The 2024 NFL season is just a few short weeks away and that means it's also time for you to set your draft boards and then select the players you will be cheering for to lead you to Fantasy Football glory this year.
Seasoned Fantasy Football players will know the game can be as unpredictable as the real-life version that plays out on Sundays. While we should expect the unexpected, the best we can do is prepare.
And that's what we're here for… to get you ready for your upcoming drafts and to make your team the envy of your Fantasy Football League. Here we go!
THE NFL ELITE
If you're fortunate enough to be picking first overall in your league, you have to consider one of these outstanding performers. And none of these should be falling out of the first round.
Christian McCaffrey – Running Back – San Francisco 49ers
Don't let the training camp calf injury worry you too much. CMC may have endured some injury woes before joining the 49ers midway through the 2022 season, but he has been largely healthy in San Francisco. The All-Pro amassed 2,023 scrimmage yards and scored 21 touchdowns during the 2023 regular season. That's a Fantasy League-winning showing right there.
Justin Jefferson – Wide Receiver – Minnesota Vikings
I know, I know… you're supposed to grab running backs at the top of a Fantasy Football Draft. But this is a passing league and J.J. is arguably the best wide receiver in the game. Even as the Vikings settle on a starting quarterback between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, we know both are going to target Jefferson, who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four NFL seasons.
Josh Allen – Quarterback – Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen accounted for a league-leading 44 touchdowns in 2023, throwing for 29 and running in an NFL record 15. And that was no fluke. Allen is the first player in NFL history to account for 40 or more touchdowns in four straight seasons. The Bills may say they're going to run the ball a little more in 2024, but Allen will be their driving force as he puts this team on his back once again.
Jalen Hurts – Quarterback – Philadelphia Eagles
It was a miserable end to 2023 for the Eagles, although most of their issues could be found on the defensive side of the ball. Jalen Hurts was extremely productive, at least from a Fantasy Football point of view. He matched Allen's NFL record 15 rushing touchdowns for a quarterback and threw for 3,858 yards and 23 touchdowns. Those passing numbers should rise in 2024.
Tyreek Hill – Wide Receiver – Miami Dolphins
Had it not been for a late-season ankle injury, Tyreek Hill would have become the first player in NFL history to rack up 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. And he likely would have been the league's Most Valuable Player. Now due to make $90 million over the next three years, Hill is heaping pressure on himself to live up to the hefty wage bill. He's not slowing down anytime soon.
Breece Hall – Running Back – New York Jets
Hall made a bold statement when he told me that, by the end of 2024, he wants to be regarded as the greatest running back in the NFL. Hall played in all 17 games last season as he fought back from a torn ACL suffered as a rookie in 2022. The explosive playmaker amassed 1,585 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns and should be more dangerous a year further removed from injury.
RISKY BUSINESS
As you approach Fantasy Football Draft Day, some of the biggest names in the league will need to be approached with a degree of caution. The talent here is truly elite, but there are red flags!
CeeDee Lamb – Wide Receiver – Dallas Cowboys
If Lamb has signed a new deal by the time you read this, please ignore! But he's not happy and the Cowboys have dug their heels in. If he is on the field, Lamb should be outstanding as he follows a career year in which he racked up 135 catches and 1,749 receiving yards.
Aaron Rodgers – Quarterback – New York Jets
Rodgers is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players who ever lived. But he is 40 years old and coming off an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2023 season. Watch this space!
Kirk Cousins – Quarterback – Atlanta Falcons
It's an even trickier situation for Atlanta's new QB1. Cousins is 36 and coming off the same Achilles injury, but he also has to contend with holding off dynamic first-round rookie QB Michael Penix Jr.
Joe Burrow – Quarterback – Cincinnati Bengals
There is much excitement about Burrow's return to the Bengals after a wrist injury cut his 2023 campaign short. But that's now two season-ending injuries out of Joe's four years in the league.
Matthew Stafford – Quarterback – Los Angeles Rams
Much is made about how dirt-tough Stafford has been throughout his career. And that's because he has needed to be. The 36-year-old is durable, but his body has certainly been through a lot.
De'Von Achane – Running Back – Miami Dolphins
Few running backs were as explosive as Achane in his rookie year. Miami's young star led the NFL with a stunning average of 7.8 yards per carry. But he also suffered shoulder and knee injuries.
SURE THINGS
As you work your way through your Fantasy Draft, these players may not be worth a round one punt, but they should definitely be targeted as you fill out the bulk of your roster
Bijan Robinson – Running Back – Atlanta Falcons
Of all the names in this category, Robinson – along with a certain quarterback in Kansas City - is the one most likely to get taken in the first round. The second-year star will see a lot of the ball.
Patrick Mahomes – Quarterback – Kansas City Chiefs
KC's attack was blunted somewhat in 2023, but let's not forget we're watching greatness at work in Mahomes, who has twice thrown for 5,000 yards in a season and has enjoyed a 50-TD campaign.
Sam LaPorta – Tight End – Detroit Lions
Travis Kelce and George Kittle get a tremendous amount of love, but you would do well to make LaPorta your priority at tight end. He caught 86 passes and scored 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.
Amon-Ra St. Brown – Wide Receiver – Detroit Lions
There will be enough footballs to go around in Detroit, so don't worry about that. St. Brown battled injuries and illness in 2023 and still topped 1,500 receiving yards. He is established as one of the NFL's best.
D.K. Metcalf – Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks
It's easy to overlook established wide receivers when new ones burst onto the NFL scene, but Metcalf will be one of the league's most prolific once again. Big, strong and fast… what's not to love?
Baltimore Ravens – Defense and Special Teams
There are three things you can be assured of in life… death, taxes and the Ravens fielding a dominant defense. Add in future Hall of Fame kicker Justin Tucker and you can see the attraction.
LATE-ROUND SLEEPERS
Fancy taking a flier late in your Fantasy Draft? What have you got to lose? Here are a few lesser-known players who could turn your team into a championship-winning squad.
A.T. Perry – Wide Receiver – New Orleans Saints
The sixth-round pick from 2023 flashed potential in limited rookie action, reeling in 12 passes for 246 yards (20.5 average) and four touchdowns. He should easily double those numbers and more.
Josh Palmer – Wide Receiver – Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer is not an unknown but it's now his time to shine after playing third fiddle behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. A proven deep threat, Palmer will be a key man for QB Justin Herbert.
Malik Washington – Wide Receiver – Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have an embarrassment of riches at WR but there could still be room for Miami's lightning-quick sixth-round rookie, especially if injuries hit this star group as has happened before.
Zamir White – Running Back – Las Vegas Raiders
The powerful White quietly entered the NFL with 70 rushing yards in 2022 and then upped his totals to 451 yards and 1 TD in 2023. With Josh Jacobs now in Green Bay, it's White's time to shine.
Greg Dortch – Wide Receiver – Arizona Cardinals
Cut six times by five different NFL teams, Dortch is turning heads in camp and has been praised by coach Jonathan Gannon. Dortch will benefit from extra attention paid to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.
Chig Okonkwo – Tight End – Tennessee Titans
The Titans are hoping their offense will take off with Will Levis starting his second year at QB. And Okonkwo is an athletic rising star ready to build on his 54 catches for 528 yards and a touchdown in 2023.
NEIL'S TOP 5
