For as much time and effort as we put into researching for fantasy football seasons, the undeniable truth is that some players will let you down. Sometimes it’s performance-related, other times it’s injury-related, and sometimes we just misread situations. The beautiful thing is that things can change quickly in the NFL, and players can rebound from subpar seasons.
Some big quarterbacks failed to meet expectations in 2024. Which disappointments can rebound in 2025, though?
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Injuries limited Dak Prescott to just eight games in 2024, but his fantasy issues started well before that. Prescott was in the midst of one of his worst seasons when he tore his hamstring in Week 9, completing just 64.7% of his passes for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His 3.8% TD rate was tracking to be the worst of his career, and his 2.8% interception rate was the second worst.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense struggled behind two rookie offensive linemen, and the passing attack was reduced to CeeDee Lamb and a group of role players who couldn’t consistently get open.
Through Week 8, Prescott was the QB18 in fantasy football, averaging just 16.0 points per game — surpassing 19 points just once. But there are reasons for optimism heading into 2025.
Dallas’ 2024 rookie linemen (Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe) now have a year of experience. The loss of Zack Martin is significant, but 2025 first-rounder Tyler Booker is a plug-and-play starter who should upgrade the unit immediately.
The Cowboys also addressed their lack of pass-catching talent. While they didn’t draft a receiver early, they traded for wide receiver George Pickens. Though inconsistent, Pickens brings big-play ability and can win contested catches. He gives Prescott a legitimate outside threat to complement Lamb.
With Lamb and Pickens commanding attention, secondary weapons like Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin should benefit from better matchups.
Lastly, Brian Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach after two years as Prescott’s offensive coordinator. While 2024 was forgettable, Dallas’ offense was explosive in 2023. Prescott finished as the QB5 (20.2 points per game), leading the league with 36 touchdown passes on the fourth-most attempts (590).
Prescott is poised for a rebound in 2025, and so is his fantasy value.
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams was supposed to be a generational fantasy quarterback in 2024, but that didn’t happen. He was under constant duress (some of it self-inflicted) behind a porous offensive line, leading the league with 68 sacks. Even when he had time, he often missed big throws.
Statistically, it wasn’t a disaster. Williams completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. But he completed just 27.5% of his 20+ yard passes despite leading the NFL with 80 such attempts.
The result: a disappointing QB24 fantasy finish (15.0 PPG), despite a supporting cast of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and rookie Rome Odunze. Still, there are reasons to believe in a Year 2 breakout.
Every positive dropback vs. pressure for Caleb Williams in 2024 👇
(As measured by EPA – Expected points added) https://t.co/mJrPq80U1C pic.twitter.com/c7M4kLKOpS
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) May 29, 2025
The Chicago Bears upgraded Williams’ environment quickly. They traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signed center Drew Dalman. Chicago also drafted tight end Colston Loveland, receiver Luther Burden III, and tackle Ozzy Trapilo.
The biggest move, though, was hiring former Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson as head coach.
Johnson’s scheme helped revive Jared Goff’s career. From 2022 to 2024, Goff averaged 4,547 yards and 32 touchdowns per season under Johnson. Now, he has a more talented quarterback in Williams and more weapons than he ever had in Detroit.
2024 was brutal for Williams and fantasy managers, but 2025 could be the start of something special.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud was a fantasy darling in 2023. As a rookie, he completed 63.9% of his passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He finished as the QB9 in fantasy (18.4 ppg) despite limited rushing upside.
Expectations were higher in 2024 after the Houston Texans traded for Stefon Diggs, but it all fell apart. The offensive line crumbled. Diggs and Tank Dell were lost for the season. And Stroud regressed, completing 63.2% of his passes for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 picks, dropping him to just 13.0 fantasy points per game (QB28).
CJ Stroud wrapping it around the defender and still puts it on the receiver’s helmet. This is an absurdly good throw. pic.twitter.com/CYIujoz7k8
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 7, 2024
Houston retooled its entire offense. They traded Laremy Tunsil, let Shaq Mason walk, signed Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Trent Brown and Ed Ingram, and replaced Diggs with Christian Kirk. The Texans also drafted WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel and tackle Aireontae Ersery.
On paper, it’s a less talented unit, but it has more depth.
Houston also fired OC Bobby Slowik and hired Nick Caley, the former Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator, in his place. The system and situation should be more stable in 2025.
Fantasy managers were burned by Stroud, but a bounce-back year is well within reach.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence hasn’t lived up to the generational hype since 2021, and 2024 was no different. Injuries limited him to 10 games (AC joint sprain, concussion), but his struggles began earlier. He completed just 60.6% of his passes for 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions — averaging only 14.5 fantasy points per game.
There’s reason for hope in 2025, though. Jacksonville hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as head coach.
In 2023, Coen helped Baker Mayfield post a career year: 71.4% completion, 4,500 yards, 41 TDs, and 16 picks. Now, he inherits a Jacksonville Jaguars offense that features Brian Thomas Jr. and added Dyami Brown and rookie Travis Hunter. They also fortified the offensive line.
Lawrence will enter Year 5 with the best play-caller he’s had and more explosive pass catchers than ever. If he stays healthy, this could be his breakout fantasy year.
Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith’s renaissance began in 2022 under Pete Carroll, when he finished as fantasy’s QB9 (17.9 ppg) with 4,282 yards, 30 TDs, and 11 INTs. He regressed slightly in 2023 (15.2) but still posted solid numbers.
In 2024, Smith played under a new staff and completed a career-best 70.4% of his passes for 4,320 yards. Yet, he threw just 21 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
This offseason, Carroll was surprisingly hired by the Las Vegas Raiders, and he brought Smith with him. They reunite in an offense that includes TE Brock Bowers, WR Jakobi Meyers, and rookie playmakers like Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. First-round running back Ashton Jeanty also offers receiving upside.
Smith has disappointed the past two seasons, but he has top-10 fantasy upside when paired with Carroll. Don’t be surprised if he rebounds again in 2025.