Fantasy Football: 3 Sleeper Quarterbacks to Target for the 2024 Season

In traditional one-QB formats, whether you're paying up for a top-tier quarterback or waiting for a value, there are enough quality options to go around that you'll probably come away from drafts feeling pretty good about your starter, regardless of your strategy.

But like any other position, the final list of QB1s at the end of year never shakes out quite how we expect, and several late-round picks or waiver-wire options will undoubtedly emerge and make a difference in 2024.

Let's take a look at three players who could surprise at their ADP.

3 Sleeper Quarterback Picks for 2024

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Okay, admittedly, this first signal-caller isn't exactly flying under the radar, but when a player with high-end QB1 upside is barely being drafted as a starter in most formats, he deserves to be highlighted.

According to FantasyPros' consensus average draft position (ADP) data, Jayden Daniels is being picked in the range of QB12-QB15 and outside the top 100 overall picks.

Yet, if we look at FanDuel Research's fantasy football projections -- which assumes playing all 17 games -- the rookie is pegged for the fourth-most rushing yards at the position. In fact, once we get past Lamar Jackson, who's predictably projected for the most QB rushing yards, we find the next four tightly bunched together between Anthony Richardson, Jalen Hurts, Daniels, and Kyler Murray.

However, in terms of ADP, Hurts and Jackson are consensus top-four picks at QB while Richardson is QB6 and Murray is QB10. The first two need little explanation as early picks, but Richardson specifically is the intriguing comparison to Daniels.

That's because if we rewind to last year, Richardson was being drafted at about the same spot (or worse) as Daniels' 2024 ADP, yet the rushing prowess he demonstrated in just two full games (four total) has already pushed up his draft stock just outside the elite at the position.

This isn't to say Richardson can't or won't be a fantasy star this season. It's just a reminder of the ceiling Daniels could have if everything breaks right.

That rushing projection isn't some pipe dream, either. In Daniels' final college season, he rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs over 12 games. This included seven games where he rushed for 90-plus yards, and he even topped out at an absurd 234 yards once. FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL rushing props have set Daniels' line at 525.5 yards, which is identical to Richardson's.

Of course, the question is whether he can pass just well enough on a bad Washington Commanders team to be a fantasy difference-maker. Per PFF, Washington enters the season with the 27th-ranked offensive line and 20th-ranked pass-catching unit. Even worse, Establish the Run ranks the o-line 32nd. The Commanders' NFL win total is set at just 6.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

There's no question it's a lot to overcome, but that's baked into his ADP, and we've seen several instances of dual-threat QBs putting up big fantasy numbers in spite of modest passing production. Let's not forget that Daniels was the 2023 Heisman winner while posting strong metrics as a passer; Washington liked his potential enough to draft him second overall.

Ultimately, if you're waiting at quarterback, Kyler Murray might be the sweet spot at his ADP as a dual-threat who's more experienced, has shown an elite ceiling before (QB2 in 2020), and will be paired with top receiving prospect Marvin Harrison Jr..

But Daniels is an excellent consolation prize, and if he continues to generate preseason buzz, he could be moving up draft boards as we get closer to Week 1.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Unlike our previous entry, Kirk Cousins is decidedly on the outside looking in for 12- and 14-team formats at his ADP (QB17-QB22), making him more of a superflex or QB2 target.

But consider this: Cousins was averaging 19.4 fantasy points per game before his season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8 last season, which was equal to Jordan Love's weekly average. Love finished as 2023's QB5.

Cousins now joins an Atlanta Falcons offense that many fantasy managers have high hopes for behind his arm and a new coaching staff. According to ADP, Bijan Robinson is the RB2, Drake London is the WR11, and Kyle Pitts is the TE7, a sign the public is incredibly bullish that all three outperform their results from 2023. Both PFF and Establish the Run rank the Atlanta offensive line inside the top 10, too.

So, if everything is looking up for the Falcons' offense, shouldn't the same be true for their quarterback?

Yes, Cousins is coming off a serious injury and is 35 years old, but Atlanta felt confident enough to sign him to a four-year, $180 contract, and the QB claims he's "going full speed" and will be ready in Week 1. While the team made the curious decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the 2024 NFL draft, Penix will be the backup and shouldn't be a factor unless everything truly goes wrong for Cousins.

At the end of the day, we're paying a QB2 price for a guy who who finished inside the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks three times from 2018-2021, was the QB7 in 2022, and was on pace for a strong finish in 2023. He may not be throwing to Justin Jefferson anymore, but he has the right supporting cast to keep putting up QB1 numbers if the Achilles doesn't hold him back.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Am I confident Deshaun Watson will finally bounce back in 2024? No, not at all, but no one else is, either, as he's being drafted outside the top 150 overall and anywhere between QB20-QB27 depending on the site.

Watson has played just a dozen games across the last three years and is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery. Across his six 2023 games, he averaged -0.18 expected added points per drop back (EPA/db) and -2.8% completion percentage over expected (CPOE), per NFL Next Gen Stats. Among the 39 QBs who had at least 200 drop backs, he ranked 31st in EPA/db and 36th in CPOE.

Obviously, none of that sounds great, but Watson is still somehow just 28 years old, and from 2018-2020, he was the QB4, QB5, and QB5 in fantasy points.

If he can rekindle even a portion of that former greatness, he's in a solid environment to bounce back. The Cleveland Browns have a top-five offensive line, per Establish the Run and PFF, and the Browns could go at a fast pace again, as well. Watson is also expected to play in the final preseason game, suggesting his recovery is on track.

Chances are Watson isn't returning to his former glory, but his ADP is nothing more than a low-end QB2 or deep league stash. The cost is practically nothing, and it isn't very often we can pick up a quarterback this late who's technically still in his prime and has multiple elite fantasy campaigns under his belt.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.