Every NFL team has a handful of players who could become the next fantasy football superstar if the situation presents an ample amount of opportunity. Many rosters already boast players who have had breakout fantasy campaigns, which makes finding the next big-time contributor in their offense a very informative exercise that you can use to your advantage on draft day.
Here is a breakout fantasy player for every NFL team entering the 2024 season.
Who Are the Top Fantasy Breakout Options for All 32 Teams in 2024?
Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr. enters the NFL with one of the best prospect profiles we’ve seen at the position over the last 10 years.
The physical tools rival most any receiver in the league. His size (6’3”, 209 pounds), speed, great hands, and wide catch radius were already enough to make scouts drool over his potential as an impact player in the league.
Now, combine that elite physical profile with his nuanced route-running detail, a great release package, and formation versatility, and you have the chance for something truly special at the position.
Harrison should immediately become the alpha target earner in a Kyler Murray-led offense, which makes him a great breakout candidate in his first NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons: Drake London
I’ve got a message for fantasy managers who have been disappointed by the first two years of production from Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London… Help is on the way.
Don’t let London’s WR37 and WR31 overall fantasy finishes, respectively, over his first two seasons in the league fool you. He has all the makings of a future star.
When you combine London’s elite physical tools, underrated win rates against both man and zone coverage, and excellent ball skills with the additions of quarterback Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson — then the table could be set for London to have a career year in 2024.
Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers
Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers had a great rookie year where he flashed plenty of playmaking ability on all three levels of the football field.
The overall production of 77 receptions for 858 yards and five scores on 108 targets should be viewed very optimistically when you realize how dedicated offensive coordinator Todd Monken was to getting Flowers the football.
Flowers was among the WR leaders in manufactured touches, catching 23 screen passes last year — tied for third, trailing behind just Tyreek Hill and Ja’Marr Chase.
Additionally, Flowers showcased his formation versatility (29% of his snaps coming from the slot), separation ability (2.27 yards of separation per target, seventh among receivers), and YAC ability (391 yards after the catch). All feel like encouraging signs for a player entering his second NFL season.
The removal of Odell Beckham Jr. from Baltimore’s offense only means Flowers’ role should expand this upcoming year.
Buffalo Bills: Khalil Shakir
What do you get when you have an elite RAC (run after catch) threat set for an expanded role in one of the highest-scoring offenses with a receiver room that just vacated 241 targets, 152 receptions, 1,929 yards, and 15 touchdowns from the roster?
The answer is a potential breakout candidate in Buffalo Bills WR Khalil Shakir.
Admittedly, the additions of both Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman gives every Bills WR a realistic chance at a breakout season in 2024. Yet, when Shakir saw his role expand in the middle of his sophomore season, I’d argue he made the most of his opportunities.
From Week 8 through the rest of the regular season, Shakir was the WR46 in full-PPR formats. He totaled 31 receptions for 536 yards and one score, with an average of 9.2 fantasy points per game through that span.
Additionally, Shakir’s flashes of his RAC capabilities flirted with falling into the elite category. His average of 7.2 yards after the catch ranked third behind only Deebo Samuel Sr. and Rashee Rice for players with 30+ receptions in 2023. This showcased that Shakir can be a very productive player when he has the ball in his hands.
Josh Allen is going to have to throw the ball to someone. Shakir is the only receiver Allen has an existing rapport with from last year, which could give him an outside chance to lead Buffalo in targets. If that comes to fruition, Shakir has top 20 upside at the WR position in full-PPR formats.
Carolina Panthers: Jonathon Brooks
The Carolina Panthers’ remodeled offense certainly makes this unit a bit of a fantasy mystery entering the 2024 season. Yet, whenever Jonathon Brooks does manage to get on the field during his rookie year, I could see him potentially having the biggest fantasy impact from this offense.
Brooks’ knee doesn’t look like it will be quite ready for him to take the field to start the season opener, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t be a big-time fantasy contributor in an offense that wants to run the ball.
New head coach Dave Canales showed last year he’s willing to stay with a running back who struggles with efficiency if he believes he’s the best option for the team. Canales force-fed Rachaad White 272 carries despite him averaging a putrid 3.64 yards per carry behind an offensive line that had all kinds of issues.
This new staff made Brooks the top running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, which should give him the inside track to a feature role at some point this year.
Brooks’ contact balance, sudden and efficient footwork, and burst for a back with a solid, compact frame gives managers reason to believe he could be a great fantasy asset in 2024.
Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze
The Chicago Bears offense has a plethora of productive pass catchers, making Rome Odunze’s immediate fantasy outlook very difficult to pinpoint entering his rookie year. Along with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, the unknown level of production we’ll see from rookie QB Caleb Williams in 2024 compounds this projection issue.
Yet, Odunze still has all the makings of a future star wide receiver. He’s an excellent athlete, evidenced by his 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. Odunze possesses a prototypical X-receiver frame (6’3”, 215 pounds), exhibits fluidity as a lateral mover and accelerator at the breakpoint, and is an absolute bully at the catchpoint in contested catch situations.
Furthermore, Odunze’s formation versatility and route-running nuance — tempo variation, stem IQ, and great hip sink for a prospect his size — make him an incredibly well-rounded prospect who should contribute immediately to an NFL passing attack.
Odunze may get off to a slow start while Chicago’s offense establishes a firm grasp on the roles for each player in Shane Waldron’s scheme. However, I believe in Odunze’s talent over the aging veteran (Allen) to emerge as a consistent producer over the back half of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Moss
The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to release Joe Mixon this offseason creates a void in the fantasy role for the backfield, which has consistently produced a player with at least 1,200+ total yards and 9+ total TDs over the last three years.
This leaves the newly acquired Zack Moss and second-year RB Chase Brown competing for touches in this backfield. Brown has plenty of burst and big-play ability, but I’d argue Moss is better suited for full-time duties.
Moss’ ability to handle bell-cow duties was on display with the Indianapolis Colts last year. He was the RB8 overall in full-PPR formats from Weeks 2-4 last year with 66 rushing attempts, 280 yards, and two scores. For some context, that topped Brown’s entire rushing production from his rookie year.
Lastly, Moss projects as the better short-yardage option near the goal line. He converted three of his nine carries into scores from inside the 5-yard line last year. For some additional context, Brown’s red-zone rushing production was four carries for -13 yards — which is likely why he didn’t see a single carry inside the 5-yard line in 2023.
Brown has intriguing upside, but I’ll take the option of who projects as the leading ball carrier and short yardage option in a high-powered offense.
Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford
Jerome Ford’s second NFL season should be considered a major success because fantasy managers had virtually non-existent expectations for the Cincinnati product.
In a season where starter Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury in September, Ford filled in admirably with 813 rushing yards, 44 receptions, 319 receiving yards, and nine scores on 248 total touches — which was good enough for an RB16 overall finish.
Chubb’s return at some point this season will undoubtedly cap Ford’s upside, but Cleveland’s backfield has produced multiple top-20 backs in the past. In 2020, Chubb and Kareem Hunt finished the year as the RB11 and RB10, respectively, in full-PPR formats.
Is it really that farfetched that Ford continues to see work alongside a recovering Chubb for the entire season?
Dallas Cowboys: Jake Ferguson
Here’s a question for you… Who do we think will be the second-most targeted player behind CeeDee Lamb in this Dallas Cowboys offense?
At tight end, an average of six targets per game can be enough to elevate a player into the top-seven conversation at the position.
Last year, Jake Ferguson caught 71 passes for 761 yards and five scores on 102 targets. The Cowboys didn’t make a single noteworthy addition to this passing offense, which means Ferguson could see an even bigger role in 2024 while competing against Brandin Cooks for the de facto WR2 role in Dallas’ high-powered offense.
Ferguson quietly saw the fifth-most red-zone targets in the NFL last year (23), which means his TD upside with a potentially expanded role makes him a quality candidate for a breakout season in 2024.
Denver Broncos: Jaleel McLaughlin
Fantasy managers who believe in Javonte Williams may not be happy to see his name not on this breakout candidate list. But the truth of the matter is that Jaleel McLaughlin simply looked better than Williams for the majority of the 2023 NFL season.
McLaughlin averaged 5.4 yards per carry, managed to catch 31 of 36 targets for 160 yards, and found the end zone three times on his 107 total touches working behind Williams. The yards-per-carry mark is far superior to Williams’ 3.6 — which marks the third straight season where Williams’ per-carry efficiency has dropped.
The lack of expectations for Denver’s retooled offense, combined with McLaughlin’s smaller frame, reasonably push his name down fantasy draft boards. But if the Youngstown State product continues to be the more hyper-efficient back in 2024, then don’t be surprised if he leads Dallas in total touches this year.
Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams
Picking a breakout candidate for the Detroit Lions is a tricky task. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs have already had breakout campaigns in their own right — which leaves me with trying to plant my flag on third-year receiver Jameson Williams.
Williams has flashed plenty of big-play ability throughout his NFL career, which included some very encouraging performances over their three-game run in the postseason.
Williams’ 25 receptions for 395 yards over the first 18 regular-season games of his career is hard to ignore, but we shouldn’t be dismissive about his role potentially expanding enough in 2024 for him to be reliable fantasy contributor in this high-powered offense.
Green Bay Packers: Dontayvion Wicks
The Green Bay Packers’ WR room is filled with young players who have breakout potential. A case could be made for Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson as the next fantasy football stud receiver in Green Bay. Yet, I find myself gravitating towards Dontavyion Wicks.
Wicks may have gotten off to a slow start, but his 39 receptions for 581 yards and four scores his rookie year should not be scoffed at by any stretch of the imagination.
Wicks flashed plenty of big-play upside, route-running detail, and YAC ability in his first season in the league. If Watson can’t stay healthy or Wicks simply continues to improve, then the cheapest Packers receiver may be the right choice on draft day.
Houston Texans: Tank Dell
Houston Texans WR Tank Dell’s small stature may have caused fantasy managers to doubt his potential effectiveness entering the NFL, but his 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 targets in just 11 games quickly silenced those skeptics.
On a fantasy-points-per-game (PPG) basis, Dell looked like a future fantasy star — finishing as the WR19 overall with 15.0 PPG.
The breakout year from Nico Collins combined with the addition of Stefon Diggs does give him some of the best target competition in the league, but Dell’s big-play ability should allow for him to make a big enough impact in a high-powered offense to put him in line for a breakout season.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
As we are all aware by now, elite dual-threat quarterbacks can act as a fantasy football cheat code. Well, in the two full games we saw from Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson last year — he looked like a potential league-winner in the making at the position.
Anthony Richardson Fantasy Production in 2023 When Playing More Than 95% of the Offensive Snaps
- Week 1: 223 passing yards, 40 rushing yards, 3 total TDs (QB4 overall)
- Week 4: 200 passing yards, 56 rushing yards, 3 total TDs (QB2 overall)
The sample size is undoubtedly small, but Richardson’s fantasy upside in this Shane Steichen scheme — which helped Jalen Hurts become a top-five fantasy quarterback — makes him the easy breakout pick from this offense in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr.
The Jacksonville Jaguars saw good production from Calvin Ridley last year, but not enough to keep him around at the cost of a second-round pick and a new deal.
This offense was in need of a top-tier vertical threat to help unlock Trevor Lawrence’s true potential under center, which makes the dynamic Brian Thomas Jr. the final missing piece for this Jags’ offense.
Thomas’ exceptional size (6’3”, 209 pounds), elite speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine), and explosive athleticism (38.5” vertical jump) all appeared on the tape from his 2023 season — which gives him the physical tools to be a menace as a vertical threat operating as an X or Z receiver at the professional level.
A slow start to training camp for a rookie wideout whose best attributes entering the pros didn’t involve technical refinement shouldn’t be too concerning yet.
A pessimist would likely start to wonder if Thomas’ 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs last year — which was his lone season of noteworthy production in college — were more a product of his exceptional athleticism flourishing alongside another elite WR while catching passes from a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at a lower level of competition.
Fantasy managers should likely temper their fantasy expectations for Thomas early in the season while he acclimates to this offense, but he should be capable of some huge fantasy performances down the home stretch as his role expands significantly over the back half of his rookie year.
Kansas City Chiefs: Rashee Rice
There is no way to avoid this topic… Rashee Rice could face a suspension from the league stemming from potential felony charges this offseason.
Yet, notice I used the word could when describing a potential suspension. There has been no discipline from the NFL at this time regarding Rice’s off-the-field incident. This means he also could play the entire 2024 NFL season before the legal process plays out.
If Rice does avoid league discipline in 2024, then he should be in the low-end WR1 conversation entering his second year in the league.
Once Rice’s role expanded around the middle of last season, he was the WR16 with an average of 15.4 fantasy PPG in full-PPR formats, which was the same mark we saw from Puka Nacua and A.J. Brown from Weeks 8 through 17 of last year.
Rice ranked third amongst receivers with 654 YAC last year, which put him among the elite producers in the position in that category.
Sure, the team did add to two speedy receivers in Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy to the mix this offseason, but I’d argue this actually helps open things up for Rice underneath in 2024.
Rice comes with plenty of risk, but he does have true top-10 upside at the WR position if he plays the entire 2024 NFL season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers
I can already hear people screaming through their phones that I am crazy for not picking Zamir White as the breakout fantasy player in Las Vegas this year. Well, I’m equally crazy about Brock Bowers being the next great tight end in the NFL.
Bowers enters the league with arguably the best production profile of any TE we have ever seen. His 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns combined with his 193 rushing yards and five rushing scores at the TE position over his three years at a college football powerhouse gives him one of the most productive and dynamic prospects profiles in CFB history.
Some fantasy pundits will be quick to argue that Bowers’ landing spot with the Raiders is horrible because the quarterback play is terrible and Michael Mayer is already there.
News flash — Bowers isn’t just a TE prospect, he’s a certified weapon who can create mismatches with linebackers, safeties, and even smaller cornerbacks. This was evident when we saw Bowers in his first preseason action — where he lined up at TE, slot WR, outside, and fullback over his first 10 snaps. That is the definition of a moveable weapon.
Bowers’ lateral agility, twitchy acceleration, and play strength through contact are all objectively elite, which makes it difficult for him to get to the ground.
Better yet, problems have an answer. The better way to describe Bowers’ elite RAC ability is to label him an issue because I don’t believe an answer exists for opposing defenses. Don’t overthink this; Bowers is an elite playmaking talent and will find instant fantasy success in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ladd McConkey
For those of you keeping track, 229 receptions and 2,339 receiving yards from the previous season have been completely removed from the Chargers’ roster. These departures meant the pass-catching collection of talent on Los Angeles’ roster heading into the 2024 NFL Draft consisted of Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark Jr., and Hayden Hurst.
No offense to any of the players just mentioned, but that doesn’t exactly sound like an imposing enough group to strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenses, even with Justin Herbert under center.
Yet, help has arrived in the form of Ladd McConkey. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his game from his collegiate days with the Georgia Bulldogs, McConkey is a versatile, lightning-quick, explosive playmaker who threatens defenses vertically with his 4.39 speed, and who’s equally capable of torturing ill-equipped defenders who can’t compete with his elite short-area burst as an underneath RAC threat or contributor as a ball carrier with designed rushing touches.
McConkey’s post-graduate-level route-running prowess shows up all over the film with great tempo variation, textbook stem IQ to attack defenders’ leverage, and balletic-type controlled footwork at the breakpoint. This helps him snap down and instantly accelerate out of his breaks to force social-distancing-type separation between him and his defender.
After the departures of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Gerald Everett, there are 320 targets up for grabs from last season. Do we really think McConkey isn’t going to see a hefty amount of those looks from one of the best quarterbacks in the league in 2024?
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
Some may argue that Kyren Williams has already had his breakout season. Quite frankly, those people are probably correct because of his outstanding production of 1,350 total yards and 15 total touchdowns in just 12 games last year, but I’d argue he could potentially be even better this year.
Williams was the only running back in the NFL with more total touches (carries and receptions) per game than CMC. For some exact figures, Williams averaged 21.7 touches per game to Christian McCaffrey’s 21.2. If your usage is higher than McCaffrey’s and in the same ballpark as the San Francisco 49ers running back’s elite efficiency, then you know you are dealing with a potential fantasy star at the position.
Williams averaged 95 rushing yards on 19 carries and three receptions for 17 yards on a per-game basis in 2023. If you extrapolate those numbers over a 17-game season, then we could be looking at a fantasy ceiling of 1,615 rushing yards, 289 receiving yards, and 51 receptions.
Does Blake Corum figure to be involved in some capacity? Sure, but Sean McVay has a lengthy track record of using a lead back in his offense. If Williams can avoid injuries, then he could threaten to finish as a top-five fantasy back in 2024.
Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Wright
This could feel like déjà vu for fantasy managers who were bullish on De’Von Achane’s fantasy outlook entering his rookie year last season.
Well, the Dolphins doubled down on their investment at the running back position by selecting another explosive ball carrier in Jaylen Wright, who has already made a great impression on the coaching staff with his 55 yards and a score on 10 carries in his first preseason game.
Raheem Mostert is coming off of a career year with an absurd 21 total touchdowns in 2023, but he will be 32 years old this season. Is it really that far-fetched to think an aging running back who has a lengthy track record of durability issues could regress a bit this year?
If that is the case, then Wright immediately stands to work alongside Achane and form what could be the scariest big-play RB duo in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold
In case you haven’t heard, Minnesota Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy is set to undergo season-ending knee surgery for a torn meniscus, which puts Sam Darnold firmly in the driver’s seat for the starting duties under center in 2024.
Darnold has been a big fantasy disappointment his entire six-year career in the NFL. He has never thrown for over 3,100 yards or 20 touchdowns in a single season. Yet, he has never had a collection of weapons or a proven offensive play-caller like this during his time as a starting quarterback.
Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson are both in the conversation for the best receiver and tight end in the league. Jordan Addison showed plenty of promise his rookie year. And the offensive line is more than formidable.
If Darnold was ever going to prove he has what it takes to be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL, this is his best chance.
New England Patriots: Ja’Lynn Polk
The candidates for leading the New England Patriots in targets in 2024 feel like DeMario Douglas, Hunter Henry, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. No disrespect to other pass catchers on the roster, but my money is on Polk.
Polk’s formation versatility and strong hands could make him an excellent big slot target who can destroy zone coverage. He may not possess the elite vertical speed to become either Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett’s go-to guy for big shots down the field, but his run-after-catch ability and contested-catch expertise make him a threat to work the short and intermediate range of the field, which presents plenty of fantasy value.
Polk’s versatility and reliable hands give him a path to being a reliable fantasy producer in his rookie year.
New Orleans Saints: Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheed’s jump in production to 75 targets, 46 receptions, 719 yards, and five TDs (all career highs) suggest he is a receiver who is trending in the right direction entering his third year in the NFL.
To be clear, I don’t think he is a threat to Chris Olave’s alpha target share in this offense, but his production opposite of Olave with a healthy 14.6-yard average depth of target make Shaheed an intriguing big-play candidate who could emerge as the clear-cut third receiving option behind both Olave and Alvin Kamara in 2024.
New York Giants: Malik Nabers
The undeniable talent of New York Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers makes for one of the most polarizing fantasy outlooks in the industry.
From a sheer talent perspective, I believe Nabers could be a top-10 fantasy option at the position from the moment he steps on an NFL football field. Yet, the biggest question mark surrounds the level of play we are going to see from his QB Daniel Jones.
Nabers’ elite separation skills, dynamic playmaking ability after the catch, route-running nuance, and excellent ball skills make him the betting favorite to be the feature player in this offense.
Understandably, the Giants’ passing offense doesn’t get many people excited, but I’m projecting Nabers for a monster target share in 2024 — which gives him a path to be an instant fantasy impact player, even with the potential efficiency concerns.
New York Jets: Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson has been stuck in quarterback hell through the first two years of his NFL career. The fact he has managed to catch 178 passes for 2,145 yards and seven scores while playing mostly with Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, Tim Boyle, and Mike White makes a case that he is quarterback-proof.
Well, do we believe the New York Jets’ offense will average more than 171 passing yards and 15 points per game this upcoming season with Aaron Rodgers under center? If your answer to that question is yes, then you best believe that Wilson is going to be one of the main reasons why.
A dynamic playmaker like Wilson, who can line up all over the formation and win on all three levels of the football field, could lead to the type of target funnel Davante Adams enjoyed with Rodgers during their days together with the Green Bay Packers.
Pass on Wilson at your own risk.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Warren
When you take a closer look at the production from the Steelers’ backfield last year, it was painfully clear who the more efficient option was.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Running Back Stats
- Najee Harris: 284 total touches, 1,205 total yards, 8 TDs (RB23)
- Jaylen Warren: 210 total touches, 1,154 total yards, 4 TDs (RB22)
Warren’s 5.5 yards per touch blew Harris’ 4.2 mark out of the water by a wide margin as well, making him the most efficient back with the more valuable fantasy role in full-PPR formats.
Warren would feel like the runaway fantasy option if not for Harris doubling up Warren’s carries inside the 5-yard line last year (8-4). That suggests Harris is the clear preferred option when Pittsburgh gets in the red zone, which could carry greater significance if the offense generates more scoring opportunities with either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields under center this year.
Yet, the receiving production is what fantasy managers are trusting to justify selecting Warren in 2024.
Jaylen Warren Receiving Production (Positional Rank)
- Targets: 74 (T-5th)
- Receptions: 61 (5th)
- Receiving Yards: 370 (13th)
Warren is the more dynamic ball carrier and reliable pass catcher in an offense that wants to run the ball early, often, and always. If Warren continues to outproduce Harris at this rate, then don’t be surprised if he leads the team in total touches from this backfield at the end of this season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Dallas Goedert
Dallas Goedert can best be described as a fantasy football tease. He’s always flirted with a breakout season, but he’s never truly been able to put it all together over his six years in the NFL.
Goedert has the type of elite catch radius, excellent hands, and productive YAC ability to make him a surefire fantasy stud in the right situation. That situation just needs to involve him staying on the football field by avoiding injuries.
Goedert scored seven or more fantasy points in 11 of his 14 games in 2023, which suggests he has a pretty reliable floor in full-PPR formats when on the field.
If Kellen Moore’s offensive scheme can help Jalen Hurts reach new heights as a passer this upcoming season, then Goedert could be in for a career year in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall
The Brandon Aiyuk situation has been a story for the entire offseason in San Francisco. If Aiyuk were to be traded or hold out into the season, I see one of the biggest beneficiaries being 49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall.
From a pure tools perspective, Pearsall has the goods. He’s among the best route runners in the class — plenty of nuance with his tempo variation and technique — with some of the best hands and ball skills. That will give him a role early in his career with the Niners, but one that is unlikely to make him a reliable fantasy option in your standard leagues.
This is a crowded offense even if Aiyuk isn’t on the field to start the 2024 NFL season, but Pearsall’s versatility can play a crucial role for this receiver room, which could result in better fantasy production than you think during his rookie season.
Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
On the surface, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s WR48 finish in full-PPR formats with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four scores on 93 targets wasn’t a horrible year. However, considering the expectations many fantasy managers had for the former Ohio State Buckeye, these numbers could be considered a bit of a disappointment.
One of the most encouraging things about Smith-Njigba’s rookie campaign was the team’s commitment to simply getting the ball in his hands. An eye-opening 33% of his total receptions last year came in the form of screen passes, which could give him a nice baseline floor in the manufactured-touch department.
Additionally, they committed to putting Smith-Njigba in the slot — where he lined up 64.3% of the time last season — over Lockett, which could help raise the former’s fantasy floor in Year 2.
Ultimately, this will depend on how Geno Smith executes new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offensive scheme. Fortunately, Grubb’s offense facilitated a ton of success for three gifted pass catchers last season at the University of Washington — which does give Smith-Njigba some hope for an expanded role in a more fantasy-friendly scheme in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen McMillan
One of the biggest risers through the beginning portions of training camp has been Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan — who has been regularly running as the WR3 in 11-personnel sets with the starters throughout camp.
McMillan’s knee injury last year cost him most of the 2023 college season, which likely contributed to his fall to the third round. However, his 2022 production showcased his ability to serve as a very effective option with his formation versatility and RAC ability entering the NFL.
McMillan’s 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine scores in 2022 was actually right there with Ja’Lynn Polk’s 2023 production of 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.
McMillan is smooth operator as a route runner who has curvilinear acceleration to bend around second-level defenders while getting to his landmarks in a hurry to optimize separation over the intermediate portion of the field.
McMillan’s run-after-catch skills should complement Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in Tampa Bay’s passing attack in 2024. This could make this rookie a bit more productive than fantasy managers realize when also factoring in new coordinator Liam Coen’s offense, which is expected to deploy 11-personnel sets frequently.
Tennessee Titans: Tyjae Spears
The Tennessee Titans’ decision to sign free-agent running back Tony Pollard to a market-value contract may have deterred some fantasy managers from fully investing in Tyjae Spears entering the 2024 NFL season. I’m here to tell you that I still have my ticket to the Spears’ breakout party set to take place this year.
Spears still managed an RB34 overall finish with 453 rushing yards to go with 52 receptions for 385 yards and three total scores in his rookie year, operating exclusively behind Derrick Henry.
Spears’ 5.5 yards per touch actually ranked sixth at the RB position, and he flashed impressive elusiveness and burst over his entire rookie campaign.
To further the argument behind his efficiency, Spears averaged 2.7 yards before contact per attempt and 1.9 yards after contact per attempt — the exact marks we saw from Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson in his rookie year.
Keep in mind that Spears did this while operating behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season.
If Spears maintains his encouraging per-touch efficiency metrics while Pollard continues to struggle, then don’t be surprised if Spears leads this backfield in total touches and fantasy points in 2024.
Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr.
The additions of Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, Ben Sinnott, and Zach Ertz this offseason have put Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. out of the sight and mind of fantasy managers when looking at this offense entering the 2024 NFL season. Yet, Robinson gave us some very encouraging signs as the leading man in this backfield last year.
Robinson’s RB21 overall finish with 1,101 total yards and nine TDs certainly shouldn’t be viewed as a negative. He managed to relegate Antonio Gibson to nothing more than a complementary option in this offense and score eight touchdowns through the first 10 games of the season.
The amount of scoring opportunities this Washington offense will generate with a rookie quarterback under center feels a bit tricky to pinpoint entering the season, but Robinson should lead this team in carries — which makes him an intriguing fantasy investment as your RB3.