Opening night of the 2023-2024 NFL season is just a few days away, meaning that Fantasy Football season is in full effect as well. Most players have already began drafting their team--or several teams--and are ready for Thursday's kickoff between the Detroit Lions and the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. But for those who are still gearing up for week 1 and their fantasy seasons, we'll be releasing our positional rankings for PPR leagues this week ahead of Thursday's kickoff. Today we'll get started with our top 25 Quarterbacks, come back throughout the week for the rest of our rankings!
1. Josh Allen (BUF, 13)
2. Jalen Hurts (PHI, 10)
The Jalen Hurts breakout last year went just as predicted, as Hurts was on pace to win NFL MVP and finish as the QB1 in fantasy before an injury sidelined him for two games at the end of the year. Although he didn’t finish as the top QB, a top-three ranking in total points (378.04; ESPN Fantasy) is nothing to complain about. Hurts displayed how valuable it is to have a dual-threat Quarterback in fantasy, finishing with 13 rushing touchdowns on top of his 22 touchdowns through the air. With back-to-back seasons of over 750 rushing yards (FantasyPros), the best offensive line in football, and his top receiving weapons returning, Hurts is solidified as a top-three fantasy QB and could easily finish as the QB1.
3. Patrick Mahomes III (KC, 10)
4. Lamar Jackson (BAL, 13)
5. Joe Burrow (CIN, 7)
6. Justin Fields (CHI, 13)
Another breakout QB from last year, Justin Fields burst onto the scene in 2022 largely due to his rushing ability. Fields finished top 10 in rushing yards for all players in the league and was first in rushing yards among Quarterbacks a season ago. With over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground, the second-year signal-caller finished as the QB6 in fantasy. Some are still questioning Fields’ throwing ability–2,242 passing yards, 17 TDs, and 11 INTs last year–but with newly acquired DJ Moore at receiver, Fields could see his passing numbers take the next leap as well. Moore has recorded 1,000 yards or more in three of his five NFL seasons, including three of the last four. With upgraded weapons and an improved offensive line, Fields now has all the tools in the passing attack to compete for the QB1 spot this year.
7. Justin Herbert (LAC, 5)
8. Trevor Lawrence (JAX, 9)
Staying on the topic of young Quarterbacks who had a breakout season, former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence shined in 2022. Finishing just behind his draft-mate Fields as the QB7 in fantasy, Lawrence threw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Jaguars QB showed flashes of his running ability as well, finding the endzone with his legs five times in 2022, more than two of the six Quarterbacks that finished ahead of him. Jacksonville was able to retain Evan Engram who was third on the team in receptions and yards in 2022 and made a splash at the trade deadline by acquiring Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons. Although Ridley last played in 2021–and only in 5 games–the expectations are through the roof for him and the offense which returns all major contributors.
9. Deshaun Watson (CLE, 5)
10. Dak Prescott (DAL, 7)
11. Daniel Jones (NYG, 13)
It’s time to start respecting Daniel Jones, at least as a fantasy QB. With first-year head coach Brian Daboll at the helm, he unlocked Jones’ ability as a runner while improving his passing numbers as well. Jones finished 5th among QBs for total rushing yards and 3rd in rushing touchdowns. He also posted a career-high in passing yards (3,205) while throwing a career-low interception total (5). Without much pass-catching talent on the roster and improved rushing numbers, Jones finished the season as the QB9. But, there should be more optimism surrounding Jones and the Giants’ offense this season with their receivers back healthy and the addition of 2020 Pro-Bowl tight end Darren Waller. Waller recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, but injuries have kept him out for a large portion of the last two seasons. Although there are health concerns, reports from training camp have stated that Waller has been one of Jones’ favorite targets and has been impressive in preparation for 2023. If Waller can stay healthy and develop a rhythm with his QB, Danny Dimes could be cemented as a starting QB in fantasy.
12. Tua Tagovailoa (MIA, 10)
13. Kirk Cousins (MIN, 13)
14. Aaron Rodgers (NYJ, 7)
15. Geno Smith (SEA, 5)
16. Jared Goff (DET, 9)
The Detroit Lions caught fire at the end of the 2022 season and quickly became one of the most loved teams by NFL fans. But amongst all the hype around the Lions, Jared Goff’s production flew under the radar. In one of the most potent offenses in the league, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick was stellar. Throwing for the 2nd highest single-season touchdown total of his career and the most passing yards since 2019, Goff finished as the QB10 last year. Although the Lions traded Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson during the season, their offense still had plenty of weapons to propel Goff to become a solid QB option in 2022. With the majority of the offense returning and some new exciting faces like Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, the Lions’ QB could see another top-10 finish in 2023.
17. Russell Wilson (DEN, 9)
18. Anthony Richardson (IND, 11)
19. Derek Carr (NO, 11)
20. Kenny Pickett (PIT, 6)
21. Matthew Stafford (LAR, 10)
22. Brock Purdy (SF, 9)
23. Jordan Love (GB, 6)
24. Sam Howell (WAS, 14)
25. Bryce Young (CAR, 7)
*All stats and 2022 rankings were received from ESPN Fantasy and FantasyPros.com*