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Whether it’s due to injury or poor play, there are always players who endure a bad year. This is especially true at the quarterback position. Sadly, It’s just part of fantasy football. However, a disappointing campaign means there is the potential for a bounce-back season the following year. Savvy fantasy managers recognize these opportunities and act accordingly.
It’s long been a smart strategy to target players coming off a down season. Of course, like any other draft day target, we have to ensure we are identifying the correct players. Today, we are going to look at several quarterbacks who are primed for bounce-back seasons.
Make sure to follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five quarterbacks set up for bounce-back seasons in 2024 fantasy football leagues.
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Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
It was a disappointing 2023 in terms of fantasy football production for Mahomes. He finished the season as the overall QB8 and only the QB12 in fantasy points per game (PPG) per FantasyPros. The team’s lack of receiving options behind Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice was partly to blame for Mahomes' poor fantasy finish. Things will be different in that area this year as Kansas City added Marquise Brown in free agency and speedster Xavier Worthy in the NFL draft.
BREAKING: Xavier Worthy’s official 40 yard dash time was 4.21.
Step aside John Ross, we have a new 40-yard dash record 😳pic.twitter.com/rPt4iF4Kom
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 2, 2024
With a new arsenal of weapons at his disposal, Mahomes is set up for a huge campaign. An overall QB1 finish is once again within the range of outcomes. The odds are good he won’t disappoint two years in a row.
An off-platform touchdown pass by Patrick Mahomes?? What else is new??
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 21, 2023
Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns
Watson’s 2023 season was cut short due to issues with his throwing shoulder. While he struggled with this injury and overall lousy play, Watson still found a way to be productive in fantasy football.
One of the top sleeper options at QB in #FantasyFootball drafts?#Browns QB Deshaun Watson.
His finishes in games he started and finished last year:
QB5
QB27
QB10
QB8There’s still upside here for fantasy football. #NFL
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) May 4, 2024
There are still many concerns surrounding the Browns’ signal-caller, He’s only started 12 games in the last three seasons, and it’s unclear if he ever regains his previous form.
🚨 INTERCEPTION 🚨
Levi Wallace picks off Deshaun Watson!pic.twitter.com/r6r5XL8zXf
— Steelers Nation (@SteelerNationCP) January 8, 2023
Look, Watson was awful last year. Any metric will show you that. But at the end of the day, fantasy football is a game about scoring points. Watson showed last year he can still do that even when playing at a subpar level. If he stays healthy, he will be a massive value. If you adhere to the late-round quarterback strategy, Watson makes for a great selection, as he proved last year that he can still return QB1 production.
Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
After missing time in training camp due to a calf injury, Burrow’s 2023 never really got on track. His season eventually came to an end after he suffered a wrist injury in a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He posted his worst marks in QBR, completion percentage, and touchdown rate since his 2020 rookie season. Despite all that, Burrow enters 2024 fully healthy and still has ample talent surrounding him, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins set to return. The team lost Tyler Boyd in free agency but added talented rookie Jermaine Burton in the NFL draft.
The loss of offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is a potential issue, but Burrow has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league since his 2020 debut. Although some of his raw stats declined, Burrow’s advanced metrics were still strong. Among 30 quarterbacks with 300 dropbacks, Burrow finished ninth in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) Adjusted Completion Percentage (ADJ %) and sixth in Fantasy Points Data Suite’s Catchable Throw Percentage (CATCH %).
Burrow is a quintessential bounce-back pick this year. However, durability is becoming a concern. Fantasy managers may want to invest in an additional quarterback later in drafts just to hedge their bets. Short of another injury, though, Burrow is a good bet to return to form in 2024.
Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets
Rodgers’ debut season with the Jets ended before things could even begin. He tore his Achilles tendon four snaps in his first game with his new team. The future Hall of Famer returns in 2024 and is poised to lead the Jets to a postseason berth. New York has done their best to fix the offensive line woes that plagued them last year. The team signed tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year deal in free agency and drafted tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in April’s draft. An improved offensive line will greatly benefit Rodgers at this stage of his career.
New York also added veteran receiver Mike Williams in free agency and drafted receiver Malachi Corley in the third round of the NFL Draft. With Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall also in the mix, Rodgers boasts a strong supporting cast. They can help Rodgers rebound after a disappointing season. He can return high-end QB2 or even backend QB1 production if things break right. If he returns to MVP form? Rodgers would be the steal of all drafts. He is in the twilight of his career and is a better investment in superflex leagues, but the four-time MVP can still help gamers this year.
Will Levis - Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has shown its commitment to building around its young quarterback this offseason. With the seventh pick in the NFL Draft, the Titans selected tackle JC Latham to further improve Levis’ offensive line. The team also signed Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd in free agency to beef up the skill players surrounding Levis. He had an up-and-down rookie season, but the 2023 second-round pick flashed upside throughout the year.
Will Levis first career touchdown pass pic.twitter.com/EMRlUx0kcR
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 29, 2023
Among 34 quarterbacks with 250 dropbacks, Levis ranked dead last in Adjusted Completion Percentage. He will need to make improvements in Year 2. The young quarterback has reportedly been working hard this offseason to clean up his footwork and mechanics. This is a good sign for his outlook. New head coach Brian Callahan does have experience working with young quarterbacks, as he was instrumental in Joe Burrow’s development in Cincinnati.
Basically, we are banking on a team surrounding a young quarterback with an abundance of offensive talent and a strong offensive coach developing him/building a system to highlight his strengths. Tennessee has done everything it can to set him up for success. There is sneaky breakout potential here, and Levis is a good option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues. If Levis does break out, then he will blow past his FFPC QB24 price tag and rebound from an up-and-down rookie season.
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