Fantasy Football 2024: Top 5 Rookie Quarterbacks

The best rookie quarterback in terms of fantasy football for 2024 is the number two overall pick by the Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels. The Commanders quarterback will be a fringe starter in 12-team leagues, ranging anywhere from QB10 to QB14.

The biggest factor in Daniels being the best rookie quarterback, and fringe starter in fantasy football this year is his rushing upside. Quarterbacks who can make plays with their feet are more valuable in fantasy football, and under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Daniels will see plenty of RPO (run-pass option) work. His mobility will help him deal with a professional-level pass rush, and he has a good enough arm to throw the ball down the field. Daniels is also equipped with a decent skill group including Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, Jahan Dotson, and rookie tight end Ben Sinnot.

Rookie Quarterback 2: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The second-best rookie quarterback for fantasy football in 2024 is the number one overall pick in this year’s draft Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears’ new quarterback should be drafted in all leagues and considered a fringe QB1 to strong QB2 with a high upside. Ranking anywhere from QB11 to QB19.

Caleb Williams has the best arm in this year’s draft and arguably top-tier arm talent in the NFL right now. He has an elite ability to make plays off-script and create big shots down the field. Sometimes Williams fails to make the right play by trying to make the biggest play, and this is something the Bears will look to correct. However, Williams enters the league with one of the best skill groups in the NFL including DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Deandre Swift, giving fantasy owners a great opportunity to create a lethal stack.

Williams has the potential to break out this season, though it might take a couple of weeks to adjust to the NFL game with a lot of new faces on. a new team. Caleb Williams should be drafted in all fantasy leagues, he just might not be your starter on day one.

Rookie Quarterback 3: JJ McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

The third-ranked quarterback for fantasy football in 2024 is JJ McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings. McCarthy is a stash quarterback who could potentially be a starter but doesn’t need to be drafted unless in a deep league with large rosters, or a team that owns Justin Jefferson. He should be seen as QB21 to QB25 this season.

As it was heavily reported the Minnesota Vikings had interest in a young quarterback, and they got their guy in JJ McCarthy. The Vikings quarterback has a clean throwing motion and is a willing thrower down the field. However, there are plenty of better options from a fantasy football sense. The main reason to keep an eye on McCarthy as either a waiver add or draft-and-stash quarterback is his highly talented skill group including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.

Rookie Quarterback 4: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The fourth-best rookie quarterback for fantasy football out of this draft class is Bo Nix, a first-round selection of the Denver Broncos. Bo Nix should be considered a late stash in deep leagues and a waiver wire target in other leagues. Ranking anywhere from QB25 to QB29.

Bo Nix has arguably the strongest arm in this draft and is one of the more seasoned quarterbacks in this class. With plenty of experience under his belt, Nix is a smart football player and rarely makes bad decisions.

From a fantasy football sense, there are plenty of better options that make Nix not so fantasy-relevant. However, with his rushing ability and starting opportunity, he could potentially be a weekly streaming option depending on bye weeks and injury status.

Rookie Quarterback 5: Drake Maye, New England Patriots

The fifth-ranked rookie quarterback in this draft is New England Patriots first-round selection Drake Maye. The Patriots quarterback should be considered a waiver-wire watch in 2024, with little reason to draft him on your fantasy draft night. Ranking in the range of QB26 to QB29. With Jacoby Brissett in-house, it is also unclear if Maye will be the day-one starter.

Drake Maye is a tall passer with the ability to move around in the pocket when needed. He is strong enough to push the ball down the field at the next level and can develop into a good NFL quarterback. However, from a fantasy perspective, there is not too much to get excited about, at least not this year. This is mostly due to his lack of firepower at the skill position. The Patriots have a young group of playmakers highlighted by rookie Ja’Lynn Polk out of Washington. There will be growing pains for the Patriots under first-year coach Jerod Mayo, making Maye hardly fantasy-relevant.