3 Underrated Stacks For Fantasy Football 2026: Baker Mayfield-Kenneth Gainwell And More

Stacking in fantasy football has become an art form. While many managers chase expensive combinations like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, the sharpest drafters often find value by taking a more frugal approach, especially in best ball and superflex leagues. Understanding when to stack, when to wait, and how to maximize correlation can create league-winning upside without draining your early-round draft capital. Like any strategy, stacking carries risk, but when it hits, few tactics are more rewarding.

One of my favorite draft strategies is building two separate stacks on the same roster in superflex leagues. Pairing each quarterback with an upside pass catcher creates multiple paths to explosive weekly ceilings while preserving roster value.

One rule I always follow: target high-powered offenses or ascending offenses with clear breakout potential. Correlation is great, but it's even better when attached to teams capable of scoring points in bunches.

These 3 Stacks Are Underrated In Superflex Fantasy Football Leagues

Trevor Lawernce and Brian Thomas Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars

To finish as QB4, Trevor Lawrence silenced plenty of critics. Now the question is simple: can he do it again?

His current QB9 ranking on our fantasy football rankings suggests the market isn't fully buying it, but there's plenty to like. HC Liam Coen and the Jaguars' offense left "a lot of meat on the bone" last season. Well, yeah. You turned Brian Thomas from a 1,300-yard receiver into a weekly "do I start him?" headache.

Was it the adjustment to a new offense? Or was it simply a timing issue between quarterback and receiver? Whatever the cause, Lawrence addressed it on the O-Zone Podcast, highlighting improved chemistry with BTJ and the benefits of entering Year 2 in Coen's system.

Lawrence also mentioned using the deep ball more, which matters. In Thomas's rookie season, 37% of his receiving yards came on gains of 20+ yards.

Improved chemistry, a more aggressive passing attack, and an offense with room to grow make Lawrence and Thomas one of the best value stacks in 2026. If Lawrence takes another step forward in Year 2 under Coen, Thomas has legitimate WR1 upside while Lawrence pushes for another top-five QB finish.

Baker Mayfield and Kenneth Gainwell | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is a no-Bucky Irving zone. Stand clear.

Yes, Irving is talented and I'm not drafting him. With Kenneth Gainwell available nearly four rounds later, the smarter move is taking the discount. At that price difference, Irving isn't just overpriced; he might be off my draft board entirely.

Another reason for optimism: Baker Mayfield isn't afraid to check it down. His running backs have averaged nearly 90 receptions per season since 2023. Gainwell's receiving chops also make him a much bigger threat than Sean Tucker to earn passing-game work.

The biggest reason to consider the Mayfield-Gainwell stack is red-zone access. Every trip inside the 20 creates multiple paths to fantasy points. Mayfield can throw the touchdown, Gainwell can score on the ground or the two can connect for the coveted double-up touchdown.

Mayfield's 76 red-zone opportunities ranked middle of the pack among quarterbacks last season. If that number climbs, so does the appeal of this stack. Gainwell could pile up receptions between the 20s and still handle valuable goal-line touches, making this a low-cost stack with big upside.

Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers

Damn, the chemistry between Justin Herbert and Quentin Johnston keeps getting better every time they step on the field.

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That's one of the smoothest bucket catches you'll see. It's also a reminder why these two have connected for 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Just understand what you're buying in fantasy. Johnston will have frustrating weeks. He posted complete cardio games in Weeks 8 and 11 last season, finishing with zero fantasy points in both. The boom weeks are real, but so is the volatility. Draft him as an upside WR3, and anything more than that is asking for trouble.

Even when Johnston disappears, Herbert can still put up fantasy points through his other pass catchers. That's part of what makes this stack appealing, especially in best ball. You get the upside of Johnston's spike weeks without your entire lineup hinging on them.

Another reason for optimism is Herbert's offseason adjustment. He's switched his shotgun footwork, leading with his left foot to speed up his release. If the mechanical change translates to Sundays, it could make an already-dangerous passing game even more efficient.

Consistency issues could come into play for Johnston, but you just might get enough explosive weeks to make this stack worth the gamble.