QB2s With Top-5 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

Quarterback is the most critical position on the field in the NFL today. Without a strong quarterback, your team has no chance to win. The same rule applies to fantasy football, especially in a Superflex league. You NEED a quarterback to dominate in your league. Most people know that drafting Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and more will benefit your team. The real question is which under-the-radar QB2 can propel to the top of the fantasy football production charts as Geno Smith did two seasons ago. Let me help you break down some of my favorite options to watch at the end of your drafts to help you beat your friends and win championships in this upcoming fantasy football season.

QB2s With Top-5 Potential (2024 Fantasy Football)

Jared Goff (QB – DET)

We understand that drafting Jared Goff may not be the most exciting pickup for your fantasy team; however, after two strong seasons with the Detroit Lions, Jared Goff should be seen as someone who could take the next step. We understand he is a veteran, and a veteran rarely elevates their game midway through their career. However, the Detroit Lions can progress with their pass-catching options. This team could draft another wide receiver to add to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. A good target for the Detroit Lions would be Johnny Wilson. Johnny Wilson stands at 6’7″ and is a perfect X receiver. If you add his size to that talent pool, it will be impossible for a defense to stop the Detroit Lions. Jared Goff will have no excuse but to be one of your league’s top-five fantasy football quarterbacks.

Don’t forget Jared Goff finished QB7 in fantasy scoring last season. He has also averaged 250+ yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game in the previous two seasons. Hopefully, the stellar Detroit Lions team’s trend will continue, and they will add some extra talent to help Jared Goff get over the edge in fantasy football.

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

Matthew Stafford has one of the strongest arms in the NFL. Beautiful things can happen when you pair that cannon of an arm with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Matthew Stafford averaged 260+ passing yards and over 1.5 touchdown passes last season. He also averaged 16+ fantasy points per game last season. Although Matthew Stafford can be interception-prone, he loves to sling the football all around the field. With the Los Angeles Rams losing Aaron Donald and taking a step back on defense, Matthew Stafford will have to throw the ball to keep his team in competition every Sunday.

Justin Fields (QB – PIT)

Is this a scary pick? Of course, it is scary. The man may not even start this season as the QB1 in Pittsburgh. Sometimes, you have to take risks in life to be rewarded. If you want to chase Justin Fields, you must draft two Quarterbacks. The first one may need to be a safer play, such as Jared Goff or even Matthew Stafford, while also grabbing the Konami code in Justin Fields. If Russell Wilson is unable to compete or loses the job to Fields, the season will be over in Pittsburgh, and they will want to see what Justin Fields has in his future.

For fantasy, we know what he has in his game: the ability to run all over your opponent and eradicate them without even needing a spectacular passing day. This selection of Justin Fields isn’t for the easily frightened, but if you ain’t first, you’re last, right?

Geno Smith/Sam Howell (QB – SEA)

A bet on Geno Smith is truly a bet on his trio of wide receivers to help carry him back to the promised land of top-five quarterbacks. Only a few quarterbacks get to throw the ball to a talent pool at the level of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Geno Smith also has two talented running backs in the backfield to help gather first downs and keep drives moving. The most significant risk involved with Geno Smith is his new coach, Mike Macdonald.

The Seattle Seahawks brought in Sam Howell to “backup” Geno Smith. The issue with a new coach is they could have a short leash with someone who isn’t “their guy.” If Geno gets a quick hook, we could see Sam Howell enter an excellent quarterback situation. We watched Howell sling the ball all over the yard for Washington last year, and if given a chance, we expect more of the same from Howell under center again. Either quarterback will be a late-round pick, mitigating risk for your fantasy team and allowing you to shoot for the moon with upside.

Will Levis (QB – TEN)

My least favorite selection here, but he has talent surrounding him to join his rocket arm. This selection of Will Levis is the highest risk on the list. If you follow my past articles, you understand that I believe Will Levis is too tight in his upper body to be consistent under center. However, if he were ever going to explode and return to his NFL debut level, where he threw for four touchdowns, this combination of pass catchers would bring him there. Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and friends are ready to help Will Levis break out and become a fantasy football favorite.

Will Levis will get multiple games against weaker Jacksonville and Indianapolis defenses, which will help bolster his stats. Levis will also have a chance at two shootouts against fellow 2023 rookie sensation C.J. Stroud. Once again, he is my least favorite on this list of quarterbacks, yet if I can grab him at the end of my drafts, it’s worth the risk.

As we stated, each prospect on this list has some risk baked into it. However, with their later ADP (average draft position), you can find a steal to elevate your team into unbeatable realms. Remember to continue to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. If you need more help with your fantasy teams, don’t hesitate to contact me on X at @jpep20. Good luck with your drafts this offseason!

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NFL Patrick Mahomes Jalen Hurts Josh Allen Geno Smith Jared Goff Amon-Ra St. Brown Sam LaPorta Jameson Williams Johnny Wilson Matthew Stafford Puka Nacua Cooper Kupp Justin Fields Sam Howell DK Metcalf Tyler Lockett Will Levis Calvin Ridley DeAndre Hopkins Tony Pollard C.J. Stroud