Fantasy Football way too early QB rankings: Part 1

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen finished with the most fantasy points among quarterbacks for the third time in his career in 2023.  Allen threw for 4,306 yards with 29 passing TDs and 15 rushing TDs.  

What makes Allen so valuable in fantasy is his ability to rack up yards in the air and on the ground.  The former Wyoming product is the centerpiece of this offense and will be for years to come.  A concern about Allen is that there is a lack of talent around him at the current moment.  However, if Allen has to put on the Superman cape more often in 2024, do not worry; he will get it done.  

2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes had a down year from a fantasy perspective, but that did not stop him from winning his third Super Bowl MVP and solidifying the greatness of this Kansas City Chiefs dynasty.

However, I am more encouraged to invest in Mahomes in 2024 due to the emergence of wide receiver Rashee Rice and running back Isiah Pachecho.  Both players have become stars not only on the offense but in the entire league.  With an aging but still dominant Travis Kelce, it is reassuring to know that Mahomes will still have weapons alongside him going into 2024. 

3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The reigning MVP put any doubters in their place in 2023, where he finished as the fourth overall quarterback in fantasy.  Jackson led the position in rushing yards with 821, leading that category by nearly 200 yards.

Jackson should see an improvement in his passing statistics with the growth of their outstanding receiver, Zay Flowers.  Flowers was great in his rookie campaign and should be expected to take an even larger step forward in 2024.

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

2023 was a year to forget in Cincinnati.  Joe Burrow battled injuries all season and rarely looked like himself.  I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as he produced fantasy superstar numbers just a year ago when Burrow finished as a top 4 QB in 2022.

The Bengals have also announced that they will be placing the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, which gives Burrow an excellent WR2 behind superstar Ja’Marr Chase. 

5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts finished as the QB2 in 2023, but I am expecting a bit of a decline in 2024.  Hurts was very fortunate to have several opportunities to execute the “Brotherly Shove” on an almost weekly basis to get him over the goal line.  While this play will still be extremely effective in 2024, do not count on such a high rushing TD total.  

The former Alabama product was reliant on this play from a fantasy perspective as he was just one of two quarterbacks (the other being Lamar Jackson) who finished as a top 11 QB in fantasy without at least 4,000 passing yards despite the talent on the outside in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. 

Hurts needs the rushing output to be there to be a dominant option in fantasy.  Target him with confidence in 2024; just be careful not to expect a similar season in 2024, especially if the QB sneak opportunities are not there. 

6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

A coaching change could do wonders for a quarterback, especially if it is the right one.  The Chargers made a big splash in the offseason by hiring former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.  Harbaugh should bring a much-needed change of direction for this Chargers team.  

Herbert finished as a top 10 QB in 2021 and 2022 and showed superstar potential in many instances.  I feel confident betting on Harbaugh to bring Herbert back to this level of play.  To make things even better, the Chargers hold a top pick in the NFL draft and could very well pair Justin Herbert with an elite rookie pass catcher like Malik Nabers from LSU or Brock Bowers from Georgia. 

At only age 25, Herbert’s best days are still ahead of him.