6 Late-Round Quarterback Draft Targets (2024 Fantasy Football)

Fantasy football experts have advocated waiting on drafting a quarterback in 1QB leagues for years. The depth and volatility at the position make waiting until the late rounds to draft a quarterback possible. However, that trend has changed in the past few years, with many fantasy football experts and players targeting an elite quarterback early in drafts.

So fantasy football players want to know – was Late-Round Quarterback Draft Strategy an effective plan in 2023? The answer is yes. However, how effective was the fantasy football draft strategy? First, let’s look at how much injuries impacted the quarterback position.

2024 Late-Round Quarterback Draft Strategy: Targets

After seeing the data from the 2023 season, fantasy players have to feel confident that waiting on a quarterback in 2024 is the correct strategy. Injuries played an insignificant role in the late-round quarterback draft strategy working last year. Yet, there is no reason not to expect a similar outcome this upcoming season.

Let’s look at six quarterbacks with an ADP outside the top 12 that fantasy players should target in their drafts this year.

Caleb Williams (CHI) | ADP: QB13

Rarely are No. 1 overall picks in the NFL Draft set up to succeed as rookies. However, that won’t be the case for Williams. Chicago made multiple additions to their offensive line, including trading for Ryan Bates. More importantly, they added Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Gerald Everett and D’Andre Swift to a receiving core led by DJ Moore and Cole Kmet. Williams has the talent and supporting cast needed to be a fantasy star in 2024. Don’t be surprised if he has a C.J. Stroud-like rookie season.

Jared Goff (DET) | ADP: QB14

The former No. 1 overall pick will be one of my highest-drafted quarterbacks this year, especially given his ADP. Goff was the QB7 in 2023, averaging 17 fantasy points per game. More importantly, he will play 14 games in a dome this upcoming season. Goff averaged 2.1 passing touchdowns and 19.9 fantasy points per game in 12 contests in a dome last year. By comparison, he averaged one passing touchdown and 13.3 fantasy points per game in the five contests outside. Goff will easily outperform his ADP.

Trevor Lawrence (JAX)| ADP: QB15

Many have criticized Lawrence after the Jaguars made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. While he is coming off a disappointing season, the former No. 1 overall pick is prime to bounce back in 2024. Lawrence had the seventh-most money throws last year (22) and the second-best pace of play (2.20) but ranked fifth in dropped passes (25), per PlayerProfiler. The former Clemson star has never had a high touchdown rate. Yet, that could change in 2024 after the Jaguars made multiple additions at wide receiver.

Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) | ADP: QB16

While some believe Herbert will become a game manager under the new run-first offense, the coaching staff would be foolish not to take advantage of his talent. He missed four games last year because of a finger injury. Yet, Herbert was the QB8 on a points-per-game basis among quarterbacks with at least nine starts. While the Chargers moved on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, they drafted Ladd McConkey and two other rookie wide receivers. Herbert won’t be a top-five guy but could finish in the low-end QB1 range.

Kirk Cousins (ATL) | ADP: QB18

Cousins has consistently been a low-end QB1 since becoming a full-time starter in 2015 despite being one of the least productive running quarterbacks in the league. While he is coming off a torn Achilles, the veteran should be 100% before the start of the regular season. Cousins won’t lack weapons in Atlanta with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and Bijan Robinson at his disposal. Furthermore, he plays most of his games indoors and against suspect defenses. He could have a top-five finish in 2024.

Geno Smith (SEA) | ADP: QB23

Unfortunately, Smith is coming off a disappointing season. However, fantasy players should give the veteran a mulligan, as his offensive line struggled to stay healthy. Meanwhile, he was the QB5 in 2022, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game. Smith had 30 passing touchdowns that year, the fourth-most in the NFL. Thankfully, Seattle improved its offensive line in the offseason. More importantly, Smith has a new offensive coordinator and an outstanding trio of wide receivers, giving him the situation and weapons needed to finish the year as a QB1.

Expert Must-Have Draft Picks

Fitz’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)
Erickson’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)
DBro’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

Fantasy Draft Advice NFL Caleb Williams Ryan Bates Keenan Allen Rome Odunze Gerald Everett D’Andre Swift DJ Moore Cole Kmet C.J. Stroud Jared Goff Trevor Lawrence Justin Herbert Mike Williams Ladd McConkey Kirk Cousins Drake London Kyle Pitts Darnell Mooney Bijan Robinson Geno Smith