Jayden Daniels vs. Justin Herbert - Who Should I Draft in 2024 Fantasy Football?

It’s fantasy draft day. You’ve waited on drafting a quarterback, but they are dropping like flies. Your heart pounds, fingers hover over the keyboard, and the clock ticks down. 

Do you go with the established veteran—Justin Herbert—or take a chance on the rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, the mystery box overflowing with potential? 

This quarterback conundrum is a fantasy manager's ultimate first-world problem. Let's dissect both options and help you make the winning decision.

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Jayden Daniels’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The Washington Commanders' rookie Heisman-trophy-winning quarterback Daniels enters the 2024 season with a boatload of hype and a high draft pedigree. His college stats at LSU are nothing short of electrifying – he threw for 3,813 yards and 40 touchdowns, and let’s not forget his 1,133 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Daniels is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and dual-threat QBs are fantasy gold.

The Commanders have bolstered their offensive line and have playmakers like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, and receiving back Austin Ekeler, giving Daniels a solid supporting cast. He’s often compared to another dual-threat quarterback in Robert Griffen III, who won Rookie-of-the-Year in 2012, threw for 3,200 yards, rushed for an additional 815 yards, and also played for Washington. Expect Daniels to flirt with 3,500 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and a combined 30 touchdowns. His floor might be lower, but his ceiling is stratospheric.

Jayden Daniels airing it out to Jahan Dotson:

I’m curious to see how Dotson looks with potentially improved QB play. He was someone I really liked coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft.

pic.twitter.com/q00G0yOxr2

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) May 22, 2024

Justin Herbert’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Conversely, we have Herbert, the Los Angeles Chargers' veteran quarterback. Herbert’s arm talent and experience make him a compelling fantasy option. It was a disappointing season for Herbert statistically, as he threw for 3,133 yards, 20 touchdowns, and added another 228 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. This was the second year in a row that he disappointed fantasy managers when considering where he was drafted in leagues in both 2023 (ADP QB5) and 2022 (ADP QB3).

Roster losses to key players like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler (an elite receiving back) will hurt him. His top receiving threats are Josh Palmer, DJ Chark (career depth receivers), and second-year player Quentin Johnston (who had an extremely disappointing rookie season last year). As for the offensive scheme, new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have a run-first mentality that will limit his pass attempts.

HERBERT TO Gerald Everett TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/LhjmZusHtu

— Lukas (@LukasAGS) October 22, 2023

Who Should I Draft?

This is an ultimate risk or reward scenario. 

Justin Herbert is the better bet if you crave reliability and safer production. He’s a franchise quarterback, his consistency will be there weekly, and with an ADP of 91 managers do not have to take him early in 2024. Herbert offers a high floor, but he can elevate his game anytime with his talent. 

But for me, Daniels is the player I’m targeting - especially since you can get him a full round later based on his ADP of 104. His dual-threat capability and high ceiling could win you weeks single-handedly. If your team is stacked at other positions and you can afford a rookie's growing pains, he’s the guy. Keep a close eye on Daniels during training camp – his time will come, and it might be sooner than we think.

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