It is that time of year when your favorite (and least favorite) fantasy football analysts release their rankings to the world. With so many emerging scoring formats and creative approaches to this game we all love, it’s important to know what scoring they are based on. These rankings are geared towards full-point PPR and 12-team leagues, which are typically the most popular fantasy football formats and league sizes. For those of you sickos out there, no, this is not superflex or tight-end premium.
When you read this list of 300 players, I guarantee there will be rankings that you disagree with, and that’s okay. More important than each player’s specific ranking is the tier they occupy. I may have Kyle Pitts at TE3 and Travis Kelce at TE5, and while you may call that blasphemy, they are in the same tier at their position. That means that I could see them all fighting for the top spot of their respective tiers, but with the context of their risk, situation, age, and more, I have them in a specific order that I firmly believe in.
The other two reasons I utilize tiers in my rankings are that they help us apply the same set of rankings to multiple draft scenarios, and they allow you to still get the players you love. If you are in a bind at a position but are able to find a player lower in that same tier a round later in your drafts, then that can free you up to follow your heart on a player you want on your team. It’s one of the most underrated parts of drafting. Fantasy football should be fun. Use rankings and do the research, but draft the players you love, and you’ll never be disappointed that you did.
If, after you read through these rankings, you want to shower me with praise or tell me why I am doomed to be wrong, please do! I love doing the work I get to do, but I love connecting with my readers even more. I am always available on X / Twitter, whichever you prefer, at @Marco_NFL.
Draft Philosophy
When looking at drafting in 2024, I have a couple of things that I cannot stress enough before you enter your draft rooms.
1. Come with a plan but be prepared to blow it up.
The second your draft starts, you have a zero percent chance of predicting exactly what will happen. It’s important to be prepared for all of your top options to be gone at one point or another. In those instances, you can make or break your team, depending on how you react. At the start of every round, you should evaluate who is off your board, gauge what your top tiers at each position look like, and be prepared with a couple of names from each position that you are confident drafting.
2. Know Your League
This can be looked at in a number of different ways. First and foremost, know your league mates’ tendencies. Are they homers, and do they draft all your local team’s players? Do they love rookies? The tendencies of your league mates will always provide you with opportunities if you know them in advance. Second is how active your league is. Are you going to be able to make trades if you go with the best player available and load up on a specific position? If so, then more doors are open to you each round; if not, then you need to be more strategic in the middle rounds. Finally, and the most obvious, know your scoring. There are so many new and innovative ways that fantasy football is scored, and any small scoring detail can turn into a significant advantage or disadvantage.
3. Rounds 1, 2, 6 and 10
These rounds have been instrumental in all of my drafts thus far. Rounds one and two set the tone and an overarching strategy for the rest of your draft. My strategy in these two rounds is either double-tapping the wide receiver position or going with one running back and one wide receiver. In the second round, specifically, if Marvin Harrison Jr. falls to you, you take him. Round 6 is one of the final premier player rounds in the draft. It is a great round to course correct before you head into the abyss of handcuffs, late-round quarterbacks, tight ends, and dart throws. What I mean by course correct is evaluating your roster and finding your most significant need. Is it a position you waited too long on (Quarterback or tight end), or is it depth? Round six is where you can fix those things. Finally, round ten. Round ten is full of potential league-winners, players with high ceilings at a value price. It’s a great round to get your guy and take some risk.
Read The Notes
I took the time to provide a writeup on every single player, so if you’re going to argue (which is allowed and encouraged), at least try to get some idea of why I ranked the player where I did or what I generally feel about them. Take some time to read them, see where you agree or disagree, and jot down thoughts to bring to your drafts with you.
These rankings talk about what I generally project for a player, but these rankings are not projections. They include projections but also take into account performance risk, injury risk, team context, ceiling, and floor.
These rankings and write-ups will be updated two more times before the start of the season.
Now, let’s dive in!
Tier 1
1. Breece Hall (RB, NYJ) – The race to be the RB1 in Fantasy Football has four names in 2024: Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Breece Hall. Hall is one of the most electric players in the NFL. He is one of the very few workhorse running backs left in fantasy football with his rare combination of vision, speed, and footwork. He finished last season as the RB2 overall in PPR leagues in just his first year back from a torn ACL. Hall had only one carry inside the five-yard line last season, and no, that is not a typo. The Jets’ heavy investment in their offensive line this offseason and the return of Aaron Rodgers both bode well for Hall’s scoring opportunities in 2024. He has the least competition for touches of the big three running backs and should be a near lock for 250 carries and 90+ targets. While Garrett Wilson needs Aaron Rodgers to be elite in fantasy football, Hall can do it on his own.
2. Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN) – Ja’Marr Chase had his first 100-reception season in 2023. He continues to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and we could see him take another step in 2024. Offensive line concerns and trying to keep Burrow healthy have forced the Bengals to get creative with Chase’s usage. He has seen his average depth-of-target drop each of the last three seasons as they start to use him on slant and dagger routes significantly more often than his rookie season. For PPR leagues, this can bring tremendous value. Chase has never finished higher than WR5; this year, that changes.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, DET) – The meteoric rise of Amon-Ra St. Brown over the last few seasons has been something special to witness. He is the safest of the elite tier of wide receivers. He posted 15 or more fantasy points in 16 games last season, if you include the playoffs. He caught nearly 120 passes while eclipsing 1,500 yards. St. Brown isn’t likely to be posting double-digit touchdowns, but in full PPR leagues, he doesn’t need to. I am comfortable drafting him anywhere in my top five picks this year.
4. CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL) – CeeDee Lamb finished second in fantasy points per game, catching 135 balls and accruing over 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is an elite route runner and an alpha wide receiver. Lamb is one of the few candidates to lead the league in receiving in 2024. Right now, the only question about him is how long he will hold out with his contract concerns.
5. Christian McCaffrey (RB, SF) – I know the townspeople are coming for me already. Ultimately, I won’t fight you if you have CMC at one. The point differential between him and Breece, in my rough projections so far, has them less than a point apart. Christian McCaffrey is the best player on one of the best offenses in the league. That should be enough for you, but if you’re still reading, you can have confidence in the fact that McCaffrey almost never left the field last season. He played less than 75% of snaps only four times. We are talking running backs, so injury is always on the table, but he has put “injury-prone” tag in his rearview while racking up an average of 353.5 opportunities per season across his last two seasons. The only real reason he isn’t at the top of this list is that he is entering his age-28 season, and the Niners have the benefit of having plenty of superstars to allocate touches to keep CMC fresh for a late-season run.
Tier 2
6. Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ) – Garrett Wilson is my favorite dark horse candidate to lead the league in receiving yards this year. He is the only player in NFL history to earn 300+ targets in his first two seasons. His catchable target rate in the last two seasons ranked 65th and 92nd. Enter Aaron Rodgers. Even if Rodgers is 50% of who we are used to seeing, that is a massive step up for Wilson. You can snag him at round 1/2 turn, and that is a screaming value.
7. Tyreek Hill (WR, MIA) – Tyreek Hill has been an absolute menace the last two seasons with the Dolphins. He saw incredible efficiency last season (3.8 yards per reception). He also benefitted from Jaylen Waddle’s injury. I do expect a slight regression and loss of volume for Hill this year, but not enough to knock him too far down. Draft him confidently and enjoy the ride.
8. Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL) – Free Bijan! Free Atlanta! Well, the fantasy football world’s cries were heard this offseason as Arthur Smith moved on to Pittsburgh. The new regime of Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson has made it abundantly clear that they know what they have in Bijan Robinson. Morris comes from the McVay coaching tree, and that has historically meant good things for running backs. The breakout could be here for Robinson. Similar to Breece Hall, an inept offense and odd time share limited Robinson’s touches in scoring situations (2). In 2024, the Falcons get a massive upgrade at quarterback in Kirk Cousins and should be favorites to win the division. Robinsoon lacks the speed of Hall, but he makes up for it with his lateral agility and football IQ. The final player in this tier for a reason, Robinson is likely the only player left who should see 200+ carries and 90+ targets. That’s the good news; the bad news, or should I say annoying news, is that Tyler Allgeier is not going away, and while a 53/47% split isn’t likely, I doubt we see Allgeier fall below 40% of the carries. That is why he falls to three on this list.
9. Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN) – Justin Jefferson played in only ten games last season, yet he kept his 1,000-yard season streak alive. He is far and away the best wide receiver in the NFL right now. He falls slightly here because his entire season will be quarterbacked by one of Sam Darnold or rookie JJ McCarthy. For NFL purposes, both signal callers will be OK, but for fantasy, we should expect inconsistency and less scoring opportunity. Jefferson has proven to be elite even without cousins, so don’t be surprised if he surpasses this WR6 ranking.
10. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, ARI) – Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the highest-graded rookie prospects I have ever seen. I graded him just above Ja’Marr Chase in the offseason process, and he landed in a situation where he should immediately demand targets from Kyler Murray. Harrison should contend for 150 targets in year one for a team that will be throwing all season long due to their uninspiring defense. He has the highest ADP of any rookie in recent memory, but the juice is worth the squeeze in this instance. I am drafting him in round two with zero hesitations.
Tier 3
11. A.J. Brown (WR, PHI) – A.J. Brown looked like he was going to break records on his way to becoming the WR1 overall last season before his week ten bye. After that, it was a different story. The Eagles’ implosion is the reason that Brown benefits from the fast-paced scheme of Kellen Moore, and that is something we should all be grateful for. There is a good chance Brown will get moved all around the formation this year, and that bodes well for his fantasy value. He is an easy pick at his current WR9 ADP.
12. Saquon Barkley (RB, PHI) – Saquon Barkley made headlines this offseason when he chose to leave New York to join his former division rival. Barkley has had an up-and-down career thus far, dealing with injuries and atrocious offensive line play. Barkley is unlikely to be the true focal point of this offense like he has been in the past, but that may be better for the now 27-year-old running back. The reduction in volume isn’t a death knell for Barkley, who should see increased efficiency and more scoring opportunities. This season could be a revelation for the veteran running back. OC Kellen Moore has consistently been in the top five in pace of play. To say that his situation has improved would be an understatement. The Giants were the 30th-ranked offensive line last season, according to PFF; the Eagles ranked third. Barkley is headed toward more scoring opportunities and has proven to be a bulldozer in those situations, with a 66% success rate on runs inside the five-yard line. For reference, Jalen Hurts had 15 rushing touchdowns last season, 13 of which came from within three yards of the goal line. My current projections have him at 252 carries, 78 targets, and 10 total touchdowns.
13. Puka Nacua (WR, LAR) – Puka Nacua was what dreams were made of last season. He set rookie records and established himself as a top-ten wide receiver for years to come. Paired with the wide receiver kingmaker himself, Matthew Stafford, once again, Puka should continue to build on his remarkable rookie year. He averaged 2.5 fantasy points per touch last season, and even if we saw the best season of his career last year, it is well within his range of outcomes to eclipse the 1,200-yard mark again this year. Puka is here to stay, and you can draft him with confidence.
14. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET) – Jahmyr Gibbs had a slow start to the season in 2023. That didn’t stop him from finishing the season as a top-10 running back. From week seven on, Gibbs produced six different weeks as a top-three running back. He did this while playing over 70% of the snaps only twice. The Lions offense is a perfect fit for Gibbs’ skillset. The only reason he doesn’t find himself in tier one in redraft leagues is the presence of David Montgomery, who was impressive in his own right. Likely in a near 50/50 timeshare with Montgomery once again, he may not sound appealing to draft at the round one/two turn, but in this case, I am buying. For Gibbs, efficiency is the name of the game, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry and scoring on every 21.3 touches. Not only that, but he had 10 rushes of 20 yards or more and was able to score from outside the ten-zone on five of his touchdowns. My current projections have him sitting at 187 carries and 103 targets. The new age Alvina Kamara is here, and you can be confident in spending a late first-rounder on him in 2024.
15. Jonathan Taylor (RB, IND) – Jonathan Taylor is coming off of two tough seasons. Between injury and contract negotiations/holdouts, the last time we saw an entire season of JT was 2021—a season where he eclipsed 2,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns. Taylor gets to continue the prime of his career in the Shane Steichen offense and do it alongside second-year breakout candidate Anthony Richardson. Taylor and Richardson played only two snaps together last season, but the duo could be the best-rushing pair in the league in 2024. While it is true Richardson may eat into Taylor’s goal line carries, his injury history suggests that Taylor will be asked to shoulder more of the load in goal-to-go situations. Taylor is an excellent pick near the top of the second round.
16. Travis Etienne Jr. (RB, JAC) – Travis Etienne may be underrated right now, even by me. He averaged over 16.5 fantasy points per game last season with an atrocious offensive line. He isn’t likely to see a massive upgrade in that department, but the volume should hold firm for Etienne in 2024. He averaged 20 opportunities per game and shared a backfield with only Tank Bigsby, who was uninspiring in his rookie season. An improved offense this season means more scoring opportunities for an already double-digit touchdown scorer. There are a lot of new faces in Jacksonville, but I would not be surprised to see the Etienne to be a focal point of this offense. Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. can take the top off of defenses, which should hopefully create more opportunities for Etienne to make plays in space. Currently, Etienne has a mid-second round ADP, and while he isn’t likely to shatter that value, he is one of the safer options at running back in this range with one of the highest upsides.
Tier 4
17. Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, IND) – Somehow Michael Pittman Jr. is always slept on. He may not have the top five wide out in a range of outcomes, but he should be locked into the top 15 position. Pittman should secure anywhere from 130-150 targets in this Colts offense and should be the only highly invested pass catcher from the Indianapolis offense. I expect more scoring opportunities in 2024, and he is also likely to surpass that 1,000-yard receiving threshold we all care about so much.
18. Drake London (WR, ATL) – Drake London is in a make-or-break season. With all the talent in the world, London has been at or near the top of dynasty managers’ wide receiver targets the last few seasons. The problem has always been who is getting him the ball. The Falcons remedied that this year by adding Kirk Cousins and eventually going on to draft Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. Now, regardless of whether you think the pick was wise (It wasn’t), London’s future looks bright with competent quarterback play. Expect London to set the fantasy world on fire in his first season with the new regime.
19. Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF) – It is challenging to nail down a spot for Brandon Aiyuk right now, with trade rumors swirling. With that being said, Aiyuk is a bonafide superstar. He was one of the most efficient pass catchers in the NFL last season while competing for targets with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey. If he can land somewhere that will give him 135+ targets, we could see a WR1 overall season. The favorites to land Aiyuk right now seem to be the Steelers and the Browns. Both teams could get Aiyuk close to those numbers, but both also have worse quarterback play. If you are drafting soon, know this. Aiyuk is a baller and can find success in any of his three current options to play football in 2024. At a WR15 ADP you should be buying every single time.
20. Malik Nabers (WR, NYG) – The Giants drafted Malik Nabers sixth overall in the hopes that he can become Odell Beckham 2.0 for them this season. With Daniel Jones’s return and Saquon Barkley’s departure, look for Nabers to feast in full-point PPR leagues. He should see upwards of 130 targets in this offense, and even if Daniel Jones’s arm strength can be limiting, Nabers makes his money after the catch, accruing over 500 yards after the catch in his final collegiate season.
21. Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC) – Isiah Pacheco proved many of his doubters wrong last season. He turned himself into a do-it-all player for one of the league’s most productive offenses. The Chiefs also seemed to think so with their moves or lack thereof to address the backfield during the offseason. With little to no competition for touches in 2024, Pacheco is heading for the best season of his career. One of the most promising indicators of Pacheco’s development, especially in PPR leagues, is his usage in the passing game. He went from 0.8 targets per game in his rookie season to 3.5 targets per game in 2023. In games where Pacheco saw 70% snap share, he averaged over 20 fantasy points per game. He did this for the first time in week 12 of last season and did it in every game but one from week 12 through the Super Bowl. The arrow is pointing up for Pacheco. Grab him in the late second round and secure your RB1.
22. Jaylen Waddle (WR, MIA) – Jaylen Waddle has seen his production dip each of the last few seasons, but his efficiency metrics are firm. He might not be the target hog he was during his rookie season, with Tyreek Hill leading the way, but Waddle has a chance to re-emerge as an elite fantasy weapon in 2024. Last season, he was hampered by injury, and while that may always be a part of his game, he should be locked into 125 targets on one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
23. Nico Collins (WR, HOU) – The Texans’ breakout season rested largely on Nico Collins’ shoulders. He posted an impressive 1,297 receiving yards on 80 receptions and eight touchdowns. Collins is a superstar in the making. He has proven to be an elite route runner while also having the physicality and football IQ to be a team’s WR1. The addition of Stefon Diggs may hurt his overall volume, but Diggs showed signs of slowing down last season and may eat more into Tank Dell’s value than he will Collins’.
Tier 5
24. Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL) – Lamar Jackson is the most exciting quarterback in the NFL right now. He posted the best passing yardage total of his career and his third-highest rushing total on his way to another MVP award. He led the position in fantasy points per dropback while also playing the most games in one season of his career. Todd Monken’s offense suits Jackson well, and in year two of the system, I am projecting another step forward. Baltimore’s top wide receiver Zay Flowers showed that he still has more to bring to the Ravens offense. Not only that, but Isaiah Likely had a mini breakout in Mark Andrews’s absence. Oh yeah, and Derrick Henry arrived in Baltimore to give the Ravens, an already efficient run game, the most dynamic rushing attack in the NFL. Henry may steal some touchdowns here or there, but the duo should benefit from each other as one, Henry, will rely on touchdowns, and the other, Jackson, can rack up rushing yards.
25. Sam LaPorta (TE, DET) – Sam LaPorta stood in rarified air last season, ranking in the top five in the league in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He scored 10 touchdowns in a year, whereas the next-best tight end scored six. Oh, and he did it as a rookie. It’s true that touchdowns are not the most sticky of stats, but to do it as a rookie and in an offense that stayed almost entirely the same heading into 2024, LaPorta is the truth. His role in the offense is secure, and even with his round three ADP, I have no problem pulling the trigger.
26. Josh Allen (QB, BUF) – Josh Allen has been the best quarterback in fantasy football in four of the last five seasons, falling just 18.8 fantasy points short in 2022 of making it five in a row. He has a fair chance to do it again this season, but there are some questions about who his WR1 will be now that Stefon Diggs has moved on. Keon Coleman is not a Diggs replacement, even for the most generous of analysts, either in skill level or play style. Allen also benefitted last season from James Cook’s lack of power as he bulldozed his way to 15 rushing touchdowns, a mark he is not likely to repeat in 2024. Buffalo’s situation on offense is eerily similar to the Chiefs of last season. Dalton Kincaid will need to step up in a significant way while also staying healthy all season for Allen and the Bills to remain one of the top offenses in football. That being said, Allen brings a lot more rushing value than Mahomes, which should keep him in the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks once again.
27. Trey McBride (TE, ARI) – Trey McBride was on pace for just under 1,200 yards last season from week six on. You could easily make a case that he should be at the top of this list. Heading into 2024, McBride now has a fully healthy Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. to take the defense’s attention away. While it’s true the target pie gets smaller with Harrison, he and McBride don’t generally work in the same areas of the field, and they should complement each other well. McBride is a great value right now, and I wouldn’t be afraid to grab him anytime after round three.
28. Mike Evans (WR, TB) – There may not be a more reliable wide receiver in the NFL than Mike Evans. He has posted at least 1,000 yards in 10 seasons (his entire career) and has averaged just under double-digit touchdowns per season. The Hall of Fame is calling, but Evans isn’t quite ready to go. In year 11, he returns with Baker Mayfield, who revived his career in Tampa Bay last season. As long as Evans is healthy he is an easy pick in drafts. His ADP sits between WR14-16, and you can rest easy floating Evans into your WR2 spot on your roster.
29. Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC) – When it comes to Patrick Mahomes, there is very little to say. He is likely to go down as the greatest ever to play the game. For fantasy football, he is somewhere in the same conversation. Last year was the worst non-rookie season of his career, posting over 4,000 total yards and nearly 30 touchdowns as the QB8. Those are still incredible numbers, especially when given the context that his wide receiver core was absent anyone who has surpassed 700 receiving yards in a single season. His only viable option was Travis Kelce, who dealt with injuries on and off. Luckily for Mahomes this season, he welcomes Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as well as rookie Xavier Worthy, and for at least part of the season, he will have his top receiver from 2023, Rashee Rice. The Chiefs made all the right moves to surround Mahomes with weapons that are an excellent fit for what the Chiefs do best. Mahomes is due for a bounce-back season in 2024. My current projections have him with just over 5,000 total yards and 38 total touchdowns.
30. Chris Olave (WR, NO) – Everyone is waiting for the Chris Olave breakout, but I am tentative to say it’s coming this year. Derek Carr struggles to push the ball downfield and has dealt with severe injuries in nearly every season in the league. The Saints offense has two players you are investing in, Olave and Alvin Kamara, in spite of Carr. He should see the volume surpass the 1,000-yard mark, and he is able to create separation at will. Olave is a low-ceiling, high-floor player in full PPR leagues. I wouldn’t trust him as my WR1, but WR2 feels right.
31. DJ Moore (WR, CHI) – DJ Moore got the richest wide receiver contract in Bears history just last week. The team has tied him to Caleb Williams for the next four years. That is good for dynasty and redraft. DJ Moore should lead the Bears in targets this season as the do-it-all pass catcher. He had the best season of his career last year, catching nearly 100 passes for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns, which was the most in his career. Chicago’s offense should be making a lot more trips to the red zone this year as well, which elevates Moore’s ceiling.
32. DeVonta Smith (WR, PHI) – The Eagles’ offense stalled out for the second half of last year, and while AJ Brown saw a drop in production, that was when DeVonta Smith shined brightest. Smith recorded four games of over 15 fantasy points in the final seven games, and his usage was far more consistent. Kellen Moore now takes over as OC in Philadelphia and his fast paced system and creative play calling could mean big things for Smith. He will always have a bit of a limited ceiling, but Smith is one of the best WR2s in fantasy football. He could catapult into the elite tier of pass catcher should Brown miss any time.
33. Anthony Richardson (QB, IND) – Anthony Richardson is everyone’s favorite breakout fantasy football player, and for good reason. Last season, Richardson led the league in fantasy points per dropback and averaged more fantasy points per game than peak Patrick Mahomes. Now, zoom out a little, and we realize it was an incredibly small sample size, and that is why he isn’t already the QB1. The range of outcomes for Richardson in 2024 is wider than any player in the league. His upside is palpable, but he has a long history of injuries, and he has minimal experience as a starting quarterback, whether it be in college or the NFL. I don’t always say high-risk players are worth it, but for Richardson, I am all the way in. If he plays an entire season, he is, at worst, a top-five quarterback, and that is worth the gamble.
Tier 6
34. Alvin Kamara (RB, NO) – Alvin Kamara is in the middle of some contract back-and-forth, but assuming that doesn’t keep him off the field, he looks primed to head into his age-29 season as a back-end RB1. His efficiency continues to dip, but the volume he sees in a Derek Carr-led offense makes him a reasonably safe option at the position. Kamara shares the backfield with Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller. Miller continues to battle injuries, and Williams looks to be on the wrong side of the age cliff. Kamara was on pace for 112 targets last season and 235 carries, a mark he has only ever eclipsed one other time in his career. He is currently being drafted around RB16, which is an excellent value for what could be his final trip to RB1 territory.
35. DK Metcalf (WR, SEA) – There may not be a more physically dominant wide receiver in the NFL than DK Metcalf. Seemingly locked in as a high-end WR2, Metcalf still has more to prove in 2024. The new OC, Ryan Grubb, could help him get there. We should see a transition from the typical run-heavy scheme we are used to in Seattle, and with that, Metcalf has a chance for a breakout as he enters some of the apex years for wide receiver production. The one question that still needs answering is which Geno Smith we will get this year and if we could see Sam Howell get some run this season.
36. Kyle Pitts (TE, ATL) – Kyle Pitts’ season has finally arrived, for real this time. The upgrade from Desmond Ridder to Kirk Cousins cannot be overstated. Cousins’ former tight end, T.J. Hockenson, averaged 937 receiving yards and five and a half touchdowns per season. He has spent the early parts of his career with poor quarterback play and learning parts of the wide receiver position. This year, it all comes together. Pitts has eyes on the best tight end in football this year, and it is well within his range of outcomes. Being drafted as the TE7 in redraft leagues makes him a slam dunk. Draft him confidently and thank me later.
37. Jalen Hurts (QB, PHI) – Jalen Hurts at QB5 is an affront to many fantasy managers, and I understand if you are rage-quitting your browser window. He is in the top tier for a reason, but there are reasons to expect a decrease in production in 2024. First of all, his all-pro center, Jason Kelce, retired, and even a good replacement option needs to make up for the veteran experience and chemistry that Kelce brought. Secondly, the Eagles brought in Saquon Barkley to replace D’Andre Swift. The upgrade is a significant change when it comes to Hurts’ goal line scoring potential. For context, Barkley saw a 66% success rate on converting runs inside the five; Swift, in that same metric, saw a 33% success rate. Why does this matter for Jalen Hurts? 25% of his fantasy production last season came from his rushing touchdowns (15). The tush push has been kind to the Eagles quarterback. If you create some modest adjustments and bring Hurts down to his season average for rushing touchdowns without Swift (9), he would have been QB5 last season. Checks notes, that math is mathing.
38. Derrick Henry (RB, BAL) – Derrick Henry’s move to the Baltimore Ravens is one of the more intriguing moves of the 2024 offseason for fantasy football. The Ravens now sport the epitome of thunder and lightning in their run game with Henry and Lamar Jackson. Despite a somewhat down season for the Titans, he still finished as a top-10 RB in PPR leagues. Of course, concerns about his age and wear and tear exist, but Henry has been an outlier for most of his career, and in 2024, with a new team and scheme, he looks to be heading toward another premier season. Efficiency continues to drop season to season for the former Titan. Still, he is expected to be the primary ball carrier and goal-line option for the Ravens, which should see him eclipse double-digit touchdown numbers for the seventh time in his career.
39. De’Von Achane (RB, MIA) – De’Von Achane is one of the biggest question marks at the running back position. His talent isn’t the question; his usage and health are. Achane averaged an eye-popping 7.77 yards per carry last season while also scoring a touchdown on roughly every 12 touches. There really isn’t a comparable player we have seen in the NFL. Some combination of Jamaal Charles and Chris Johnson comes to mind, and that is rarified air. In his roughly 11 games played last season, Achane saw 50% of the snaps just four times. The questions about his health are legitimate. We have never seen anything like Achane succeed with any consistency, and it is the only reason he falls to RB11 in ADP and my rankings. The only real question you need to ask yourself is how risk-averse you are as a fantasy football manager. Drafting the RB1 overall historically tells us you have a massive advantage over your league mates, and Achane is one of the few players outside of the top five that has that in his range of outcomes. He is similar to Jahmyr Gibbs in that he is likely capped in the 12-15 touch per game range if he wants to play an entire season, so his sharing the backfield with veteran Raheem Mostert is not that alarming. Typically, slotting in at the end of round two, Achane is a gamble I am taking if I go with an elite WR in round one.
40. Dalton Kincaid (TE, BUF) – Dalton Kincaid could be heading toward a breakout season in 2024. Kincaid currently is the favorite to lead this team in targets after the departure of Stefon Diggs. While the Bills may struggle more than they have in years past, Kincaid has an excellent chance to eclipse the 91 targets he saw in his rookie season. He will, of course, not be alone, as Dawson Knox will get playing time but should be filling the in-line tight-end role more than Kincaid.
Tier 7
41. Davante Adams (WR, LV) – Is this the year we see Davante Adams finally hit that wide receiver age cliff? While I don’t know if it will be all Adams’ fault, the Raiders’ passing game is headed toward a disastrous season. With one of Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connel manning the helm, the potential that Adams shows anything like his early career is limited. Last season was already a significant drop off from his typical value due to the lack of touchdowns, and that concern is still there for 2024. He also has to deal with newcomer Brock Bowers, who will demand targets as well. Adams may end up slightly higher than where I have this season, but the ceiling is lower than in years past, and the risk is much higher.
42. Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) – Cooper Kupp still has plenty left in the tank, evidenced by his final stretch of games. His 17-game pace would have put him over 1,000 yards and 84 receptions. While Kupp may be more of a 1B rather than a bonafide one in the Rams’ new offense, he has been leading the way in training camp thus far, and that is not something to be ignored. He has dealt with injury in every season since 2021, which is why he falls as far as he does, but there are far worse options than Kupp when it comes to your team’s WR2.
43. George Pickens (WR, PIT) – If the Steelers do not find a way to bring Brandon Aiyuk to Pittsburgh, George Pickens will be in for a breakout season. While WR23 might be less exciting to you, it matters for fantasy football. Last season, he ended the year as WR30, and with the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Pickens should be getting an upgrade no matter who wins the job. Wilson is notorious for pushing the ball downfield. It got him into trouble in Denver, accruing a high number of sacks while waiting too long for plays to develop. Justin Fields can get through his first read and his first read only. That is why he hyper-targeted DJ Moore in Chicago last year. Both benefit Pickens, who should be able to win in contested catch situations and is a dominant X wide receiver.
44. Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR, SF) – One of the most unique playmakers in the NFL, Deebo Samuel, has the ability to win in ways that most other wide receivers can only dream of. That’s why the fantasy world is constantly looking for the next Deebo. In the back half of the season, Deebo averaged over 18 fantasy points per game, behind only CeeDee Lamb. If Brandon Aiyuk gets traded, Deebo will jump up to WR18 for me, but until that happens, he is a high-upside player who has a lot of target competition.
45. Kyren Williams (RB, LAR) – Kyren Williams is coming off of a breakout season for the Los Angeles Rams. He averaged over 21 fantasy points per game and established himself as a premier player for fantasy football. So why does he land as a fringe RB1? There is a good chance Kyren never sees a season with that type of production again. His efficiency metrics are due for regression in 2024, and not only that, but he has a smaller frame and has struggled with injury during his brief career. History tells us that late-round running backs are a dangerous bet, and the Rams didn’t necessarily give us reason to think otherwise when they drafted Michigan standout, Blake Corum. The good news is that rookies tend to be slow to learn the McVay system, and Kyren should get enough opportunities to keep him near the top of the league. Right now, his ADP has him sitting near the top of the second round, but if he were to fall to the back end of round two, he might present a decent value for fantasy managers.
46. Tee Higgins (WR, CIN) – The offseason questions about Tee Higgins left us hoping he would land somewhere he could establish himself as the WR1 for an offense. Unfortunately, fantasy managers will have to wait one more season for that. Higgins is the WR2 for a Joe Burrow-led offense, so he could land near the top of this tier instead of the bottom. That being said, he has dealt with injury regularly in his career and usually becomes an afterthought when Burrow and Chase are clicking. Capped in the low-200 fantasy points range until he moves on, Higgins isn’t generally going to win you weeks. He is a fine WR2, but if you can roll him out as your WR3 or FLEX, you will be much happier.
47. Amari Cooper (WR, CLE) – Amari Cooper is a decent value in 2024 as a player who should surpass 1,000 receiving yards once again. The real value with Cooper is if Deshaun Watson is able to regain some of his former glory. If that were to happen, then Cooper could flirt with top-15 wide receiver production. The path is there, and he is a rock-solid WR3.
48. Josh Jacobs (RB, GB) – Josh Jacobs is a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, he is one of the most violent runners in the NFL who has the skill set to be a workhorse, and on the other, he seems to always be battling an injury and has struggled with efficiency for most of his career. It is hard to tell if that is because of Jacobs or because of the often laughable Las Vegas Raiders. In 2024, we will get some clarity on that question. The Green Bay Packers not only cut Aaron Jones but backed up the Brink’s truck to bring in Jacobs to be their lead rusher. The new-look Packers are always on the rise, and this time, it is due to the emergence of Jordan Love. With a multifaceted passing attack, Jacobs should be able to find plenty of room to run and be a weapon in the passing game. Even coming off of the least efficient season of his career, Jacobs, only 26 years old, should have a chance to return to his 2022 form.
49. Zay Flowers (WR, BAL) – It isn’t clear how the Ravens will use Zay Flowers this year. He proved he deserved to be their WR1, but he had inconsistent usage as it appeared the Ravens were trying to figure out how to use his skill set. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Flowers be the number two option on this offense behind Mark Andrews. Todd Monken’s system continues to evolve for the Ravens, and Flowers has a fair chance to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in year two. He is a strong WR3 with upside.
50. Rachaad White (RB, TB) – If you have just checked the fantasy points for Rachaad White, you will probably be appalled by my ranking. The truth is when you watched White play and dive further than the counting stats, you realize that he was an abysmal rusher in 2023. He turned 272 carries into less than a thousand rushing yards (990). For context, White tied CMC in carries, but his rushing production fell nearly 500 yards short. The silver lining for White is that his work as a receiver was Alvin Kamara-esque, and that is not to be ignored, especially in full PPR leagues. The Buccaneers did add Bucky Irving in this year’s draft, which is likely to impede White’s lead leading snap count from last season and ultimately limit his ceiling in 2024.
51. Kyler Murray (QB, ARI) – Fantasy managers have forgotten just how good a healthy Kyler Murray is. In his first three seasons in the NFL, he was QB6 overall on average. Just two seasons ago, Murray was a near lock to throw for over 3,500 yards while rushing for 500+. In 2024, he has breakout tight end Trey McBride, rookie and future superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. at wide receiver, and one of the worst defenses in the league. Those things all combine to create a fantasy dreamland. He is a screaming value at his QB10/11 ADP. If you are overly concerned about injury, pair him with a rookie signal caller like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels.
52. CJ Stroud (QB, HOU) – C.J. Stroud posted the best rookie season by a quarterback in NFL history. He single-handedly revived a Texans franchise that had still not recovered from the Deshaun Watson fiasco. Stroud’s rookie season naturally set the fantasy football world ablaze, and he shot up to QB3 in dynasty leagues. Still, there are reasons that I would advise against putting him in your top five players at the position, no matter if you are playing with one season in mind or beyond. The primary one is rushing. Stroud isn’t a complete zero with his legs, but he is close enough. For NFL purposes, that may not matter, but for fantasy, it means he needs to be throwing the ball around 600 times in a season, even to put himself in contention to be a top-five option at the position. The Texans added Stefon Diggs to an already impressive wide receiver room, but as things stand now, CJ Stroud doesn’t belong in the tier above and is probably being overdrafted at his QB5 ADP.
Tier 8
53. Christian Kirk (WR, JAC) – I would not be surprised to see Christian Kirk lead the Jaguars in targets this season. His role is well established, and even as the Jags add outside pass-catchers, Kirk shouldn’t see a massive reduction in volume. While he isn’t likely to see the eight touchdowns number from two years ago in full PPR, his receptions should be able to keep him in the WR3 conversation. He was on pace for 81 receptions last year, which fell just shy of his breakout season in 2022.
54. Tank Dell (WR, HOU) – Tank Dell fought against the BMI mob in his rookie season, and he won. He was averaging over 2.0 yards per route run and being one of the most essential playmakers for the Texans. There are questions about his being able to hold up for an entire season and how the targets will be distributed between Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Nico Collins, but you should be buying this offense, and he may be the most affordable option.
55. Joe Mixon (RB, HOU) – Joe Mixon is among the veteran rushers on the move this year, going from the Bengals to the CJ Stroud-led Texans. Mixon is coming off the second-best fantasy season of his career and now joins a team that has a far superior offensive line and one of the most talented wide receiver groups in the league. There isn’t much more a 28-year-old running back could ask for. Coming in at RB15 for me has a lot more to do with the fact that he will share the backfield with Dameon Pierce and potentially Cam Akers, who have not been impressive but have been good enough to be a thorn in the side of Mixon managers.
56. Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE) – Rhamondre Stevenson came into last season on the heels of a massive breakout in 2022. Unfortunately for him, the Patriots offense came to a grinding halt, and Stevenson bore the brunt of that burden. Even before his high ankle sprain, his yards per carry dropped from 4.95 to 3.97, and his usage on passing downs also dipped slightly. Needless to say, a new offense, a new head coach, a new quarterback, and a new contract all bring greener pastures for the bruising back. Even with the addition of Antonio Gibson, Stevenson should have a chance to reclaim his former glory. While RB1 is not likely in his range of outcomes, he should be a consistent and rock-solid RB2, landing somewhere between 230 and 285 touches and eclipsing 1,000 yards on the ground.
57. D’Andre Swift (RB, CHI) – D’Andre Swift lands in a new home for the third time in his young career. He is coming off his first thousand-yard rushing season and the healthiest season of his career. He enters a running back room that brings back Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. The Bears are a team on the rise, and Swift looks to be the favorite to lead the team’s efforts on the ground. Swift is best served when he gets 15-18 touches a game, and while that keeps him a tier or two below the volume of the best in the league, his big play ability could be on full display in Chicago. The big win, though, comes from the fact that he doesn’t need to worry about the tush push in 2024.
58. Joe Burrow (QB – CIN) – Joe Burrow has yet to have a normal offseason program in his NFL career. While that in itself is alarming, Burrow experienced a wrist injury last season that no other quarterback has ever had. It makes projecting his return slightly more challenging. Still, he has a decent offensive line and gets to throw the ball to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, so a 4,000+ yard season is well within reach. In the two seasons where he missed one game or less, he eclipsed the 4,500 mark while also throwing for 35+ touchdowns. This tier is chalked full of volume passers, and Burrow could find himself anywhere from QB5 to QB13, which makes him a difficult player to pull the trigger on at his current ADP.
59. Keenan Allen (WR, CHI) – Keenan Allen has been one of the most prolific wide receivers in the NFL during his career. Last season was one of Allen’s best of his career, even with him missing time due to an injury. Now he joins a crowded Chicago wide receiver room but should be able to compete for the WR1 role with DJ Moore and even play more in the slot in three wide receiver sets. Allen has spent his entire career winning with his route running and nuance, not his athleticism, so he could have more career left than people think.
60. Jordan Love (QB, GB) – Jordan Love got his bag this offseason, which is something of an unprecedented move for a quarterback who has played in just 20 complete games in his four-year career. The Packers refuse to miss at the quarterback position, to the dismay of the rest of the NFC North. Love broke out in a major way last season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first entire season as the starter. Love also brings some rushing upside, adding 247 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. With a young nucleus of pass catchers, Love should be firmly entrenched as a QB1 for 2024, especially with veteran play-caller Matt LaFleur calling the shots.
61. Travis Kelce (TE, KC) – Travis Kelce has been the TE1 overall in six of the last eight seasons, but last season was not one of them. Still, he was producing at an elite pace when he was fully healthy. Kelce can’t do this forever, but he was not showing too many signs of slowing down. 2024 may be the youth takeover, but Kelce and Mark Andrews should still be able to post massive numbers in the final stages of their career.
62. Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) – Mark Andrews could fall anywhere from TE1 to TE6. He has dealt with injury concerns, but when he is on the field, he is truly one of the elite fantasy football tight ends in the league. It will be interesting to see how OC Todd Monken implements Andrews and Isaiah Likely this season as they have sights on a late-season run. My rough projections have Andrews accruing 789 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tier 9
63. Terry McLaurin (WR, WAS) – Terry McLaurin has been a victim of poor quarterback play his entire career. He brings speed and elite route running to a Commanders’ offense that needs him with the ball in his hands to succeed. While McLaurin can expect an upgrade at quarterback, he is still a rookie and a mobile one. He should continue to flirt with WR2/WR3 production in his age-28 season.
64. Stefon Diggs (WR, HOU) – We started to see glimpses of Stefon Diggs’ decline last season. He is still a strong route runner, but his usage did change for the first time in a long time. Diggs joins a crowded wide receiver room in Houston and should compete with Tank Dell for the WR2 role on the team. It’s hard to project his usage, but don’t be surprised if we don’t see the Stefon Diggs of 2022 again. The risk is much higher than in years past as he enters his age-31 season, but the good news is that this has already been baked into his cost.
65. Diontae Johnson (WR, CAR) – Diontae Johnson could be in line for a breakout season in full PPR leagues. Now the lead target for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, Johnson should see 130+ targets, which, even with his history of drops, means fantasy success. Johnson, with the help of OC Dave Canales, has a chance to reclaim some of his 2021 form. The Panthers are still a team near the bottom of the league, so don’t expect Diontae Johnson to be a surprise WR1, but he is an excellent option at his WR38 ADP.
66. James Cook (RB, BUF) – James Cook wasn’t the prettiest person in the bar; he was just the only one left. One of the few running backs who stayed healthy last season, Cook benefitted from tremendous offensive line play in Buffalo on his way to over 1,500 total yards. The concern with Cook is that he needs to be more present near the goal line, totaling only two touchdowns on the ground. The Bills didn’t add any game-breakers to their running back room, but they did select Ray Davis in the fourth round of the draft. Davis is a sturdy back who had an impressive collegiate career. Coming in at 5’8″ and 220 pounds, Davis has a chance to eat into Cook’s early down touches and any scoring opportunities that Cook may have had.
67. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, SEA) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to be an interesting player to watch in the new Seahawks offense. He has the skill set to win at every level of the field but has a limited ceiling while competing with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He also has to navigate a new offense in year two and hopes that Geno Smith can improve over his 2023 results. JSN has a wide range of outcomes this year, but to be a true league-winning option like his profile implies, he would need an injury to Metcalf, who should be the first option for Smith.
68. Kenneth Walker III (RB, SEA) – Kenneth Walker has been relatively consistent in his first two seasons in the NFL. He has filled the early down and goal line role for the Seahawks thus far, and last season, he continued to dominate rushing opportunities, even with the addition of Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet’s impact in the passing game as a blocker and receiver will limit Walker’s ability to be a three-down player. Still, with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb in town, there may be more scoring opportunities and a faster-paced offense than we are used to in Seattle. Walker is fairly priced in fantasy drafts right now, going right around RB17 at the back end of round four.
69. Jayden Reed (WR, GB) – The Packers’ wide receivers are an enigma for the 2024 season. Jayden Reed is the most talented but is best suited to play slot wide receiver, which limits his ability to get on the field. He was a touchdown machine in 2023, and while that is likely to regress this season, Reed still has the potential to take another step. Reed was only on the field in two wide sets twice during the entire season, which is a staggeringly low number. If he wants to jump into WR2 territory, he will need to establish himself as an option in those scenarios. He is a like not love for redraft.
70. Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) – Dak Prescott had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023. CeeDee Lamb’s emergence as one of the best wide receivers in football, along with the breakout of tight end Jake Ferguson, helped Dak become one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. Dak had a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season while throwing for over 4,500 yards. He is due for some regression, but the Cowboys are returning many of their weapons, and Dak looks to be locked in for another top-10 season. The two things that move Dak to the back half of QB1 territory are the concerns with Dallas’ run game as well as their still stout defense.
71. Caleb Williams (QB, CHI) – Chicago has found its quarterback in Caleb Williams. They also seem dead set on not taking three-plus years to find out just how good Williams can be, surrounding him with the best weapons a number-one pick has ever had. He is still a rookie, so the early season could come with its bumps and bruises, but Williams can play, and Shane Waldron’s system is pass-heavy enough to see Williams support each of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. Managers may be best off if they pair Williams with a veteran with a soft start-of-season schedule.
Tier 10
72. Austin Ekeler (RB, WAS) – Austin Ekeler had a difficult 2023 season. He dealt with a high ankle sprain as well as the loss of Justin Herbert for a brief stint. Ultimately, it led to Ekeler failing to hit the 4.0 yards per carry mark for the first time in his career. He enters his age-29 season, an obstacle in its own right, playing for the Washington Commanders. The Commanders have Brian Robinson, who is the betting favorite to take the early down work, as well as second-year player Chris Rodriguez. Neither have been difference makers in the passing game which is a perfect situation for the aging Ekeler. In full PPR leagues, his receptions alone make him a viable flex option, and if he can show glimpses of his former self, an RB2. If you end up punting the running back position, I like pairing Ekeler with Brian Robinson in rounds eight and nine, as both can bring value at their ADP, but more on that later.
73. Aaron Jones (RB, MIN) – Veterans on the Move should be the tagline for the running back position in 2024 because here we are again. Aaron Jones takes over the lead back role in Minnesota, and as things stand now, he is the only viable option they have at the position. Similar to Ekeler, Jones is at a dangerous age for running backs (29). Jones may have more juice in the tank than Ekeler does at this point, but he has battled injuries for most of his career. The Vikings have a new signal caller at the helm, and whether it is Sam Darnold or JJ McCarthy, it will be a downgrade for 2024. Scoring opportunities may be limited for Jones, but he has the skill set to be involved on all three downs. My current projections have him with 181 carries and 63 targets.
74. David Montgomery (RB, DET) – The thunder to Jahmyr Gibbs lightning, David Montgomery showed everyone last year just how potent the Lions’ rushing attack can be. In just 14 games last season, Montgomery was able to rack up over 1,000 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Detroit has the best offensive line in the NFL, which makes Montgomery’s sixth-round ADP such a great value. The lack of work in the passing game hurts, especially in PPR leagues, but he should see over 200 carries in a high-octane offense. While he currently ranks as my RB22, his ceiling would be much higher if Gibbs were to miss any time because he has a three-down skill set when he is called upon in that capacity.
75. James Conner (RB, ARI) – James Conner is the running back everyone wants to overlook. The issue is that he keeps on producing. Conner was an RB1 in 6 of his 13 games played last season and had two more games as an RB2. The Cardinals get Kyler Murray back to full health in 2024, and they will benefit from rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. demanding the attention of defenses. When it comes to fantasy, the Cardinals have a dream scenario: a potent offense and a defense in the bottom half of the league. Rookie Trey Benson is currently in a battle for the RB3 position in training camp, which makes me believe Conner could be headed for his second consecutive thousand-yard rushing season in 2024.
76. Chris Godwin (WR, TB) – Chris Godwin has been mostly a disappointment since his 2018 breakout season. Stuck as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 most of his career, Godwin has some hope heading into 2024. The talk out of training camp is that Godwin will get more time out of the slot, a role that led to him having the most success he has ever had in the NFL. It remains to be seen if the Buccaneers will deliver on that promise, and Godwin is approaching the wide receiver age cliff. There’s a lot of potential, and the acquisition cost is low. He is a player I am rostering in most of my redraft leagues.
77. Zamir White (RB, LV) – Zamir White has been a popular name this offseason, but it’s hard to think this isn’t Alexander Mattison all over again. White had a small stretch of opportunity to end the year (weeks 15-18). In that time, he didn’t disappoint, averaging 15.18 fantasy points per game. The issue is that all of that production came from volume. He isn’t a factor in the passing game. He will likely cede those snaps to Alexander Mattison or, more likely, rookie Dylan Laube. Additionally, there may be limited scoring opportunities available for the Raiders in 2024. White’s ADP is still climbing, so while he is slightly overpriced in drafts now, he is more than likely going to be an even worse value three weeks from now.
78. Najee Harris (RB, PIT) – Najee Harris has slowly seen his production dip in each of his first three seasons. The Steelers’ offense is going through a massive overhaul, and Jaylen Warren’s emergence has made Harris’ future in fantasy football bleak. The silver lining to the Steelers not picking up the fifth-year option on his contract is that they are likely to lean heavily on their run game, feeding Harris as their lead back. Even with Warren proving to be the more explosive option, Harris led the backfield with 255 carries to Warren’s 149. He should be locked into another season of over 250 carries in 2024 with an additional 30+ targets as well. If you are looking for a high-floor player, Harris fits the bill.
79. Evan Engram (TE, JAC) – Evan Engram led the league in targets last season and nearly broke the tight end receptions record. He is one of the returning weapons for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars and has some sleeper TE1 overall value. He is being drafted as the TE8 right now and finished as the TE2 last season. He has one of the safest floors at the position and is an easy pick at cost.
80. Chase Brown (RB, CIN) – In maybe the least surprising news out of training camp, Chase Brown, not Zack Moss, looks to be in the driver’s seat to lead the Bengals’ backfield in 2024. Brown is a sturdy back, measuring in at 5’10” and 215 pounds. He also boasts a three-down skill set that should serve him well behind in an already potent offense. His rookie season gave us very little to work with, but in his senior season in college (University of Illinois), he posted over 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns. Doing it in the NFL may prove more difficult, but the opportunity should be there for Brown. Moss saw just over 200 touches last season for the Colts, and while I don’t see him hitting that number, he should eat enough into Brown’s workload to keep them both capped as low-end RB2 to mid-range RB3 options for fantasy football.
81. Ladd McConkey (WR, LAC) – The Chargers passed on Malik Nabers early in the draft and chose to draft Ladd McConkey instead a round later. McConkey has the route-running chops to be a true breakout candidate for the Bolts this season. His profile has some concerns, though. Never the lead target of the Georgia offense (Brock Bowers), McConkey wasn’t able to notch a thousand-yard season in his collegiate career. He also dealt with injuries on and off, an issue he found himself dealing with early again in training camp. McConkey looks like he could be an excellent NFL player while providing modest fantasy value in his rookie campaign.
82. Rome Odunze (WR, CHI) – It feels weird to say that Rome Odunze was the WR3 of this year’s draft class, but he was. In a class that gave us Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, Odunze somehow became an incredible consolation prize for the Chicago Bears. Odunze is an elite route runner who dominates in contested catch situations. He can win at every level of the field and has a fair shot to take over WR2 duties from Keenan Allen before the season ends. That being said, it looks to be more of a slow burn for Odunze, who will have to earn that playing time behind two of the league’s best pass catchers.
83. Jayden Daniels (QB, WAS) – Jayden Daniels has all but claimed the starting job for the Commanders. He improved every year in college, both as a passer and a rusher. For fantasy football, the rushing is the reason he will be in the QB1 conversation all season long. The goal for Daniels in year one would be to be something reminiscent of what Justin Fields was during his time with the Bears. I know that sounds bad, but for fantasy, it was borderline elite. While he is not quite the athlete of Justin Fields, if he can post similar passing numbers (197 yards/game) and slightly less rushing production (~50 yards/game), he should clear most fantasy managers’ expectations and definitely bring value for his round 8/9 ADP.
84. Jared Goff (QB, DET) – Jared Goff has found the perfect system for him to succeed. Surrounded by the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, Goff was able to accomplish the rare feat of ranking in the top ten in yards per pass attempt while having a bottom-three average depth of target. He gets his supporting cast back in 2024 and looks on track to flirt with QB1 numbers. The Lions’ defense should fare better with additions to their secondary during the offseason, and that is the only major thing that could lower Goff’s floor. Similar to Brock Purdy, Goff isn’t likely to see the same efficiency numbers, but he has the weapons and the skillset to stay on the fringes of QB1 territory.
85. Brock Purdy (QB, SF) – Last season, Brock Purdy proved to everyone that he is here to stay. He was a top-15 quarterback 11 times during the regular season, and 10 of those were top-10 finishes. With a 70% completion rate last season and a nearly 3:1 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio, Purdy is due for some regression, and the potential loss of Brandon Aiyuk would significantly impact his production in 2024. That being said, Purdy provides a high floor option if you wait a little too long at the position.
86. Tyjae Spears (RB, TEN) – Tyjae Spears was one of my favorite breakout candidates for the coming season before the Titans brought in Tony Pollard. Spears is the most talented of the two backs, but both seem to have a limited ceiling as they head towards a 50/50 split. The Titans also brought in a number of veteran pass catchers in an attempt to surround Will Levis with weapons. The old run first, run second scheme we are used to in Tennessee is not what fantasy managers should be expecting in 2024. Unless one of Spears or Pollard goes down with an injury, they are more FLEX options than reliable RB2s this season.
87. Rashee Rice (WR, KC) – If it wasn’t for Rashee Rice’s looming suspension, he would find himself in the mid-20s at the position. Unfortunately, we do have to worry about his off-the-field issues, and with that uncertainty, the rookie breakout for Patrick Mahomes is an afterthought. Currently, Rice is around WR36, and he still feels like he may be too high. If he were to fall a round in ADP or we were to get more clarity on his suspension, I would be more comfortable pulling the trigger. He also has new competition for targets in rookie Xavier Worthy and veteran Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
88. Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, WAS) – Brian Robinson Jr. is one of the more interesting players to draft this season. On the one hand, the Commanders brought in veteran superstar Austin Ekeler, but on the other, Ekeler is 29 and has dealt with injury, leaving many wondering what he has left in the tank. Robinson is the favorite to lead the team’s early down work but he did struggle with fumbling last season, fumbling six times on 178 carries. He was able to increase his efficiency from his rookie year, though, and proved to be helpful through the air as well. Kliff Kingsbury is the new OC in Washington, and he is bringing with him what has historically been one of the fastest pace-of-play systems in the NFL. In addition, a rookie signal caller in Jayden Daniels and Robinson has the potential to have a breakout season in 2024. If there is one name on this list that I would mark as a name on the rise, it’s Robinson, so make sure to check his ranking on the next update.
89. Christian Watson (WR, GB) – Christian Watson is an old-school X receiver at his best. He can beat defenders with this strength and athleticism and makes some highlight plays that litter your social media feeds. The issue is Watson can’t stay healthy. This offseason, he shared that he has a discrepancy in the weight of his legs, which has led to his multiple soft tissue injuries. As they work to remedy this, Watson remains limited. If he can put his injuries behind him and develop a more complete route tree, Watson could be in the top-15 conversation, but until then, there are too many other options for Jordan Love to utilize for me to buy in on Watson.
90. Justin Herbert (QB, LAC) – There is no getting around it: Justin Herbert is frustrating for fantasy football. Last season, he was on an absolute tear to start the year, posting five QB5 finishes or better by week six. It all fell apart from there as Herbert dealt with injury. This offseason was less than kind to Herbert as he lost his top three receiving weapons. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s run-heavy approach should also reduce Herbert’s passing volume. The one thing that could keep him relevant for fantasy football is his usage in the run game. Herbert is a more than proficient runner but has yet to be asked to do that too much over his career. 2024 could see him eclipse the 350 rushing-yard mark, and that alone could help float him into the top 15 at his position.
Tier 11
91. Calvin Ridley (WR, TEN) – Turning into something of a journeyman, Calvin Ridley starts his Titans career. He was inconsistent, to say the least, last season with some game-altering drops. Ridley appeared to be off-schedule with Lawrence for more weeks than not. Now he joins a Titans offense with a much worse option at quarterback in Will Levis and a team that is not likely to get into scoring territory very often. He has a low ceiling and a low floor, as things stand now.
92. Jaylen Warren (RB, PIT) – Jaylen Warren is an absolute bulldozer with a surprising amount of explosiveness. He ran well last season and made a significant impact as a receiver out of the backfield. Many are calling for Warren to take over the lead-back duties, but I am not there yet. Warren can still be useful for fantasy managers, even with only 40% of the workload, as long as he continues to lead the backfield as a receiver. The Steelers invested heavily in their offensive line during the draft, and Arthur Smith’s run-first scheme coming to town also bodes well for both Harris and Warren.
93. Marquise Brown (WR, KC) – Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is not who we thought he was. Brown is a solid role player in the NFL, which renders him useless in most fantasy football leagues. This season, he should benefit early season from a Rice suspension, but that utility is more than likely gone by week four.
94. George Kittle (TE, SF) – George Kittle had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023. He was a top-ten tight-end 12 times, 10 of which he was the TE5 or better. The Brandon Aiyuk trade talks have seemed to stall, but if Aiyuk does get traded, Kittle could be heading for his fourth 1,000-yard season.
95. Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, JAC) – Brian Thomas Jr. scored 17 touchdowns in his final year at LSU. He should immediately fill in as the Jaguars X receiver, and he has decent route-running ability. The Jaguars were desperate for a more reliable option in the red zone last season, and Thomas should be able to help right away. He is far from a sure thing, but as far as upside and opportunity go, he has it in bunches.
96. David Njoku (TE, CLE) – David Njoku finally had his breakout season in 2023. He racked up nearly 900 receiving yards and six touchdowns and set career highs in every pass-catching category. This year, you can expect much of the same from Njoku. The only reason he falls to nine is because the tight end position as a whole is heading toward a massive 2024 season.
97. Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT) – Pat Freiermuth battled some injuries in his career, but the talent is evident. While I am not buying Freiermuth’s breakout season, he is a value at his ADP. Don’t forget that just a year ago, “Muth” was able to eclipse 700 receiving yards in 2022. I expect a return to TE1 territory this season. He gets an added bump if Fields takes over the starting gig.
98. Raheem Mostert (RB, MIA) – Raheem Mostert is 32 years old. He shares a backfield with De’Von Achane. The Dolphins added Jaylen Wright in the NFL draft. He is due for massive regression in the touchdown department. That’s the bad. The good news is that he is the perfect fit for the Mike McDaniels system and is the leader in the running back room. While Mostert’s best is behind him, he should see between 180-200 touches and should have the edge on Achane when it comes to goal-line carries. Right now, I have him sitting at just shy of 1,000 total yards and eight touchdowns.
99. DeAndre Hopkins (WR, TEN) – DeAndre Hopkins is currently banged up, but at 32 years old, he does not have much ceiling to work with. Will Levis’ leadership of this offense is less than ideal, as he may struggle to produce a single top-40 wide receiver. Even when Hop is healthy, there is a fair chance he will slot behind Calvin Ridley for targets.
100. Brock Bowers (TE, LV) – The Raiders stunned many by selecting Brock Bowers in the NFL draft. Bowers is one of the best tight-end prospects of all time coming out of Georgia. He shouldn’t be asked to block much and might be the best player on this team, not named Davante Adams. The only thing holding him back from a Sam LaPorta-type breakout in year one is his quarterbacks.
101. Javonte Williams (RB, DEN) – The rumors of Javonte Williams’ death are greatly exaggerated. Williams, in his second year back from an ACL tear, should be the leading rusher for the Denver Broncos. The difficult part for fantasy purposes is trying to predict just how much work Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin will siphon off. Luckily, for redraft purposes, these questions have suppressed his ADP to a very palatable RB34. Williams has all the traits to be an elite fantasy running back. Outside of last season, he showed incredible tackle-breaking and forced-missed tackle ability, setting the single-season record for the latter in his rookie year. Williams plays with a violent run style, which could mean he is better suited for around 200 touches rather than the prototypical workhorse load of 300+ to be at his best.
102. Tony Pollard (RB, TEN) – Tony Pollard gets a new contract to join the Titans’ new regime led by Will Levis. After suffering a brutal leg injury in 2022, he returned last season to post the least efficient season of his career while also seeing over 300 opportunities for the first time. He will share the backfield with Tyjae Spears, which is projected to be a near 50/50 split as things stand now. Both Pollard and Spears are smaller-framed runners who benefit from not being the guy to lead a backfield, so the pairing should prove an interesting season-long evaluation. If I am betting on a running back out of Tennessee, I am going with Spears over Pollard.
103. Trevor Lawrence (QB, JAC) – Trevor Lawrence had some unfortunate touchdown variances in 2023. Outside of that, he was consistent with what he was able to do in 2022 when he finished the year as the QB8. The Jaguars added weapons in Brian Thomas Jr., an X receiver with a nose for the endzone, and everyone’s favorite overhyped wide receiver, Gabe Davis. Even with the loss of Calvin Ridley, Lawrence should see more of those touchdowns being converted in 2024. The final piece that could catapult Lawrence to the heights he was at as a prospect would be to cut down on turnovers. He has averaged 13 interceptions and seven fumbles lost per season. I don’t see that being fixed this year.
104. Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) – Tua Tagovailoa had, far and away, the best season of his career last year. It helps when you have one of the best wide receivers in football, of course. The challenging part about navigating Tua as your fantasy quarterback is that he doesn’t get any floor with his rushing ability. He needs to either throw for 300 yards or have three touchdowns in a game to sustain high-end production. With Hill and a healthy Waddle, he could repeat what he was able to accomplish last season, but I wouldn’t bank on it.
105. Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL) – Jake Ferguson slipped into the TE1 conversation due to a massive workload, seeing 102 targets last season. He has a chance to see a similar workload this year. Ferguson’s upside is limited, though. He is one of the safer options if you want to lock in 8-12 points each week, but he rarely gives you more than that.
106. Dontayvion Wicks (WR, GB) – Dontayvion Wicks is my personal favorite of the Packers’ young wide receivers. He is a premier route runner and navigates spacing and body control well. I would not be surprised to see Wicks lead this team in all receiving categories in 2024. That being said, Wicks has a long way to go to earn that role. Currently, he sits as the WR4 on the depth chart. His current ADP of WR65 is going to rise as we get further along in the preseason, but if it holds anywhere near that, he is a screaming buy.
107. Kirk Cousins (QB, ATL) – Kirk Cousins may be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL and fantasy football. He has been a QB1 in six of his last eight seasons, minus last year, when he tore his Achilles when he was on pace to be the QB6. It’s true that his recovery and schedule to start the season are not instilling confidence in fantasy managers. His schedule in its entirety has plenty of difficult matchups, but he also has an impressive supporting cast with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and more. My current projections have him eclipsing 3,000 passing yards and throwing for 25 touchdowns.
108. Jordan Addison (WR, MIN) – Jordan Addison was already due for regression in 2024 before his off-the-field concerns. While Addison should serve a suspension this season, we don’t know when or for how long. That is not a gamble. I am taking on a pass catcher who gained most of his value from touchdowns and has to navigate a new quarterback or two, one of which is a rookie.
109. Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN) – If going out with a whimper was a fantasy football player, it would be Courtland Sutton. He scored ten touchdowns last year, but he did not score at a sustainable pace. Now, he doesn’t only have regression coming his way, but he goes from Russell Wilson to one of Bo Nix or Jarrett Stidham. Expect a reduction in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns in 2024.
110. Dalton Schultz (TE, HOU) – Dalton Schultz is the picture next to the word average in the dictionary. He gets exactly what you expect with the plays he is given. Schultz will flirt with TE1 numbers all season, but you won’t ever be happy with having him on your roster.
111. Dallas Goedert (TE, PHI) – Dallas Goedert has found his home just outside the top tight ends in the league. He is essentially Dalton Schultz with better marketing. He isn’t the one winning you weeks, and as long as he is healthy, he won’t ever get you that dreaded zero. If you are in a bind, there are worse options.
112. Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR) – Matthew Stafford is in the twilight of his career, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a streaming option in your fantasy leagues. The breakouts of Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams helped Stafford notch another top-15 season. When it comes to 2024, Stafford’s best chance to help your team win is if you punted quarterback and chose to pair him with a Jayden Daniels type. The first two games on the Rams’ schedules look to be barn burners, and week one, especially when Stafford gets to go against his former Detroit Lions.
Tier 12
113. Jonathon Brooks (RB, CAR) – Jonathon Brooks was the top running back of the 2024 rookie class. The only challenge when navigating his value in redraft leagues is that he is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered late last season. The most recent news out of Carolina is that Brooks won’t be participating in the preseason, which makes his outlook for the season a little murkier. He should drop in ADP over the next two weeks, and when that happens, the sharp fantasy managers will pounce on the potential late-season league winner at the position. Brooks, when he is healthy, is immediately the Panthers’ best rusher and receiver out of the backfield. Even if it is a slow burn, the juice will be worth the squeeze.
114. Xavier Worthy (WR, KC) – Last year, the Chiefs were unable to equip Patrick Mahomes with a fully functioning wide receiver core. Obviously, Rashee Rice rose to the occasion to some degree, but they needed more. Enter Xavier Worthy. Worthy is a bit raw as a route runner, but he has killer speed and could develop into a major playmaker for the Chiefs with the right coaching. If Rice were to miss more than four games, Worthy may move up this list some out of necessity alone.
115. Jakobi Meyers (WR, LV) – Jakobi Meyers was underrated as a Patriot, so it was good to see him eclipse 100 targets in his first season as a Raider. There is more untapped potential for Meyers, but it is unlikely we see that potential realized in 2024. Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew are not the quarterbacks you want for a pass catcher on your fantasy roster. Not only that, but Meyers will contend with Davante Adams and Brock Bowers this season. I like the player a lot, but his fantasy arrow is pointing down.
116. Zach Charbonnet (RB, SEA) – Zach Charbonnet wasn’t the threat many thought he might be to Kenneth Walker’s touches in his rookie season. Walker outpaced him by over double on the ground (219 vs. 108) and fell just three targets short of Charbonnet as well (37 vs. 40). That being said, Charbonnet did show that when given the opportunity, he has the talent to carry the load for the Seahawks. We are officially in what I like to call handcuff+ territory. The 6’1″, 214-pound back has some matchup-based FLEX appeal, and if Walker were to go down, he would immediately be in the RB1 conversation.
117. Jerome Ford (RB, CLE) – Jerome Ford will never be the league-winning running back in fantasy football. He gets what is given to him, sometimes slightly more, sometimes slightly less. Filling in for the injured Nick Chubb last season, he averaged just shy of 4.0 yards per carry while eclipsing 800 rushing yards and hauling in 44 receptions. Chubb’s return to 100% looks to be a ways away still, which means the Browns will be relying heavily on Jerome Ford to carry the load in his absence. Ford is one of the few guys I don’t even put on my draft board, but if you find yourself desperate for a running back, he has a 200+ touch floor, and in fantasy football, that keeps you in a matchup most weeks.
118. Deshaun Watson (QB, CLE) – We will focus on Deshaun Watson on the football field. On the field, Watson has not shown much left. He has struggled with injury and ranked near the bottom of the league in most passing categories. Right now, he is not a lock to be healthy and cleared to play in week one. He has a strong roster around him, including Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman. His completion percentage over the last two seasons won’t get it done for another year, so the hope for Watson is that he can start to succeed more when pushing the ball downfield. The upside isn’t there like it was early in his career.
119. Devin Singletary (RB, NYG) – Devin Singletary is the running back you can’t leave on waivers but never want to inject into your lineup. He is looking at a potentially massive workload with the Giants in 2024, during which he could amass the largest touch totals of his career. That being said, there are questions about the offensive line and how many scoring opportunities Singletary will have. Last season, he averaged around 15 touches a game for the Texans and finished just outside the top 30 in the position. He lands right at RB36 for me in 2024.
120. Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) – Tyler Lockett never got the respect he deserved as a bonafide stud at the wide receiver position, and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that will change as he started to decline in 2023. Lockett led the Seahawks in targets last season with 122, but this year, he will have a difficult time fighting off both DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Ryan Grubb’s new system. My rough projections have him falling short of 100 targets for the first time since 2018.
121. Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL) – Zeke makes his return to Dallas in 2024. It has already been established that he will be on a committee alongside Rico Dowdle, with Royce Freeman or Deuce Vaughn mixing in here or there. It’s a murky backfield with limited upside right now. Ultimately, Zeke put up an abysmal 3.49 yards per carry last season. Yes, part of that was the failing Patriots offense, but it also follows the trend of the tread wearing thin for the former fantasy superstar. If you are drafting Elliot in 2024, you are praying he falls into the endzone ten times, and while that is certainly possible, I wouldn’t be relying on that for your lineup or bench spots.
122. Khalil Shakir (WR, BUF) – There is a fair chance that Khalil Shakir leads the Buffalo Bills in targets. Rookie Keon Coleman is a raw prospect, and Curtis Samuel has never been able to shoulder the load of a WR1 in the NFL. Shakir has shown flashes of greatness but has not yet been given the volume to really impact fantasy football. I don’t think it will always be pretty, and it may completely fall apart, but Shakir could play a nice role for fantasy managers who are ravaged by bye weeks or injuries.
123. Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) – Isaiah Likely proved in Mark Andrews’s absence that he deserves more playing time. During the final five games of the season, Likely posted four TE1 finishes, three of which were TE5 or better. Todd Monken has already hinted that Likely will be used in creative ways in 2024. If this does come to fruition, Likely may be way too low here.
124. Baker Mayfield (QB, TB) – Baker Mayfield had his career revived in his first season in Tampa Bay, throwing for over 4,000 yards. Mayfield was playing like a man possessed. He threw for the most touchdowns of his career while pushing the ball downfield more than he ever has, thanks in large part to Mike Evans. Mayfield did lose Dave Canales to the Panthers, which will hurt, but he still gets to throw to Evans, Chris Godwin, Richard White, and newcomer Jalen McMillan. Baker presents a high-floor streaming option, as he only fell out of the top 20 players at his position three times all season.
125. Jameson Williams (WR, DET) – Jameson Williams might never happen, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t holding on to hope for one more season. Between injury and suspension, Williams has never been able to secure his footing in the NFL. The Lions coaching staff has been very positive about Williams this training camp, though, which has not always been the sentiment around the Alabama product.
126. Zack Moss (RB, CIN) – Zack Moss was thought to be the favorite to lead the Bengals’ backfield in 2024, but less than three days into training camp, that has changed. Chase Brown is now the leading man in Cincinnati. Moss will still have a role, and on a potent offense, there are worse gambles to take when you are this late in drafts. Similar to Brown, Moss does carry a three-down skill set, and he was efficient on the ground for the Colts in 2023. He is likely the lesser of a 60/40 split, but if Brown were to miss any time, he could flash some high-end RB2 weeks.
127. Curtis Samuel (WR, BUF) – Curtis Samuel has given all fantasy managers hope at one point or another, and in 2024, I know he is doing the same to some of you. He has only ever eclipsed the 800-yard receiving mark once in his career, and while he may do the same for the Bills, it isn’t likely. Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir would be my bets to lead the wide receivers in targets. Samuel’s NFL impact should be much more significant than his fantasy one.
128. Geno Smith (QB, SEA) – Will the real Geno Smith please stand up? Geno went from QB5 in 2022 to QB19 last season. The truth is he aligns more with the latter. He has one of the best wide receiver trios in the league with DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett. With the addition of Ryan Grubbs, it’s safe to assume this offense will be getting a facelift. Geno is more of a bye-week fill-in than anything at this point.
129. Gus Edwards (RB, LAC) – Fantasy managers should invest in the Chargers’ backfield even if none of the choices seem like the correct answer. Enter Gus Edwards. Edwards appears to be the guy in LA this season. As things stand now, he and JK Dobbins are the only running backs getting first-team reps. I wouldn’t be surprised to see rookie sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal get some run with the ones by the end of the pre-season as well. The case for Edwards to lead this team in rushing is fairly obvious. He has spent his entire career being a highly efficient, bruising rusher with impressive vision. Not only that, but his primary competition, Dobbins, while more talented, is returning from a brutal torn Achilles injury, which history tells us is a death knell for running backs. His RB37 ADP is a reasonable cost, and he is a viable FLEX and bye-week fill-in if he is indeed handed the keys to the run game.
130. Cole Kmet (TE, CHI) – While there is virtually no chance Cole Kmet will see the 90 targets he received last season, his touchdown opportunity is on the rise. Kmet is also a great blocker, so while he may be a force in NFL terms, he will struggle to find consistency in 2024.
131. Trey Benson (RB, ARI) – Trey Benson is big, fast, and strong. He has all the skills to be an elite running back in the NFL. Drafted in the third round, he should be James Conner’s immediate backup in 2024. He is graded similarly to Zach Charbonnet as a handcuff+ running back. As long as Conner is healthy, I expect around 8-10 touches a game for Benson. His value surpasses even Conner’s if he does get a crack at the starting job at some point in the season, and he has the potential to be a league winner if Conner misses time. He is a priority handcuff in the late rounds of your drafts.
132. Keon Coleman (WR, BUF) – Keon Coleman is a raw prospect, but he has all the physical gifts to succeed at the next level. Coleman presents more dynasty value than redraft, as this year may be a bit of learn-on-the-job experience, and that is not something fantasy managers will want to invest in during their drafts.
133. Aaron Rodgers (QB, NYJ) – Aaron Rodgers has been begging for the spotlight for the last two seasons, and we are rapidly approaching his time to shine. Unfortunately for Rodgers, his return is going to be much better for Garrett Wilson than it will be for him. The reality is that the last time Rodgers was on the field, he was already showing signs of decline. Now at age 40, returning from a torn Achilles, he is a streamer at best for fantasy football purposes.
Tier 13
134. MarShawn Lloyd (RB, GB) – MarShawn Lloyd enters the season fighting for the RB2 job in Green Bay. It’s a battle he should win against AJ Dillon. Lloyd brings a more versatile skillset and more explosiveness. The only real drawback with Lloyd from a skill set perspective is his history of fumbles in college (10 in 325 touches). He will have to wait to get significant, meaningful touches behind Josh Jacobs. Still, in the Matt LaFleur system, he should have an opportunity to see the field to spell Jacobs regularly if he can reign in his fumbling concerns, especially in high-leverage situations.
135. Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, NE) – The rookie wide receiver who is being slept on the most is Ja’Lynn Polk. He proved in college that he has great route running ability and sure hands. He fell in large part due to his lack of athleticism, and the Patriots may have found their top target earner for the foreseeable future. The early season could be a grind as the Patriots navigate Drake Maye’s development, but once the two can establish some chemistry, Polk could take off the final month of the season.
136. Josh Downs (WR, IND) – Josh Downs just suffered a high ankle sprain, which could derail some of his season, but the talent is there. He was one of the best route runners in the NFL as a rookie, and his hands are vise grips. If he is able to get healthy and get time with Anthony Richardson, he could be a surprise breakout candidate in 2024. Give Downs the Z receiver role and let him create for the Colts’ offense. The reason he falls this far is the Colts run-first and run-second game plan.
137. T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN) – T.J. Hockenson tore both his ACL and MCL last season. He is an excellent IR stash for leagues that allow it. When healthy, Hockenson is a top-ten tight-end talent. The only other question is what Sam Darnold and JJ McCarthy are going to provide as far as target quality in 2024.
138. Drake Maye (QB, NE) – Drake Maye was the third pick in the NFL Draft and could be a major sleeper for fantasy football. As things stand now, Jacoby Brissett is atop the depth chart but I don’t see him holding that spot for long. Maye brings a do-it-all skill set with him from UNC. He has a strong arm and posted over 1,100 yards rushing while starting in college. His only real challenge is the young, unproven pass catchers for the Patriots. Some combination of DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker will be his primary weapons. It may be a bit of a grind, but if he starts within the first month of the season, he could have a late-season breakout.
139. Adonai Mitchell (WR, IND) – Adonai Mitchell is an athletic freak at wide receiver, and not only that, but he is a more than competent route runner. He may share the outside wide receiver work with Alec Pierce to start the season, but make no mistake, Mitchell is the playmaker. If the Colts did choose to air it out more, Mitchell could be a special player, but as things stand now, he is more of a dynasty stash than a redraft sleeper.
140. Blake Corum – Blake Corum was drafted by the Rams in the third round of this year’s draft, and he poses an immediate threat to Kyren Williams’ ceiling. He can make an impact in all phases of the game. Corum is a slightly more athletic version of Kyren Williams, and so his fit in the McVay system couldn’t be more perfect. You can expect Williams to command touches early and often, but Corum should start to eat into that playing time by mid-season. With all that in mind, Corum may need to rely on his nose for the endzone (58 rushing touchdowns at Michigan) if he wants to find high-end fantasy value in 2024.
141. Xavier Legette (WR, CAR) – Xavier Legette was a late breakout in college. He had one season of production in South Carolina and has a way to go as a route runner. The good news is he has a fair chance to win the WR2 role for the Panthers in his rookie season. The bad news is that that is not a very exciting role for fantasy football.
142. Tyler Allgeier (RB, ATL) – Tyler Allgeier may not have Arthur Smith this season, but the Falcons have been lauding his praises in training camp thus far. I don’t think he approaches a 50/50 timeshare with Bijan Robinson, and he is likely to lose most of his goal-line work from last season. Still, he could be in line for around 40% of the touches for a significantly improved offense with an OC from the McVay coaching tree. Allgeier is one of the rare instances in which I would recommend that the manager with Robinson draft their own handcuff.
143. Luke Musgrave (TE, GB) – Luke Musgrave should lead the Packers’ tight ends in fantasy points. He is tied to a young quarterback on the rise in Jordan Love. There is a lot to like in Green Bay. That being said, Tucker Kraft will be a thorn in his side all season long. Musgrave has all the potential to be a tight end in fantasy, but unless Kraft gets hurt, he may never realize that potential.
144. Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, DEN) – Jaleel McLaughlin had some surprising utility in 2023. His size (5’7″, 187 pounds) will limit how often he gets on the field, but he will serve as a change of pace back to Javonte Williams and the Broncos. He caught 31 of his 36 targets in his rookie season but wasn’t able to turn them into much as the Broncos offense faltered. In PPR leagues, you can expect to use McLaughlin as a bye week fill-in or a FLEX play if Williams misses time.
145. Nick Chubb (RB, CLE) – Nick Chubb has been one of the best running backs in all of football over his first five seasons. Unfortunately, he dealt with a catastrophic injury that destroyed his knee as he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Chubb is more of a hope-and-pray selection in redraft leagues, but his talent means that if Chubb does step on the field, you need to pay attention. Reports out of training camp suggest that he could be active as early as week one, but you shouldn’t expect to see 100% of Nick Chubb until late in the season, if at all.
146. Will Levis (QB, TEN) – Will Levis is a game of extremes for fantasy managers. He is a big game hunter, but he’s a terrible shot. The Titans brought in Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd to help their young QB develop. If Levis continues to be aggressive, fantasy managers in two-quarterback leagues may reap the benefits. He has a strong arm and, when given the opportunity, has a big enough frame to be a bruising runner as well. Levis is not someone you should be considering in 1QB formats.
147. Antonio Gibson (RB, NE) – Antonio Gibson has never quite lived up to his potential. He has struggled with efficiency and ball security for most of his career in Washington. In 2024, he joins a new regime with the New England Patriots. The Pats offense was lacking in pass catchers last season, and they tried remedying that in a number of different ways, Gibson being one of them. He should get a shot to make an impact on third downs, and if Rhamondre Stevenson were to miss any time, Gibson could catapult to being a top-15 running back.
148. Joshua Palmer (WR, LAC) – The Chargers pass catchers are in flux with the departures of Mike Williams and, of course, Keenan Allen. The most senior wide receiver for the Chargers is Joshua Palmer. Palmer should be the number two option behind Ladd McConkey this year. We will need to see things shake out a little more in camp to have a clear picture of what that will look like in season, but you could do a lot worse than one of Justin Herbert’s top targets.
149. Rashid Shaheed (WR, NO) – The Saints are not an offense I would recommend investing in outside of the superstars, but if you want a dart throw that can take one to the house any time he touches the ball, then Rashid Shaheed is your guy. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and has started to develop a more complete route tree. There is talent there; we just need Derek Carr to survive an NFL season unscathed to see much from it. Shaheed could also provide some value as a kick returner if your league scores return yards or return touchdowns.
Tier 14
150. Baltimore Ravens (DEF, BAL) – The Ravens should once again be a run-heavy team with a stout defense. Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith should lead one of the most valuable units for fantasy football.
151. Ty Chandler (RB, MIN) – Ty Chandler had some flashes last season on his way to 620 total yards and two touchdowns. Chandler looks to be the backup to the newly acquired Aaron Jones. Jones should dominate touches as long as he is healthy, but Chandler has the athleticism to carve out a role for a Vikings team that will be running more than they have in the past in the post-Kirk Cousins era. His best value to a team that rosters him may be the manager who trades him away after an Aaron Jones injury.
152. Bryce Young (QB, CAR) – Bryce Young will forever be known as the quarterback the Panthers traded for in the worst trade in NFL history. It’s an unfortunate start to his career, but we should not write him off entirely, especially in two-quarterback leagues. Young was given very little to work with in his rookie season as the Panthers traded away not just draft capital, but also Young’s would be number one target DJ Moore. It led to him being at the bottom of the league in yards per attempt (5.5) and average depth of target. It was a throwaway season, as now he gets Dave Canales from Tampa Bay, who helped to revive Baker Mayfield’s career. Young averaged 196 total yards per game and has a ways to go to earn that first-overall pick value. He gets Diontae Johnson, Xavier Leggette, and Jonathon Brooks this year to help him get there. While none of them present offense-changing ability, Johnson brings high-end route running combined with Legette’s elite athleticism, and both should help Young to continue developing.
153. Brandin Cooks (WR, DAL) – Brandin Cooks remains the Dallas Cowboys’ WR2. His target volume and yardage totals have dropped each of his last three seasons (134,93,81). That being said, he was able to post eight touchdowns last season and has little new competition in that area. Cooks is a fine dart throw on his touchdown opportunity alone.
154. Hunter Henry (TE, NE) – Hunter Henry may have a bit of a rollercoaster season ahead of him. He is rapidly approaching 30 years old and will have some combination of Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye leading the charge. He should dominate passing down work for the Patriots, but the offense may be trying to find its identity for most of the season. He is not a bad bye week option, but beyond that, the ceiling is limited.
155. Roschon Johnson (RB, CHI) – Roschon Johnson has an intriguing skill set for a Bears offense on the rise. He will be battling it out for the RB2 with Khalil Herbert after the Bears made D’Andre Swift one of the top-10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL. Still, Johnson was one of the Bears’ best blockers last season, and he contributed on the ground and through the air, averaging over 4.0 yards per carry while adding 34 catches on his way to an 85% catch rate. Drafted just last season, if you are taking a shot on a non-Swift running back in Chicago, Roschon is the guy you want.
156. Chuba Hubbard (RB, CAR) – Chuba Hubbard took over for a struggling Miles Sanders last season as the Panthers offense searched for answers. While he wasn’t very efficient, he was able to post over 1,000 total yards and five touchdowns. With Jonathon Brooks still on the mend from his late-season torn ACL, Hubbard should get one last shot to prove he belongs. Hubbard becomes an afterthought after mid-season, even in larger leagues.
157. Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE, TEN) – Chigoziem Okonkwo did not quite live up to the hype last season. He saw decent target volume (77 targets) but was only able to find the endzone one time. In the new iteration of the Titans offense, Chig may be moved around more, and increased usage in the slot may be seen. While this does bode well for his fantasy outlook, I don’t expect it to be enough to move up near the top 12 at the position.
158. Daniel Jones (QB, NYG) – Daniel Jones looks to make his return from a torn ACL last season. The former Duke product has a lot to prove after the Giants chose to re-sign him just last year. There are questions about whether he will be ready for week one, but regardless of when he plays, there are some significant concerns with Jones’ profile. His arm strength has been a problem at the NFL level, and that, combined with the Giants’ atrocious offensive line play, does not bode well for Jones’ fantasy football production in 2024. He has had one successful season for fantasy managers in 2022, where he was able to rush for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns. As always, quarterbacks who run are the secret sauce for fantasy football. With Jones suffering from an ACL injury last season, there are questions about how often the Giants will ask him to use his legs. The good news is that New York drafted Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick. Nabers’ run-after-the-catch ability is the perfect fit for a quarterback who has proven to be accurate when he isn’t asked to push the ball downfield.
159. Ray Davis (RB, BUF) – Ray Davis is an absolute wrecking ball out of the backfield and joins the Buffalo Bills as their fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. The Bills are an offense in transition as they bid farewell to Stefon Diggs and drafted Keon Coleman in his place. They also have emerging stars such as Dalton Kincaid and James Cook. The latter had a solid season in 2023 but needed to improve in one major area: touchdowns. Cook’s smaller frame left no one but really Josh Allen when they got in close. Enter Ray Davis. Davis probably won’t see enough volume to be trusted week in and week out, but he could end up with double-digit touchdowns by falling into the endzone whenever the Bills land inside the five-yard line.
160. San Francisco 49ers (DEF, SF) – Nick Bosa and the company continue to be strong fantasy options. If the Niners do move on from Aiyuk, they could lean more run-heavy, which could bode well for the defense.
161. Khalil Herbert (RB, CHI) – Khalil Herbert was efficient as always last season, averaging over 4.5 yards per carry. The issue with Herbert has always been durability. He fits more as an early-down committee running back. There is a chance Herbert is cut this season, but if he remains a Chicago Bear in 2024, he will be more of a breather for Swift than a true weapon for the offense. In PPR leagues, he takes another hit because he has averaged only 20 targets per season.
162. Mike Williams (WR, NYJ) – Mike Williams is returning from an ACL tear and entering the season with a new team, the New York Jets. He will play opposite Garrett Wilson, which bodes well for him as he tries to return to the game at age 30. His path to success for fantasy managers in 2024 will be his usage in the red zone and Aaron Rodgers’ healthy return. He is firmly in the WR4/5 range for this season if everyone can stay healthy.
163. J.K. Dobbins (RB, LAC) – J.K. Dobbins’s career has been one of the more unfortunate in recent memory. Coming out of Ohio State, he was primed to be the next superstar for the Baltimore Ravens, but he suffered multiple knee injuries and eventually an Achilles tear last season. History tells us that we should avoid running backs with this injury essentially for the rest of their careers, but especially in year one. So why is he even ranked, you may be asking? The answer is that he is now a Los Angeles Charger. The backfield includes Gus Edwards, Dobbins, and sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal. Dobbins is unquestionably the best player of this group. If he can buck the trend and prove he still has juice left in the tank, he could be a league winner. I do want to temper expectations, though, and say the odds of that fully coming to fruition sit at around 5%.
164. Romeo Doubs (WR, GB) – Romeo Doubs is often the man forgotten for the Green Bay Packers. Doubs is a do-it-all receiver who can make plays at every level of the field. The problem is he is surrounded by specialists who fit the offense well. Doubs has a chance to crack the starting lineup for week one and probably has a slight edge over Dontayvion Wicks. The problem is that Wicks should supplant him early in the season, forcing Doubs to be a rotational player.
165. Jahan Dotson (WR, WAS) – Jahan Dotson was a popular breakout candidate last season, but he wasn’t able to deliver. The issue for Dotson is he is a worse version of what the Commanders already have in Terry McLaurin. Neither player has been able to impress much while the Commanders hovered near the bottom of the league. Jayden Daniels is the new signal caller in Washington, though, and with that excitement comes more opportunity for Dotson. While he profiles as a FLEX type of player, when all is going well, the Commanders may rely more on their running backs (Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson) than they have in years past, leaving very few targets for the second or third option in the passing game.
166. New York Jets (DEF, NYJ) – The Jets had one of the better defensive units in the league last season. They return many key pieces and hope to add Haason Reddick if he can get past some of his contract disputes and trade requests.
167. Jerry Jeudy (WR, CLE) – Jerry Jeudy’s time in the spotlight is rapidly coming to an end. The Broncos finally traded him to the Cleveland Browns this year, where he will contend for the number two job behind Amari Cooper. Jeudy may be able to find success in the slot if Deshaun Watson can return from his shoulder injury at 100%. Ultimately, Jeudy feels like a low-ceiling, low-floor player.
168. Kendre Miller (RB, NO) – Kendre Miller may be fighting a losing battle. His rookie season never got off the ground as he dealt with a knee injury, and he missed all of training camp this season due to a hamstring injury. Miller is young enough that managers can add him as a last-round pick or to their waiver wire watch lists and hope he gets healthy. If he can do that, he is a big-bodied, explosive back who can win in space. In Miller’s one game where he saw 40% of snaps, he was able to rush 13 times for 73 yards (5.62 ypc) while adding another six yards on his lone reception. That is worth a gamble on a team led by an aging Alvin Kamara.
169. Adam Thielen (WR, CAR) – Adam Thielen eclipsed 1,000 yards for only the third time in his career in 2023. Even with the abysmal Panthers offense, the sheer volume of opportunities was able to make him a WR2 for fantasy football. 2024 might be different. The team made a conscious effort to add weapons to help develop Bryce Young. Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette both look to take meaningful snaps from Thielen this season. Entering his age-33 season, he is a fine bench stash if Legette doesn’t pan out because this team will be throwing all four quarters.
170. Dallas Cowboys (DEF, DAL) – The Cowboys defense brings value through sacks, takeaways, and points allowed. They may see some regression this season, but not enough to worry fantasy managers.
171. Pittsburgh Steelers (DEF, PIT) – The Pittsburgh Steelers combination of TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick has devastated offenses the last few seasons, and look to it again in 2024. The Arthur Smith run-heavy scheme will help to slow down the game for the Steelers as they try to keep their defensive unit fresh all season.
172. Taysom Hill (TE, NO) – Taysom Hill is an enigma wrapped in anomaly. The Saints’ do-it-all man should continue to be implemented in all phases of the game, but with new OC Klint Kubiak, I would not be surprised for him to see fewer reps across the board. He enters his age-33 season and currently sits at 111 total touches in my projections.
173. Gabe Davis (WR, JAC) – There are very few rollercoasters I want to experience less than the Gabe Davis experience. Davis had nine games with two or fewer receptions and only five with four or more. The catch is that in those five games, he was WR14 or higher. He gets a fresh start in Jacksonville, which is desperate for playmakers, but Davis still probably falls behind Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram for targets.
Tier 15
174. Rico Dowdle (RB, DAL) – Rico Dowdle has yet to give us much in his four-year career, but what he showed last year is that he can be a viable option in a committee for NFL purposes. That translating to fantasy remains to be seen. Dowdle will share the lead back duties with Ezekiel Elliot in 2024, and that should provide some decent weeks. Predicting those will be difficult as they will need to come on the back of sheer volume. Elliot projects to be the goal-line vulture we all love to hate.
175. DeMario Douglas (WR, NE) – DeMario Douglas was the lone bright spot for the New England Patriots in 2024. If he is healthy, Douglas should start the season as the team’s top wide receiver. He does have a smaller frame (5’8″, 192lbs), which may limit him to the slot, but if Drake Maye emerges as a premier quarterback in his rookie season, Douglas could be a tremendous value.
176. Dameon Pierce (RB, HOU) – Dameon Pierce was one of the more recent victims of the low draft capital running back torpedo. In 2023, he saw his yards per carry drop from 4.27 to 2.87 on half of the carries. The Texans scheme doesn’t fit Pierce’s skill set as it stands now. He will also now serve as Joe Mixon’s backup during his first season in Houston. Pierce is best left on waivers until we know more about his status with the team.
177. Michael Wilson (WR, ARI) – Michael Wilson has a lot more competition for targets than he did last season. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones both joined the Cardinals this offseason, while Greg Dortch will also return to the team. The Cardinals should be throwing a lot in 2024, but I do not foresee that being a ton of value for Wilson, who will likely rotate on the outside with Zay Jones. My current projections have him eclipsing the 600-yard mark.
178. Russell Wilson (QB, PIT) – Russell Wilson finds a new home in Pittsburgh after two poor showings with the Broncos. It’s hard to tell if Wilson should bear the brunt of the responsibility or if the Broncos’ disaster of an offense was to blame, but either way, there are signs the end is near for the former Super Bowl winner. He was near the bottom of the league in average depth of target as he dropped below 7.5 yards, which was the lowest mark of his entire career. When Wilson was first brought in, he was a lock to be the starter for the Steelers, but since then, Justin Fields has arrived in town. With Wilson currently nursing an injury, the former Bear has impressed in camp. Once preseason hysteria settles down, Wilson should win this job early on, but I do project Justin Fields to get a shot in the late season, which lowers Wilson’s already low ceiling.
179. Javon Baker (WR, NE) – Javon Baker is a fourth-round pick out of UCF. He was initially at the University of Alabama before struggling to find playing time. The move proved to be a good one, as Baker posted just under 2,000 receiving yards in his final two seasons. The good news for Baker is that he has a chance to be the Patriots’ X-receiver of the future. The challenging part is that it might not be that fruitful of a role until we get to the later parts of the season.
180. Cade Otton (TE, TB) – In tight-end premium or two tight-end leagues, Cade Otton could be a breakout candidate. He took a small step forward last season, and as he enters year three, he is being used all over the formation during training camp. He should be able to eclipse the 500-yard mark while posting three to five touchdowns.
181. Elijah Mitchell (RB, SF) – Elijah Mitchell could be one of the better backups in the NFL. His health concerns are the only thing that prevents him from claiming that title. His job as the backup to Christian McCaffrey may need to be safer as the Niners went out and added Isaac Guerendo, who sports a similar bruising style, but he does it with more speed. Much like Mitchell, Guerendo has an extensive history of battling injury, so Mitchell should have the job for at least the early parts of the season.
182. Cleveland Browns (DEF, CLE) – The Browns, already a strong option for fantasy football, added defensive tackle Michael Hall from Ohio State in the second round of the NFL draft. They should continue to rank in the top 5-10 in the league in sacks and takeaways in 2024.
183. Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL) – One of the more intriguing post-hype sleepers this year is undoubtedly Darnell Mooney. Mooney is a strong route runner and a popular breakout candidate just a year ago. The Justin Fields experiment made that dream come to a screaming halt, though, and Mooney chose to move on to the new-look Atlanta Falcons. If Kirk Cousins stays healthy, Mooney could provide a Jordan Addison-like season, although with fewer touchdowns. The offense is loaded with talent, so Mooney may be stuck as the fourth option, but the talent is there.
184. Kansas City Chiefs (DEF, KC) – The Chiefs need to improve their run defense, and they also lost L’Jarius Sneed in a trade with the Titans. Still, there is lots of upside for the Chiefs, especially with the new kickoff rules.
185. Houston Texans (DEF, HOU) – The Texans continue to be a team on the rise. Last season, their young playmakers on defense took a big step forward, and Will Anderson proved to be worth the third overall pick in last year’s draft.
186. Justin Tucker (K, BAL) – Justin Tucker is the best kicker in NFL history. He is on a prolific offense that just got better. Draft him, and you will never be upset with your kicker.
187. Philadelphia Eagles (DEF, PHI) – The Eagles draft defensive players like they are fantasy football managers. They go for the undervalued freak athletes, and this strategy has proven to almost always work. Jalen Carter’s fall in the draft proved to be the Eagles’ win as he absolutely dominated in his rookie season. Expect more of that this year.
188. Jaylen Wright (RB, MIA) – Jaylen Wright lands in the dream scheme for his success at the NFL level. He has a skill set similar to Raheem Mostert’s, and therein lies the problem. Wright is more of a dynasty stash and handcuff in 2024. He shouldn’t see much of the field if both Mostert and Achane are healthy. While that is an enormous IF, it is enough to have him be off the radar in 12-team redraft leagues.
189. Chicago Bears (DEF, CHI) – The Bears are a team on the rise on both sides of the ball. They have one of the best young secondaries in the league, and the addition of Montez Sweat was a revelation for their pass rush.
190. Buffalo Bills (DEF, BUF) – The Buffalo Bills have some questions on both sides of the ball, and with the expectation that their offense will take a step backwards, the defense may be on the field more than we are hoping for. They do have some intriguing kick returner options with the new kick return rules this year that could provide some boom weeks.
191. Brandon Aubrey (K, DAL) – Brandon Aubrey may be the next great kicker in the NFL. Last season, he hit 35 consecutive field goals and ended the season as the number one kicker in fantasy football.
192. Harrison Butker (K, KC) – Butker just signed an extension with the Chiefs after recording 12 field goals from 40 yards or more (five over 50 yards).
193. Miami Dolphins (DEF, MIA) – The Dolphins are a strong unit, but they saw a lot of their fantasy points come from fumble recoveries, where they recovered 79% of their fumbles forced as well as touchdowns (4). We should see some regression in 2024.
194. Quentin Johnston (WR, LAC) – It is too early to write off Quentin Johnston entirely, especially when you look at the wide receiver group for the Chargers. That being said, it’s been all bad for the year-two wideout. He continues to struggle with focus drops and lacks the aggressiveness he was able to dominate with in college. In his first season, he was used as an outside wide receiver almost exclusively, and he struggled running a complete route tree. If he is able to take a step forward and be used out of the slot, we could see a revival of his career until we see any evidence of those things happening, though he is, at best, a late-round dart throw.
195. Jonnu Smith (TE, MIA) – Jonnu Smith took his talents to Miami this offseason. He may not be one of the top three targets, but there is potential for him if the Dolphins deal with injury. Smith had one of the best seasons of his career last season with the Falcons and joined one of the more explosive teams in the leagues. At the very least, his touchdown opportunity will undoubtedly go up, going from Desmond Ridder to Tua Tagovailoa.
196. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, NYG) – We have yet to really see what a full-strength Wan’Dale Robinson can do. He showed some flashes in his rookie season before tearing his ACL, and in his first year back, he was able to improve his production while eclipsing 50 receiving yards in four games. With Daniel Jones’ return and Robinson having recovered from his injury for another year, we could see him step into the WR2 role for the Giants. Determining how much value that brings to your fantasy rosters is the only question.
197. Jake Elliott (K, PHI) – Jake Elliot missed only two kicks all last season. He also hit seven field goals beyond 50 yards, including one from 61 yards out.
198. Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, DEN) – I am less than bullish on Marvin Mims Jr. He should get the opportunity in the Broncos offense, but we have very little evidence that he can do anything with those chances. He may be better suited as a kick returner in the NFL. If you are in the late rounds of your draft and desperate for a wide receiver, you could do worse than Mims.
199. Jason Sanders (K, MIA) – Jason Sanders is a strong kicker who will get the scoring opportunities to help you win. He falls just below the elite tier of kickers and is a fine last pick of your draft.
200. D’Onta Foreman (RB, CLE) – D’Onta Foreman suffered a scary neck injury just a week ago that required him to be airlifted to the hospital. Thankfully, he returned to the team and should be fine well before week one. With Nick Chubb slated to miss an undetermined amount of time, Foreman should mix in with Jerome Ford to carry the load for the Browns this season. He has only ever seen more than 150 touches once in his career, so if he doesn’t take the goal line, his upside is somewhat limited.
201. Jermaine Burton (WR, CIN) – Jermaine Burton may be the mid-to-late-season waiver wire priority that breaks the bank. He is a strong route runner and plays aggressive at the catch point. He fell in the draft due to some off-the-field concerns but lands with Joe Burrow and a Bengals team that has questions behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If either were to miss time, Burton could be a league-winning option at wide receiver.
202. Tucker Kraft (TE, GB) – Tucker Kraft looks to be on track for week one, which means that while he and his teammate Luke Musgrave both have incredible ceilings, they are capped by the other’s existence. If one were to miss time, the other would establish them firmly in the tight end of one conversation. Until then, I am avoiding both in most leagues, and Kraft starts the year behind Musgrave.
203. Troy Franklin (WR, DEN) – Troy Franklin was touted as a potential second-round pick in the NFL draft. After a below-average showing at the combine, he ended up falling to round four. The Broncos did trade up to acquire their rookie quarterbacks’ favorite weapon in college, though, and that should matter. Franklin is a fine dynasty stash, but for redraft purposes, the road for both him and Nix to get on the field together is a long one, especially with some reports out of camp that he has been struggling with drops.
204. Demarcus Robinson (WR, LAR) – Demarcus Robinson is firmly entrenched as the Los Angeles Rams’ WR3. That may carry some value, but deciding when that will be is not a game I recommend playing. Target volume is likely going to be consolidated with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, assuming both stay healthy.
205. Indianapolis Colts (DEF, IND) – The Colts recorded 24 takeaways last season. With some better injury luck and a step forward for players like Kwity Paye, they could improve on that number in 2024.
206. Ka’imi Fairbairn (K, HOU) – Ka’imi Fairbairn wasn’t prolific for fantasy football last season, but as the Texans continue to improve their offense, he should see increased opportunity.
207. Elijah Moore (WR, CLE) – I have finally conceded that Elijah Moore’s breakout season isn’t coming. He is set up to be a rotational player out of the slot for the Cleveland Browns. If Deshaun Watson can reclaim some of his former glory, Moore has some redraft intrigue, but until we see any evidence of that, it is not difficult to move past his name in the draft queue.
208. Tyler Conklin (TE, NYJ) – If Tyler Conklin had caught just three touchdowns last season, he would have jumped to the TE14 on the season. The Jets were a mess in the passing game, but the return of Aaron Rodgers could be great news for Conklin. I doubt he flirts with the TE1 production this season, but he could be a nice bye week or injury fill-in against the right defense.
209. Rashod Bateman (WR, BAL) – Rashod Bateman is probably not someone you are drafting in redraft leagues, but he is the betting favorite to be second on the depth chart behind Zay Flowers. The Ravens staff continue to praise the once highly touted wide receiver, but staying healthy has been a massive problem for Bateman. Assuming both Andrews and Flowers are healthy, there isn’t likely enough volume for Bateman to succeed.
210. Younghoe Koo (K, ATL) – Younghoe Koo, along with all of the other Falcons, stands to benefit significantly from the addition of Kirk Cousins. He hit 86% of his attempts last season and will benefit from a lot of games inside a dome in 2024.c
211. New Orleans Saints (DEF, NO) – The Saints fell just outside the top-12 defenses last season, and that may be their ceiling in 2024.
212. Cairo Santos (K, CHI) – Cairo Santos was a kicker breakout in 2023. That should continue as the Bears offense, even with a rookie quarterback, is one that should take a big step forward.
213. Evan McPherson (K, CIN) – Evan McPherson could stand to see increased field goal opportunities in 2024. The Bengals offense should improve and they have plenty of questions at the running back position. McPherson has shown that when given the chance, he can be a top-12 option for the position.
214. Derek Carr (QB, NO) – Derek Carr has been the definition of average for most of his career. In his first season with the Saints, we saw a marked regression in Carr’s play. He was outside the top-15 quarterbacks in nearly 40% of his games played and saw five weeks outside the top 20 at the position. Carr was falling apart physically all season and heading into his age 33 season. You would do your best to avoid him. Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara will try to lift Carr into fantasy relevance, but it is not going to be an easy task.
215. Jake Moody (K, SF) – Jake Moody led the league in PAT’s last season, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do the same in 2024. His only knock is that he wasn’t able to see too many attempts from 50+ yards.
216. Bucky Irving (RB, TB) – Bucky Irving was a do-it-all back in college (Minnesota and Oregon). He joins Rachaad White in Tampa Bay, who was one of the most elite pass-catching running backs in the NFL last season. Where White faltered was on the ground, where he posted numbers as bad as his receiving numbers were good. Irving should run away with the backup job and could eat into early down work by the season’s end. While I don’t think he warrants a draft pick right now, he should undoubtedly be on your watch list for waivers.
217. Tyler Bass (K, BUF) – The shine has faded for Tyler Bass to some extent, but he is still a powerful kicker. If he can forget the end of his 2023 season, he should contend to be a top-12 kicker in 2024.
218. Roman Wilson (WR, PIT) – Roman Wilson comes out of Michigan and is on track to be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR2. In college, his athleticism limited him from seeing elite usage, which may be an obstacle at the NFL level as well. While he isn’t an elite route runner, he has shown enough to be able to win when put in the right situations.
219. Dylan Laube (RB, LV) – Dylan Laube is one of my favorite sleepers at the running back position. Like many of this year’s running back draft class, Laube fell to the later rounds. Laube served as the workhorse at New Hampshire and, while he is slightly smaller, can fill a similar role in the NFL. He has had an incredible change of direction and posted impressive explosiveness metrics at the combine as well. His only obstacle, as with most rookies, is his contributions as a blocker. Zamir White will get the first crack at the first and second down touches as he is the only returning player in this backfield. Laube will contend with Alexander Mattison but should start the season as the primary receiving weapon and third-down option.
220. Detroit Lions (DEF, DET) – The Lions have a ways to go on defense, but if their young secondary can translate to the NFL well and last year’s Jack Campbell can take another step forward, this unit, while not electric, could take a significant step forward.
221. Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF) – Ricky Pearsall would be the primary beneficiary of a Brandon Aiyuk trade. If Aiyuk does get moved, Pearsall makes a jump into the early 50s at the position with the potential to go even higher. If he can stay healthy, Pearsall could have 100+ targets fall into his lap. His best skill set is route running, which is one of the few things that allows young pass catchers to thrive early in their careers.
222. Audric Estime (RB, DEN) – Audric Estime saw his draft stock plummet after an abysmal showing at the NFL combine. But when you watch the tape during his time at Notre Dame, you can’t help but be impressed. He is a bruising runner at 5’11” and 227 pounds. While he did fall to the fifth round, he has a path to playing time in Sean Payton’s system in year one. Javonte Williams, despite current reports, is the favorite to lead this backfield, but don’t be surprised to see Estime take a fair amount of goal-line work. His primary limitation for fantasy football is that he is a zero in the passing game.
Tier 16
223. Jalin Hyatt (WR, NYG) – Jalin Hyatt is the younger Darius Slayton. He has a long way to go as a route runner, but he is young enough to put it together. I don’t hate Hyatt as a deep league stash, but in leagues under 12 teams, he is better left on waivers.
224. Darius Slayton (WR, NYG) – We already know what Darius Slayton is at this point in his career. He tends to settle in around 750 yards with the occasional touchdown. He gets Daniel Jones back in 2024, but he also now has a true alpha in Malik Nabers to compete with for targets. If you NEED to have a Giants wide receiver on your team and you aren’t able to snag Nabers, there are other options I would look to before Slayton.
225. Matt Gay (K, IND) – Matt Gay was able to hit eight field goals beyond 50 yards in 2023. He should continue to see those chances even with an improved offense in 2024.
226. Theo Johnson (TE, NYG) – Theo Johnson is already earning first-team reps in New York. The Giants saw Darren Waller retire this offseason, leaving them with Daniel Bellinger as the only other option. Johnson should have a chance to earn the starting job out of camp, being that he is a towering 6’6″ and 264 pounds and ran a 4.57 40-yard dash time at the combine. His athleticism shouldn’t be ignored in dynasty formats, but for redraft, it may be a carousel for a large part of the season as Johnson adapts to the NFL game.
227. Tyler Boyd (WR, TEN) – Tyler Boyd signed a contract with the Tennesee Titans this offseason and should immediately be the starting slot wide receiver. If he can establish himself as the safety blanket for second-year quarterback Will Levis, Boyd could prove to be a steal in full PPR leagues. The real problem for Boyd is that Levis is more of a gunslinger than a hit-the-underneath receiver kind of quarterback.
228. Kenneth Gainwell (RB, PHI) – Kenneth Gainwell continues to be a staple in the Eagles’ backfield. In week one of last season, with D’Andre Swift on the roster, the Eagles showed us all just how much they trust Gainwell by giving him the start over Swift. Now we know that didn’t continue, but it tells us how much they like Gainwell as he battles Will Shipley for the RB2 role behind Saquon Barkley. Gainwell did not get much work last season, but it was still the best season of his career, posting over 500 total yards and two touchdowns and only playing over 50% of the snaps or more in three games. Shipley is the better player, but Gainwell knows the system. Both will need Barkley to miss time to get any meaningful playing time. If Barkley does miss time, Gainwell and Shipley will more than likely split the work.
229. Juwan Johnson (TE, NO) – Juwan Johnson will need to earn the trust of new OC Klint Kubiak if he wants to be fantasy-relevant this season. Not only that, but the broken-down bus version of Derek Carr at quarterback does not bode well for the 27-year-old. Last season, he took a small step back from his 2022, where he was able to finish the season as the TE10 in half-PPR leagues. In 12-team leagues, you can avoid Johnson this season.
230. Zay Jones (WR, ARI) – Zay Jones should be able to compete with Michael Wilson this season to be the Cardinals’ WR2 behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Jones had a minor breakout just two seasons ago before being hampered by an injury last season. On an offense that should be throwing the ball a ton and a number of questions at wide receiver, Jones could have some bye-week streamer viability in 2024.
231. Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC) – Kimani Vidal is a sixth-round pick for the Chargers out of Troy. Vidal has gotten a ton of hype this offseason in fantasy circles, and it may be warranted. He tested well enough at the combine and posted impressive numbers rushing for over 1,600 yards in his final collegiate season. His situation has some intrigue with a player of his profile, even if he has sixth-round draft capital. Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins are on the depth chart ahead of Vidal, and both have extensive injury and/or age concerns. If Dobbins can be one of the first players in NFL history to shake the dreaded Achilles tear successfully, then Vidal has a steeper hill to climb. The sheer volume of rushing opportunities that most are projecting for the Chargers means that every running back on the roster is worth rostering in 12-person leagues. Ambiguous running back rooms are a great place for fantasy managers to find value.
232. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, KC) – Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns to Kansas City in 2024, but he may somehow find a way to have less value for fantasy football purposes. Reports out of training camp have Deneric Prince and not Edwards-Helaire as the RB2 behind Isiah Pacheco. It isn’t overly surprising, considering that Edwards-Helaire saw his yards per carry drop from 4.25 in 2022 to 3.19 in 2023. With Prince’s skill set, Edwards-Helaire should have some, albeit minimal, value if Pacheco were to miss time.
233. Cameron Dicker (K, LAC) – Cameron Dicker has hit 52 of 55 field goals during his time as the Chargers place kicker. He is likely to see decreased opportunity in 2024 as the offense tries to redefine itself under Harbaugh and Greg Roman.
234. Green Bay Packers (DEF, GB) – The Packers’ defense is closer to having to rebuild than it is taking a step forward. It is a team unit you can avoid.
235. Noah Fant (TE, SEA) – Noah Fant has yet to live up to his potential, but there have been flashes of brilliance during his five-year career. 2024 may be a bounce-back season if Fant can stay healthy, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Seattle, and Fant looks to be the fourth or fifth option right now. There are higher upside options available.
236. Braelon Allen (RB, NYJ) – Braelon Allen landed in a tough spot with the New York Jets. He looks to be the favorite to backup Breece Hall, but that isn’t likely to produce much fruit for fantasy football. Allen has the size and skill set to be a workhorse in the NFL. He has light, fluid feet for a 235-pound running back. Allen is one of the premier handcuffs in fantasy football, but he falls in the mid-60s because he won’t be getting many touches without Hall missing time. Allen carries significantly more value in dynasty leagues, being that he will be only 20 years old for the entirety of his rookie season.
237. Miles Sanders (RB, CAR) – Miles Sanders, along with the entire Carolina Panthers offense, struggled the whole season. The passing game was anemic, and the offensive line made things difficult for all of the Panther’s running backs in 2023. Sanders eventually lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard, limping his way to 432 yards and one touchdown while adding a paltry 154 yards through the air. When it comes to 2024, Sanders should be splitting first-team reps with Hubbard. That, of course, is until Jonathon Brooks fully recovers from his late-season ACL tear. Sanders could lost any path to playing time at that point. In most cases, he is fine to avoid altogether.
238. Kendrick Bourne (WR, NE) – Kendrick Bourne is a bit of the forgotten man in New England. He is looking to return after tearing his ACL last season. If all goes well in his recovery, Bourne should start the season as the starting Pats’ X wide receiver. He could have some sneaky early-season value, but with rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker pushing him for snaps, I wouldn’t be surprised to start to see a drop in usage after the first month of the season.
239. Malachi Corley (WR, NYJ) – Malachi Corley has a fair shot to be the Jets’ starting slot wide receiver in 2024. With Aaron Rodgers returning from a torn Achilles, there are questions about what kind of production you can really expect for Corley, but he may be worth a late-round dart throw. Corley is dangerous with the ball in his hands, generating tons of yards after the catch, and has impressive strength for a player of his size. Reminiscent of a poor man’s DJ Moore, there is potential here, but it may be more in 2025 than it is this year.
240. Bo Nix (QB, DEN) – Bo Nix should start as early as week one for the Broncos. He comes out as an older rookie with five years of college experience. He is mainly off the fantasy radar in Redraft, but in two-quarterback leagues, if you are desperate, he makes the safe plays and often doesn’t push the boundaries and takes care of the ball. He is a rookie, so who knows if this will translate, but if you needed a bye week fill in, and he does earn the job, he is at least in the area code of usable.
241. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, NYG) – Fantasy managers love the idea of a wide receiver converted into a running back, and Tyrone Tracy is that. Tracy feels like a trap because of what he COULD bring with his versatility, but he is not a player I am going out of my way to acquire in redraft leagues. If he is able to establish a role for the Giants, he should have some FLEX appeal in full PPR leagues during the chaos of bye weeks.
242. Treylon Burks (WR, TEN) – Treylon Burks has 665 receiving yards combined between his first two seasons in the NFL. He proved to be a mostly raw athletic player who wasn’t able to translate his game to the NFL level. The Titans brought in Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd this offseason to go alongside veteran DeAndre Hopkins (currently injured). It doesn’t look like Burks will have much of a role in 2024, and even if he did get regular snaps, you would be hoping for WR3 production at best.
243. Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, MIA) – Odell Beckham Jr. is now a Miami Dolphin as he heads into his age-31 season. He looks to be firmly entrenched as their WR3 as long as he is healthy, but with so many mouths to feed in Miami and Tyreek Hill demanding target volume, Beckham is better left on waivers.
244. Michael Mayer (TE, LV) – Michael Mayer had a strong end to last year’s season and was approaching a potentially huge breakout season. Then, the Raiders selected Brock Bowers in the NFL Draft. Mayer could still serve as the primary in-line tight end, but with the Raiders quarterback situation, the volume and quality of targets will not be enough to make him a viable starter at tight end.
245. DJ Chark Jr. (WR, LAC) – DJ Chark signed with the Chargers this offseason as they adjusted course to become one of the NFL’s more run-heavy teams. Even with limited competition, Chark is more of a deep threat. It would be best if you didn’t put too much energy into trying to guess when he will hit.
246. Alexander Mattison (RB, LV) – Mattison was one of the more predictable blunders last year. While volume is a significant factor for any player, managers were naive to think volume devoid of talent would lead to fantasy success. Mattison has proven to be ineffective, and I think he has little utility in 12-man or fewer leagues as the Las Vegas Raiders’ RB3. At their current ADP, Dylan Laube is the only Raiders running back in which I would be investing in.
247. Minnesota Vikings (DEF, MIN) – The Minnesota Vikings’ defense has a long way to go. Although they have a number of veterans who can still be impact players, they need an infusion of youth, and they need it fast.
248. Dustin Hopkins (K, CLE) – Dustin Hopkins hit 18 field goals beyond 40 yards last season.
249. Keaton Mitchell (RB, BAL) – Keaton Mitchell had a couple of games last season that were reminiscent of De’Von Achane. Unfortunately, he had one of the more gruesome knee injuries in recent memory. Fantasy managers won’t have to draft Mitchell, but he could be a great add in the final month of the season as the change-of-pace and pass-catching back to complement Derrick Henry. He flashed impressive efficiency, averaging over eight yards per carry on 47 carries.
250. Greg Zuerlein (K, NYJ) – Greg Zuerlein had a strong season with the Jets in 2023. If the Jets can stay healthy, he may see a big jump in his extra-point attempts.
251. Jason Myers (K, SEA) – Jason Myers finished the season as the K6 last year, but the Seahawks look to be converting on a lot more of their red zone trips this season with new OC Ryan Grubb.
Tier 17
252. Jelani Woods (TE, IND) – Jelani Woods is currently listed as the tight end three on the Colts depth chart. He struggled with an injury that kept him off the field all of last season, which could be part of the reason. The upside with Woods is tangible as one of the most athletic tight ends in the NFL. That being said, if he can’t stay healthy and the Colts are dead set on rotating three to four players at the position, it may be time to give up on Woods in all formats.
253. J.J. McCarthy (QB, MIN) – J.J. McCarthy had a strong first preseason game after one poor decision that led to an interception. He will likely start the season behind Darnold but could make some good strides that will benefit next season.
254. Zach Ertz (TE, WAS) – Zach Ertz looks to be on the young tight-end spoiler train once again in 2024. Trey McBride has been freed from his tyranny, but Ben Sinnot is his next victim. Now, at age 33, Ertz may not be able to keep Sinnott off the field all season, but he will be around long enough to lower both Sinnott’s and his ceiling for this season.
255. AJ Dillon (RB, GB) – AJ Dillon had the worst season of his career in 2023. He also now has to compete with rookie MarShawn Lloyd for touches behind Green Bay’s newest lead running back, Josh Jacobs. Dillon has gone from an exciting power runner who needs a chance to a big-bodied plodder in the eyes of fantasy managers, and I don’t blame them for it. He lacks the versatility to provide much fantasy value as the non-primary ball carrier. His only hope to hold onto any value in 2024 is if Lloyd continues to struggle with his fumbling issues from his collegiate career.
256. A.T. Perry (WR, NO) – A.T. Perry had a few moments last season but did not see the field much. The 6’5, 205-pound receiver may have a shot to start opposite Chris Olave in 2024, and even with Derek Carr being a shell of himself, Perry has some deep-league streamer appeal if he can earn the WR2 role.
257. Ben Sinnott (TE, WAS) – Ben Sinnott is the tight-end value you NEED in dynasty leagues. That being said, in redraft, he is going to start the season behind Zach Ertz, who also made us wait for the Trey McBride breakout. Keep him on your watch list, not on your roster, for the early season.
258. Justice Hill (RB, BAL) – Justice Hill is the favorite to back up Derrick Henry for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. Hill had the most productive season of his career last year, but he isn’t built to be a lead back in the NFL. He should complement Henry well until Keaton Mitchell is fully recovered. When thinking of handcuffs, Hill is far off my radar.
259. Gerald Everett (TE, CHI) – Gerald Everett should have an impact for the Bears, but the chances of that carrying over to your fantasy rosters are slim. Joining his third team, he has only ever eclipsed 500 yards once in his career while averaging just over two and a half touchdowns per season.
260. Jonathan Mingo (WR, CAR) – Jonathan Mingo is probably going to drop out of this list in the near future. He is way off the radar for redraft leagues, and most dynasty managers are just waiting to make sure they have an official time of death. Mingo struggled in his rookie season as a route runner and was able to keep up with the mental part of the game, ultimately posting 418 receiving yards in 15 games.
261. Jamaal Williams (RB, NO) – Jamaal Williams’ fall from grace was abrupt. He went from a huge final season in Detroit to barely stepping on the field in 2023. This season brings more of the same, with the Saints’ offense having an equally bleak outlook. The 29-year-old back is on the wrong side of the running back age cliff and will have to contend with Kendre Miller as the backup to Alvin Kamara in what looks to be his final season with the team.
262. Jalen McMillan (WR, TB) – Jalen McMillan played at the University of Washington, where he posted impressive numbers for the Huskies. He dealt with injuries that ultimately lowered his draft stock, but McMillan has deep sleeper written all over him. Already gaining praise out of training camp, McMillan can line up all over the formation and has a fair chance to win immediate playing time in the Buccaneers’ new-look offense.
263. Trey Palmer (WR, TB) – Trey Palmer is slowly losing his grip on the Buccaneers’ WR3 role. Usually aligned in the slot, Palmer may be replaced by Chris Godwin, who will move inside more than he did in years past. Rookie Jalen McMillan has a fair chance to beat Palmer on any snaps on the outside, as well. He is a long shot in 2024, but if Godwin were to miss time due to injury, Palmer is likely the next man up in three wide receiver sets.
264. Tank Bigsby (RB, JAC) – Tank Bigsby had a tough first season with the Jaguars, but in year two, the hope is that he can acclimate to the NFL game and be a competent backup to Travis Etienne. Jacksonville has yet to bring in much competition, so year two may be a resurgence for Bigsby.
265. Devontez Walker (WR, BAL) – Devontez Walker joins a Baltimore wide receiver core of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. If Walker proves that his explosiveness can bring a dynamic element to the passing game, he will have plenty of opportunities to establish himself as an every-down player for the Ravens. The question is, will the Ravens pass enough for it to matter?
266. Daniel Bellinger (TE, NYG) – Daniel Bellinger is the tight end that I have been holding onto in dynasty leagues for too long. Early in training camp, Theo Johnson may have already beat him for the TE1 job in New York. The two will rotate as Johnson learns the NFL game, which is unfortunate for both options in redraft leagues.
267. Alec Pierce (WR, IND) – Alec Pierce really only makes this list due to Josh Downs’s recent injury. You typically aren’t overly excited about the third pass-catching option on a run-first offense, but Pierce has a shot at competing for the WR2 job as long as Downs is off the field.
268. Cedric Tillman (WR, CLE) – Cedric Tillman was virtually nonexistent in his rookie season but could find himself playing regular snaps in 2024. The Browns have Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore also in this wide receiver room. Still, Tillman has been competing in camp, and both Jeudy and Moore may be better suited to lineup in the slot rather than across from Cooper.
269. Samaje Perine (RB, DEN) – Samaje Perine does not look long for Denver’s roster. He likely will find a team, given that he posted nearly 700 yards last season for the anemic Broncos. Ideally, a team like the Giants would scoop him up with a backfield that needs a true answer at the position.
270. Andrei Iosivas (WR, CIN) – Andrei Losivas has been slowly climbing up my rankings. He is battling it out with Jermaine Burton to be Joe Burrow’s WR3, but he has the physical tools to compete at the NFL level, and both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are no strangers to injury.
271. Tyler Scott (WR, CHI) – With the offseason additions in Chicago, Tyler Scott falls to the Bears’ WR4. He is off the fantasy radar as long as everyone stays healthy, but in deep leagues, Scott has some intrigue if one of the top three pass catchers were to miss time in a likely high-powered offense.
272. Will Shipley (RB, PHI) – The Eagles selected Will Shipley in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft. Shipley is a perfect fit to be the Eagles’ third-down back if they hadn’t signed Saquon Barkley already. That being said, he will compete with Kenneth Gainwell for the backup job and has already been sharing first-team reps with Gainwell while Barkley is out. With Barkley’s extensive injury history, Shipley has a chance to carve out the value in full PPR leagues. He is a fine last round of your draft stash.
273. Justin Fields (QB, PIT) – Justin Field’s new home is one that he will have to wait to see the field for. He should sit behind Russell Wilson for a large part of the season. The trade with the Bears that brought him to Pittsburgh was a conditional 6th that could turn into a 4th based on playing time, and I doubt the Steelers risk that this year with Russell Wilson under contract.
274. Deuce Vaughn (RB, DAL) – Deuce Vaughn is such a fun player to see on an NFL field. The difficult part is he has too small of a frame (5’6″, 176 pounds) to be a significant fantasy contributor. He is somewhere between Royce Freeman and Rico Dowdle when it comes to backing up Ezekiel Elliot in Dallas.
275. Cincinnati Bengals (DEF, CIN) – One of the reasons you should be all the way in on Bengals pass catchers this season is because the defense is projected to struggle quite a bit. In most leagues, they are off the fantasy radar.
276. Jacksonville Jaguars (DEF, JAC) – The Jaguars defense did have 16 interceptions last season and recorded 40 sacks. They need to find consistency to jump into the top 15.
277. Daniel Carlson (K, LV) – Daniel Carlson is probably best left on waivers. The Raiders have lots of concerns on offense and the opportunity will be low.
278. Evan Hull (RB, IND) – Evan Hull may be losing his grip on the backup job in Indianapolis. Still, both he and Trey Sermon would need an injury to Jonathan Taylor to see any value in 2024.
279. Jordan Mason (RB, SF) – Jordan Mason may be a cut candidate for the Niners this offseason. If he does get cut, he could find himself in a more favorable situation and a clearer path to playing time.
280. Sam Darnold (QB, MIN) – Sam Darnold should start the season for the Vikings atop the depth chart. It is unlikely he will keep that role for more than six to eight weeks. He is a low-ceiling option, even with Justin Jefferson.
281. Michael Carter (RB, ARI) – Michael Carter performed well with the very minimal touches he saw last season with Arizona. That being said, he is likely log-jammed as the RB3 behind both James Conner and rookie Trey Benson.
282. Trey Sermon (RB, IND) – As things stand now, Trey Sermon looks to be Jonathan Taylor’s backup. That being said, I would not be surprised to see Evan Hull become more involved if Taylor were to actually miss significant time.
283. D’Ernest Johnson (RB, JAC) – D’Ernest Johnson chose to stay in Jacksonville and retain his RB3 spot on their roster. He would need injury to be fantasy relevant.
284. Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB, MIA) – Jeff Wilson Jr. may be the odd man out in Miami, but until we get more clarity on that, I am fine having any Dolphins running back on my bench if the league is deep enough.
285. Isaac Guerendo (RB, SF) – Isaac Guerendo, the NFL combine darling, landed with the 49ers, and that alone has our attention. Guerendo has a chance to be the second most talented running back on this team. The only two issues here are that he has struggled with soft tissue injuries his whole career and is currently dealing with hamstring issues. Oh, and Christian McCaffrey isn’t going anywhere.
286. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB, WAS) – Chris Rodriguez Jr. may be a victim of too many cooks in the kitchen, but he showed flashes when given the opportunity last year. If Brian Robinson has a case of the fumbles again Rodriguez could fill in on early downs alongside Austin Ekeler.
287. Gardner Minshew (QB, LV) – Gardner Minshew is battling Aidan O’Connell for the starting job in Las Vegas, and while both are unlikely to be fantasy-relevant, Minshew is my bet to lead the group in fantasy points.
288. Cordarrelle Patterson (RB, PIT) – Cordarrelle Patterson is probably more of a special teams player than a running back for the Steelers this year, but with the new kickoff rules, touchdowns are back on the table for one of the best to ever do it.
289. Kyle Juszczyk (FB, SF) – Kyle Juszczyk, I know he is a fullback! But he gets occasional touches, and those touches tend to be valuable and usually near the goal line. Trying to predict those is an exercise in futility, but for those managers who are down bad, there are worse options. Hint: See below.
290. Pierre Strong Jr. (RB, CLE) – Pierre Strong Jr. should get some run for the Browns while Nick Chubb is on the mend, but he hasn’t given us much reason to be excited about those touches. If Jerome Ford misses time, Strong can be near the top of your waiver wire adds that week.
291. Israel Abanikanda (RB, NYJ) – Israel Abanikanda is near the bottom of the depth chart for the New York Jets, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were a cut candidate before the end of preseason. Still, he presents upside as an early down back and should be on an NFL roster this season whether it’s with the Jets or not.
292. Chase Edmonds (RB, TB) – Chase Edmonds is currently injured but should have a chance to make the Buccaneers as their RB3 behind Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. He most likely will remain on waivers unless there are injuries ahead of him.
293. Eric Gray (RB, NYG) – Eric Gray was a popular sleeper last season, and while I wouldn’t call him a sleeper, he is near the top of my players to watch on waivers list. The Giants’ backfield is led by Devin Singletary right now, but I would not be surprised to see Tyron Tracy and/or Gray push for more touches in New York.
294. Jacoby Brissett (QB, NE) – Jacoby Brissett may start for the Patriots the first few weeks of the season, but on an anemic offense with limited scoring or rushing opportunity, he is off the fantasy radar.
295. Emari Demercado (RB, ARI) – Emari Demercado made headlines recently as he pushed both Michael Carter and apparently Trey Benson for the backup role behind James Conner. With Conner’s injury history, Demercado would be a great target if he were able to secure that job, even though I have my doubts.
296. Aidan O’Connell (QB, LV) – Aidan O’Connell is the lesser fantasy option of the two quarterbacks in Las Vegas. With some underrated weapons, I wouldn’t be surprised if neither O’Connell nor Minshew is the signal caller next year for the Raiders.
297. Isaiah Spiller (RB, LAC) – Isaiah Spiller may be one of my biggest misses in recent memory. He is technically on the roster for the LA Chargers, but I would not be surprised if he is cut before the end of the preseason. Maybe a fresh start will help Spiller find some utility in the NFL, but as things stand now, he is a dart throw from a mile away for a backfield in flux.
298. Jerick McKinnon (RB, FA) – Jerick McKinnon will most likely be on waivers in normal-sized leagues, but he is worth putting on your watch list if he signs with a contender late in the season.
299. Kareem Hunt (RB, FA) – Kareem Hunt still has some juice, even if it’s just barely. Right now, he is a free agent, but don’t be surprised if he signs with a team in the early parts of the season.
300. Cam Akers (RB, HOU) – Cam Akers signed with the Texans and made his debut for them during the Hall of Fame game. I wouldn’t expect to see Akers get much playing time in Houston if both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are healthy, but if either goes down, he could sneak into bye week fill-in territory in a high-scoring offense.