Preseason rankings for all 32 projected starting quarterbacks: Will Josh Allen repeat as QB1?

32. Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

2023 rank: 28
Top weapons: Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers (R), Tre Tucker, Michael Gallup
Backfield: Zamir White, Alexander Mattison

O'Connell was dealt a tough hand as a rookie, immediately thrust into a part-time starting role due to the heavily criticized play of Jimmy Garoppolo. He struggled, but there is only so much to expect from a fourth-round pick forced to lead an offense that did not even have a stable coaching staff. Entering 2024, O'Connell is not even confirmed to return as the starter as he battles for his job with offseason acquisition Gardner Minshew.

If he returns under center in Week 1, O'Connell will basically have the same team around him from his rookie season. That consistency is great for a young quarterback, especially since the Las Vegas offensive line is expected to be amongst the best in the league in 2024. But this is the same unit he had when he finished 28th in 2023 and while growth is expected, O'Connell has the feel of more of a career backup than a fantasy stud.

31. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick, Adam Trautman
Backfield: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin

Following a disastrous 2023 season in Denver, all indications point to Bo Nix taking over in his rookie season. With Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson as the only other quarterbacks on the roster, Broncos fans will be praying that Nix pulls away with a firm grasp on the starting role.

Nix can develop into a solid starter in the league but growing pains are to be expected in his rookie year. On paper, this offense looks promising but has little to no consistency on the roster. Courtland Sutton is expected to continue his role as the leading receiver of the team but has yet to top 1,000 yards since 2019. Sure, Marvin Mims Jr. is primed for a breakout year, but he has been used as more of a big-play threat than a reliable pass-catcher through the first 16 games of his career.

Fantasy-wise, Nix will have plenty of opportunity to put points on the board. The Denver defense was ranked second to last in Bleacher Report's 2024 preseason ratings, suggesting they will be playing from behind more often than not. Historically, rookies who have profiled similarly to Nix have not had much success in their first season.

30. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield
Backfield: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler

Darnold may be the first quarterback to take the field for Minnesota in September but he is really just a placeholder. JJ McCarthy's time is coming and no matter how many opportunities Darnold is given to prove himself in the league, he just is not an NFL-level starting quarterback.

The talent surrounding Darnold is obviously ideal for a fantasy quarterback to succeed but there is no reason to expect anything from someone who has never thrown more than 19 touchdowns in a season. He'll have big games, which has kept him from being ranked any lower, but the pressure from fans will force the prized rookie into the spotlight sooner rather than later. He will be lucky to still be playing by Week 6.

29. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Demario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk (R), Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, KJ Osborn
Backfield: Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson

Much like Sam Darnold, Brissett has no long-term value in New England with rookie Drake Maye nipping at his heels. Under Bill Belichick, there may have been more hope that he could cling onto the starting role a bit longer but in the new era of the Patriots, fans are ready to move on to the next chapter after Mac Jones drove them into the dirt.

Unlike Darnold, however, there is not a ton to get excited about for Brissett in this offense. The offensive line is projected to be in the bottom half of the league and New England will be heavily reliant on immediate production from rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. At this point, there is enough evidence to know what to expect from Brissett and that has never been enough to leave an impact in fantasy.

28. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

2023 rank: 23
Top weapons: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette (R), Jonathan Mingo, Tommy Tremble
Backfield: Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks (R)

The Panthers blamed Young's horrid 2023 season to him not having a bonafide top receiver and went out to obtain Diontae Johnson to fill that role. Johnson has proven to be that guy in the past and his presence should raise the floor of Young. Beyond him and Adam Thielen, however, the options are thin.

Young will once again be running for his life behind a bottom-five projected offensive line in 2024 and has not appeared to have gained much size over the offseason. Carolina used another high draft pick to select a rookie receiver in Xavier Legette to hopefully add talent to this offense but if their recent history is any indication, rookie pass-catchers have struggled to find success on this team. This could be another long year for Young.