5 Sneaky QB1 Candidates: Fantasy Football Quarterback Sleepers (2025)

Dave Ventresca's top quarterback sleepers for 2025 fantasy football leagues. His sneaky QB1 candidates and draft targets for 2025 redraft leagues. Read the expert fantasy draft analysis.

For many years, the late-round quarterback strategy has been a popular approach for fantasy football gamers. The idea is that instead of selecting one of the top quarterbacks early in drafts, you simply wait and take one who offers similar upside later in the draft. This allows you to find strong options at other positions and still have the advantage of a stud quarterback.

Last year, Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels was the ideal late-round quarterback selection. Thanks to his legs, he offered gamers a safe floor and exceeded expectations as a passer. Daniels would finish the 2024 season as the overall QB5. So, who are some of the best options available later in drafts with sneaky QB1 upside? Today, we will examine several quarterbacks going outside the top 100 picks in FFPC (Fantasy Football Players Championship) drafts who could finish as a QB1 in 2025.

Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five quarterbacks with sneaky QB1 upside who you should target in your 2025 fantasy football drafts.

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Justin Fields - QB, New York Jets

FFPC ADP: 107.36 Overall

Fields posted a 4-2 record in six games as the Steelers starter last year before being benched in favor of Russell Wilson. Despite the benching, Fields still managed to provide results for fantasy gamers, thanks in large part to his legs. He scored five rushing touchdowns in his six starts and finished as a QB1 three times.

Justin Fields scores his first rushing TD with the @Steelers!

📺: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/mHjDNMx55Y

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

For some unknown reason, the Steelers were prepared to make Fields their starting quarterback in 2025, despite benching him last year. Fields had none of it and signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.

BREAKING: Jets signing QB Justin Fields to two-year, $40M deal with $30M guaranteed. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/YJVKoikwuM

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025

Now that Fields has landed a starting job, he is an immediate QB1 option for fantasy owners. However, it's worth noting that he has struggled as a passer throughout his career.

If the Jets begin losing games, there is no guarantee Fields finishes the year as New York's QB1. However, the new regime seems content to roll with him for the time being and has indicated he will not have a short leash.

While Fields may not be New York's long-term quarterback solution, he is set to begin the 2025 season as the Jets' undisputed QB1. There's some risk, but Fields is arguably the top late-round quarterback to target in drafts this year.

Drake Maye - QB, New England Patriots

FFPC ADP: 119.36 Overall

Maye didn’t take over as the team’s starting quarterback until Week 6 last year, but he showed a lot of potential throughout the season. What’s most intriguing about Maye’s profile is the rushing upside he showed as a rookie. Maye ran for 421 rushing yards in just 13 games.

If we project that over a full 17-game season, Maye was on pace for over 550 rushing yards. That kind of rushing production can put Maye in QB1 territory.

DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/QCLpeTf9xG

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

New England has done its best to upgrade Maye's weapons this offseason. The team signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract and drafted running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. New England also selected underrated rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft.

These moves should elevate Maye's passing production in 2025. Despite the new toys, this offense still has a way to go in terms of elite playmakers. But the 2025 group is certainly better compared to what Maye worked with in 2024.

Ultimately, Maye finishing as a fantasy QB1 will come down to his rushing usage. If we see the same rushing output from 2024 combined with an increase in designed runs, then that might be good enough for the sophomore signal-caller to sneak into QB1 territory.

Trevor Lawrence - QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

FFPC ADP: 137.18 Overall

Four years into his NFL career, Lawrence has failed to meet the massive expectations that were immediately placed upon him. At the time of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence was hailed as a generational talent and a can’t-miss prospect. Despite all this hype, Lawrence has yet to throw more than 25 passing touchdowns in a season, and his best fantasy season was a QB8 finish in 2022.

While he’s been a disappointment thus far, it’s worth noting that Lawrence has continued to flash moments of brilliance during his career. Consistency has just been the main issue.

THIS TREVOR LAWRENCE THROW 🤯

Great toe-tap from Jamal Agnew too 😮

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/WTJsD6guwR

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 1, 2021

Jacksonville has hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as its next head coach. Coen helped guide Baker Mayfield to a career year in 2024. Mayfield threw for a career-high 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.

It will be exciting to see what Lawrence can do in Coen’s system. The team also added wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft. His presence gives Lawrence another elite weapon to go along with sophomore receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

Lawrence is one of the better late-round quarterback targets this year thanks to his vastly improved situation. He has disappointed relative to expectations, but he still may possess untapped potential. Coen is probably the best play-caller Lawrence has had during his career, so there’s a decent chance we could see a career year in 2025.

J.J. McCarthy - QB, Minnesota Vikings

FFPC ADP: 147.64 Overall

McCarthy missed his entire rookie year in 2024 after tearing his meniscus in training camp.

BREAKING: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair this morning. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/GgpgfiNYRX

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2024

Following McCarthy’s injury, Sam Darnold became Minnesota’s de facto QB1 and had an incredible 2024. He threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns but came crashing down to earth in the season’s final two games.

Minnesota subsequently decided not to re-sign Darnold, allowing him to walk into free agency. McCarthy had to survive a brief scare that future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers would join Minnesota. However, that storm has passed, and the Vikings have confirmed they are committed to McCarthy for the 2025 season.

J.J. McCarthy to Trishton Jackson for the 45 yard TD!

And @JJettas2 LOVES it!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QmEKsnabMz

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

McCarthy is a bit of a wild card in drafts since he missed his entire rookie year. However, he is still a quarterback with top-10 draft capital tied to a strong offensive coach and surrounded by an abundance of talent. It's hard to find a better situation for a first-time starting quarterback.

Yes, we don't know McCarthy's true floor, and he could hurt your team if he's truly awful. But he might also have a higher ceiling than some people think. Head coach Kevin O'Connell worked wonders for Darnold's career last year. It shouldn't be that surprising if McCarthy has similar production.

Gamers should feel confident rolling the dice on McCarthy later in drafts. He's an ideal target to pair with some of the other names on this list.

Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Atlanta Falcons

FFPC ADP: 165.82 Overall

Penix took over as the Falcons starter when Kirk Cousins struggled down the stretch last year. He only went 1-2 in three starts and threw three touchdown passes against three interceptions. While the stats don’t blow you away, there are reasons to be encouraged for the future.

Regular season @PFF passing grades for this year's rookie QB class ...

Michael Penix: 87.6
Jayden Daniels: 83.0
Bo Nix: 72.8
Drake Maye: 64.9
Caleb Williams: 62.9

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) January 13, 2025

Penix also showcased a big arm and stepped up late in a game against the Washington Commanders with Atlanta’s season on the line.

Michael Penix Jr. to Kyle Pitts on 4th down!! pic.twitter.com/PGbIR4nICx

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024

Atlanta will now have an entire offseason to craft an offense catered to his skill set. It will also give Penix time to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and the other Falcons skill players. This situation is not quite as good as McCarthy’s, but things are set up well for Penix. If he hits the ground running, don't be surprised if Penix finishes the 2025 season as a back-end QB1.

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