2024 Fantasy Football Strategy: Why You Should Wait to Draft a Quarterback

By Jason Bolton September 09, 2024 04:00

Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Like the NFL, fantasy football has changed a lot over time. With each new season, strategies are further refined as managers seek to maximize their dispositional control. When it comes to the most controversial strategy in 2024, one has to wonder: when do we strike on QBs? Quarterbacks are typically viewed as the face of the NFL, but their fantasy football existence can be a whole different world.

Quarterback: It Makes Sense to Wait

Depth of the Position

This may be the most substantial depth we have seen at the quarterback spot in NFL History. The NFL has seen the number of dual-threat quarterbacks rise, and the league has evolved into one that passes more often, which means multiple quarterbacks can provide a decent return in fantasy. This depth enables fantasy managers to unearth value in the later rounds, where other positions may not have as much of a safety net.

Positional Value

In fantasy football, a player is often more or less valuable based on how well he performs compared to other players. With more variance in fantasy points, the top-tier players at running back and wide receiver are better than those around them. This makes locking in so many elite players at positions often providing the most return on investment early preeminent.

Opportunity Cost

If you take a quarterback early, that's typically passing up on the top RBs or WRs. These are higher-injury and more volatile positions, so it is as important to be deep here. Managers who wait on a QB do so to build more balance and depth throughout their roster.

Statistical Analysis

By comparison, the difference between would-be RB1 and an average second-round pick was more than 10 points. On top of that, the rise to prominence and success as passers and runners in college for quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts even further opens up the pool of potential fantasy-worthy signal-callers. Such players generally fall into the range of Round 3 or beyond and represent quality value.

Comparisons to Other Positions

Running Backs

As the adage goes, fantasy teams are built on running backs. Workhorse running backs are even more valuable than ever, with the NFL trending towards a passing league. The fact that running back is so scarce at the top of drafts means you should focus on those elite options early in your draft.

Wide Receivers

The depth at wide receiver is there, but the cream of that crop separates itself by a huge gap. Guys like Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase show they have the upside to be weekly dominant, so those with early-round equity are in play. That said, some wideouts should bring in consistent production, and others even elite-level numbers if you can land one of the top-flight receivers.

Tight Ends

Tight end is probably one of the most top-heavy positions in fantasy football, as there are only a handful of consistently elite players that you can rely on. This is how waiting on a quarterback will let managers grab those elite tight ends early into the draft and get an edge at a position with few difference-makers.

There is much more value to waiting until 2024 to draft your QB if positioned correctly in fantasy. The reasoning for such is because of the positional depth and that with some riskier position picks, you can still get elite talent there. While not without risk, the upside of a deep and flexible roster is significant. Fantasy managers have an advantage in the era of advanced metrics; information that helps predict what's likely to happen on Sundays is widely available. And, now having a good grip on NFL jobs and trade winds as camps open around the league, they are at their best when slinging said most valuable resource.