Three Fantasy Football Quarterbacks With Underrated Rushing Upside - 2024 Fantasy Football Sleepers

With fantasy football season fast approaching and drafts happening earlier than ever, it's always a good idea to check for potential sleepers based on hidden value.

Everyone knows players like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts are fantasy cheat codes thanks to their rushing production stacked on top of passing numbers. However, some midrange dual-threat quarterbacks go under the radar due to a lack of high-end rushing seasons.

In this article, we'll highlight three quarterbacks who possess sneaky and underrated rushing upside. Signal-callers who are rushing threats establish a solid floor combined with a high weekly ceiling. This is precisely what fantasy managers should be targeting in single-QB or two-QB formats. Let's dive in!

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Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert has seen his fantasy stock drop over the last two seasons due to his regression in passing touchdowns. The Oregon alum threw for at least 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns in each of his first two NFL seasons but has capped out at 25 end-zone tosses over the last two years. He also scored a combined eight rushing touchdowns in 2020 and 2021 compared to three total in 2022 and 2023.

While his passing volume is unlikely to bounce back in 2024 after the losses of Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams, there's a chance he will do more on the ground in his first season under Jim Harbaugh.

Herbert is an underrated athlete at 236 pounds and has sub-4.7 speed. Without a high-end pass-catching back like Ekeler and established stud receivers like Allen, it won't be a surprise if he's in "scramble mode" more often. He's also a big-bodied QB who could benefit from goal-line carries. No, he's not going to develop into Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts, but he could run enough to provide an extra boost in fantasy football.

Justin Herbert Rushing TD (3) pic.twitter.com/fnZLEXSEXm

— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDVideos2023) October 1, 2023

As a potential comparison, let's use Ryan Tannehill. The former Tennessee Titans quarterback doesn't come to mind when discussing high-end rushing quarterbacks, but he trailed only Cam Newton and Kyler Murray for the most rushing touchdowns among QBs from 2020 to 2021 (14). He also tied for the ninth-most rushing yards (with Herbert) over that span (536).

If Herbert can at least become that kind of runner again, he could be undervalued at his ADP around the 116 slot in FFPC drafts.

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson has the third-most rushing yards by a quarterback ever (5,307). Early in his career, everyone knew he was a high-end scrambler who could put up fantasy points in bunches. However, many believe the 35-year-old is now more of a pocket passer who has lost all of his juice. While that's somewhat true, his 2023 campaign proved he's still an above-average runner among QBs.

He's no longer putting up 500-800 yards per season, but last year, he rushed 80 times for 341 yards and three scores.

.@DangeRussWilson has his 2nd rushing TD of the day!

📺: #DENvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/68aUroVlUj pic.twitter.com/Ev9U96aUYd

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

Although George Pickens looks to be growing into a true No. 1 wide receiver, the Steelers do not have a high-end pass-catching group -- meaning Wilson is likely to take off downfield when his receivers are blanketed on any given play.

New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith called plays for Ryan Tannehill when he was at his best as a runner (14 touchdowns in 2020-21), and his quarterbacks combined to score 10 rushing touchdowns over his last two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons head coach. As long as Wilson can keep Justin Fields on the bench, he could have more fantasy value than many realize.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Not much went right for Young in his rookie campaign. He was surrounded by the worst supporting cast in the NFL and posted a 2-14 record as a starter. However, there have been plenty of quarterbacks with abysmal rookie seasons who have turned it around in Year 2. Think Peyton Manning, Trevor Lawrence, and Jared Goff.

Although the additions of Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette aren't all that exciting, those two pass-catchers should be clear upgrades over the likes of Laviska Shenault Jr., Jonathan Mingo, and Terrace Marshall Jr. With more ammo to open up the offense and make defenses respect the passing game, Young could flash as a passer and rusher in 2024.

Last season, Young finished with the 10th-most QB rushing yards (253) and led the position in yards per carry (6.5). If the offense grows, he'll have more rushing opportunities and chances to score in the red zone. Second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks has a promising future but is coming off an ACL tear, Miles Sanders looked like his lower-body injuries finally caught up to him last year, and Chuba Hubbard is not much of a threat near the goal line.

This 2-point conversion was called back for a penalty. However, Bryce Young shows off the out-of-structure play-making ability that makes him such a fun QB to watch. Incredible effort on the scramble. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/L1GTrs6jD7

— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 27, 2023

Young, who has real speed at the position and scored seven rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons at Alabama, could surprise fantasy managers with an additional boost on the ground in a critical sophomore campaign. The team's offensive line upgrades should help him stay healthy, which should lead to confidence in leaving the pocket for yards.

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