Ace the early rounds of your next dynasty startup draft with this rundown of the top performing quarterbacks and running backs in fantasy football.

Sleeper’s QB and RB Dynasty Rankings

Let’s dive into the top five quarterbacks and top five running backs in dynasty leagues heading into the 2024 NFL season, using Sleeper ADP to guide the rankings. If you happen to slightly disagree with a player’s placement, then you should probably join a dynasty startup on Sleeper and prove everyone wrong.

We’ll also offer up some trade scenarios for each player, to give you an idea of what it could take to land one – or what you could fetch in a deal if you’re already a proud but opportunistic owner.

Top 5 Dynasty QBs on Sleeper

We expect these five signal callers to be the first to come off the board at their positions in 2024.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Mahomes finished top-six in fantasy points per game in each of his first five seasons as a starter, with three of those finishes being top-two. Last year, he was a low-end fantasy QB1 due to a lack of supporting cast. The Chiefs’ response? They traded up in the first round to draft WR Xavier Worthy – the fastest player in NFL Combine history – and signed the speedy Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in free agency. Mahomes still has TE Travis Kelce, second-year WR Rashee Rice, and the best offensive mind backing him in head coach Andy Reid.

Sleeper projects a league-leading 4,401 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns for Mahomes’ age-29 season in 2024.

Most likely, his down ‘23 season was the anomaly, and dynasty managers are looking at another half-decade of high-end fantasy QB1 production. Mahomes is arguably the safest dynasty asset, and his dynasty startup ADP is 18 in 1-QB formats and 1.01 in superflex/2-QB.

Trade Ideas for Patrick Mahomes in Superflex Leagues

  • Patrick Mahomes for Puka Nacua + Sam LaPorta
  • Patrick Mahomes for Justin Herbert + Chris Olave

For projections on every single player, you can go to the Fantasy Football Research MINI in the Sleeper App. You can also view every player’s dynasty (or redraft) ADP within the tool, and you can sort the rankings based on half a dozen different stats.

Josh Allen, Bills

Allen is the only QB to record four straight seasons with at least 24 fantasy points per game, and he’s half a year younger than Mahomes. Year to year, there are minimal concerns with Allen’s fantasy value, and even with Buffalo’s offseason losses of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Sleeper projects a QB1 fantasy finish with 4,035 passing yards, 550 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns.

The concern with Allen is simply longevity due to his prolific rushing, especially at the goal line. Cam Newton’s decline after his age-29 season is a cautionary tale for QBs who take serious punishment each season. Allen, 28, is a far better passer than your typical mobile QB, though, so dynasty managers with a higher risk tolerance can rank Allen ahead of Mahomes.

Currently, Allen’s ADP is 21 in 1-QB startups, and he goes right after Mahomes at 1.02 in superflex/2-QB leagues.

Trade Ideas for Josh Allen in Superflex Leagues

  • Josh Allen for James Cook + Amon-Ra St. Brown
  • Josh Allen for Anthony Richardson + Travis Kelce

C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud is coming off the most dominant passing season by a rookie QB, leading the NFL in passing yards per game (min. 10 starts). Stroud accomplished this despite the 14th-most pass attempts per game and a supporting cast that was marred by injuries.

Star WR Nico Collins suffered two in-season injuries, while rookie sensation Tank Dell broke his leg early in Week 13. Now, both are healthy and joined by Diggs, who has at least 1,130 receiving yards in five straight seasons. Stroud will be throwing to arguably the NFL’s most dangerous receiving trio, and Sleeper projects 4,367 passing yards (second behind Mahomes) and 33 passing touchdowns (tied for first with Mahomes).

Stroud goes at 1.03 in superflex/2-QB dynasty startups and has a Sleeper ADP of 22 overall in 1-QB formats.

The price tag initially looks expensive, considering he was only the QB7 in fantasy points per game as a rookie. However, when factoring in natural progression, an upgraded supporting cast, and a chance for significantly more pass volume, Stroud could very well be the next Mahomes in dynasty leagues.

Trade Ideas for C.J. Stroud in Superflex Leagues

  • C.J. Stroud for Kyler Murray + Saquon Barkley
  • C.J. Stroud for Garrett Wilson + DeVonta Smith

The Dynasty Nerds MINI within Sleeper automatically syncs with all your Sleeper leagues, guiding you for trades and other dynasty league insights. See how these potential trades grade out for FREE now in the Sleeper app.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles

Hurts’ calling card is the “Tush Push.” When the Eagles get the ball at the 1, he is inevitable, and he has scored double-digit rushing touchdowns in all three seasons as a starter. His 15 rushing scores last season set the NFL record for a QB (tied with Allen). Hurts is arguably an inferior real-life quarterback to the three names ahead of him, but his play style is tailor-made for fantasy football.

Since the team acquired WR A.J. Brown in 2022, Hurts has finished as the QB1 and QB2 in fantasy points per game. Like Allen, Hurts’ longevity is a factor in dynasty given his rushing volume – though he’ll still be just 26 this season.

After a ‘23 in which Hurts was playing injured down the stretch, Sleeper projects a sturdy QB2 fantasy finish with 3,614 passing yards, 649 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns. Brown and fellow stud WR DeVonta Smith are both locked up on long-term deals, and the Eagles perennially invest in the offensive line.

Hurts has a case to be the overall fantasy QB1 based on his age and recent fantasy production, but his on-field consistency as a passer is several tiers below the top three.

Dynasty managers can grab him at 1.04 in superflex/2-QB leagues, and his ADP is 30 in 1-QB formats.

Trade Ideas for Jalen Hurts in Superflex Leagues

  • Jalen Hurts for Trevor Lawrence + Kyren Williams
  • Jalen Hurts for Brandon Aiyuk + Trey McBride

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Jackson is on course to become the greatest rushing QB in NFL history, and he already has two MVP awards to show for it. However, his rushing yards per game have declined in each of the past five seasons, from 80.4 in 2019 to just 51.3 last season. Fortunately, this past year was one of his best as a passer, with a career-high 3,678 passing yards. Jackson did this despite having just half a season from star TE Mark Andrews.

Heading into 2024, Andrews is healthy and WR Zay Flowers will look to build on a promising rookie campaign. Sleeper projects 3,516 passing yards, 806 rushing yards (tops among QBs), and 30 total touchdowns for Jackson, who has dealt with injuries in two of the past three seasons and has accumulated nearly 950 career NFL carries, including the playoffs.

The 27-year-old should continue to lean on his arm more with each subsequent season, which will likely hurt his fantasy value.

Like Hurts, Jackson profiles as more of a win-now quarterback in dynasty, and he goes at 33rd overall in 1-QB formats and 1.06 in superflex/2-QB leagues.

Trade Ideas for Lamar Jackson in Superflex Leagues

  • Lamar Jackson for De’Von Achane + Nico Collins
  • Lamar Jackson for Jaylen Waddle + Dalton Kincaid

Top 5 Dynasty RBs on Sleeper

Note: All running back ADPs are using PPR scoring unless otherwise stated.

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Those who selected Robinson in redraft last year were likely yelling at their TV every Sunday. Now-ex Falcons head coach Arthur Smith actually gave backup Tyler Allgeier more red zone touches (37) than Robinson (31) on the season, and there was the puzzling Week 7 “headache game,” where Robinson was declared active yet only received a single carry.

Zooming out, Robinson’s “disappointing” rookie season still saw him earning 17 touches per game (removing the headache game), with only eight RBs scoring more fantasy points in PPR formats. He is just 22, and he gets a massive offensive upgrade with a new coaching staff and the arrival of Kirk Cousins at QB.

Robinson is among the favorites to be the overall RB1 in fantasy for 2024, and Sleeper projects 1,089 rushing yards, 55 receptions, 414 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. Given that Robinson collected 58 receptions last year in a much lower-volume pass attack, there’s definitely room to grow that stat line.

Robinson likely has four to five – at least – strong fantasy seasons remaining in his career, and he’s the 1.05 in 1-QB dynasty startups while holding strong at the 1.11 in superflex/2-QB formats.

Trade Ideas for Bijan Robinson in 1-QB Leagues

  • Bijan Robinson for A.J. Brown + Stefon Diggs
  • Bijan Robinson for Jaylen Waddle + Dalton Kincaid

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

McCaffrey is incredibly old for an elite dynasty RB (28), but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. Last year’s fantasy RB1 overall is coming off career-highs in rushing yards (1,459) and total touchdowns (21). He’s now finished first or second in fantasy points per game in five of the past six seasons, and 2024 looks no different, as his situation in San Francisco looks largely unchanged.

Sleeper projects another RB1 overall performance for McCaffrey, with 1,766 total yards and 15 touchdowns. No other running back projects within three fantasy points per game. Despite this, McCaffrey is a volatile asset in dynasty. Any injury suffered would tank his value, as he’s significantly older than the other running backs on this list.

Dynasty managers should expect him to go around the 1.06 in 1-QB startups and the 2.03 in superflex/2-QB leagues.

Trade Ideas for Christian McCaffrey in 1-QB Leagues

  • Christian McCaffrey for Deebo Samuel + DK Metcalf
  • Christian McCaffrey for Joe Mixon + Jaylen Waddle

Breece Hall, Jets

Coming off a 2022 ACL tear, the deck was truly stacked against Hall in ‘23. Instead of a full season with Aaron Rodgers (Achilles tear in Week 1), Hall suffered through three backup QBs and a porous offensive line that left little room for running lanes. And yet, Hall still led all RBs in games with at least 175 rushing yards (two) and games with at least 75 receiving yards (three).

He is an explosive playmaker who should finally benefit from Rodgers and a competent offense in 2024. Sleeper projects 1,212 rushing yards, 404 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns, which leads to a slightly higher fantasy points estimate than every runner outside of McCaffrey. Hall, 23, is only half a year older than Robinson, so non-contending dynasty managers should consider ranking Hall ahead of McCaffrey.

Hall is the 1.08 in 1-QB startups, and the 2.04 in superflex/2-QB leagues.

Trade Ideas for Breece Hall in 1-QB Leagues

  • Breece Hall for Michael Pittman + Tee Higgins
  • Breece Hall for Tank Dell + Jayden Reed

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Gibbs is the fastest accelerator at the position and a joy to watch. As a rookie, he averaged a stout 5.2 yards per carry, scored 11 TDs and was targeted 71 times (eighth among RBs) in the passing game. Despite just 12 carries per game, Gibbs managed to record the second-most rush attempts with at least 20 yards gained. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a metric that doesn’t demonstrate Gibbs’ per-touch explosiveness, which he needs given his smaller stature at 5’9” 200 pounds.

Gibbs is unlikely to ever command the same workload as Robinson or Hall, but we’ve seen the path to long-term fantasy success with this profile in Alvin Kamara. From Week 5 onward last season, only McCaffrey, Kyren Williams and Hall averaged more fantasy points per game than Gibbs, so we already know the fantasy ceiling is there without needing massive touch volume. The Lions continue to invest in their offensive line and short passing game with Jared Goff, so Gibbs couldn’t be in a better situation for sustained fantasy success.

He may not have the upside of the three names ahead of him in dynasty, but he looks poised to be a mid-range fantasy RB1 for the next half decade. Sleeper conservatively projects 950 rushing yards, 54 receptions, 399 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, but he should easily top those receiving numbers if healthy.

Dynasty managers usually need to select Gibbs at the 1.09 in 1-QB formats and the 2.07 in superflex/2-QB leagues.

Trade Ideas for Jahmyr Gibbs in 1-QB Leagues

  • Jahmyr Gibbs for Josh Jacobs + Kyle Pitts
  • Jahmyr Gibbs for Rachaad White + D.J. Moore

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor was the golden boy in dynasty leagues after rushing for 1,811 yards, catching 40 passes for 360 yards and scoring 20 total touchdowns at just 22. Since then, it’s been a rocky two years due to injuries, and Taylor has failed to crack the top 10 in fantasy points per game in both seasons.

He is set up for a massive rushing season in 2024, lining up behind the ultra-mobile Anthony Richardson in an offense commandeered by innovative head coach Shane Steichen. Sleeper projects 1,224 rushing yards (second) and 10 rushing touchdowns (third) for Taylor. However, because Richardson is more likely to scramble on third down than target the running back position, 26 RBs project for more receptions than Taylor’s 32.

Because Taylor’s path to fantasy superstardom requires heavy volume on the ground, he’s likely to age similarly to running backs like Ezekiel Elliott, who started to show signs of decline in his age-25 season. Because Taylor turns 26 as ‘24 winds down, he’s a much more attractive dynasty asset to contending teams.

Right now, Taylor is the 2.02 in 1-QB startups and the 3.02 in superflex/2-QB formats.

Trade Ideas for Jonathan Taylor in 1-QB Leagues

  • Jonathan Taylor for Derrick Henry + Mike Evans
  • Jonathon Taylor for Kenneth Walker + Alvin Kamara

Start Building Your Dynasty 🏆

You’re now more prepared to ace the early rounds of your next dynasty startup after this deep dive. Remember, dynasty rankings are fluid, and there’s a chance we see rookie sensation Caleb Williams crack the top five dynasty QB rankings by midseason, for instance.

Throughout the fantasy season, make sure you’re using all the FREE research tools offered within the Sleeper app to stay up-to-date on any rankings movement.

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