Fantasy football drafts typically aren’t won in the first round. Sure, adding Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson helps your team greatly, but your league will be won on the margins. Picking up useful players in the middle-to-late rounds will greatly increase your odds. Today, we’re looking at 24 players who are must-haves in 2024. If you can grab even a handful of these guys, we like your chances of obtaining ultimate glory.
WR Diontae Johnson — Carolina Panthers
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A bet on Diontae Johnson is a bet on Carolina’s offense taking a step forward. It seemingly can’t get much worse than last year. Bryce Young will be in Year 2, and new HC Dave Canales will help create easier opportunities. Johnson’s ability to separate is a much-needed addition. Just look at how much Young leaned on Adam Thielen last year. At this point in their careers, Johnson is a vastly better player than Thielen. The former Steeler caught at least 85 passes each season from ’20-’22. Expect him to see a ton of targets as the No. 1 option.
TE Evan Engram — Jacksonville Jaguars
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Opportunity is key in fantasy football. A player can have all the talent in the world but have their production severely hampered due to their situation. That shouldn’t be the case for Evan Engram who figures to be a massive part of Jacksonville’s attack. Engram led all TEs in targets last year with 143 — 16 more than the next closest, T.J. Hockenson. On those targets, Engram hauled in a career-high 114 receptions for 963 yards and 4 TDs. While the Jaguars spent a first-round pick on WR Brian Thomas Jr., they also lost Calvin Ridley who saw 136 targets last year. Engram will once again serve as Trevor Lawrence’s security blanket.
WR Ja’Lynn Polk — New England Patriots
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The Patriots are all-in on their new passing attack. With Drake Maye leading the way, New England spent a pair of premium picks on pass-catchers. Among those selections is second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk out of Washington. The former Huskie was a member of a high-powered offense that set the Pac-12 ablaze. Typically, young receivers who find the most early success are the ones who can separate. Such as Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers, and Josh Downs last year. Polk is in that same mold and will be able to grow alongside a rookie QB.
RB Devin Singletary — New York Giants
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You aren’t going to draw much fanfare with this pick. Some of your league buddies may never have even heard of Devin Singletary. But, what you are going to do is lock down a potential top RB at a premium value, especially when he’s coming off a good season with the Texans. With Houston acquiring Joe Mixon in the offseason, Singletary opted for a new home in search of a starting role. The Giants had a massive void to fill with longtime RB Saquon Barkley bolting for Philadelphia and signed Singletary hoping to replace that production. Singletary is a gifted pass-catcher who came on strong towards the end of the year when he was given a larger role. From Week 10 on, Singletary was RB9 in PPR formats — ahead of Barkley, James Cook, Derrick Henry, and David Montgomery.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks
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A breakout campaign is on the horizon for Seattle’s young wideout. The first-round pick finished his rookie campaign with 63 receptions, 638 yards, and 4 TDs. We’re expecting a major boost across those numbers in ’24. We already know about Smith-Njigba’s talent. He flashed it at times last year but lacked consistency. That should change under new OC Ryan Grubb who previously coached offense at the University of Washington. Grubb knows how to utilize his WR room, and will make sure Smith-Njigba is featured early and often.
RB Kendre Miller — New Orleans Saints
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The Saints offense will look different in ’24. Hiring OC Klint Kubiak and drafting OT Taliese Fuaga has shown a clear emphasis to improve the run game which was among the league’s worst last year. Alvin Kamara had a great fantasy season but was hardly effective on the ground. It seems like Kamara’s best days as a rusher are over. Enter, Kendre Miller who flashed some serious pop in limited action last year. The 21-year-old has exceptional burst and could be a breakout candidate this coming season.
QB Kyler Murray — Arizona Cardinals
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Those who have drafted Kyler Murray in recent years have been disappointed by his production. Murray’s checkered injury history and declining rushing numbers have limited his ability to be an elite fantasy player. That all changes in 2024. Murray enters the season healthy and with a revamped offense. No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. is a big target who Murray can look to frequently for easy completions. Also, the Cardinals got 7 rushing TDs from its quarterbacks last year between Murray, Joshua Dobbs, and Clayton Tune. If he can stay healthy this year, Murray absorbing all those opportunities will do wonders for his fantasy profile.
RB Zamir White — Las Vegas Raiders
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There is a new starting RB in Las Vegas, and it’s former Georgia rusher Zamir White. With Josh Jacobs bolting in free agency, the Raiders will be leaning on White as a driving force on the ground. Though this team rosters Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and first-round pick Brock Bowers, we find it difficult to believe they’ll be pass-happy given their QB situation under a defensive-minded HC. Over the last four games of ’23, White ran for 397 yards on 84 carries. At least 20 touches per game seems like a good baseline for the third-year back.
WR Ladd McConkey — Los Angeles Chargers
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Charger fans were left a bit disappointed when the team passed on all the available WRs in the first round. However, picking up Ladd McConkey in the second was excellent value. McConkey is an all-around weapon with great speed and route-running ability. There will be plenty of targets to go around this Charger offense. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler are all gone. It won’t take long for McConkey to establish a rapport with QB Justin Herbert and emerge as his favorite target.
RB D’Andre Swift — Chicago Bears
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D’Andre Swift has quietly been one of the best fantasy running backs since being drafted in 2020. His versatility shined during his lone year in Philadelphia where he set a career high in rushing yards (1,049) and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Swift has always been an excellent pass catcher and has scored 31 TDs in 56 career games. The Bears project to be massively improved offensively with their various offseason additions. While rookies Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze along with veteran Keenan Allen have garnered most of the hype, don’t scoff at Swift’s potential as a top-10 back who will be available in the middle rounds of your drafts.
QB Will Levis — Tennessee Titans
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A lot of leagues that start just one QB probably don’t even have Will Levis on their radar. But, those who play in 2QB leagues should consider the second-year Titans QB. For one, the Titans’ passing attack should be vastly improved. Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd are established veterans who have been plenty productive over their careers. New head coach Brian Callahan comes over from the Bengals and will implement a more pass-heavy offense than we’ve seen in Tennessee in recent years. Additionally, Levis has some untapped potential as a runner which could massively boost his value across all fantasy formats.
RB Zack Moss — Cincinnati Bengals
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Longtime Bengals RB Joe Mixon is out, and that leaves a big hole to fill offensively. Zack Moss was added to the equation and could play a massive role for one of the better offenses in football. He’s coming off a strong season for the Colts and posted some big games when Jonathan Taylor sat out. Moss scored 7 TDs and set a career-high with 27 receptions. With teams always worried about Cincinnati’s vertical passing attack, Moss could chew up defenses on the ground with his bruising frame.
QB Jordan Love — Green Bay Packers
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Jordan Love was absolutely on fire to end last season. He passed for at least two scores in 10 of his last 11 appearances (including playoffs). And, it was just his first year as a starter with an inexperienced group of pass catchers. We could see him being even better in ’24 after getting a year under his belt. Love is a supremely talented passer who could improve on his 4,000-yard, 32-TD rookie campaign.
RB Saquon Barkley — Philadelphia Eagles
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Saquon Barkley is set up to have a huge season in Philadelphia. After toiling away for the last six seasons on a bad offense, Barkley is joining an Eagles team that doesn’t struggle to put up points in bunches. He won’t be asked to be the focal point of the offense, which should alleviate some pressure early on. And, we could see him getting more goal-line carries than ever before. Jalen Hurts converted 15 rushing TDs last year, but the Eagles may not want their franchise QB to sustain too many hits moving forward. Barkley has the power and agility to convert in the red zone, and he’ll get plenty of chances to do so in ’24.
WR Puka Nacua — Los Angeles Rams
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Puka Nacua helped many fantasy managers win their leagues in ’23. The Rookie of the Year runner-up hit the ground running, recording 25 receptions in his first two games. Some wondered if he would take a backseat once Cooper Kupp returned. However, Nacua’s production never took a dip as he still posted huge performances even with Kupp in the lineup. This Rams offense has plenty of room for multiple pass-catchers to be successful. He won the trust of his veteran QB and will continue to be a focal point for an elite offense.
TE Kyle Pitts — Atlanta Falcons
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Kyle Pitts has burned fantasy managers in the past. After a 1,000-yard rookie campaign, Pitts has disappointed mightily over the last two seasons — 81 receptions, 1,023 yards, and 5 TDs over 27 games. How will 2024 be any different? For one, Arthur Smith is gone and play-calling duties have been handed to OC Zac Robinson. Robinson’s time with the Rams indicates that he will get Pitts easier looks within the flow of the offense. Of course, the massive change at QB will do wonders for the whole group. Much has been said about Kirk Cousins over his career, but he’s always been adept at getting his playmakers the ball as often as possible.
QB Jayden Daniels — Washington Commanders
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Among all the rookie hurlers, Washington’s Jayden Daniels boasts the highest fantasy upside. Fresh off winning the Heisman trophy at LSU, Daniels is set to be the Week 1 starter in Washington. His two best skills — rushing and deep-ball accuracy — translate quite well to fantasy production. Daniels threw 40 passing TDs in his final collegiate season and added 1,134 rushing yards. He’s entering a situation that should enable him to flourish. The Commanders have two solid receiving options in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Sam Howell threw for nearly 4,000 yards last year and doesn’t have nearly as much talent as Daniels.
RB Rachaad White — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Despite being under the radar, Rachaad White was impressive for the Buccaneers last year. Those who play in point-per-reception leagues leaned on White as a steady contributor. White finished last season with 64 receptions for 549 yards. He added 990 yards on the ground and notched 9 total TDs. It should be noted White is uncontested for playing time in Tampa’s offense. QB Baker Mayfield finished second in carries for the Bucs last year. The No. 2 RB on Tampa Bay in ’23 was Chase Edmonds who had just 49 carries on the season. The Bucs added rookie Bucky Irving from Oregon, but he won’t impact White’s ability to get close to 300 touches for the second straight year.
TE Trey McBride — Arizona Cardinals
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It’s hard not to see a huge season coming from Arizona’s Trey McBride. The former Colorado State standout enjoyed a successful sophomore campaign despite the Cardinals’ overall struggles as a team. Stepping into a lead role, McBride hauled in 81 receptions for 825 yards and 3 TDs. And, he really came on strong toward the end of the year when Kyler Murray entered the fold. Both of McBride’s 100-yard games came with Murray under center. With Travis Kelce aging, an opening for the league’s top TE is vacant. McBride is one of several young TE’s with a chance to snatch the mantle.
TE Dalton Kincaid — Buffalo Bills
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Dalton Kincaid is somebody who could take a huge leap in ’24. He’s coming off a strong rookie campaign after being a first-round selection. With both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis departing, Kincaid should step into being the No. 1 option in Buffalo’s offense. And, we know just how valuable that role can be. Josh Allen is projected to be the best fantasy QB in the league next year. He’s a lock for 4,000 passing yards and plenty of touchdowns. There aren’t a ton of established pass catchers on the team ever after signing Curtis Samuel and drafting Keon Coleman. Kincaid will lead the team in targets and have a huge year.
WR Garrett Wilson — New York Jets
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We’ll certainly see improved QB play across a number of teams in ’24. However, no team will receive a bigger boost under center than the New York Jets. Going from Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers cannot be understated. And, New York’s wideouts will get a bump as a result. Garrett Wilson was expected to be a top-10 contributor last year but fell short of expectations to no fault of his own. Still, the former Ohio State standout has now posted back-to-back 1000-yard seasons despite shoddy QB play. He will absolutely dominate opposing defenses with Rodgers at the helm.
QB Anthony Richardson — Indianapolis Colts
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As a rookie, Colts QB Anthony Richardson looked prime for a spectacular fantasy season. Injuries ultimately cost him the year, but he was sensational in the limited time he was available. In three full games, Richardson averaged 23.1 FPPG which would have ranked second among all quarterbacks behind only Josh Allen. And, he didn’t even share a backfield with Jonathan Taylor for any of those games. The Colts offense will be something to look out for in ’24, and a healthy Richardson will stack up fantasy points at a high rate.
WR George Pickens — Pittsburgh Steelers
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With Diontae Johnson gone, third-year wideout George Pickens will step into the unquestioned No. 1 spot on Pittsburgh’s offense. He was excellent last year despite the Steelers’ middling QB room. Before putting up a dud in Week 18, Pickens recorded 63 receptions and 1,140 yards in the first 16 games of the season. With Russell Wilson arriving in Pittsburgh, expect a bit more stability under center. Wilson isn’t the same player he once was, but he was great at feeding the ball to Courtland Sutton last year. Pickens boasts a similar frame to Sutton and will be a focal point of Pittsburgh’s attack.
RB Isiah Pacheco — Kansas City Chiefs
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The additions of speedsters Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy have some believing the Chiefs will return to a vertical-based offense. While that could be true, we’re still not selling RB Isiah Pacheco playing a vital role throughout the year. Pacheco was a bell cow last year and was used heavily down the stretch. Additionally, he began seeing more targets in the passing game as the season wore on. He recorded 19 receptions over his last four regular season games and caught six passes in the Super Bowl. If he’s going to be an every-down back for the Chiefs, Pacheco will be a great value on draft day.
