindered him in recent years. That is likely why the Arizona Cardinals moved on from him, and he is now getting this new opportunity with the Vikings. 

We’ve seen several quarterbacks like Sam Darnold with the Seahawks and Baker Mayfield with the Buccaneers rejuvenate their careers with new teams. Can Murray be the next one to take advantage of his second chance? Or should you feel confident that Nix can finish in the top ten again?

We’ll break down each quarterback and tell you which one to draft for your fantasy football team.

Who Should You Draft in Fantasy Football 2026: Bo Nix or Kyler Murray?

The Case For Bo Nix

Football fans and experts questioned why Broncos head coach Sean Payton traded up in the draft to select Bo Nix. It’s working out well so far.

In each of his first two seasons, Nix has thrown for 3,700+ passing yards and 25+ passing touchdowns. He’s also taken the Broncos to the playoffs in both seasons. Last year, he led them to the No. 1 seed in the AFC; unfortunately, during the Divisional Round against the Bills, he suffered a broken ankle, ending his season. The good news is that he will be ready for Week 1.

Payton has confidence in his quarterback, giving him plenty of opportunities with the ball in his hands. Nix led all quarterbacks in 2025 with 612 pass attempts.

Nix has an excellent receiver in Courtland Sutton. Sutton is blossoming with Nix as his quarterback, with back-to-back seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards, and last year, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl since 2019. 

The Broncos have never had a true WR2 to take pressure off Sutton, but now they do after trading for Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

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The Case For Kyler Murray

It’s a fresh start for Murray in Minnesota after the former No. 1 overall pick spent seven seasons in Arizona. When he’s on the field, he’s an electric dual threat, and he had four seasons where he threw for more than 3,700 yards and rushed for more than 400.

The problem for Murray in recent years has been staying on the field. He’s missed 27 games over the last four seasons, and the Cardinals finished under .500 in each of those seasons. That made it easier for the Cardinals to decide to move on from him.

Coming to Minnesota, Justin Jefferson is arguably Murray’s best wide receiver since he played with Larry Fitzgerald. The Vikings’ quarterback inconsistency last year could be why Jefferson had one of his worst seasons. He still finished with 1,048 receiving yards, but that was a career low, along with just two receiving touchdowns and 12.5 yards per catch.

Should You Draft Bo Nix or Kyler Murray in Fantasy Football 2026?

Admittedly, this is a very tough decision because both quarterbacks could have a top ten ceiling. Both quarterbacks also play for very similar teams: elite defenses and potentially questionable run games.

What sets them apart is durability. The broken ankle is the only major injury Nix has sustained throughout his collegiate and professional career, whereas Murray has had multiple injuries that have kept him out of games and out of your lineup. 

When it comes to the overall receiving corps, you could give the edge to Nix. Murray has one of the league’s best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, but there’s a significant drop-off after him. Nix has an excellent WR1 in Courtland Sutton, but you could argue that Jaylen Waddle is a much better WR2 than Jordan Addison is for the Vikings.

Murray might be on a short leash and replaced by J.J. McCarthy if he struggles early. From what we saw of Jarrett Stidham last year in the AFC Championship, he is no threat to steal Nix’s job.

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