Outlook: For the first time since 2020, his second year in the league, Murray started each of Arizona's games last season. It was a welcome sight after the former No. 1 overall pick missed six games in 2022 and nine more in 2023 after tearing the ACL in his right knee. Despite starting all 17 games, however, Murray put up middling numbers: 3,851 yards, 21 TDs, and 11 INTs through the air. He averaged a career-best 7.3 yards per carry, a sign that he had renewed confidence in his knee's stability, but he ran less than ever, posting a career-low 4.6 rushing attempts per game.

One of the big storylines entering last season was the arrival of a "true No. 1 receiver" in the form of Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The results were disappointing. There were obvious communication errors throughout the season between Murray and Harrison, and the duo has reportedly spent extensive time working out together in Arizona during the offseason in an attempt to remedy their timing and execution issues.

Improved chemistry between the two, along with a better grasp of the offense following another offseason under third-year coordinator Drew Petzing, could go a long way toward pushing Murray into a higher echelon of NFL (and fantasy) quarterbacking. Entering his age-28 season, the diminutive QB claims to be in the best shape of his career and feeling great. That's all well and good for June, but his size is always a concern as he has tended to wear down over the course of 17 games.

Murray retains top-10 fantasy appeal due to his dual-threat skillset, though he's a notch or two below top mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and even Jayden Daniels.

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Outlook: A year ago, Nix was an unproven commodity. A first-round pick many felt had been a significant reach when the Broncos called his name with the 12th overall selection. Now, he's locked in as QB1 after finishing third in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Washington's Jayden Daniels and Las Vegas' Brock Bowers -- and well ahead of fellow QBs Drake Maye (Patriots) and Caleb Williams (Bears), who were both taken ahead of him.

Looking back on 2024, it's easy to track Nix's development. Early on, he leaned on his athleticism, which is borne out in the stats. Through seven games, the then-rookie averaged 178 yards passing with 5 TDs and 5 INTs, and he added 257 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Things changed in Week 8. In a 14-point win over Carolina, Nix passed for 284 yards with 3 TDs and no INTs with minimal running (four carries, four yards). That was the formula the rest of the way with Nix averaging 253 yards through the air with 24 TDs and 7 INTs over the final 10 games. He ran for just 173 yards and 1 TD during that stretch.

It's that distribution of numbers that clouds his 2025 outlook to a degree. His development as a passer, coupled with some improvements at the skill positions, is encouraging, but there's a reason the top of the fantasy quarterback rankings is occupied by dual threats. We know Nix can run, but will he? If you look at his final 10 games and project over a full season, it only amounts to 294 yards and 2 TDs, and those numbers aren't moving the needle. Even with some uncertainty, Nix is a viable fantasy starter, and he belongs in the discussion once the top six or seven QBs are off the board.

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Outlook: Michael Penix Jr. is set as Atlanta's starter heading into the 2025 season after replacing a sporadic and ineffective Kirk Cousins late in 2024. Penix's numbers from those three starts last season aren't eye-popping -- 3 TDs and 3 INTs with a 58 percent completion percentage. But the signal-caller on a potentially lethal offense is always an enticing option, regardless of his recent production. Apparently, his numbers from 2024 haven't endeared him to fantasy managers because he's being viewed as a low-end QB2 heading into draft season.

While I think he's being valued correctly, I do think the return on investment could be substantial by year's end. First, there is continuity on the offensive side of the ball. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson returns, along with a scheme that helped the Falcons finish with the 5th most passing yards per game last season (239 yards). Second, Penix has a solid collection of complementary pieces to throw to. And third, he's a young, hungry player with something to prove. For those reasons, Penix could outplay his draft position and reward his managers. If you're waiting to fill your QB2 position, you could do a lot worse than Penix.

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Outlook: Dak Prescott's 2024 season was a tough one to watch. An injury sidelined him for the second half of the year, and even when he played, the numbers weren't pretty. He didn't throw more than two touchdown passes in any of his first eight games, hit 300+ yards in just two contests, and tossed multiple interceptions in half of his outings. The offensive line didn't do him any favors either - he was sacked at least twice in all but one game. Oh, and that goal line rushing upside we used to love? It's basically gone, with only four rushing touchdowns over his past four seasons combined.

However, looking ahead to 2025, there's hope. Prescott is expected to be ready for Week 1, though his mobility might take a hit early on as he recovers from that hamstring injury. The Cowboys have thrown significant resources at their offensive line, using early-round draft picks to rebuild what was once a strength. Plus, adding George Pickens gives Prescott a shiny new deep threat to pair with CeeDee Lamb. A better line and an upgraded receiving corps could spark a bounce-back, but the rushing decline and shaky efficiency he showed last year are red flags. If everything clicks, he's a low-end QB1; if not, he's a risky bet week to week.

Draft Prescott as a mid-tier QB2 with upside. He's got the tools to climb back into QB1 territory but understand that his best days are likely behind him despite this being the best offensive talent he's had around him since Amari Cooper left.

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