Preseason rankings for all 32 projected starting quarterbacks: Will Josh Allen repeat as QB1?

22. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, Luke McCaffrey (R), Dyami Brown
Backfield: Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr.

This is a tough situation for a rookie to be in. Sam Howell surprisingly thrived in this role, finishing as the overall QB12, but Daniels does not profile as the same gunslinger to rack up empty stats. On the bright side, Daniels will provide additional value with his legs but he will desperately need that with Washington potentially entering 2024 with the worst offensive line.

Washington understood the position they were in with a rookie quarterback but may have gone a bridge too far in their push to acquire veteran talent. The Commanders brought in Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz — two proven stars in the past who have become injury-riddled veterans and will now play on the notorious Commanders Field.

21. DeShaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

2023 rank: NA
Top weapons: Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, Cedric Tillman
Backfield: Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford

In his third year in Cleveland, Watson will now enter the first year that his major contract extension will take full effect with unsatisfactory results thus far. Through two years, he has played just 12 games for the Browns but arguably enters 2024 with the best team around him. Andrew Berry went out to grab disgruntled receiver Jerry Jeudy to place alongside Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, setting high expectations for the offense.

Even with Watson back on the field, this team will operate the same way it has since developing a defensive powerhouse. Watson will be asked to do just enough to hopefully make them an elite contender. This is projected to be the No. 1 defensive unit in the league with a quarterback who has barely averaged one touchdown per game in the last two seasons. Draft Watson at your own risk.

20. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2023 rank: 10
Top weapons: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan (R)
Backfield: Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds

Mayfield will not finish in the top 10 again but proved in 2023 that he fit in Tampa Bay better than he ever did in Cleveland. As a check-down maestro, he has benefited greatly from the presence of pass-catching running backs Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds. The concern, however, will be with his offensive line, which has taken a big hit with the loss of Ryan Jensen and the addition of human turnstile Ben Bredeson.

With two star receivers as his safety blankets, Mayfield showed just enough consistency in 2023 to make him a reliable fantasy option with the injuries that plagued many of his peers. Given his history, Mayfield should not be drafted any higher than No. 20 but can finish much higher should he stay consistent and healthy.

19. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

2023 rank: 24
Top weapons: Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Rondale Moore, Darnell Mooney, KhaDarel Hodge
Backfield: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier

Achilles injuries are no joke, and Cousins entering his age-35 season does not help either. Regardless, if he can return to being even 75 percent of the player he was in the first half of 2023, there is optimism for both his fantasy value and the future of Atlanta. Cousins finished as the 24th-best fantasy quarterback in 2023 despite playing in just eight games and was ranked sixth at the time of his injury.

Hopefully, Cousins will be the guy to finally utilize Drake London and Kyle Pitts to their full capacity. Atlanta went out to acquire Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney as well to add depth to their receiving corps, something that has not been present on their roster for several years. Depending on his health and recovery, Cousins should be able to fend off No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. for at least one year.

18. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 rank: 13
Top weapons: Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr. (R), Evan Engram, Parker Washington
Backfield: Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby

Calvin Ridley did not do much in 2023 but his presence at least allowed teams to believe Jacksonville had a go-to option. Now the Jaguars will roll out with an expected starting trio of Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. — all solid starters but none with a reputation of being the top target. Lawrence will struggle with that.

Lawrence will also likely have to deal with the worst offensive line of his career on the heels of a season in which he was sacked a career-high 35 times. Brandon Scherff and Cam Robinson will return in the front line but the unit will be dependent on 32-year-old Mitch Morse and Anton Harrison, who ended 2023 with a PFF overall grade of 53.

17. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

2023 rank: 17
Top weapons: Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey (R), Quentin Johnston, Will Dissly, Brenden Rice (R)
Backfield: Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins

This is shaping up to be a really rough year for Herbert. Along with losing top receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen in free agency, the fifth-year quarterback will be playing under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has become synonymous with operating run-heavy offenses.

To replace Allen and Williams, Herbert will need rookie Ladd McConkey to hit the ground running from day one. Otherwise, he will be relying on Joshua Palmer, who has never finished anywhere close to 1,000 yards in a single season, or Quentin Johnston, who put forth a disastrous rookie season after being selected 21st overall in the 2023 Draft.

Keep in mind that Herbert is coming off a down year in 2023 in which he played just 13 games and finished with career-low marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and fantasy production. There is a very real possibility that he will end 2024 outside of the top 20.