Some NFL teams have no superstars. Some have multiple stars. Here, pinpoint the top fantasy football assets on every AFC roster. For a look at the top fantasy player for each NFL team, check out this link.
Who Is the Top Fantasy Player on Each NFC Team?
Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
That’s right. The most valuable fantasy asset on the Cardinals is a rookie. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the highest-drafted rookie wide receiver in the history of fantasy football. It’s possible we’ll never see a rookie receiver go this early again.
Harrison is a generational talent and the best WR prospect since Calvin Johnson. He’s the surest of sure things.
With that said, his early-second-round ADP is quite expensive. Harrison is still a rookie after all and is being drafted closer to his ceiling than his floor. I’m certain he’ll pan out, but it’s possible he underwhelms relative to his cost in 2024 fantasy drafts.
Atlanta Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson
For the second consecutive season, the top fantasy player on the Falcons is Bijan Robinson. The sophomore RB disappointed managers last season, including yours truly, who were expecting something more akin to Saquon Barkley’s rookie season in 2018.
Robinson only averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game as a rookie, but of course, it wasn’t a talent issue. It was an Arthur Smith issue. Things should be much better for Robinson this season, as he is low-key my pick to finish as the overall RB1.
Carolina Panthers: RB Jonathon Brooks
This one is really close between Jonathon Brooks and Diontae Johnson. Ultimately, I settled on the rookie because he projects to be much stronger over the second half of the season.
The Panthers made Brooks the first running back off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting him early in the second round. There were reports that had Brooks not torn his ACL, he might’ve gone in the first.
Brooks may see a slow ramp-up as he gets acclimated to playing football again. Yet, by the second half of the season, he may very well be a three-down back.
Chicago Bears: WR DJ Moore
For much of the past decade, the Bears have been a fantasy wasteland. There would be a couple of guys on the fantasy radar, even the occasional early-round pick. However, never has there been the embarrassment of riches that there are heading into the 2024 season.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, or even Caleb Williams wound up being Chicago’s top fantasy player. Right now, though, the title belongs to DJ Moore.
Last year’s overall WR9 is coming off the best season of his career. Moore averaged 16.9 fantasy ppg with Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent as his quarterbacks on an offense that was run first.
Although there’s the obvious massive increase in target competition, the QB upgrade and the shift in offensive philosophy should offset it. Moore is very much deserving of being the first Bears player selected in fantasy drafts.
Dallas Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb’s upward trajectory likely reached its apex last season. His fantasy points per game have improved every year of his career, and in 2023, Lamb finished as the overall WR1, averaging 23.7 ppg.
Even if Lamb never reaches that mark again, he’s more than proven himself as one of the best wide receivers in football. Additionally, it’s quite literally impossible for a receiver to find himself in a better situation.
Lamb is the Cowboys’ clear WR1 and is tethered to a top-10 QB in Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the NFL every season, and Lamb has absolutely no competition for targets. He’s very much deserving of being the top WR off the board in 2024 fantasy drafts.
Detroit Lions: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Here’s a team with no shortage of elite fantasy options. Jahmyr Gibbs is the consensus overall RB4, and Sam LaPorta is the overall TE1. In most instances, either one would be the top fantasy option on his respective team.
With that said, it’s clearly Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions’ WR1 has improved every year of his career, culminating in an average of 20.7 fantasy points per game last season and finishing as the WR4 overall.
St. Brown is a consensus top-five pick amongst wide receivers this season and well deserving of being drafted in the top half of Round 1.
Green Bay Packers: RB Josh Jacobs
The Packers have no shortage of offensive weapons, either. In deeper leagues, we may see as many as nine Green Bay players get drafted. Regardless of league size, though, the first Packer to go will always be Josh Jacobs.
The former Raider is coming off the least efficient season of his career. His 3.5 yards per carry and 13.9 fantasy points per game both marked career lows. There are certainly reasons to be concerned.
Jacobs really only has had one good season (2022), and the Packers have not been secretive about their desire to use a committee. Nevertheless, Jacobs is the heavy favorite to lead it and is deserving of being the first Packer taken in fantasy drafts.
Los Angeles Rams: WR Puka Nacua
This one is really close between Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, two players who came out of nowhere last season to be league winners. Fantasy managers seem more apt to buy Nacua’s surprise breakout than Williams’ breakout.
Given the history of running backs who weren’t great prospects that go from waiver wire pickup to top of the position, I trust Nacua more to be the top fantasy option here.
He’s coming off one of the greatest rookie WR seasons of all time. He commanded a 28.7% target share and averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game. The best part is he’s only getting better.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson
Last year’s consensus WR1 overall disappointed fantasy managers. However, it had nothing to do with Justin Jefferson’s talent. He strained his hamstring in Week 5, sidelining him until Week 14.
When on the field, Jefferson was his typical elite self. He averaged 20.2 fantasy ppg and reached 1,000 receiving yards in just 10 games.
This season, Jefferson’s draft stock is slightly down due to Kirk Cousins’ departure. While Jefferson obviously won’t be as good with lesser QB play, he’s too talented to fail. It’s hard to envision any scenario outside of injury where he’s not the Vikings’ top fantasy asset this season.
New Orleans Saints: WR Chris Olave
Last season, Chris Olave was drafted ahead of Alvin Kamara. Yet, Kamara was the better fantasy option.
This year, it’s happening again. Will the result be the same? I’m banking on no.
Olave is only 24 years old. His advanced metrics indicate an elite receiver is lurking; he just needs the requisite QB play and offensive play-calling to bring it out.
There were several would-be long touchdowns last season where Derek Carr just missed Olave deep. There was also very bland play-calling. Klint Kubiak’s arrival as offensive coordinator has me believing in Olave once again. I expect him to finish as the Saints’ No. 1 fantasy asset.
New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers
It seems as though the Giants can only have one really good fantasy player at a time. First, it was Odell Beckham Jr. Then it was Saquon Barkley. Now, enter Malik Nabers.
If not for Harrison’s existence in this draft class, Nabers might be considered a generational prospect as well. He’s that good.
While it’s very possible Nabers underwhelms this year due to questionable quarterback play, no one else on the Giants’ roster has a chance at being their best fantasy asset. Eventually, Nabers’ talent will shine through — it could happen as soon as this year.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR A.J. Brown
The Eagles are easily the toughest to hammer down a top fantasy option. It could be Barkley or Jalen Hurts, but I went with A.J. Brown.
Although Barkley and Brown go near each other in fantasy drafts, Brown typically goes first — and for good reason.
We really haven’t seen an elite season from Barkley since his rookie year. While his offensive situation is much better in Philly, he’s going to lose touchdowns to the Tush Push.
Meanwhile, Brown stands to benefit from new OC Kellen Moore utilizing more creative play-calling, as well as allowing the veteran WR to operate more from the slot.
Brown averaged 17.0 fantasy points per game last season, but he really tailed off over the second half. I’m banking on him maintaining higher-end production for the entirety of the season and putting together another mid-WR1 performance.
San Francisco 49ers: RB Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is not just the best fantasy asset on the 49ers, he’s the best fantasy asset overall. He has stayed healthy each of the past two seasons and, last year, was the overall RB1 at an average of 24.5 fantasy points per game.
At 28 years old, McCaffrey has shown no signs of decline. He’s the consensus top pick in all fantasy drafts this season, and rightfully so. Despite the abundance of talent on the 49ers, CMC stands tall above Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle as San Francisco’s best fantasy player.
Seattle Seahawks: WR DK Metcalf
This was close between DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III. Ultimately, I lean Metcalf because he’s displayed a ceiling that Walker has not.
Walker is now sharing a backfield with Zach Charbonnet. It’s entirely possible the new coaching staff is willing to give Charbonnet more work or even flip the timeshare.
Metcalf may have Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett to compete with, but he’s the clear alpha. Under new OC Ryan Grubb, expect Geno Smith to push the ball downfield more, which is where Metcalf shines.
I’m expecting a career year for Metcalf this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans
There’s an argument to be made for Mike Evans as the most consistent wide receiver in fantasy football history. The man is a machine. With 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and at least 13 games played every year, there’s no reason to ever doubt him.
Last year, Evans was one of the best values in fantasy, averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game. Now, the price tag is raised to the second round.
Evans is not going to be a league winner at that price, but he can still be a rock-solid WR1 in your fantasy lineups. The only threat to him as the top Buccaneers player would be Rachaad White. But if White couldn’t top Evans last season, it’s hard to imagine how he could do it this year.
Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
Terry McLaurin is the Commander with the highest ADP, but my money is on the rookie quarterback. Everything that we like about Jayden Daniels comes at the expense of Washington’s other offensive weapons.
Daniels is a rushing quarterback. That means fewer targets for McLaurin, touchdowns stolen from Brian Robinson Jr., and targets reduced for Ekeler. If Daniels ends up being a better passer than we think, that only boosts his own fantasy value. And if he isn’t quite there as a passer, he’ll still be fine for fantasy because of his rushing.
Daniels is the premier late-round QB selection in 2024 fantasy drafts.