Let's peel back another layer with our 2024 fantasy football draft preparation and dive into options for those who love to wait on drafting a quarterback. Load up on the other positions and then take a shot on these guys to capture a potential league-winning upside. There are quite a few late-round QBs to circle as your draft is wrapping up.
This article will present three late-round quarterback sleepers for you to consider drafting this season. Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Normally only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2024 Draft Kit.
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Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Deshaun Watson, Browns - Fantasy Football Outlook
It's been a rough go for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. His 2023 season was limited to six games after a shoulder injury forced him out of action. As a result, Watson has now played in only 12 games since the 2020 season. Due to his injuries and overall lousy play, there are many question marks surrounding him.
Despite all the concerns, Watson still found a way to be productive for fantasy football last year. He finished as a QB1 in three of the four games he started and finished. Watson is coming off draft boards as the QB24 per our composite ADP. At this price, the risks surrounding him are sufficiently baked into the cost. Fantasy gamers can select him as a backup quarterback and take a wait-and-see approach
I want to see Deshaun Watson fully healthy before we write him off. We're talking about a guy who at his best passed for 4,800 yards with 33 TDs while rushing for 400+
His 2024 ADP as the QB24 is crazy. The markets are treating Watson like he forgot how to play football at 28.
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) August 8, 2024
The fact is, Watson can still deliver results for fantasy football. If he can find a way to play a full 17 games, a QB1 season is entirely possible. However, this might be a tall ask. Ranked as Rotoballer's QB23, Watson could prove to be a massive value in drafts. He's a great target for players who adhere to the late-round quarterback strategy.
Will Levis, Titans - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Tennessee Titans have done their best to give quarterback Will Levis (foot) a chance to succeed with the influx of a new coaching staff led by head coach Brian Callahan, an improved offensive line, and the additions of wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and running back Tony Pollard. Veteran DeAndre Hopkins and third-year wide receiver Treylon Burks will also return in 2024.
Levis had a rocky rookie season. His decision-making and ability to see pressure were certainly points of concern. However, one could argue that is the case for most rookie quarterbacks. It was not all bad. Levis did his best to protect the ball, only throwing for 1,808 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions over nine games. The 24-year-old was slowed by a foot injury late last season.
Most importantly, Levis played with undeniable confidence. In only nine games, Levis finished 17th in deep ball attempts and number one in air yards per attempt. He was not afraid to cut it loose. While throwing it deep was not always the best decision, no one can coach confidence. With coaching refinement and an improved body of weapons around him, Levis should take a step forward.
Levis is also a very good athlete with a rushing upside comparable to Justin Herbert. No one is clamoring for a superstar here, as Levis is currently being drafted as the QB25 and is ranked by RotoBaller as the QB24. However, if Levis can take a step forward as a passer and use his legs as a rusher, he could be a streaming option and solid second quarterback for superflex formats in 2024.
-Quincy Milton III - RotoBaller
Geno Smith, Seahawks - Fantasy Football Outlook
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith took a significant step back in 2023, throwing for just 3,624 yards and 20 touchdowns in 15 games. While racking up 658 fewer yards in two fewer games compared to his 2022 campaign, is reasonable, the drop in touchdowns from 30 to 20 really hurt fantasy managers. The former Comeback Player of the Year also regressed in his completion percentage (69.8% to 64.7%) and touchdown rate (5.2% to 4.0%).
Despite the dip in production, there is reason for optimism in 2024. Two areas that show confidence in the signal caller are the team's pass rate over expectation in 2023 of 1.2%, which ranked sixth in the NFL, and their passing play percentage of 63%, which was the fifth highest, indicating they trust him to air it out.
Geno Smith led the league in Big Time Throw % on deep passes for the second straight year in 2023.
He also had the 4th best pressure to sack ratio while having the 5th highest percentage of dropbacks under pressure pic.twitter.com/CVzxbOf13R
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) June 14, 2024
Additionally, the Pro Bowler will receive a new offensive mind calling plays in Ryan Grubb along with a bolstered O-line. He'll also have his two young tackles, Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, back healthy. Smith won't slot in among the elite names at the position, but he's a solid second option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues with the potential for more as the QB26.
-Josh Constantinou - RotoBaller
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