Rookies often present both high risks and high rewards. Identifying the right rookie quarterbacks to target can give your fantasy team a competitive edge. These young signal-callers bring fresh energy, untapped potential, and the possibility of breakout performances. In this article, we’ll explore the most promising rookie quarterbacks to keep an eye on, helping you make informed decisions that could lead to a fantasy title. Whether you’re aiming for a sleeper pick or a future star, understanding which rookies to target is key to staying ahead in the game.

Before we dive in, let’s take a look at the top-five best fantasy scoring outputs from rookie quarterbacks:

1. Cam Newton – 386 total fantasy points (24.1 fantasy points per game)
2. Justin Herbert – 342.8 fantasy points (22.9 fantasy points per game)
3. Robert Griffin III – 322.5 fantasy points (21.5 fantasy points per game)
4. Kyler Murray – 297.3 fantasy points (18.6 fantasy points per game)
5. Andrew Luck – 294.5 fantasy points (18.4 fantasy points per game)

Must-Drafts

Jayden Daniels

Daniels was selected as the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. The 2024 Heisman Award winner was electrifying in his final season at LSU, racking up 3,812 passing yards and 40 touchdowns, along with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Nearly 5,000 total yards and 50 touchdowns are numbers you only see in video games.

In fantasy football, a quarterback’s most valuable asset is their rushing ability. We want quarterbacks who can light up the fantasy scoreboard with their legs. When Cam Newton broke the single-season fantasy quarterback rookie record, it wasn’t because of his arm; he did it by rushing for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns. The next most valuable asset is a bad defense. The Commanders’ defense ranked last in points allowed (30.5) and passing yards allowed (262.2), and 27th in rushing yards allowed (126.8). With a stellar supporting cast on offense and a terrible defense on the other side, Daniels is a near-lock to put up video game fantasy stats.

Daniels possesses lightning speed, as evidenced by his tape at LSU and his 40-yard dash times of 4.35 and 4.40 seconds. As the 23-year-old figures out the passing side of the NFL, you can bet he will scramble and take off any chance he gets. If he can stay healthy, he could break Newton’s single-season fantasy scoring record, especially considering the elite weapons surrounding him, such as Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, and Jahan Dotson. According to Fantasy Pros, Daniels is the 17th quarterback off the board, behind players like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Caleb Williams. He should easily outscore all of them. Snag him in the mid-to-late rounds and thank me later.

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