The NFL Draft is in the rearview, and now it is time to turn towards the upcoming season. This is a look at the best quarterback sleepers for 2025 NFL Best Ball drafts.
It’s also never too early for a couple of NFL Best Ball drafts. Join a league right now in the DraftKings lobby.
2025 NFL Best Ball QB Sleepers
All of these quarterbacks are currently outside the top ten highest-ranked quarterbacks by ADP on DraftKings’ $15M Millionaire Best Ball contest.
Caleb Williams, Bears (ADP: 91.8)
It was a disappointing rookie season for Caleb Williams. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick didn’t live up to personal expectations, but also, the Bears’ organization was in a disastrous state. They have since overhauled their coaching staff, revamped the offensive line and added more weapons this offseason. The Bears got the most sought-after coach in the market, former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson turned Jared Goff into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL and hopes to do the same with Williams. In the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears added Michigan TE Colston Loveland, Missouri WR Luther Burden III and Boston College LT Ozzy Trapilo.
In addition to those draft picks, the Bears brought in three new offensive linemen who are expected to start next season, including four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney, who has been a first-team All-Pro each of the past two seasons. All of these changes should have Caleb Williams poised to make a big jump forward in his sophomore season. While some players take a step back after a great rookie year, the Bears’ offense will look completely different this season, giving Williams the chance to do the opposite after a disappointing rookie season. His play last year could scare people away from drafting Williams, but this new-look Bears offense could be really productive, making Williams a good pick in Best Ball drafts.
Drake Maye, Patriots (ADP: 123.2)
Drake Maye showed some flashes of greatness in his rookie season in New England. Just like Caleb Williams, he also had a coaching change in the offseason after his rookie year. Mike Vrabel is now at the helm for the Patriots with Josh McDaniels as the new (for the third time) offensive coordinator. The Patriots also brought in new weapons: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and TreVeyon Henderson. Additionally, they revamped the offensive line, including using the No. 4 overall pick on LT Will Campbell. Maye has some good NFL game experience under his belt and should be able to take a big jump forward with these new weapons, a better line and a likely-improved coaching staff.
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (ADP: 131.7)
J.J. McCarthy is effectively a rookie heading into the 2025 season. After getting injured before he could ever compete in an NFL game in his real rookie season, McCarthy is expected to be fully healthy heading into training camp. Unless the Vikings make a surprise move for Aaron Rodgers, McCarthy will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings next season. While McCarthy never put up massive numbers in college, this Kevin O’Connell offense has proven to be a plug-and-play system. Last season, Sam Darnold had a career-best year, finishing fifth in the NFL in passing yards for Minnesota. In 2022, Kirk Cousins finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards in the same system. With Justin Jefferson leading a great group of skill position players, J.J. McCarthy could immediately be a top-ten fantasy quarterback, just like his two predecessors at the position.
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (ADP: 142.4)
Michael Penix Jr. is another sophomore quarterback on this list. The entire 2024 QB class could be due for a big season, but Penix is the most undervalued of the entire group. Penix ended up taking over the starting job from Kirk Cousins last season and is set to be the Week 1 starter this season. Penix started just three games in his rookie campaign, but he improved in each of those starts, throwing for over 300 yards in the regular season finale against Carolina. The Falcons’ offense is full of weapons, including Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. After a full offseason as QB1, Penix should be even more connected with these weapons. In 2023, Penix led college football in passing and has shown that he is capable of putting up astonishing numbers over the course of a season. If he can stay healthy, Penix could have a monster year statistically.
Geno Smith, Raiders (ADP: 151.3)
One of the most surprising quarterbacks to see so far down the ADP list is Geno Smith. Over the last three seasons, Geno Smith ranks fourth in the NFL in passing yards. He has proven that he can put up massive numbers in a good system, and he is now reunited with his old head coach, Pete Carroll, in Las Vegas. The Raiders had a breakout superstar on offense last season, Brock Bowers, despite shaky quarterback play. They have now added another potential star in Ashton Jeanty in the draft. Jeanty is a running back, but he should be a weapon in the passing game and provide better balance to this offense overall. The Raiders also drafted two wide receivers to go along with Jakobi Meyers and Bowers. Smith has shown that he can succeed in Carroll’s system, putting up big numbers in Seattle. He should be able to do so again with this good stable of weapons in Las Vegas, making him a great sleeper pick in late rounds of Best Ball drafts.
