Quarterback Tiers To Help You Win Your Fantasy Football League In 2024 (and Sleepers!)
I’m not sure there’s a more polarizing position in fantasy football than quarterback. There’s a few reasons I’ve come to believe this. Let’s start by acknowledging the fact that most managers would prefer to roll out a set-and-forget QB1 week after week, without the stress of landing on a name to stream. At the same time, though, it’s a numbers game. At least five starters on your roster will almost certainly be running backs or wide receivers. That makes prioritizing depth at those positions all the more important, especially early in your 2024 draft. You typically won’t see Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts or any of the other best fantasy quarterbacks appear on any overall rankings until well after the top running backs and wide receivers are gone. The top tight ends will even supplant the top quarterbacks depending on the year and the format.
As for why this is the case, let’s break it down. Most fantasy leagues have between 10 and 16 teams. The NFL has 32 teams. That means even the second quarterback on your roster – if you draft two quarterbacks in a non-superflex league – will play all of their team’s reps. In theory, if you were to heavily invest in depth at your other positions early, you could still land an effective QB1 late depending on how the rest of your league views quarterbacks. Let’s quickly acknowledge that understanding your league is a pretty important piece when it comes to walking the QB tightrope.
All of that to say, there isn’t one way to approach the position. If you need to land your guy at quarterback and you recognize you’ll need to overpay by a round to beat the rush, more power to you. I wish I would’ve before my wife sniped me for Jalen Hurts. Or, you stay the course, and land five running backs/wide receivers who will anchor your lineup and wait until quarterback sleepers like Jordan Love or Kyler Murray fall into your lap.
Again, different ways to do things. Pick your strategy and run with it. If you need a little help with your quarterbacks and how to craft your approach, though, I might be able to help. Here are my tiers for the position this year, and what you might get with each player.
Half-PPR Scoring Used for All Stats
Tier 1 Quarterbacks: Anchors for your Lineup
Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Beatdown
The guys in this tier are the reason the quarterback position has dramatically evolved from the days of the surgical pocket passer. They also don’t possess skill sets that are very common, which is why landing them will cost a premium.
It’s a pretty safe assertion at this point that Josh Allen is one of the two best quarterbacks to come out of the 2018 NFL Draft. I’ll touch on the other contender in just a second. For Allen, though, his physical profile and athleticism has catapulted him into the game’s elite at the position. He finished as the QB1 by almost 40 points last season, standing alone as the only player to score at least 400 fantasy points. Allen’s gunslinger mentality at the position will always lead to higher-than-average interception numbers. However, his approach has also helped him average 4,385 passing yards and 34.3 passing touchdowns over his last four seasons. Those numbers might be enough for QB1 production if Allen was a statue in the pocket. Once you calculate his 617.5 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns per season since 2020, though, you get the prototypical fantasy quarterback. His receiving core took a bit of a hit this year. Still, he is Buffalo’s offensive system and should remain an elite option at the position for a fifth-straight season.
I’m not sure I’ve seen people so low on a quarterback with the real-world talent Jalen Hurts possess since I started following football. I get it, I really do. Philadelphia’s collapse was a case study in organizational dysfunction. Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni were involved in a power struggle so intense, it seems as though everyone forgot what both guys accomplished a season earlier. Keep in mind, though, Hurts actually finished with more fantasy points last season as the QB2 than he did in 2022 as the QB3. He threw for 3,853 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, while rushing for 605 yards and 15 more touchdowns. His rushing touchdown production was certainly boosted by Philly’s infamous Brotherly Shove and his 20 turnovers were a career-high. The hope here is that Kellen Moore’s takeover of the offense yields results closer to Hurts’ 2022 campaign than what he put forth in 2023, where he doesn’t need to be as reliant on rushing touchdowns to buoy the production. In any case, Hurts is a perennial top-three asset at the position, with more talent as a passer than he’ll likely get credit for.
Let’s look at the only other guy who can be considered the top quarterback from the 2018 Draft. Lamar Jackson’s contract debacle already seems like it happened six years ago. The Ravens probably don’t have any complaints about his asking price now, though. The 27-year-old responded to his very public contract saga by winning his second MVP award, en route to a QB4 finish in fantasy. His running ability is always going to boost his floor significantly, as his role in the offense puts him in a position to consistently pace quarterbacks in rushing. His first year in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system led to improved passing numbers, too. He set career-highs in attempts, completion percentage, passing yardage, while accounting for 24 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns, and 13 total turnovers. His rushing floor is about as safe as you can find, especially when you consider he’ll be running next to Derrick Henry. As long as the passing production doesn’t regress, Jackson will be in for another top-five finish.
Tier 2 Quarterbacks: Gives you an Advantage at the Position
Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
CJ Stroud - Houston Texans
Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Source: AP News
When it comes to fantasy greatness vs. real-life greatness, Patrick Mahomes’ 2023 season is among the best examples you’ll find. Despite finishing third in the NFL in passing attempts, he threw for his fewest passing yardage total and touchdowns since 2019, his lowest touchdown rate, and his fewest net yards gained per passing attempt. He also didn’t rush for a single touchdown. Yet, he went 10-6 as a starter, finished as the QB8, and won his third Super Bowl. Mahomes himself is a winner. That’s likely the highest compliment you can pay a quarterback. Outside of Travis Kelce, Mahomes has proven he can elevate any group of skill players. The only problem, though, that didn’t equate to top-five production in 2023. He’ll be without Hollywood Brown to start the year, and a potential suspension is still looming for top-wideout Rashee Rice. The Chiefs are likely in for another double-digit win campaign. However, it could take big seasons from rookie Xavier Worthy, another step by Rashee Rice, and competent play from JuJu Smith-Schuster for Mahomes to eclipse the 40 passing touchdowns he had in 2022.
There are a plethora of reasons to be excited about C.J. Stroud’s sophomore season. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year gets another season in offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik’s system, with Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz all returning. Houston also traded for Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, just to make life a little easier on their franchise quarterback. He finished as the QB11 last season, eclipsing 4,000 yards and accounting for 26 total touchdowns. Stroud also only turned the ball over nine times, which was an anomaly for a rookie quarterback. The only downside is he doesn’t run a ton, totaling just 167 yards on 39 carries. That’s the only element of Stroud’s profile that limits the upside. Still, a top-five finish isn’t out of the equation if the new additions to the offense are as advertised.
It’s possible Joe Burrow has become the forgotten man. His 2023 was pretty disastrous. He got off to a slow start, throwing for just two touchdowns over Cincannati’s first four games. From there, things picked up slightly. He finished as the QB9 from Week 5 until his season ended in Week 11. He’s now healthy and looking to put together his first full season since 2022, when he finished as the QB4. The biggest variables with Burrow are likely the pieces around him. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins dealt with injuries of their own last season and Joe Mixon has since moved on to Houston. The Bengals also allowed the eighth-most sacks in the NFL last season, with 50. If Chase and Higgins stay on the field, Burrow has time to throw the ball, and Zack Moss/Chase Brown can fill the void left by the mainstay Mixon, Burrow could be a pleasant surprise. He’s done it before. Still, that might be too much uncertainty to ignore.
If you’re looking for a steady option at quarterback a little later in your draft, there are few options better than Dak Prescott. When Prescott is healthy, he’s been a sure-fire QB1. He’s finished as the QB6 on average when he starts in all Dallas’ games since he took over for Tony Romo in 2016. He was the QB3 last season, throwing for 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions. With CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Jake Ferguson all returning, Prescott will have his three most targeted players for another run. If third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert can be effective in the WR3 role, that only helps his prospects. It’s hard to find a more proven player at Prescott’s current ADP.
Tier 3 Quarterbacks: Could Outplay ADP Significantly and Make You Look Really Smart
Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts
Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Source: SB Nation
The hype surrounding Anthony Richardson is building like crazy. Despite concerns about limited time as a starter at Florida and accuracy, the Colts didn’t blink when they made him the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He seemed like the perfect fit for first-year coach Shane Steichen, especially after the season Jalen Hurts put together with Steichen at offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. Early returns were positive, too. In 173 snaps from Week 1 to Week 5, Richardson threw for 577 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Possibly more encouraging, he rushed for 136 yards on 25 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry to go with four rushing touchdowns. It seemed like the best-case scenario for Richardson. He was the QB18 through Week 5, despite seeing 40 total snaps in Weeks 2 and 5, and missing Week 3 entirely. He’s a perfect know-your-league guy. If the rest of your league is going to snag the top tier guys early, then overreact to a preseason interception, let them. It just makes Richardson all the more valuable when you get him at a discount.
Sometimes, good things come in small packages. Packages that also happen to be really quick with a cannon for an arm. For the detectives out there, the package in this case is Kyler Murray. It seems like his torn ACL in 2022 took him off the radar as a fantasy QB1 entirely. That’s probably a mistake. From Weeks 1-9, Murray was the QB6, with the fifth-most rushing yards among quarterbacks over that span. He made his return to the Cardinals in Week 10 of 2023. From Week 10 on, Murray was the QB9 with the fifth-most rushing yards among quarterbacks. He’s now a season removed from the injury, with a supporting cast that features Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride, James Conner, and Michael Wilson. Don’t let Murray scare you away this season. He’s got a nice shot at returning value on your investment.
The arrival of Jordan Love finally happened last season. The 2020 first-round pick, who was the subject of much controversy at the end of the Aaron Rodgers era, made Green Bay the envy of quarterback-needy teams around the NFL. How quickly things change when you almost reach the NFC Championship game in your first season as the starter. Beyond that, though, he was a fantasy revelation. He finished as the QB5, throwing for 4,159 yards, eight yards per attempt, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He ran just enough to inspire confidence, too. His 50 carries went for 247 yards and four touchdowns. He returns his top four receivers and will have Josh Jacobs out of the backfield. Ascending players with top-five finishes typically go way earlier than Love.
The last time Washington selected a QB second overall, he was a fantasy darling. History has a chance to repeat itself with Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner possesses a tantalizing dual-threat skill set. Last season at LSU, Daniels totaled 3,812 passing yards with 40 touchdowns, four interceptions and 11.7 yards per attempt. He also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on 8.4 yards per carry. In short, he was electric. The NFL is a different game, though. He’s got Terry McLaurin to help bridge the gap, and last season’s RB22 in Brian Robinson to lean on, too. If Kliff Kingsbury can make the transition smooth for Daniels, like he did for Kyler Murray in 2019, this should be an exciting arrival.
Very few stories in the NFL have been as enjoyable to watch unfold as Jared Goff’s. Sure, it’s hard to call a former first-overall pick who’s been to a Super Bowl an underdog, but the way he was forced out of Los Angeles shifted the narrative. Guy went from castoff to hero in three seasons. Beyond the feel-good tale, though, is the production. Goff was the QB7 last season, and the QB10 the year before that. He’s excelled as the captain of Ben Johnson’s offense and with the coaching commodity electing to return to Detroit, he’ll have familiarity on his side. The weapons are there, the system is effective, and the 605 passing attempts as season ago were the second-most in the NFL. Somehow, Goff has become an enticing option as a set-and-forget QB1.
Sleeper QBs For Fantasy Football:
This section will be a little different with quarterbacks, primarily because of the depth at the position. Anyone not currently being drafted as a QB1 – so a quarterback ranked QB13 or lower – is eligible for sleeper status. Now that’s we’ve cleared that up.
Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins: Another story of a guy who rewrote the narrative. All it took was some distance from Brian Flores and the perspective of one of the more unique characters in the NFL to make Tua Tagovailoa an effective quarterback. Miami rewarded that progression with franchise quarterback money, and now Tagovailoa helms one of the league’s most potent offenses. The 26-year old played in all 17 games last season, finishing as the QB9. He led the league with 4,674 passing yards and his 8.3 yards per attempt average was the highest mark among starting quarterbacks last season. His ceiling is certainly lower than the aforementioned names. Still, if you miss out on those guys, you could do way worse than Tagovailoa.
Source: Big Cat Country
Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars: Going into Year 4, it’s possible Trevor Lawrence is what he is from a fantasy perspective. Still, that’s not necessarily a knock on Sunshine. He’s been a steady, while oft-non specular option at the position. The floor for Lawrence is as high as you’ll find among QB options at this point in your draft, though, with potential for a career-season always within the realm of possibility. He was the QB8 in his first season with Doug Pederson, then regressed to the QB13 last season. His 21 turnovers in 2023 hampered the point total, as did his lackluster 21 passing touchdowns. Still, he’s proven he’s not afraid to tuck and run, which is always an asset. If you end up with Lawrence, you likely took him at his floor. With an offensive-minded head coach and a top-10 finish under his belt, he’s not a bad dart throw.
Will Levis - Tennessee Titans: Put the mayo obsession out of your heads for a second. Levis is the unquestioned guy at quarterback heading into Year 2 in Tennessee, with competent receiving options across the board. From Week 8 to Week 15, Levis got his first NFL snaps and slotted as QB16 over that span. Brian Callahan comes over from Cincinnati to replace former head coach Mike Vrabel and makes the situation significantly more favorable for a quarterback. Coupled with the fact that this is likely his only shot to prove he can be Tennessee's franchise quarterback, Levis has the motivation to prove himself. Watch him on waivers.
By the time you read this, you’ll likely be ready for another fantasy season. Whether you’re primed for another run at the trophy you’ve never had the honor of hoisting, a title defense, or your very first league, I wish you nothing but the best in your pursuits. I hope I’ve played a small role in helping you nail your draft.
Remember, we’ve only just begun!
