Sneaky QB1 Candidates? 2024 Fantasy Football Quarterback Sleepers

The NFL season is right around the corner, which means that fantasy football drafts will soon take place. Drafting your fantasy team is one of the most exciting times for managers.

But it also is one of the most stressful times, especially when making certain decisions like when is the best time to draft a quarterback. Quarterbacks usually put up the most fantasy points throughout the season, so it is important to grab a reliable one in the draft. 

However, if you don't want to spend a high pick on a quarterback, this article will have you covered. I will go through four quarterbacks going outside the top 17 in drafts who have the potential to finish top 12 at the position. So, here are four signal-callers who have sneaky QB1 value in 2024.

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Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

It doesn't make much sense to see Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins go as the QB18 currently in drafts. Of course, there are things working against him heading into the 2024 season. He is coming off a torn Achilles and will enter his age-36 season. But this is a quarterback who continues to get slept on in fantasy. 

Cousins has finished as a top-12 quarterback in six of the past nine seasons, including three of the past four years. The only reason he didn't finish high last season was because he played in just eight games after tearing his Achilles. However, the veteran was surely on his way to another top-12 finish. He averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game through the first eight weeks while finishing as a top-12 quarterback six times. 

KP on repeat! pic.twitter.com/Zb710SgiqK

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 6, 2024

Now, things shouldn't change a whole lot for Cousins in Year 13. Despite changing teams this offseason, he still has elite pass-catchers around him (Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney) and has plenty left in the tank to contribute at a high level. The new Falcons quarterback won't provide much rushing stats, but that has never been a part of his game. His potential to throw for over 4,200 yards and 25 touchdowns makes him a sneaky QB1 candidate in 2024. 

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns 

After an injury-riddled 2023 campaign, fantasy managers don't have much confidence in Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson this season. He is currently going as the QB23 in drafts while having an ADP of 173.9 in one-quarterback leagues. However, Watson is starting to become a sleeper at that draft price. 

There's no doubt that the 28-year-old did not look great in 2023. He only played in six games after dealing with a shoulder injury for most of the year. But he was a solid quarterback option in fantasy when he did suit up. Watson scored over 17 fantasy points in four of the five full games he played in. The Browns quarterback also finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback three times during those weeks. 

#Browns Deshaun Watson only simulating throws today. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is throwing: pic.twitter.com/WwrN5VNNyg

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 12, 2024

That's why Watson is a sneaky QB1 candidate this season. While he did have his struggles through the air in 2023, he was still putting up consistent fantasy numbers. His rushing ability also gives him a higher ceiling and floor than most quarterbacks going around him in drafts. The veteran rushed for at least 20 yards in four of the five full games he played in last season.

Given Watson's rushing upside and the playmakers around him (Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku), the Browns quarterback is certainly worth a shot in fantasy. 

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans 

If fantasy managers are looking for a dart throw at the quarterback position in the later rounds, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis could be a sneaky option. Levis is currently ranked as the QB24 in drafts while having an ADP of 176 on Sleeper. However, the second-year quarterback has the chance to surprise everyone in fantasy this season. 

For starters, Levis has one of the best supporting casts in the league, with playmakers like DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, and Tyjae Spears all catching passes from him in 2024. That should make things a lot easier for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Kentucky product also showed some of his potential in his rookie season after throwing for 238 yards and four touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons in his debut. 

Matthew Berry and the crew like how the #Titans are setting up Will Levis this season.

Maybe the Titans QB will be a viable fantasy option in this new Brian Callahan offensive scheme and with his new weapons.

(🎥 Fantasy Football Happy Hour streaming on Peacock) pic.twitter.com/geJjoM5LPi

— Taylor S Hurst (@TitansMan97) March 24, 2024

Now, Levis will need to clean up a couple of things if he wants to take that next step. But, with an offensive-minded head coach in Brian Callahan now in charge, there is a path for the young quarterback to be a sneaky QB1 option this upcoming season. The weapons around him should elevate his game in 2024. 

Daniel Jones, New York Giants 

Most people might disagree with New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones being on this list. He is coming off a torn ACL and looked awful under center for the Giants in 2023. Jones also averaged just 10.5 PPR fantasy points in the six games he played last year. But don't forget, Jones finished as the QB9 in all fantasy formats just two years ago. 

As a result, the potential is surely there for him to finish as a top-12 quarterback again. With a current ADP of 228.1, Jones is worth a shot that late in drafts. That ADP also lands him as the QB31 in drafts, which seems too low. He's going later than quarterbacks like Derek Carr, Bryce Young, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye.

The biggest thing for Jones in 2024 will be his legs. Will he run as much coming off a torn ACL? Chances are he won't to start the year, but there's no reason he can't provide solid rushing numbers toward the end of the season. What he loses with his legs, though, will surely be made up through the air with new and exciting rookie Malik Nabers. Nabers' presence will make things a lot easier for the Giants quarterback in 2024.

Jones might be a long shot to finish as a top-12 quarterback this season, considering the injury he is coming off. However, the potential is there for him to do so, especially with Nabers and a head coach like Brian Daboll helping him out. 

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