In recent seasons, fantasy football managers have typically gravitated toward one of two draft strategies when selecting quarterbacks.
The first is to take one early to guarantee landing a top, dual-threat quarterback or high-volume passer. In recent years, the average draft position (ADP) of these types of quarterbacks – including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and the like – has ballooned into the Round 3-4 range.
The other strategy is to simply wait on the position. There are plenty of potential value picks and sleepers at quarterback, so waiting until the mid-to-late rounds of the draft can sometimes pay off.
These sleepers aren’t going to be cut from the same cloth as Allen, Jackson or Jayden Daniels. However, they still have higher ceilings than their ADP indicates, and that can be enough to make them league-winners at bargain prices.
Below are some of the best sleeper quarterbacks to target in fantasy football drafts ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall
Fantasy football QB sleepers 2025
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott ranked just 22nd among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game (FPPG) last season before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. Even so, he should be primed for a bounce-back season.
Why? Because the Cowboys had the third-worst rushing offense in the league last season in terms of EPA per play (-0.12) and didn’t discernably upgrade their talent at the running back position.
That may force Prescott to be a high-volume passer in an offense that features a dynamic one-two punch at receiver in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. If that’s the case, he could end up being a steal given his 14th overall ranking in Fantasy Pros ADP among quarterbacks.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
As long as Fields has a starting job, he will be viable across fantasy football formats. He is one of just three quarterbacks in NFL history, along with Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick, to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season.
In six starts last year, Fields averaged 38.5 rushing yards per game and totaled five rushing touchdowns. He might not have the passing ceiling needed to be a consistent top-end quarterback, but his rushing floor will make him a great, mid-round value pick who can anchor a successful lineup.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Williams got a handful of big-time boosts ahead of his second NFL season. Most notably, the Bears hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to serve as their new coach. Johnson’s offensive system helped Jared Goff finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three consecutive seasons, and there’s optimism the uber-talented Williams can make a similar leap.
Additionally, Chicago overhauled its offensive line after Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie. With better protection, the second-year pro should have more time to get the ball to DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III and improve upon his 24th overall ranking in FPPG.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Maye is in a similar boat to Williams. His team has upgraded its coaching staff, offensive line and receiver room in an effort to build around its young quarterback. That gives the 2024 NFL draft’s No. 3 overall pick plenty of upside entering his second season.
Maye already showed as a rookie he is a dynamic scrambler, as he racked up 421 yards and averaged 7.8 yards per carry. If he can continue to run at that rate while improving upon his solid passing numbers (66.6% completion rate, 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 12 starts), the UNC product could emerge as a low-end QB1 and high-end streamer.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson was a massive bust last season, as he was drafted by many as a QB1 but finished 20th in FPPG and 25th overall at his position. It’s understandable many will want to stay away from him because of that, but few can rival his rushing upside.
Richardson has made 15 career NFL starts and has averaged 42.3 rushing yards across those with 10 rushing touchdowns. That ability gives him one of the best floor/ceiling combinations among the QB2s who could be drafted in 2025.
Of course, Richardson has his warts. He completed a league-worst 47.7% of his passes last season and sports a checkered injury history. Daniel Jones is also lurking in the background and could take over for the 2023 NFL Draft’s No. 4 pick if he should struggle.
Even so, Richardson is worth a flier in deep or SuperFlex leagues. He could end up being a league-winner if he is able to take a leap forward and remain on the field in his third season.
