“Bounce-back” candidates generally fall into two categories: Those who sustained an injury the prior season and are looking to rebound and those who performed poorly compared to their projections and expectations.
For this article, players returning from injury are easy to point out and are absolute lay-ups. Claiming 2025 should be a better season for Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Richardson, Justin Herbert or Daniel Jones is a relatively straightforward claim — all they need to do is stay healthy to improve their statistical totals. They may be betting favorites for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, but their inclusion is purely due to the disorders they suffered the prior year.
We want to go a little off the beaten path to point out candidates for improvement. Here are two quarterbacks I expect to improve in 2024 and become fantasy-relevant in short order.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Bounce-Back Quarterback Candidates
Will Levis (QB – TEN)
Thrust into action starting in Week 8 last year due to a Ryan Tannehill injury, Will Levis quickly endeared himself amongst NFL fans for his reckless YOLO playstyle and unabashed desire to push the ball downfield when given the opportunity. Cut in a similar mold as Josh Allen or Ben Roethlisberger physically, the primary knock on Levis coming out of Kentucky was that he was an unfinished product that needed to work on refining his mechanics and improving his decision-making when to take deep shots and when to play things safe.
Constantly under duress due to a sieve offensive line in 2024, Tennessee doubled down on their commitment to Levis by drafting massive tackle J.C. Latham from the University of Alabama with the seventh overall selection. His presence fixes a gaping hole in their offensive line. Latham earned an 80+ pass-blocking grade in consecutive seasons with the Crimson Tide. They also signed Lloyd Cushenberry to a four-year deal in free agency. He was one of the most coveted options at center. Cushenberry allowed two sacks and just 16 total pressures during the entirety of last year with Denver.
Continuing their free agency spending spree, Tennessee inked Calvin Ridley to a four-year deal to start opposite DeAndre Hopkins. His presence will siphon away coverage and he can play across formations, opening up new beneficial matchups for Levis to exploit. Coming fresh off a 76/1,016/8 split for Jacksonville last year, the seven-year veteran will give Levis the deep-threat option he was sorely missing. Treylon Burks and Chigoziem Okonkwo will compete for the remainder of passing targets downfield, working as tertiary options.
Following Derrick Henry‘s decision to move on from the Titans, there was a gaping hole in the backfield and a lack of identity in the running game. Tyjae Spears was the assumed incumbent for the starting job, but Tennessee didn’t seem comfortable handing him the bell-cow role. Instead, they curiously opted to sign Tony Pollard, who has a skill set broadly similar to Spears. Their overall versatility and receiving skills will make it difficult for defenses to predict play calls.
Levis finished as the QB33 his rookie season, but a dramatically upgraded cast around him, coupled with him entering the year as the unquestioned starter, makes him a significant breakout option.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAX)
A popular sleeper option at the quarterback position in 2023 fantasy drafts, Trevor Lawrence failed to live up to the billing and flopped out of the gate last year. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, he was the QB19 in fantasy points per game, averaging just 235 passing yards and one touchdown each outing. His struggles came from a variety of reasons, though injuries he attempted to gut out and play through limited him physically, struggles along the offensive line and a bevy of dropped passes are the primary culprits.
Despite these limitations and hurdles, Lawrence graded out as the QB7 in fantasy points per game from Week 11 onward, even with top receiver Christian Kirk sidelined due to a core injury. Lawrence will look to key in on consistency each week as he enters his fourth year in the league.
After the departure of Calvin Ridley to their divisional rival, Jacksonville made it a point to reinforce the receiver position, signing Gabe Davis in free agency as their new primary deep threat and spending their first-round selection on LSU standout Brian Thomas Jr., who is a dynamic force all over the field due to his explosive speed and route running. The Jaguars core of Kirk, Davis and Thomas Jr. is incredibly deep and immensely skilled.
Additionally, Jacksonville signed Mitch Morse at center to compete with third-year option Luke Fortner, who graded out as the second-worst pass-blocking option at the position in 2024. He should instantly push for snaps. His presence on the field would dramatically aid Lawrence’s ability to progress through his reads. The Jaguars further bolstered their line by drafting Javon Foster out of Missouri, a multi-year starter with the flexibility to move to guard if need be.
Lawrence is currently the QB16 in our expert consensus rankings (ECR). He has the upside to be an unquestioned starter every week if he avoids injuries during 2024. His arm talent and modest rushing upside already placed him on the verge of becoming a weekly QB1. With Jacksonville’s additions during the offseason, I believe it vaulted him over the top. Invest.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn