X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Quarterback Targets and Sleepers for Best Ball Leagues - 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Free Agency Check - Quarterback ADP Risers and Fallers

Mike Fanelli provides his four favorite best ball fantasy football targets at quarterback and four double-digit round sleeper candidates.

The Scott Fish Bowl is underway. While the rest of redraft leagues won’t draft until next month, July is the perfect time for fantasy players to join a best ball draft. However, they should know the difference between redraft and best ball fantasy leagues.

Fantasy players need to manage their redraft leagues, making weekly transactions and lineup decisions. Yet, they don’t need to do either in best ball leagues. Instead, fantasy players draft their team, and their highest-scoring lineup is selected automatically every week.

Finding value at the quarterback position is critical, regardless of which style of fantasy football league you are playing in. Let’s look at my favorite targets and top sleeper picks at the quarterback position. ADP for this article is via Underdog Fantasy.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Best Ball Quarterback Targets

Patrick Mahomes (KC): ADP 49.4 | QB4

I’m a fan of waiting on drafting a quarterback in a 1QB league this year, with several excellent late-round options for fantasy players. However, anyone who wants to use an early-round pick on a quarterback should target Mahomes. Unfortunately, the superstar was only the QB8 in 2023, the lowest finish of his career.

Last year, he had the worst fantasy season of his career, averaging fewer than 20.5 fantasy points per game for the first time as the starting quarterback. Yet, Mahomes is a bargain as the fourth quarterback in ADP after the Chiefs added Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy this offseason. With Travis Kelce returning at 100%, Mahomes will have the best receiving core of his career, especially if Rashee Rice escapes a massive suspension.

Anthony Richardson (IND): ADP 57.4 | QB5

Unfortunately, Richardson’s rookie season ended after playing only four games. The former Florida Gator was the QB11 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 18.2 fantasy points per contest. Yet, he left two games early with injuries. While fantasy players should be worried about his injury history, the second-year quarterback is full of league-winning upside.

Richardson averaged 25.3 fantasy points, 211.5 passing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, 48 rushing yards, and a touchdown in the two games he finished as a rookie. The Colts improved his receiving core, spending a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on Adonai Mitchell. Richardson has overall QB1 upside if he can stay healthy.

C.J. Stroud (HOU): ADP 66.3 | QB6

Stroud was an elite fantasy quarterback as a rookie, averaging 18.4 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he was outstanding to end the year. Stroud was the QB5 on a points-per-game basis from Week 9 through the end of the season, averaging two passing touchdowns and 20.5 fantasy points per contest.

More importantly, he was outstanding during that run despite playing only five games with Tank Dell. While the Texans have two talented young wide receivers, a solid tight end, and a talented running back, that didn’t stop them from making a blockbuster move for Stefon Diggs. Stroud has arguably the top receiving core in the NFL at his disposal, making him a steal at his current ADP.

Jordan Love (GB): ADP 97.9 | QB10

The former Utah State Aggie had doubters heading into his first year as the starter. Love began the season on fire, averaging three passing touchdowns and 21.7 fantasy points per game over the first two weeks. Unfortunately, he had a rough patch during the season, totaling six passing touchdowns from Week 3 through Week 9.

After hitting a slump, Love proved he is a franchise-caliber quarterback. He was the QB2 over the final seven contests of the fantasy season, averaging 2.3 passing touchdowns and 21.6 fantasy points per game. The second-year starter has an exciting young core of receiving options led by Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Love has significant fantasy upside, especially at his current draft price.

 

Best Ball Quarterback Sleepers

Jared Goff (DET): ADP 126.9 | QB16

Goff is one of my favorite quarterbacks to draft, especially if I can wait until the double-digit rounds. The veteran was the QB7 in 2023, averaging 17 fantasy points per game. He had 30 passing touchdowns last year, the second-most of his career. While the Lions thought Ben Johnson would leave this offseason, he returned as the team’s offensive coordinator. Therefore, Detroit’s offense should be an elite unit again this season.

Meanwhile, Goff is outstanding when he plays in a door. Unfortunately, the veteran has struggled when playing outdoors. Last season, the former No. 1 overall pick averaged 2.1 passing touchdowns and 19.9 fantasy points per game in 12 contests in a dome. By comparison, he averaged one passing touchdown and 13.3 fantasy points per game in the five contests outside. Thankfully, Goff plays only three games outdoors this year.

Kirk Cousins (ATL): ADP 147.1 | QB18

The veteran quarterback has consistently been a low-end QB1 since becoming a full-time starter in 2015. Cousins has been a productive quarterback for fantasy players despite posing no rushing upside. The veteran has averaged only 6.4 rushing yards per game in his career. Yet, he has averaged 18.7 or more fantasy points per game in three of the past four seasons, including in 2023.

While he is coming off a torn Achilles, Cousins expects to be ready for Week 1. He has an outstanding receiving core in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, and Bijan Robinson. Furthermore, Cousins will play most of his games indoors and against suspect defenses this season. If he is 100% healthy, he should have another top-10 finish.

Deshaun Watson (CLE): ADP 161.8 | QB20

Unfortunately, fantasy players have forgotten how much of a superstar Watson was earlier in his career. He was once one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football. He averaged 20.7 or more fantasy points per game in each of his first four seasons. More importantly, the veteran played better in 2023 than fantasy players realize.

Watson averaged 17.7 fantasy points per game in the five contests he played at least half of the snaps last season. That average would have made the veteran the QB13 on a points-per-game basis. Meanwhile, the Browns added Jerry Jeudy to their already solid receiving core this offseason. Fantasy players shouldn’t be shocked if Watson has a massive bounce-back performance this year.

Bryce Young (CAR): ADP 192.1 | QB25

While Young had an awful rookie season, fantasy players shouldn’t give up on the former No. 1 overall pick. Despite playing for multiple coaching staffs, Young had a few impressive moments last year, including a 312-yard and two-touchdown performance late in the year against the Green Bay Packers. More importantly, he should be significantly better in 2024.

The Panthers gave him no chance of succeeding as a rookie. Yet, they learned from their mistakes, improving Young’s offensive line by signing Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt in free agency. Furthermore, Carolina added Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathon Brooks, and Ja'Tavion Sanders to his receiving core. While he likely won’t become an elite fantasy quarterback, Young could have a low-end QB1 finish this season.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Sunday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Scratched on Monday
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Edward Cabrera

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Sprain
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Harry Ford

Called Up for Major-League Debut
Victor Scott II

Activated From Injured List
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Dealing With Hamstring Tightness, Expects to Play Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs, Trent McDuffie Not Expected to Finalize Extension
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears Head Coach Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP