Late-Round Quarterback Targets (2024 Fantasy Football)

Kevin Coleman analyzes which late-round quarterbacks you should target in your redraft fantasy leagues.

In the ever-evolving world of fantasy football, the strategy of waiting until the late rounds to draft a quarterback has long been a staple advice. With the position’s depth and inherent volatility, many fantasy managers have found success by pushing their QB selection down the draft board, capitalizing on the options available in the later rounds. However, recent trends have shifted, with a growing number of experts and players opting to invest early in elite quarterbacks, especially with rushing upside. Despite this shift, the late-round quarterback strategy remains a viable and often lucrative approach, offering value and upside to those willing to wait. This article will dive into five late-round quarterbacks whose ADP is QB15 or higher who could be poised to deliver significant returns in redraft leagues. We will explore why these overlooked signal-callers might be the key to your fantasy championship.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (ADP: 9th Round QB15)

It’s always tough trusting a rookie quarterback in fantasy, especially in redraft, but Williams might be the exception this season. He has performed well in the preseason and received rave reviews in camp. In his second preseason game, he captured everyone’s attention again with his impressive play. He connected with fellow rookie Rome Odunze for a significant gain after an extended scramble and then scored himself with a clever, improvisational run. In both preseason starts, the No. 1 pick has showcased his talents through the air and the ground. His surrounding cast is also not typical for a rookie.

D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are talented receivers who should ease the burden on Williams this season, and all three are talented enough to push Williams to a low-end QB1 in fantasy. There’s also precedence for a rookie quarterback to finish as a QB1, with C.J. Stroud doing so last season, averaging 18 fantasy points per game and coming in at QB9.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (ADP: 10th Round QB18)

Coming off an Achilles tear isn’t ideal, but from every report out there, Rodgers should be just fine to start the season. The fact he was unrestricted all off-season is a positive sign that he is ready to return to form for at least one more season. Before his Achilles injury, Rodgers was a reliable top-12 fantasy quarterback, with QB6, QB10, QB3, QB6, and QB13 finishes, and winning back-to-back MVP awards in 2020 and 2021. He will finally play with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons despite subpar quarterback play. In addition to Wilson, the Jets have dynamic running back Breece Hall, who led all RBs in receiving yards (591) in 2023 and averaged 5.6 targets per game. New York has also enhanced their passing game by signing former Chargers wideout Mike Williams and drafting Malachi Corley in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The offensive line, once a major weakness, has been improved and is now ranked fifth by PFF. They added Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses while getting Alijah Vera-Tucker back from injury. While there are risks associated with Rodgers, there is a solid chance that he will be highly efficient in the Jet's offense this season and will be a low-end QB1 with his new weapons.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (ADP: 10th Round QB19)

Another quarterback coming off an Achilles tear made our list: new Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Before the injury, Cousins had arguably the best season of his career. He was QB8 in fantasy points per game and could have finished higher had he finished the season. He’s now in Atlanta playing for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. But it’s not an entirely new system. Robinson comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree where Cousin’s former coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme came from. Robinson mentioned that the shared background is a "comfort" because it allows Cousins to draw on his extensive experience with past offensive systems.

While not a rushing threat, he is surrounded by a great play-caller and some of the best weapons in the NFL. Wide receiver Drake London looks poised to finally break out under Cousins. Kyle Pitts has needed a quarterback of his caliber his whole career and could be in for a career season. Darnell Mooney is also a very underrated WR2. The Falcons roster one of the best running backs in the NFL in Bijan Robinson, who should help Cousins in the passing game. Cousins is my favorite late-round quarterback option at his current ADP, and based on early redraft roster builds, he is a quarterback you should be targeting in your leagues.

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