I did my first version of quarterback tiers in the middle of July, just before the start of training camp. Now, it's time for an update.
The biggest change here was Kyler Murray moving into Tier 2, while Dak Prescott dropped into Tier 3. I also changed the order of Tier 1, and I'll explain all of that below.
For context, this is based on six points for passing touchdowns, one point for every 25 yards passing and minus-2 points for each interception, as well as one point for every 10 yards rushing. Hopefully, these tiers can help with any draft decisions you have to make in your upcoming draft.
Tier 1
My original order was Mahomes, Hurts, Allen and Jackson, and I've moved the top three guys around a lot in my rankings. I settled on Allen first because I like what I've seen and read about Buffalo's receiving corps, and Allen should still be a standout rusher.
I dropped Mahomes slightly -- I have all three quarterbacks back-to-back-to-back in my overall rankings -- but Allen and Hurts have a higher ceiling because of their rushing. And Marquise Brown (shoulder) getting hurt is a slight downgrade for Mahomes as well.
Jackson should probably be in a tier of his own, but the reason he's in this tier is because I believe all four of these guys have the best chance to be the No. 1 quarterback this season. Jackson has rushed for at least 800 yards in three of the past five seasons, and he's been the NFL MVP twice in that span.
Tier 2
Kyler Murray
While most Fantasy managers in leagues with six points for passing touchdowns will draft Stroud and Burrow ahead of Richardson and Murray, I prefer the upside of the mobile quarterbacks. The rushing production for Richardson and Murray, if both hit, should help them finish higher than Stroud and Burrow.
Murray gets a big boost with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., and I like that Murray is fully healthy now that he's two years removed from the ACL tear he suffered in 2022. He's the cheapest quarterback of this tier based on his Average Draft Position, but I would target him as early as Round 6.
Burrow could fall out of this tier if Ja'Marr Chase continues his holdout, but hopefully the Bengals will pay Chase. I'd love to see a full season of Burrow, Chase and Tee Higgins, which could make Burrow a top-five Fantasy quarterback this year.
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Tier 3
Dak Prescott
I had Daniels in this tier in the first version of this story, but now I moved him to the top, ahead of Love and Prescott. If he hits, Daniel has top-five upside based on what he showed at LSU, especially with his legs. He ran for 885 yards in 14 games in 2022 and 1,134 yards in 12 games in 2023.
I dropped Prescott into this tier not because I don't want him, but I prefer the upside of Murray, Daniels and Love more. And hopefully, Prescott will get CeeDee Lamb back on the field soon after his contract situation is settled. If Lamb is going to miss games in the regular season then Prescott will drop significantly in my rankings.
As for Love, I hope he continues to play like he did toward the end of 2023. when he scored at least 24.9 Fantasy points in five of his final eight games and had just one game over that span with fewer than 21.5 points. He has a deep receiving corps, and we could see Love perform at a higher level again in 2024.
Tier 4
This is really the final group of quarterbacks where you want to draft a starter in a one-quarterback league. I like Williams the best because of his upside, especially with his receiving corps, and he's performed well in two preseason games.
Purdy, Tagovailoa and Goff feel safe, and hopefully Purdy will get the Brandon Aiyuk contract situation settled soon. If Aiyuk doesn't stay in San Francisco then Purdy will fall to the bottom of this tier.
I'm excited about the upside for Lawrence, and the new weapons in Jacksonville with Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis should work well with Lawrence this year. He has top-10 potential if everything goes right.
Tier 5
I changed some things in this tier with Herbert moving to the bottom and Levis to No. 2. Herbert's foot injury is a concern, especially since the Chargers aren't going to have a pass-heavy offense.
Levis is one of my favorite sleepers this season, and hopefully, DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is healthy for Week 1. I could see Levis being a weekly starter this year if everything clicks under new coach Brian Callahan.
This group isn't ideal to find your starter in a one-quarterback league, but I like these guys as No. 2 quarterbacks in all formats. My favorites are Stafford, Levis and Watson, and hopefully, Watson can stay healthy all season after ending on injured reserve in 2023 because of his shoulder.
Tier 6
There are a lot of moving parts with this tier. Mayfield, Smith, Young, Nix and Carr should have job security, but I don't expect them to finish as top-12 quarterbacks this season. Maybe Mayfield and Smith can get there if things go right, but they feel more like top-15 quarterbacks at best.
I would love Fields to be named the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh, but Wilson will probably be the Week 1 starter. If Fields were to win the job then he would immediately be considered a Tier 4 quarterback with top-10 upside.
Darnold is now the starter in Minnesota with J.J. McCarthy (knee) out for the season, but there's minimal upside for Darnold as a Fantasy quarterback. For the most part, this tier is your desperation options in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.