Fantasy managers should always maximize opportunities to seek high-value upside at every position.
After months of draft preparation, you should have a list of players with upside over their average draft position (ADP). Grabbing a quarterback with top-five upside or higher is a winning formula for a fantasy championship. Below are four must-have quarterbacks to target in every draft.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Must-Have Quarterbacks
Jordan Love (QB – GB)
Every Big-Time Throw from Jordan Love in 2023 (40/5.81%) pic.twitter.com/vBVMKrTfmu
– James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) May 15, 2024
In what was considered a rebuilding season, the Green Bay Packers turned the keys to the offense to Jordan Love, their first quarterback change since 2008. The Packers and Love struggled to kick off the season. The Packers had a 2-5 record through seven games. Love had issues with taking care of the ball with eight interceptions across those seven games.
However, the Packers’ offense started to click as the season progressed. Love developed chemistry with his impressive group of wideouts — Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed. In addition, the play-calling of head coach Matt LaFleur grew more aggressive as Love displayed the ability to lead the Packers’ offense.
Love was the ring-leader on one of the hottest teams in the league. He showed what it takes to lead the Packers. He threw only one interception in the final eight weeks, with the Packers finishing 7-3 and returning to the NFL playoffs.
Love finished as the QB5 in fantasy points scored by a quarterback. Love threw for 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The former Utah State Aggie finished ninth with a 62.1 QBR and sixth with +128.2 expected points added. He also added four rushing scores to cement Love as a QB1 in fantasy.
There will be high expectations for Love and the Packers as we enter the 2024 season. The Packers bring back their impressive group of young wide receivers. In addition, they are excited to have tight end Luke Musgrave back after missing the final six weeks of the regular season due to a lacerated kidney. The Packers also signed running back Josh Jacobs to take over the lead back role after allowing Aaron Jones to leave via free agency.
Look for the Packers to continue to be one of the top-scoring offenses in the league. Love will pilot the Packers into another playoff berth. Hop on the Love train as one of the must-have quarterbacks to roster in 2024 Fantasy Football.
Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)
Kyler Murray‘s season averages when he plays at least 14 games:
???? 3,827 pass yards
???? 23 pass TD
???? 11 INT
???? 595 rush yards
???? 7 TD pic.twitter.com/pB1tHVgdN4– NFL on DAZN (@NFLonDAZN) July 7, 2024
When I tackled this assignment earlier in my draft prep, Kyler Murray was one of my must-have quarterback recommendations. Watching the improvements in his health and supporting cast, Kyler Murray was a no-brainer inclusion as a quarterback who will be heavily targeted on my fantasy rosters in 2024.
Murray, who has missed 18 games in the past three years, returned last season in Week 10, precisely 11 months removed from his torn ACL injury. He didn’t disappoint fantasy managers. Murray was the QB9 after his return through the remainder of the season. His supporting cast was not desirable outside of the emergence of tight end Trey McBride. McBride produced 81 receptions for 825 receiving yards despite sitting behind Zach Ertz for the first seven games last season. Outside of McBride, no other offensive weapon surpassed 600 yards receiving.
The Cardinals’ brain trust, led by general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, entered this offseason tasked with transforming the roster and building around their franchise quarterback. With the fourth pick in the NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected unanimous All-American Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison. He was rated as the top wide receiver in the draft class and a can’t-miss prospect who will immediately enter Arizona as the team’s top receiving option.
The Cardinals also added offensive firepower with the selection of running back Trey Benson. Benson’s ideal size/speed combo will complement James Conner this season and be the future starter out of the Cardinals’ backfield. Arizona also signed former Jacksonville Jaguar wide receiver Zay Jones, who produced career-highs with his 82-catch, 823-receiving yard production last season.
The Cardinals also made noise by significantly upgrading their offensive line. Paris Johnson Jr. is moving to left tackle. New signings like Evan Brown and Jonah Williams aim to strengthen the line. The significant additions on offense provide Murray with the most talented cast around him.
After a full year of being removed from his ACL injury, Murray should be in for a breakout season in 2024. One of the best dual-threat passers in the NFL, Murray is currently being drafted as the QB9. However, Murray can potentially be a top-five fantasy football quarterback and a must-have quarterback to draft in 2024.
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
HISTORY: #49ers Brock Purdy IS HAVING ONE OF THE BEST STARTS TO A CAREER (1st two seasons)
Ranks in:
QB Rating 1st
Completion % 1st
Yards/Attempt 1st
Adjusted Y/A 1st
Playoff Wins 2nd
TDs % 5thLEGEND IN THE MAKING
(h/t @jasmindear_) pic.twitter.com/Mv6L4TLc89
– MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 7, 2024
Brock Purdy is a once-in-a-million story. From being Mr. Irrelevent, the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, to directing a Niners offense that reached the NFC Championship twice and the Super Bowl once. To top it off, he set a San Francisco 49ers single-season franchise record by throwing for 4,280 yards last season.
Purdy will always have his distractors. But consider his highly talented supporting cast and play-calling mastermind Kyle Shanahan is pulling the strings on a Niners offense that has ranked among the top five scoring offenses. The Niners’ offensive arsenal scares opposing defenses. The 49ers have the best dual threat in the league in running back Christian McCaffrey, two top-15 wide receivers in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel and the heart and soul of their offense in tight end George Kittle.
When you think Purdy can’t do the impossible, the former Iowa St. Cyclone led all NFL quarterbacks with a 113.0 passer rating last season. He also averaged a league-leading 9.9 yards per attempt while throwing for 31 scores against 11 interceptions.
More numbers should dismay his distractors. Purdy finished first among all NFL quarterbacks with a 55.3% deep ball completion percentage, 113. 1 true passer rating and expected points added of +217.8.
We can all agree Purdy leads the most talented offense in the league. However, he does shine in the Niners’ offense. His ascension into the NFL QB elite continues in the 2024 season as he seeks to improve his accuracy and ability to make and extend plays under pressure. Imagine the stats Purdy will produce as he learns more about the nuances of the quarterback position. Combining these factors provides clear ammunition for Purdy to be one of the must-draft quarterbacks for your 2024 Fantasy Football rosters.
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)
Anthony Richardson. Touchdown. pic.twitter.com/Ps1dvqjxCQ
– Fantasy Life (@MBFantasyLife) September 10, 2023
Anthony Richardson is another quarterback who made my first must-have list. Richardson continues to be an exciting player as we enter the 2024 season. His rookie season was cut short to only four games after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. However, he displayed that he possesses as much upside as any quarterback in the NFL. His deep ball ability and crazy athleticism allowed Richardson to finish his rookie season with 713 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage.
Richardson averaged 18.2 fantasy points per game last season. His rushing prowess is the reason Richardson commands untapped potential. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry in those four games with four rushing scores.
Reportedly healthy entering the 2024 season, Richardson will lead one of the best offenses in the league in the Colts. Led by the play-calling of head coach Shane Steichen, the Colts finished as a top-12 offense, with Gardner Minshew taking over for Richardson.
Richardson played only about a half-game with bell-cow running back Jonathan Taylor last season. WR Michael Pittman, Jr enjoyed a breakout 2023 season and Josh Downs returns after an impressive rookie season. The Colts also added a new target for Richardson in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Anthony Richardson has QB1 overall upside this season. His elite skill set and supporting cast position him for a breakout 2024 season and recognition as a must-have quarterback for your 2024 fantasy football rosters.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
