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

With the bulk of NFL rosters set for the 2024 season, the time has come for fantasy football managers to begin evaluating the scene for upcoming league play. As veteran managers know, a season can be won or lost by the play of your quarterback.

Like a traditional NFL team, a fantasy squad will only go as far as the quarterback does. There are always exceptions but finding value at the signal-calling position has proven invaluable.

The 2023 season was owned by Josh Allen, who overtook Patrick Mahomes as the overall fantasy QB1. Whether or not the leader of the Bills mafia can repeat that success without Stefon Diggs in 2024 remains to be seen.

With several months still remaining before the season officially kicks off, look no further for the 2024 fantasy preseason rankings for all 32 projected starting quarterbacks.

All 2023 fantasy rankings are according to FantasyPros with 2024 projected defensive rankings courtesy of Bleacher Report.

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.

27. Daniel Jones, New York Giants

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Malik Nabers (R), Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Daniel Bellinger
Backfield: Devin Singletary, Eric Gray

Other than the addition of Malik Nabers in the Draft, the 2024 offseason could not have gone much worse for Jones. On top of losing Saquon Barkley to a divisional rival, Jones appears to be on the verge of losing his most proven pass-catcher with Darren Waller expected to announce his retirement before the season begins.

Just taking a look at this offense on paper, if Jones is to have any success, he desperately needs Nabers to have an Odell Beckham-like rookie year and Jalin Hyatt to take a significant leap. Otherwise, he'll be handed the same middling receiving corps he has dealt with for years while working behind a paltry offensive line. Not to mention, he is coming off an injury that limited him to just six games in 2023 and is projected to have one of the league's worst defenses on the other side.

26. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans

2023 rank: 33
Top weapons: Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Chigoziem Okonkwo
Backfield: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears

From taking over as the starter in Week 8 to the end of the season, Levis was the 26th-best quarterback in fantasy football. That is not great, but not terrible given his situation. The arm talent is clearly there but the decision-making and accuracy were not. Neither was the receiving corps but he will theoretically receive a boost in that category with the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

With the skill position upgrades he has received, 2024 will be a telling year on the true potential of Levis. He was reliant on big plays as a rookie — which can be both a blessing and a curse in fantasy — but with minor adjustments, he could be in for a breakthrough year.

25. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

2023 rank: 14
Top weapons: George Pickens, Roman Wilson (R), Pat Freiermuth, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins
Backfield: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren

Let social media tell you what it may but Wilson had a fairly successful 2023 season. In his second season in Denver, Wilson threw for 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions but a career low 3,070 yards. Now entering his age-35 season, Wilson will be in what could be his most stable situation since leaving Seattle.

With Diontae Johnson out of the picture in Pittsburgh, George Pickens should be the best receiver Wilson has thrown to since DK Metcalf. Wilson is also expected to have a top-10 offensive line unit in the league, a key factor required for an aging quarterback to produce at a high level. Though Wilson's prime is seemingly now in the rearview mirror, there is optimism that he can at least match his numbers from 2023 but his days as an elite fantasy contributor are long gone.

24. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

2023 rank: 19
Top weapons: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Noah Fant, Jake Bobo
Backfield: Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet

After putting together one of the most unexpected comeback seasons in 2022, Smith regressed in 2023. As a result, he finished in the bottom-half of starting quarterbacks in fantasy and will return with essentially the same offensive unit in 2024.

There is no reason to suggest that Smith will completely fall off the way he did early in his career. But his stellar 2022 season is beginning to look more like an outlier than a resurrection. The book is wide-open on Smith at this stage of his career and he has never been great at adjusting to a defense. Even if he matches his 2023 production, that will likely not be enough to crack the top 20.

23. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

2023 rank: 16
Top weapons: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, AT Perry, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Juwan Johnson
Backfield: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams

In his second season with New Orleans, Carr will have almost the same team around him with one major stipulation. With injury concerns surrounding Ryan Ramczyk and a couple of key pieces on the offensive line leaving in free agency, the protective unit will be a major concern as they are expected to be one of the worst front lines in the league.

Carr has put up roughly the same numbers for the last six years and there is no reason to expect anything will change now. He will be a decent second option in two-quarterback leagues and a back-end QB2 in standard leagues.

22. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, Luke McCaffrey (R), Dyami Brown
Backfield: Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr.

This is a tough situation for a rookie to be in. Sam Howell surprisingly thrived in this role, finishing as the overall QB12, but Daniels does not profile as the same gunslinger to rack up empty stats. On the bright side, Daniels will provide additional value with his legs but he will desperately need that with Washington potentially entering 2024 with the worst offensive line.

Washington understood the position they were in with a rookie quarterback but may have gone a bridge too far in their push to acquire veteran talent. The Commanders brought in Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz — two proven stars in the past who have become injury-riddled veterans and will now play on the notorious Commanders Field.

21. DeShaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, Cedric Tillman
Backfield: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford

In his third year in Cleveland, Watson will now enter the first year that his major contract extension will take full effect with unsatisfactory results thus far. Through two years, he has played just 12 games for the Browns but arguably enters 2024 with the best team around him. Andrew Berry went out to grab disgruntled receiver Jerry Jeudy to place alongside Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, setting high expectations for the offense.

Even with Watson back on the field, this team will operate the same way it has since developing a defensive powerhouse. Watson will be asked to do just enough to hopefully make them an elite contender. This is projected to be the No. 1 defensive unit in the league with a quarterback who has barely averaged one touchdown per game in the last two seasons. Draft Watson at your own risk.

20. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2023 rank: 10
Top weapons: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan (R)
Backfield: Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds

Mayfield will not finish in the top 10 again but proved in 2023 that he fit in Tampa Bay better than he ever did in Cleveland. As a check-down maestro, he has benefited greatly from the presence of pass-catching running backs Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds. The concern, however, will be with his offensive line, which has taken a big hit with the loss of Ryan Jensen and the addition of human turnstile Ben Bredeson.

With two star receivers as his safety blankets, Mayfield showed just enough consistency in 2023 to make him a reliable fantasy option with the injuries that plagued many of his peers. Given his history, Mayfield should not be drafted any higher than No. 20 but can finish much higher should he stay consistent and healthy.

19. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

2023 rank: 24
Top weapons: Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Rondale Moore, Darnell Mooney, KhaDarel Hodge
Backfield: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier

Achilles injuries are no joke, and Cousins entering his age-35 season does not help either. Regardless, if he can return to being even 75 percent of the player he was in the first half of 2023, there is optimism for both his fantasy value and the future of Atlanta. Cousins finished as the 24th-best fantasy quarterback in 2023 despite playing in just eight games and was ranked sixth at the time of his injury.

Hopefully, Cousins will be the guy to finally utilize Drake London and Kyle Pitts to their full capacity. Atlanta went out to acquire Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney as well to add depth to their receiving corps, something that has not been present on their roster for several years. Depending on his health and recovery, Cousins should be able to fend off No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. for at least one year.

18. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 rank: 13
Top weapons: Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr. (R), Evan Engram, Parker Washington
Backfield: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby

Calvin Ridley did not do much in 2023 but his presence at least allowed teams to believe Jacksonville had a go-to option. Now the Jaguars will roll out with an expected starting trio of Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. — all solid starters but none with a reputation of being the top target. Lawrence will struggle with that.

Lawrence will also likely have to deal with the worst offensive line of his career on the heels of a season in which he was sacked a career-high 35 times. Brandon Scherff and Cam Robinson will return in the front line but the unit will be dependent on 32-year-old Mitch Morse and Anton Harrison, who ended 2023 with a PFF overall grade of 53.

17. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

2023 rank: 17
Top weapons: Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey (R), Quentin Johnston, Will Dissly, Brenden Rice (R)
Backfield: Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins

This is shaping up to be a really rough year for Herbert. Along with losing top receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen in free agency, the fifth-year quarterback will be playing under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has become synonymous with operating run-heavy offenses.

To replace Allen and Williams, Herbert will need rookie Ladd McConkey to hit the ground running from day one. Otherwise, he will be relying on Joshua Palmer, who has never finished anywhere close to 1,000 yards in a single season, or Quentin Johnston, who put forth a disastrous rookie season after being selected 21st overall in the 2023 Draft.

Keep in mind that Herbert is coming off a down year in 2023 in which he played just 13 games and finished with career-low marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and fantasy production. There is a very real possibility that he will end 2024 outside of the top 20.

16. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze (R), Cole Kmet, Tyler Scott
Backfield: D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson

Rookie quarterbacks are always difficult to evaluate in the preseason but Williams has been looked at by fantasy managers since his days at Oklahoma. He will likely see his success but also take some lumps, particularly given the historically slim success rookie signal-callers have seen in Chicago.

Keenan Allen turned 32 in April but this is the best receiving corps the Bears have seen in a while. Throw in the addition of fellow rookie Rome Odunze — who is likely to have more long-term gain than short-term success — and there is a lot to be hopeful for in Chicago. Williams will have to overcome a subpar offensive line in his inaugural season, but even then, this unit is expected to be better than the one Justin Fields had to navigate through.

15. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

2023 rank: 15
Top weapons: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Higbee, DeMarcus Robinson
Backfield: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum (R)

Stafford began the year slow in 2023 but picked up the pace midway through the season and finished in the top 15, proving he still has something to offer at 36. Los Angeles did not see the production it expected from Cooper Kupp in his seventh season but it did not seem to matter with Puka Nacua bursting onto the scene. Along with the historic rookie year from Nacua came the stellar play of Tutu Atwell, who will also return for Stafford in 2024.

The Rams' offensive line is expected to remain solid; a key factor for aging quarterbacks. Where they will likely struggle is on the defensive side of the ball which will only benefit Stafford and his fantasy outlook. Assuming he returns healthy in 2024, expect more from the former Super Bowl champion in his fourth season in Los Angeles.

14. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

2023 rank: 5
Top weapons: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Luke Musgrave, Dontayvion Wicks
Backfield: Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon

Love may have slightly over-achieved in his first year as a starter but will essentially the same team in 2024 to build on that success. He will lose Aaron Jones in the backfield but Green Bay made a lateral replacement in Josh Jacobs. The main concern for love will be consistency from his receivers, who periodically forget how to catch and are often plagued with injuries.

From a numbers perspective, Love should not be worse in 2024 than he was in 2023. When he is given time — something he should have behind a dependable offensive line — he has shown the ability to excel as a pocket passer. If Love is to finish in the top 10 for a second straight season, he will have to improve on the 32 touchdowns he saw in 2023.

13. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

2023 rank: 6
Top weapons: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, Ronnie Bell
Backfield: Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell

Purdy truly broke through in 2023, finishing with a career-high No. 6 overall ranking in fantasy. He is not the big-play quarterback that people want to see but is in arguably the best position for a fantasy quarterback to be in with elite talent in all skill positions. Purdy's arm talent is not the best, but his YAC potential is always there to boost his value.

With the amount of injuries that hampered this position in 2023, Purdy cannot be expected to finish in the top 10 again, especially considering how elite the San Francisco defense will be. As long as he stays on the field, he will be a reliable matchup-based starter, particularly with the weak outlook of his division in 2024.

12. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

2023 rank: 25
Top weapons: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton, Mike Gesicki, Trenton Irwin
Backfield: Zack Moss, Chase Brown

There will be a lot to be concerned with regarding Burrow in 2024. Just looking at the Cincinnati roster, Burrow lost Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon, two of the four leading receivers for the Bengals in 2023. Mixon will also leave a gaping hole in the backfield that has been measily filled with Zack Moss.

The elephant in the room with Burrow is his injury, as the 27-year-old told media in May that he "feels good" but is still concerned with the development of his wrist. For a quarterback, injuries to the throwing arm are unsurprisingly often the biggest issues. Even when he does return, Burrow looked like a shell of himself in 2023. Maybe it was a result of the lingering injury but there are too many question marks surrounding Burrow to be confident in him right now.

11. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley (R), Xavier Gipson, Tyler Conklin
Backfield: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen (R)

Much like Kirk Cousins, the Achilles is nothing to look past, as it is often considered to be the most devastating injury for athletes to overcome. But even at 40, there needs to be visible evidence before Rodgers can be doubted, especially considering he will be playing with his best team in several years.

Even with Zach Wilson under center, Garrett Wilson put up contributing numbers. Those will only rise with Rodgers, even with Mike Williams now adding depth to the roster. Whether it be Wilson or Williams standing out as the team's top option, Rodgers will have his best receiver since Davante Adams. The offensive line will also be there for Rodgers, as that was never the issue for Wilson in New York.

10. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell (R), Alec Pierce, Jelani Woods
Backfield: Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon

In the games that he played in, Richardson finished as the 12th-best fantasy quarterback in terms of average points per game. It was a small sample size, but Richardson showed he has the Lamar Jackson-like potential many hoped he had coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Entering 2024, the table will be set for Richardson to break through as a fantasy QB1. The team beefed up their receiving group with the addition of Adonai Mitchell and their offensive line is as strong as ever. Richardson's success will largely hinge on his availability after just four games played in his rookie season.

9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

2023 rank: 7
Top weapons: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Backfield: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery

In many respects, Goff was one of the biggest fantasy surprises in 2023 and was rewarded with a lucrative contract extension in the offseason. Behind what profiles to be the best offensive line in the NFL, Goff can only improve on his career resurrection and has salivating potential in 2024.

Amon-Ra St. Brown will still be the guy in Detroit but Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams put together promising first impressions and are primed for huge years in 2024. Technically, Williams will be entering his third season as a professional but has just 18 games in Detroit under his belt. If Goff stays healthy — something he has done throughout his career — he could be a dark horse candidate to finish as the QB1.

8. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

2023 rank: 3
Top weapons: CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin
Backfield: Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle

Dallas could be in for a regressive year in 2024. Nothing much has changed in the offseason other than losing their leading rusher, Tony Pollard, and replacing him with the same 28-year-old that averaged just 3.8 yards per carry for them in 2022. Oh, and Michael Gallup is no longer on the team, forcing Jalen Tolbert — who has never recorded more than 268 yards in a season — into a starting role.

Dallas will still have an elite defense but that will not do Prescott any good, who lost Tyler Biadasz and Tyron Smith over the summer. In time, that will prove to be a major loss. With no reliable run game and downgraded pass protection, the Cowboys could be relying on CeeDee Lamb and their defense a ton in 2024.

7. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

2023 rank: 9
Top weapons: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, Jonnu Smith
Backfield: Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane

In his first full year as a starter, Tagovailoa showed a glimpse of his ceiling by leading the league in passing yards and the ninth-best fantasy quarterback. That durability has always been a concern as 2023 was just his second full season since graduating from high school. Unfortunately, he will not be receiving any favors in that department behind an offensive line that lost Connor Williams and Robert Hunt in free agency.

As long as he is not getting clobbered in the backfield, Tagovailoa will have the best wide receiver trio of his career. Odell Beckham Jr. is not the same guy he used to be but will still command respect from opposing defenses to limit the usage of double teams on Tyreek Hill. If the southpaw can improve on the 29 touchdowns he threw in 2023, he should push for a top-five finish.

6. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

2023 rank: 26
Top weapons: Marvin Harrison Jr. (R), Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, Greg Dortch
Backfield: James Conner, Trey Benson

If Marvin Harrison Jr. pans out to be anything close to the player he has been built up to be, he will immediately be Arizona's top receiver in the absence of Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown. Trey McBride is also looking like a solid 2024 breakout candidate after showing rapport with Murray during the second half of his rookie season. Murray will have options, and his ACL injury did not appear to limit him in 2023.

Perhaps where Murray stands the most to gain will be from the Cardinals' porous defense, projected to be the worst in the league. This offense is going to be asked to score a lot and Murray could be in line for the most pass attempts of his career. Murray also finished 12th in quarterback rushing yards in 2023 despite playing in just eight games.

5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

2023 rank: 4
Top weapons: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Isaiah Likely
Backfield: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill

With Derrick Henry now aligning Jackson in the backfield, Baltimore should take a leap with their rushing production on paper. Given the state of their receiving corps and recent trends, Baltimore could lean even more on their running game in 2024, which may benefit Jackson's production as the top rushing quarterback in the league.

Their offensive line is a minor concern with essentially two rookies expected to start on day one. Andrew Vorhees will begin his second season in September but has yet to see a snap. Regardless of what happens up front, expect more of the same from Jackson, who threw for a career-high in passing yards in 2023.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

2023 rank: 1
Top weapons: Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Backfield: James Cook, Ray Davis (R)

Allen is in for a tough year after finishing as the QB1 in 2023. He loses top target Stefon Diggs to the Texans and his No. 2 option Gabe Davis to the Jaguars, making Khalil Shakir the team's de facto WR1. It is safe to say there will be a lot of pressure on the Wyoming product in his seventh season.

Positively, Dalton Kincaid should take a leap in his sophomore outing following an impressive rookie campaign. Where the Bills lack in standout talent at receiver they make up for in depth. Behind the expected starters, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool, Dawson Knox and Mack Hollins are all candidates to see significant playing time. Allen is still an elite, big-play quarterback, but the path back to QB1 status is steep.

3. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

2023 rank: 11
Top weapons: Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz
Backfield: Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce

Stroud's rookie season was so successful that it makes it easy to forget the question marks surrounding his name in the preseason. After barely missing out on a top-10 finish in his inaugural professional year, 2024 could be a true breakout season for the former Buckeye, who has top-5 potential in his sophomore outing.

The off-the-field issues surrounding second-year receiver Tank Dell are mildly concerning but have been largely washed out by the acquisition of Stefon Diggs. Assuming Dell can at minimum repeat the potential he showed in his rookie year, this could be the best wide receiver trio in the league with Nico Collins, giving Stroud overall QB1 potential.

2. Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City Chiefs

2023 rank: 8
Top weapons: Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Justin Watson
Backfield: Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Barring an injury, there is no feasible reason why Mahomes should not at least finish in the top five. The receiving corps has been the primary criticism of this offense for the past two years and though Rashee Rice has provided some semblance of a reliable pass-catcher, the front office made an effort to acquire Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown.

With Isiah Pacheco expected to take another leap in his career, this offense is in its best shape since 2022. Entering his seventh year as a defending champion once again, the grass is only greener for Mahomes. He's only now entering his prime at 28 years old.

1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

2023 rank: 2
Top weapons: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey
Backfield: Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell

Philadelphia's offensive line will be losing Jason Kelce but should not take too much of a hit with three starters still returning from the elite unit and former second-round pick Cam Jurgens expected to fill the void at center. Saquon Barkley is expected to provide a significant lift in the Eagles' running game with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith still anchoring the offense.

All in all, the situation provided gives no reason to believe Hurts will be worse in 2024 than his second-place finish in 2023. If he can repeat the production from his fourth year as a professional, that may be enough to take the crown.