This is a continuation of RotoWire's summer series on fantasy football sleepers and busts, shifting to a position-by-position analysis of fantasy sleepers for 2025. We'll start with the quarterbacks, naturally, identifying signal-callers who have potential to considerably outperform their acquisition cost (ADP or auction price).
Some of the players mentioned below were also mentioned in our previous articles on fantasy football sleepers, like this one I wrote a few weeks ago outlining breakout candidates among the second-year pros. I also discussed third-year breakout candidates, and then had a third article focusing on veterans that stand to benefit from new coaches/schemes/teams.
Some of the QBs listed in those articles will be discussed at length below, but we'll also have some new additions, including "sleepers" that might be considered bounce-back candidates more so than breakouts. Whatever the case, there's no shortage of intriguing options with ADPs outside the Top 100, providing a solid Plan B for fantasy managers who miss out on dual-threats Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts in the early rounds.
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QB Sleepers (Listed by ADP)
QB Drake Maye (10-11th Round)
Maye proved last season that he can make something out of nothing, walking into a horrible situation and accounting for 17 touchdowns (two rushing) in his 10 full games. His 407 scramble yards were third most in the league last year, hinting at QB1 fantasy value ahead if Maye's passing stats improve.
The challenge now is for New England to build a functional offense around him, and for Maye to operate it efficiently while still adding some of the scrambles and other off-script stuff. He'll have more help this year, with Stefon Diggs at wide receiver and fourth overall pick Will Campbell at left tackle, although the biggest change may be an upgraded coaching staff led by Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. For all his shortcomings as a head coach, McDaniels has a solid track record as a playcaller and should at least bring schematic competence to the table.
QB J.J. McCarthy (10-11th Round)
It's hard to think of a highly drafted QB in recent years who walked into a better situation than McCarthy. His weapons are the first thing that come to mind, namely Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, but the offensive line should be just as talented once LT Christian Darrisaw makes it back from last year's ACL injury. The Vikings were aggressive in addressing the weak point of their 2024 offense, signing C Ryan Kelly and G Will Fries away from Indianapolis to join Darrisaw, RT Brian O'Neill and first-round pick Donovan Jackson up front.
Then there's the impact of coach Kevin O'Connell, whose three seasons in Minnesota have produced three offenses with over 4,000 passing yards and at least 30 passing touchdowns, including Sam Darnold's 35-TD showing last year. We know Darnold is no superstar, but McCarthy might be, and with more running ability to boot. He's only 22 years old, even after the redshirt season, and the two glimpses we've seen in preseason games have been impressive.
How do these players stack up against the rest of the NFL? Visit our fantasy football PPR rankings for a list of the top players for the remainder of the season.
QB Trevor Lawrence (11-12th Round)
Lawrence has always been better than his statistics suggest, although the extent to which that's true is up for debate. He's generally had decent weapons throughout his career, but he's also dealt with some of the worst coaching and blocking in the league in multiple seasons. Things look a lot different now, with new coach Liam Coen bringing the scheme that helped Baker Mayfield throw 41 TD passes last year. Coen may well struggle with other aspects of the head coaching job, but there's not much doubt that his scheme and playcalling will be better than what Lawrence dealt with under Urban Meyer (OC Darrell Bevell) and Doug Pederson (OC Press Taylor).
The pass catchers are also much better this year, potentially even reaching elite territory if Travis Hunter is who the Jags seem to think he is. The offensive line is far less impressive, but it did add G Patrick Mekari and C Robert Hainsey during the offseason on starter-level contracts, and the new coaches/scheme may help as well. With so much working in his favor all of a sudden, Lawrence is facing a make-or-break season both in fantasy and real life.
QB Michael Penix (12-13th Round)
Drafted eighth overall last year, Penix rode pine until Week 16 and then started the final three games of the season. Atlanta scored at least 24 points in each of those contests, including back-to-back OT losses, with Penix accounting for four touchdowns (one rushing) and Bijan Robinson scoring six times (two in every game). Penix completed just 61 of 105 passes (58.1 percent) for the season, but context is crucial, namely a 10.5 aDOT that was second-deepest among QBs (behind only Anthony Richardson). Atlanta's pass catchers didn't help either, apart from Drake London, with two of Penix's three interceptions coming on throws that hit a receiver's hands first.
It would've been nice to see the Falcons add another receiving weapon instead of relying on the likes of Ray-Ray McCloud or KhaDarel Hodge to play a lot of snaps, but there's still fantasy upside to be had here, given Penix's preference for throwing downfield and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's preference for playing at a fast pace. It's a combination that could lead to enough yardage and touchdowns for Penix to make up for modest rushing stats.
QB Cameron Ward (13-14th Round)
While not a true dual threat, Ward is athletic enough to run for a few hundred yards and 2-4 touchdowns per season, which gives him some fantasy upside when paired with the possibility of considerable passing volume under coach Brian Callahan. As much as the Titans desire a balanced offense, they're widely projected to be among the worst teams in the league, potentially giving Ward a bunch of trailing game scripts in which he can chuck the ball around.
The key here, apart from the No. 1 overall pick not being a bust, is for the Titans to develop their young players and give Ward some help. Their offensive line looks solid on paper for the first time since the peak Tannehill/Henry years, but there's not much firepower at WR beyond Calvin Ridley unless one of the fourth-round picks (Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor) steps up. My money is on Ayomanor quickly becoming a useful possession target who can complement Ridley and offer a more physical element, both near the goal line and on third downs. Ward's arm strength and college production suggest he has the necessary tools to become a top passer if his processing proves up to NFL standards.
QB Jalen Milroe (20th+ Round)
This is for two-QB leagues and hyper-deep formats only, considering Milroe may not even be the No. 2 QB in Seattle to start his career. He could nonetheless make starts this season, especially if things go south with Sam Darnold running Klint Kubiak's offense. A shaky offensive line increases the odds of that happening, potentially setting up a situation where the Seahawks fall out of playoff contention and want to get a look at Milroe, who is arguably the closest thing we've seen to Lamar Jackson in terms of QB running ability. With some QBs, it's an insult to suggest they could change positions. Milroe is one of the few ever who might actually be athletic enough to make it in the NFL at another position if he flops at QB. Now imagine if he can combine that RB-level athleticism with any degree of competence as a passer.
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