The quarterback position has been in the forefront of our minds all offseason leading up to the NFL Draft. Now that the draft is in the rearview mirror, the rookie quarterback hype will fade as we go through the offseason. Despite the success of C.J. Stroud last year, most rookie quarterbacks struggle in their first season.
As you approach your best ball league drafts heading into the summer, it’s time to remember this trend and favor established quarterbacks while keeping an eye on rookies to see if they have value. With that in mind, here are our top 34 quarterbacks for 2024 NFL best ball leagues.
2024 best ball rankings: Top 34 QBs
Patrick Mahomes has won back-to-back Super Bowls and finds himself as the top best ball quarterback. Since trading away Tyreek Hill, we have doubted the quality of Mahomes’ pass-catchers and downgraded him in rankings. Now, Kansas City has added Marquise Brown Jr. in free agency and drafted Xavier Worthy, who set the all-time record for the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. I’m not overthinking it this year; Mahomes remains on top.
Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson follow as the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. Their respective rushing upside will help offset their typical lower passing numbers than other quarterbacks in the league. Hurts should benefit from the addition of Saquon Barkley, opening up the offense as not only a great runner but a talented pass-catcher. Jackson just won his second MVP Award and gets Derrick Henry, a healthy Mark Andrews and rookie wideout Tez Walker.
As long as Kirk Cousins doesn’t get in trouble with the NFL, which is investigating the Atlanta Falcons’ tampering in free agency, he should be a solid choice this year for those who wait on drafting a quarterback. The recency of last season is still too fresh, so it is hard to buy into a fantasy-productive Falcons offense, but I think they will turn it around this season.
While I don’t think you need to be looking at rookie quarterbacks for your main QB, that doesn’t mean they don’t have upside as depth in best ball leagues. It’s hard not to like Caleb Williams’ landing spot in Chicago alongside DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift. Even J.J. McCarthy should luck into a fantasy-relevant game with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and tight end T.J. Hockenson when he gets healthy.