Fantasy & Betting
8/29/24
6 min read
2024 NFL Fantasy Football: Ranking Top Players At Every Position
The 2024 NFL season is just one week away, and this upcoming weekend, fantasy football fans will take part in millions of drafts over the holiday.
Here are our favorite players at each position and names you should consider drafting in your leagues:
>> READ MORE: Ranking Top 100 Overall Players
Top Fantasy Players At Each Position
Quarterback
1. Josh Allen, Bills
2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
5. Anthony Richardson, Colts
6. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
7. C.J. Stroud, Texans
8. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
9. Joe Burrow, Bengals
10. Jordan Love, Packers
11. Brock Purdy, 49ers
12. Jayden Daniels, Commanders
The quarterback position has never been deeper, and that will pay off for patient fantasy managers. The top two quarterbacks this season are Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts, who both scored double-digit rushing touchdowns last season. Due to their rushing upside, they provide an incredibly high floor and ceiling.
But if you can’t secure one of the top two quarterbacks, feel free to wait until everyone else has selected a quarterback in your league. The difference between C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy isn’t all that great.
In fact, Purdy outscored Stroud last year by a big margin. He had more spike weeks, and Purdy's week-to-week consistency was far better. Of course, we are projecting Stroud to be much better in Year 2, but the price of Stroud vs. the price of Purdy doesn't matchup, given their expected production. Even someone like Jordan Love could easily outproduce most of the quarterbacks selected ahead of him.
The optimal strategy is to take two late-round quarterbacks, like Jayden Daniels and Tua Tagovailoa, and stream the position, But that’s not always possible in every fantasy league.
Know your scoring settings (4 or 6 points per passing TD), and try to wait as long as possible before selecting a quarterback. You can grab quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, and Jared Goff in the double-digit rounds, and all three are capable of throwing for 4,600 yards and 35+ touchdowns. Patience is key at this position.
>> READ MORE: Full Fantasy Quarterback Rankings
Running Back
1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons
3. Breece Hall, Jets
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
5. Jonathan Taylor, Colts
6. Saquon Barkley, Eagles
7. Kyren Williams, Rams
8. Derrick Henry, Ravens
9. Travis Etienne, Jaguars
10. De’Von Achane, Dolphins
11. James Cook, Bills
12. Josh Jacobs, Packers
13. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
14. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
15. Rachaad White, Buccaneers
16. Joe Mixon, Texans
17. Alvin Kamara, Saints
18. Aaron Jones, Vikings
19. Zamir White, Raiders
20. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
21. David Montgomery, Lions
22. Tony Pollard, Titans
23. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins
24. Najee Harris, Steelers
There is no secret at the top of the running back rankings this year. Christian McCaffrey is a league-winner and provides a significant advantage over every running back. However, Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson hope to close the gap this season. Both are on ascending offenses and should see most of the touches in their respective offenses.
If you can't grab one of the top running backs, don’t be afraid to wait it out. There is a lot of depth at running back, and RBs 18-24 have never been cheaper. Players like Zamir White, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Najee Harris are all the clear-cut No. 1 backs and are usually available in Rounds 5-7.
The best strategy is to grab a running back early (McCaffrey, Hall, Robinson, Gibbs) and then wait until the middle rounds to find your RB2. Loading up on several names at the bottom of this list is the best way to do this year.
>> READ MORE: Full Fantasy Running Back Rankings
Wide Receiver
1. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
2. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
3. Justin Jefferson, Vikings
4. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
5. Amon-Ra. St. Brown, Lions
6. Puka Nacua, Rams
7. Garrett Wilson
8. A.J. Brown, Eagles
9. Drake London, Falcons
10. Davante Adams, Raiders
11. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals
12. Chris Olave, Saints
13. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
14. Cooper Kupp, Rams
15. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
16. Michael Pittman, Colts
17. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
18. DJ Moore, Bears
19. DK Metcalf, Seahawks
20. Nico Collins, Texans
21. Devonta Smith, Eagles
22. Malik Nabers, Giants
23. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
24. George Pickens, Steelers
There is a lot of depth at wide receiver this year, but don’t wait too long to find your No. 1 receiver, as the tiers get shallow quickly. The top eight receivers are all proven assets on offenses that should put up a bunch of points. Any of the eight can finish as the No. 1 overall wide receiver.
The first group of four receivers (Hill, Lamb, Jefferson, Chase) are in a tier by themselves, but you can feel confident with any of the top eight receivers as your top option.
The sweet spot for wide receivers is in Rounds 3-5. Proven players like Mike Evans, DJ Moore, and Deebo Samuel can all be had at discounted prices. George Pickens has a ton of upside in Pittsburgh, and Malik Nabers might be the next Odell Beckham Jr. in New York.
Try to grab one receiver early (Rounds 1-2) and then two or three more between rounds (3-6). It is very possible to leave your draft with a combination of receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Brandon Ayiuk, and DK Metcalf, which provides a great floor and ceiling.
>> READ MORE: Full Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight End
1. Sam LaPorta, Lions
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens
4. Dalton Kincaid, Bills
5. Trey McBride, Cardinals
6. Kyle Pitts, Falcons
7. George Kittle, 49ers
8. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
9. Evan Engram, Jaguars
10. David Njoku, Browns
11. Brock Bowers, Raiders
12. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
There is a new name at No. 1. For the first time in nearly a decade, Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce won’t be the first tight end off the board. That honor belongs to Sam LaPorta, who scored 10 touchdowns as a rookie. His role should only grow in Detroit in Year 2, and his ability to win after the catch makes him the safest option.
The tight end position has some depth, but the best strategy is not to overpay for one. However, make sure to select one of the top five options, as they all have the potential to finish as the No. 1 tight end this year. Kincaid and McBride are usually the cheapest of the bunch and will often be selected two or three rounds later than LaPorta or Kelce.
After the top five, there are other intriguing options like Kyle Pitts, George Kittle, and Jake Ferguson. However, you are better off waiting for a David Njoku or Brock Bowers several rounds later.
There isn’t much depth at tight end after the top 12 names, but Dalton Schultz and Dallas Goedert are viable options if needed. However, try to acquire one of the top five tight ends, as they all have league-winning upside.
>> READ MORE: Full Fantasy Tight End Rankings
