Welcome to our quarterback streaming articles for 2024!
Every week we will bring you our advice on which signal-callers have the potential to help your fantasy teams win. We will look at the previous weeks’ performances, the quarterbacks’ supporting cast, the matchup, and smart statistical insights to offer you the clearest picture of which QB to pick up from your waiver wire.
We will only consider QBs who are less than 70% rostered in Yahoo! leagues (unless they are a rookie for the first few weeks) so as to give you an honest chance at picking one up for your team’s matchup.
The 2023 NFL season started with a seismic shift at the quarterback position in terms of starters, with young signal-callers featuring across the league. Sophomore quarterbacks like Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder, and Kenny Pickett are no longer starters and no longer with the teams who invested in them. Rookies Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson have a lot of work to do to earn their place, and only C.J. Stroud established himself as a bona fide superstar.
In 2024, there is a more settled terrain with eight teams coming into the season with a new starting quarterback (compared to 15 this time last year). Of the record six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft, only three will start the year under center. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) all offer excitement and risk/reward potential.
The stability at the top of the position is comforting and the consistency of a veteran-laden middle tier provides reliable matchu-up base value. Yet the rookies will always draw attention, especially those waiting in the wings. As always, quarterbacks ensure this season will be fantasy fun. We are here to help week in, week out.
So with that caveat, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season and highlight our recommendations.
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Projected Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geno Smith, Seahawks | SEA vs. DEN | 32% | 15.95 |
| Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers | TB vs. WAS | 30% | 16.28 |
| Jayden Daniels, Commanders | WAS at TB | 93% | 16.95 |
“Ge-nobody talkin’ about me!”
Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Broncos
Why isn’t there more buzz about Geno Smith going into 2024? The Seahawks signal-caller was fantasy QB19 in 2023 on a run-heavy offense that promises to loosen up and fly in the passing game this season. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are all back to go along with promising complementary pieces like Noah Fant, Jake Bobo, and Zach Charbonnet out of the backfield.
First up, Smith gets a plus matchup at home against a Broncos defense that gave up the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks last year. Furthermore, Denver did not invest in improving a tame pass rush and the secondary looks like a weak spot despite the presence of cornerback Pat Surtain II.
We could be talking more about Geno this time next week if he balls out in front of the 12.
What you see is Geno Smith and DK Metcalf playing BIG BOY BALL. What I see is Geno Smith and new Seahawks OC Ryan Grub cooking up 7 course meals all year with all the offensive weapons they have. Buckle up 12s it should be a fun ride this year #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/4qDbj9WlfY
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 25, 2024
“Let Baker Bake”
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Commanders
Baker Mayfield was a Top 10 fantasy quarterback in 2023. Wait…read that again! Baker Mayfield was a Top 10 fantasy quarterback in 2023! He finished above C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford, and Justin Herbert. Like Geno, Mayfield gets back his starting offense – Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Trey Palmer are exciting to watch and alongside new flashy third-round rookie Jalen McMillan, something special could happen for the under-the-radar Bucs. It is worth noting that Mayfield gets an upgrade at center with first-round draft selection Graham Barton universally acknowledged as a big improvement for the quarterback.
Mayfield gets to start at home versus a remodelled Commanders outfit that sold off a number of key defensive players last year to look to the future. That resulted in them giving up the most passing yards and most points per game last season. Tasty!
Look at this dart from Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans 🔥
Evans is just 8 touchdowns away from No. 100 on his career. First ballot hall of famer. pic.twitter.com/IkPjvBMY83
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) December 17, 2023
“I’m the Rookie Dude”
Jayden Daniels, Commanders at Buccaneers
Looking as accomplished as Caleb Williams did in the preseason, Jayden Daniels has the early confidence of fantasy players by being 93% rostered in Yahoo! leagues. A remarkable effort for a rookie. Those who watched him in the preseason, however, will understand. The offensive line is bad but Daniels can move and he can pass, something that elite wideout Terry McLaurin and new kid on the block Luke McCaffrey will enjoy. Dyami Brown could be the sleeper of the season if Daniels can utilize the deep ball like he did in college.
Daniels has a plus matchup and goes up against Baker in what could be a shootout. The Bucs pass rush is also devoid of major talent and consistently gave up yardage to passers last year. Stay away from Antoine Winfield Jr. and Daniels should see success.
(also, if this was Daniels checking out of a play on third down to go long in his first game as a pro, I can’t wait to see how he develops)
Jayden Daniels first NFL completion: pic.twitter.com/wnswqmSb4j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2024
Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions on X at @benjaminhaller1.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Peter Joneleit / Icon Sportswire