The San Francisco 49ers‘ Brandon Aiyuk and Los Angeles Rams‘ Cooper Kupp each come into 2024 with a history of production but also with question marks that are cause for concern among fantasy managers.
Here’s a look at each wide receiver’s fantasy outlook for the upcoming season.
2024 Fantasy Outlook for Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk is the WR11 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 27. He is coming off arguably the best season of his four-year career with the 49ers.
Aiyuk finished with 75 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards (seventh in the NFL) and seven touchdown catches. And among wide receivers who were targeted at least 50 times last season, Aiyuk was No. 1 in yards per target (12.8) and No. 2 in yards per reception (17.9)
MORE: Fantasy Team Names
Last season was the second straight year that Aiyuk was perhaps the 49ers’ top wide receiver. Over the last two seasons, Aiyuk has 153 receptions for 2,357 yards and 15 touchdown catches. His 69.9% catch percentage over these two seasons includes a career-high 71.4% catch percentage last season.
Aiyuk’s fantasy value, looking at the numbers, has never been higher. His 249.2 total fantasy points and 15.6 fantasy points per game last season were both career highs.
2024 Fantasy Outlook for Cooper Kupp
As for Kupp, he is the WR20 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 27.
It was just three seasons ago that Kupp won the “triple crown” for receiving, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. But those days are getting further and further in the rearview mirror of Kupp’s career.
Kupp has missed 13 regular season games over the last two seasons, and his production has dropped accordingly. Last season, Kupp finished with only 59 receptions and 737 receiving yards, his fewest of each in a season since 2018, his second year in the league.
KEEP READING: Bye Weeks Schedule
Kupp was actually third on the Rams in fantasy points per game last season (12.5) and just barely avoided finishing fourth (Tutu Atwell averaged 12.4 fantasy PPG in 2023).
Heck, after accumulating a remarkable 439.5 fantasy points in the 2021 season, Kupp has just 365.8 fantasy points combined over the last two seasons.
Kupp’s health has always been an issue — has played every game in a season just twice in seven seasons — so there is no reason to assume he can play a full 17-game season, especially after turning 31 years old this summer.
Who Should I Draft in 2024?
At first glance, the choice for fantasy managers to make between Aiyuk and Kupp seems like a no-brainer. After all, Aiyuk continues to be among the most productive wide receivers in the NFL while Kupp’s career descent appears to be in motion.
However, the X-factor in this could be Aiyuk’s contract situation. He has been a “hold-in” during training camp and has demanded a trade from the 49ers. While it appears that a trade away from San Francisco is unlikely, the potential distraction cannot be seen as anything but a negative to fantasy managers.
Still, with their numbers put side by side, it seems as if Aiyuk is still the much better choice to draft for fantasy managers.