Fantasy Football
Sweeping changes happen every NFL offseason, and many move the fantasy football needle. Few — if any — seem to matter more than the effect on the quarterback. And in fantasy, we want to know whose situation improved the most — both for our studs and late-round potential gems. These are the Top 5 most improved quarterback situations for the 2024 season.
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My ranks for each QB appear in parentheses. You can see all my 2024 rankings here.
Young’s improved situation doesn’t only consist of receiving weapons, as Dave Canales takes over one year after resurrecting Baker Mayfield’s career and improving the Buccaneers offense. That was after Canales helped Geno Smith have a career year in 2022 with the Seahawks. Brad Idzik is the new offensive coordinator, who has been with Canales since 2019.
Now let’s talk about the receiving corps, led by Adam Thielen last year, with 103-1014-4, followed by a massive drop-off to No. 2 with DJ Chark at 35-525-5. Thielen faded after a torrid start, but Young had rookie struggles and no help in weapons that could separate quickly, easily and consistently.The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson and drafted Xavier Legette, meaning Thielen’s best case would be fending off Legette for the No. 2 role, and either way, the benefit is Young’s. Oh, and let’s not overlook the addition of Jonathon Brooks, who can easily add 30+ receptions over a full season from the backfield.
Young taking a massive step forward is possible, and the Panthers have done just about everything they can to make it happen, including spending huge in free agency to beef up the offensive line — even if only one of them was a Top 50 free agent.
Whether or not you believe in Levis, we will find out if he can be an NFL quarterback this year. The Titans offensive line needed help, and they added the best available free agent on the line (Top 10) with center Lloyd Cushenberry and draft JC Latham (1.07). They needed a coaching change, and they now have Brian Callahan as the head coach and Nick Holz as the offensive coordinator with reports that they’ll collaborate on play calls. They needed offensive talent to help Levis, so they replaced Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard, and signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency.
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Callahan helped Jake Browning perform admirably in Joe Burrow’s absence — the Bengals passed 61.5% of the time under Callahan (fourth most from 2019-23), and they ran three-wide/11-set 76.4% of the time with him (only behind LAR at 81.0%). A trio of DeAndre Hopkins, Ridley and Boyd is a Top 10 group, plus the receiving ability of Pollard, Tyjae Spears and even Chigoziem Okonkwo shouldn’t be forgotten. Additionally, Levis is aggressive with a league-high 22.4% of his passes going 20+ air yards with Nick Mullens (16.9%) and Drew Lock (15.8%) second and third.
If Aaron Rodgers has anything left, the Jets will find out. They added some offensive line help/depth with John Simpson and Tyron Smith, but even more so, the receiver room looks deep and dangerous.
Allen Lazard disappointed, even while accounting for no Rodgers all year. Now he might be an afterthought, with Mike Williams arriving on a one-year deal and Malachi Corley via the draft. That’s a major No. 2-3 wideout upgrade, especially when you realize Lazard’s miserable 23/311/1 was good for being the second-best Jets wideout last year (Tyler Conklin and Breece Hall were the No. 2 and 3 leading “receivers”). Again, the passing game wasn’t all the wideouts’ fault given the quarterback play, but Rodgers has one of the most-improved corps in the league.
The Chiefs have been looking for receiving answers since trading away Tyreek Hill, and they have a potential one in Rashee Rice (whenever he returns from suspension). But they aren’t standing pat. Marquise Brown arrives via free agency, and Barry Allen… err, Xavier Worthy came off the board in the first round to the Chiefs. The downfield attack is back, and that’s great for Mahomes coming off his lowest passing season in 15+ games (4031/26 in 14 games during the 2019 season). Even if you only total one full season between Rice (suspension) and Brown (health concern — being able to stay on the field), that combination plus Worthy gives Mahomes the best receiver room since Hill left… at least on paper.
Like the Panthers, the Giants added significant help at receiver and on the offensive line. The Giants haven’t produced a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham… heck… check that — they haven’t produced an 800-yard receiver! Darius Slayton has topped the team in receiving yards in four of the five seasons since OBJ headed to Cleveland, never surpassing 770 yards. Malik Nabers isn’t just another awe-inspiring LSU wideout, he’s immediately the Giants’ best weapon. Now, Jalin Hyatt can push for his breakout with Wan’Dale Robinson settling into his most efficient role, and Slayton is still around if needed to still be the No. 2.
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Additionally, assuming Darren Waller retires, they drafted Theo Johnson to compete with Daniel Bellinger as the team’s top tight end. As mentioned, the Giants addressed the offensive line, not with top-tier upgrades but enough to improve the league-worst 85 sacks allowed — even if you account for the QB play factoring in, the next closest team gave up 65 (Panthers). If Jones hopes to salvage his career on this final chance, the Giants helped with their additions.
POTPOURRI
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals — The Cardinals’ leading “receiver” was Trey McBride, who didn’t have the starting tight end role to start the year. Marquise Brown missed time, finishing with 574 yards, behind McBride’s 825. Adding an elite talent and potential immediate Top 12 receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. is a massive boost. Zay Jones puts less pressure on Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch to be definitive No. 2 options, allowing all three to form a quality group behind Harrison and McBride. Even with an offensive line that still has concerns after the Jonah Williams addition, Murray can get back to pushing for 4,000 passing yards and mid-20s touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans — Stroud won’t surprise people like he did as a rookie. Nico Collins broke out, Tank Dell dropped jaws in a limited season, Noah Brown came up big a handful of times — and now the Texans aren’t taking anything for granted. They traded for Stefon Diggs, who will form, with Stroud, one of the best duos in the NFL, assuming he bounces back from his disappointing second half. Even if Diggs is merely the No. 2, Collins, Diggs and Dell is a Top 3 NFL trio, and that’s before the added depth and Dalton Schultz at tight end. Overall, it comes down to one major addition, but that addition of Diggs makes it easier on everyone and tougher on every defense.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns — Health and shaking off the heavy rust are the first steps for Watson’s bounceback. There are two small-ish changes for Watson heading into 2024. First, Ken Dorsey takes over as the offensive coordinator. This season will be a bit of a “last chance” for both. The Bills fired Dorsey, placing the offensive inconsistencies blame on him, and while there were some positives for the Bills, Stefon Diggs’ use and effectiveness fell off. We’ll see if that was more Dorsey being gone or Diggs falling off a bit.
The Browns aren’t only relying on Dorsey revitalizing Watson’s career, as they once again made a discount wide receiver trade, bringing in Jerry Jeudy to compete for the No. 2 role with Elijah Moore. A quartet of Amari Cooper, David Njoku, Jeudy and Moore is enviable for most teams, and it gives Watson a good chance to get back to 4000/25+ as a passer and save his career.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts — It was only one piece, but similar to Watson, the added wideout gives Richardson a nice trio of receivers. The Colts added Adonai Mitchell in the NFL Draft, and having Josh Downs succeed as a rookie helps both see less pressure to come up big in 2024 behind Michael Pittman. While the offense will have one of the lower pass percentages (unless Richardson gets hurt again and Joe Flacco steps in), Richardson has three quality wideouts at his disposal before factoring in Jonathan Taylor’s receiving ability and the potential for Jelani Woods to break out.
(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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Jake Ciely is rankings: Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball, candy, movies, video games, cereal… anything! Truly, Jake is a ranking prodigy. Oh, he’s also the senior fantasy writer for The Athletic, an award-winning analyst and loves DuckTales. Make sure you #CheckTheLink and #BanKickers … woo-oo! Follow Jake on Twitter @allinkid
