5 backup quarterbacks to consider adding in dynasty leagues

Quarterback tends to be fairly straightforward in fantasy with only 32 playable options at any given time and fewer preseason questions than most other positions. Yet, especially in dynasty leagues, the field can get much more interesting when playing the long game.

Obviously, all of the fantasy-relevant starters and top backups are already owned in most leagues, and those who are not will be the first names off the board during drafts. Aside from two-quarterback leagues, dynasty managers rarely need more than two signal callers on a roster but some fantasy players who already have their quarterback of the future have the luxury of taking a stab at a long-term play. That is when the options get much more interesting.

We are not talking about the big-name rookies such as JJ McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. who are expected to begin their careers as backups before taking over shortly after. These are the players who will begin 2024 buried on the depth chart but for one reason or another still own the potential to break out if the cards fall into place as low-risk high-reward options.

Don't expect any of these players to be the next Tom Brady but don't be surprised if a few end up making a bigger name for themselves than they are now.

Spencer Rattler

Not long ago, Rattler was a unanimous five-star recruit and the consensus top-rated quarterback of the 2019 recruiting class, putting him above players such as Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and Sam Howell. Yet, after an underwhelming collegiate career, Rattler finds himself third on the New Orleans depth chart behind Derek Carr and Jake Haener.

However, by the time Week 1 rolls around, Rattler could find himself as the backup to Carr with Haener disclosing that he was recently diagnosed with non-life-threatening skin cancer. While the severity of his condition is currently unknown, the 25-year-old told the media during training camp that he will need to undergo a mandatory procedure sometime soon, which could sideline him for the foreseeable future.

Should Carr go down early in the year, Rattler would likely be the first call off the bench even with Taysom Hill still on the roster. He still has clear untapped potential to make something happen if given the opportunity.

Joe Milton III

Though Milton is clearly not an NFL-ready passer at this stage of his career, there are components of his game that simply cannot be taught. At 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds, his size immediately jumps off the page paired with his elite athleticism and strength as a dual-threat quarterback.

In a large sample size in college — playing a combined six years with Michigan and Tennessee — Milton was not overly impressive as a passer, throwing just 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Yet, scouts could not get over his strong arm and physicality as a rusher, leading to him being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by New England.

For Milton, talent was never a question, as he was routinely named a preseason Heisman candidate once developing into a starter in college but could never reach the potential experts saw in him. He still feels like an unfinished product waiting to find his true form but the time is running out.

Unfortunately, Milton will begin his professional career behind another rookie the team will deem as their franchise player in Drake Maye. But if Milton can finally figure out how to configure his raw talent, Brock Purdy laid out the game plan for late-round rookies to soar above a top-10 pick of that same year.

Michael Pratt

Green Bay is sold on Jordan Love as their quarterback for the time being but is still far from satisfied with 2023 backup Sean Clifford. As such, the team took a shot on Pratt in the final round of the 2024 NFL Draft and is prepared to have the two engage in an offseason battle for the No. 2 job.

As the more experienced player, Clifford has the early edge during training camp but is already 26 years old compared to Pratt, who presents more upside at 22. With Jacob Eason also with the team in the offseason, Pratt will need to fight for his roster spot but if he can survive the summer, he is a potential boom-or-bust player who threw 90 total touchdowns in four years at Tulane to just 26 total interceptions.

Pratt's arm talent leaves a lot to be desired but his IQ and decision-making lay the groundwork for a potential game-changer under the right circumstances. It is not every day that a quarterback from Tulane warrants draft consideration.

Devin Leary

As another talented passer entering the NFL with a lot of NCAA experience under his belt, Leary played four years at NC State before transferring to Kentucky for his fifth and final season. Statistically, Leary's best season came in 2021 with the Wolfpack but in his lone season against SEC competition, the pocket passer fared well with 2,746 passing yards and 25 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Though most of his numbers do not jump off the paper, Leary was repeatedly plagued with injuries throughout his collegiate career, playing just two full seasons. A former four-star recruit, Leary broke Phillip Rivers' single-season touchdown record with 35 at NC State, showcasing his playmaking ceiling at his peak.

With negative total rushing yards throughout his college career, Leary does not match the typical play style of the other Baltimore quarterbacks under the Lamar Jackson era. But should the reigning MVP ever go down — a lingering possibility given his hectic approach — all Leary would have to do to take the field is beat out 38-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson.

Jordan Travis

Before he suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in recent college football history, Travis was seen by some as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. In his fifth season with Florida State and sixth year in college overall, Travis nearly single-handedly carried the Seminoles to a championship-level season before dislocating his ankle late in the year.

It does not take a doctor to understand that an injury of that magnitude can permanently change an athlete for the remainder of their career. Travis' former teammate and former UCF star McKenzie Milton suffered a similar injury in 2018 and could never return to form. But if he can somehow make his way back, Travis was one of the most dynamic players in NCAA football before he went down.

Travis is currently listed as third on the New York Jets' depth chart behind veterans Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor. He is not expected to be a factor in 2024 but with Rodgers turning 41 in December and the 35-year-old Taylor fully settled into his role as a backup, there is an outside chance Travis can convince the team to give him a shot once the old guard's time is up.

Considering Travis is far from returning to the field, having a team take a shot on him this early in his rehab process is a convincing sign. Robert Saleh called him "tremendously talented" and noted his genuine excitement for the quarterback's development.