2024 Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Preview
2024 Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Preview A year after winning the AFC North, Zac Taylor’s squad struggled out of the gate before a winning October put them back in contention. Then they lost Joe Burrow before another unlikely win streak had the Cardiac Cats on the verge of the AFC playoffs. Nearly overcoming that adversity was a testament to Taylor’s coaching. With Burrow back, the Bengals project to be contenders in 2024. Burrow’s poor play was largely to blame for Cincinnati’s 1-3 start. However, things clicked in Week 5. During the team’s four-game win streak, he topped 22 fantasy points three times. Ultimately, Burrow’s campaign ended in Baltimore with a right scapholunate ligament tear. Last season stands out as an anomaly on Burrow’s resume. He was an elite fantasy signal-caller in each of his previous two campaigns and the 2024 Bengals should rely on the pass even more. Expect Burrow to contend for overall top-5 numbers this season. Ja’Marr Chase saw a dip in production but it wasn’t due to lack of volume. Chase absorbed a career-high 145 targets in 16 games. Chase’s 24.5% target share was also the highest of his career. Considering the uncertainty in Cincinnati’s receiving corps and assuming we get a fully healthy Joe Burrow under center makes Chase one of the safest picks in fantasy and every bit worthy of a top-3 overall selection. Tee Higgins was franchise-tagged but has been at an impasse with the team. Higgins is one of the better WR2s in the league but wants the chance to shine as the top dog. Assuming he returns to the Bengals, Higgins will be plenty motivated to play for a lucrative long-term contract. The Bengals also used the 80th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Alabama WR Jermaine Burton. Burton has good size and speed and is more of a downfield playmaker than Tyler Boyd. The rookie is an intriguing late-round fantasy sleeper, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Higgins. Taylor employed a committee approach to the tight end position. No TE exceeded 50 targets last season or ranked inside the top 30 fantasy scorers. The club signed Mike Gesicki to presumably take over as the starter. However, fourth-round Iowa rookie Erick All is a dark horse to win the starting role and emerge as a waiver-wire asset. With Joe Mixon traded to Houston, Zack Moss takes over as the team’s lead back. Moss filled in admirably for Jonathan Taylor last year, averaging a career-high 10.0 PPR points per game (23rd). Taylor likes to include his backs in the passing game, so Moss is a sneaky bet to be a solid RB3/flex option. Second-year rusher Chase Brown got a chance to contribute late last season and could play his way into the mix. Quarterbacks QB JOE BURROW – SOLID/SAFE PICK A pair of injuries bookended an erratic 2023 campaign for Joe Burrow. A July calf ailment resulted in a rusty start. Then, Burrow got healthy and averaged 21.4 fantasy points per contest during the team’s 4-1 stretch through Week 10. Ultimately, a wrist injury ended Burrow’s season in Week 11. He’s expected to be fine for 2024 but that mid-season stretch of a healthy Burrow is what piques our interest. With the addition of Jermaine Burton and Mike Gesicki plus the loss of Joe Mixon, the Bengals will rely on Burrow more than ever. He’s firmly in the conversation to be a top-5 fantasy option and the discounted price makes him a solid mid-round value. ADVICE: Safe QB1. Running Backs RB ZACK MOSS – SLEEPER (UNDERVALUED) Zack Moss filled in admirably for Jonathan Taylor last season. He was so effective that he continued to have a weekly role in Indy’s offense. Now, it appears that Moss will open the season atop Cincinnati’s depth chart after the Bengals shipped Joe Mixon to Houston. Mixon was used as a workhorse, inviting some optimism that Moss could potentially see 250-plus touches in a solid Bengals attack. Chase Brown will also work into the mix, but Moss’s tackle-breaking ability and solid receiving skills make him the favorite for early-down work and short-yardage opportunities. ADVICE: Excellent sleeper candidate in the middle rounds. RB CHASE BROWN – QUALITY BACKUP Joe Mixon and his 78.9% opportunity share are gone. In his place, the Bengals signed Zack Moss to a relatively modest contract. The expectations are that Cincinnati will move to a committee backfield. Moss has always shared time and we saw snippets of what Brown could do in the second half of 2023. Brown averaged 5.8 yards touch and 4.2 yards after contact. He’s got that breakaway ability that will make him a nice change-of-pace option from Moss. The split could be closer than many think, with Brown acting more as an RB1B than RB2. That makes Brown an appealing ‘dead zone’ target. ADVICE: Dead zone sleeper extraordinaire. Wide Receivers WR JA’MARR CHASE – STUD (LOW RISK) Touchdowns matter and no wide receiver has drawn more weekly red-zone targets than Ja’Marr Chase, who earns 1.64 per game. And part of that came in a trying 2023 season that saw the Bengals hobbled by injuries to QB Joe Burrow. The combination of Burrow and Chase is one of the top duos in football, with league-winning upside. Even with Jake Browning playing 469 snaps, Chase still ranked top 30 in yards per route run (2.2), contested catches (11), and missed tackles forced (17). He’s an elite option primed to make a run at the overall WR1 if Burrow stays healthy for 17 starts. ADVICE: Locked-in first-round WR with No. 1 overall upside WR TEE HIGGINS – SOLID/SAFE PICK Rib and hamstring injuries cost Tee Higgins five games last season. Joe Burrow’s health-related struggles also played a factor in Higgins having his worst fantasy performance in 2023. However, he’s now healthy and entering a contract year fully intent on grabbing that bag. Even in a down year, Higgins still had four top 10 weeks and was top 20 in air yards share (35.9%) and yards per reception (15.6).
2024 Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Preview
2024 Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Preview Baltimore finished sixth in offense and defense in 2023, but another disappointing playoff loss saw the top-seeded Ravens ousted in the AFC Championship. Even after leading the league in rushing, there will be wholesale changes
Baltimore finished sixth in offense and defense in 2023, but another disappointing playoff loss saw the top-seeded Ravens ousted in the AFC Championship. Even after leading the league in rushing, there will be wholesale changes to Baltimore’s offense in 2024.
QB Lamar Jackson’s first season in Todd Monken’s offense was a success. Jackson completed a career-best 67.2% of his attempts and set a personal best with 3,678 passing yards. On a per-game basis, Jackson rushed less than he was accustomed to but still led the position with 821 yards on the ground.
In all, Jackson finished fourth in fantasy scoring despite being the centerpiece of a run-first offense. The Ravens have only produced one 1000-yard wide receiver during Jackson’s tenure. Finding weapons to restore balance to Baltimore’s attack would go a long way.
Second-year WR Zay Flowers is the logical choice to join Marquise Brown as Jackson’s next 1000-yard wideout. Flowers led the Ravens in targets (108), catches (77), and yards (858) during his rookie campaign. Flowers began to assert himself as a legit No. 1 receiver during the playoff drive. He is a strong breakout candidate with top-20 upside.
After Flowers, things are more uncertain. Rashod Bateman is a candidate to see an increased role, but Bateman hasn’t been able to stay healthy or live up to his first-round billing. The Ravens also added Devontez Walker from North Carolina with a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Walker boasts 4.36 speed and will compete with Bateman and Nelson Agholor for WR3 snaps.
TE Mark Andrews remains the best bet to lead the club in targets and touchdown grabs. Andrews ranked fifth in PPR points per game but missed nearly half the campaign with an ankle injury. An Andrews/Jackson stack is among the top contrarian builds to exit your draft with.
Third-year TE Isiah Likely faired well when Andrews was sidelined. Given Baltimore’s lack of depth in the receiving corps, expecting Monken to utilize 12 sets more often than last year’s 11.1% (27th in the league) seems like a good bet.
When the NFL’s top-ranked rushing attack adds a stud fantasy option like Derrick Henry, fantasy managers should take notice. Henry is showing signs of slowing down. However, he is an elite touchdown scorer and a strong bet to lead the league in that category in 2024. He won’t catch a ton of passes in this offense, but Henry looks like a good bet for 1,200 rushing yards and 12-14 scores.
The Ravens will remain a run-heavy offense that features a potential top-10 player at three positions and a sophomore wideout that could break out in a big way.
Quarterbacks
QB LAMAR JACKSON – STUD (LOW RISK)
Year One in Todd Monken’s offense resulted in the finest passing season of Lamar Jackson’s career. Jackson set career-best numbers in attempts (457), completions (307), completion rate (67.2%), and yards (3,678). He also remained one of the position’s most potent rushing threats, leading all quarterbacks with 821 yards and an additional five scores on the ground. Baltimore doesn’t have the deepest receiving corps, but the addition of RB Derrick Henry will further help open things up downfield for a Ravens offense that led the league in rushing last season and ranked fourth in points. Since entering the league, Jackson’s rushing production has given him a safe floor behind an elite offensive line. ADVICE: Elite starter with top-3 upside…
2024 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview
2024 Washington Commanders Fantasy Preview The Commanders were a disaster but they are making progress after finishing last in the NFC East in 2023. After selecting Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the draft, Washington will look quite
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2024 Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview
2024 Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview The Eagles were the team to beat through the first 12 weeks of the 2023 season before a significant decline in play. After beginning 10-1, they lost five of six and allowed the Cowboys to
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2024 New York Giants Fantasy Preview
2024 New York Giants Fantasy Preview After a surprisingly successful 2022 campaign, New York had a disastrous 2023 season. Unfortunately, the offense could look worse in 2024 after losing RB Saquon Barkley. The Giants found a replacement for Barkley in
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2024 Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Preview
2024 Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Preview The Dallas Cowboys had a great 2023 regular season despite a new-look offense. After surpassing the Philadelphia Eagles and finishing atop the NFC East with a 12-5 record, the Cowboys secured the No. 2 seed
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2024 New York Jets Fantasy Preview
2024 New York Jets Fantasy Preview New York’s 2023 season was over before it started after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on the second play. All the hype before last season is now being transferred to 2024 with Rodgers expected to be fully healthy. The Jets have a ton of bonafide studs in the fantasy football landscape. 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall broke out in his second professional season and finished as the RB2 in PPR formats. Hall was electric, finishing with over 1,500 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Only Christian McCaffrey scored more fantasy points. Opposing defenses will no longer be able to stack the box to contain the run as they will have to respect Rodgers’s arm. Garrett Wilson also showcased some serious skills in 2023. Despite losing his signal caller, New York’s go-to target finished with 95 receptions and 1,042 yards but only found the end zone three times. Wilson should be a WR1 in all formats with Rodgers back in the fold. The Jets also signed former Los Angeles Chargers wideout, Mike Williams who could be a solid mid-round value. He’s a big guy who can highpoint the football and find the end zone. He often played second fiddle to Keenan Allen in LA so the transition to New York with Rodgers and Wilson could be the ideal fit. “With Aaron Rodgers healthy and a rebuilt offensive line, the Jets should have a phenomenal passing offense. Wilson has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons despite playing with eight different quarterbacks so he should shine with Rodgers.” – Jake Asman, The Jake Asman Show Though Rodgers was drafted as a top-15 quarterback last season, can he be a starting quarterback in fantasy with father time knocking on the door and his physical limitations increasingly apparent in recent years? The four-time MVP enters a scenario with promising talent but the offensive line has to protect him. Rodgers’ pressured passer rating has recently declined: 2020: 89.3 2021: 67.9 2022: 62.6 The Jets ranked fourth highest in sacks allowed and also stood at 23rd in average yards per catch after reception. Will Rodgers have enough time to find his targets in 2024? That’s the big question for the new offensive line. If so, Rodgers can deliver QB1 numbers and lead the Jets to the postseason. However, if the Jets struggle in the trenches, it will limit this team’s fantasy prowess from top to bottom. Quarterbacks QB Rodgers, Aaron, NYJ – Gamble (high risk) Aaron Rodgers is a polarizing figure, both on and off the field. On one hand, he’s one of the game’s all-time great signal callers. Ignoring his brief 2023 run, Rodgers still showcased excellent arm strength, and the ability to diagnose and dismantle the opposing defense. On the other hand, Rodgers, 40, is on a three-year decline in accuracy, yards, touchdowns, and big-time throw rate while tossing the second-most interceptions of his career in 2022. His rushing production has also plummeted each year since 2018. However, the Jets have some intriguing young skill position talent marred by a substandard offensive line. It paints the picture of Rodgers being a high-risk/reward fantasy option in his Jets redux. ADVICE: Risk/Reward QB2 Running Backs RB Hall, Breece, NYJ – Stud (low risk) Breece Hall had a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL that ended his rookie season. Hall returned to play all 17 games, led all running backs in targets (95), and topped double-digit fantasy points in eight of his final 13 starts. This is doubly impressive when you consider just how impotent the Jets passing attack was without Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers back, two new starting tackles, and a vastly improved supporting cast, Hall will find much more success on the ground. He’s an elite all-around talent who should be nabbed in the first round of every fantasy draft this summer. ADVICE: Elite three-down back with league-winning potential RB Allen, Braelon, NYJ– Fantasy Handcuff ADVICE: A sizable power back, Allen is only 20 years old. Allen will compete for the No. 2 job behind Breece Hall and could factor in as a short-yardage option with underrated pass-catching skills. A solid late-round handcuff target. Wide Receivers WR Wilson, Garrett, NYJ – Stud (low risk) A popular breakout candidate last season, Garrett Wilson’s production was impeded after the season-ending injury to QB Aaron Rodgers. Yet, Wison still ranked fourth in the league with 168 targets and a robust 29.9% target share. With Rodgers back, Wilson will see a boost in yards per route and downfield participation. Additionally, an improved line and supporting cast will help open things up for Wilson. Rodgers has a long history of prioritizing his top wideout early and often. Wilson is an elite talent and it’s only a matter of time before he busts out in a huge way. ADVICE: Avoid recency bias. Wilson is a prime year three breakout candidate WR Williams, Mike, NYJ – Quality Backup Mike Williams was off to a fast start last season, posting WR15 numbers before tearing his ACL in Week 3. Williams is recovering well from surgery and is expected to be ready for the season opener. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets and will add a downfield element that complements Garrett Wilson well. From 2021-2023, Williams was a top-20 wideout in fantasy points per game, which bodes well for his potential in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. However, Williams is 30 and coming off a major knee injury that could impact his speed. He’s a risk/reward flex option with some upside. ADVICE: Williams is a risk/reward flex option coming off of a major injury WR Corley, Malachi, NYJ – Deep-league Only ADVICE: A versatile and physical wideout who drew pre-draft comparisons to Deebo Samuel, Corley landed in a good spot with the Jets. He’s got a solid chance of opening the season as the slot receiver in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. That makes Corley a solid late-round flier. Tight Ends TE Conklin, Tyler, NYJ – Sleeper (undervalued) Conklin’s 87 targets
2024 New England Patriots Fantasy Preview
2024 New England Patriots Fantasy Preview The New England Patriots will move into a new era after selecting Drake Maye out of UNC with the No. 3 Draft pick. Maye has the prototypical size of an NFL quarterback with exceptional arm talent and reliable running ability. He can stand in the pocket and has great velocity and deep-ball accuracy. However, if his first read is covered, he is often prone to mistakes and occasionally lacks accuracy on intermediate throws. While he’s certainly an upgrade from Mac Jones, he won’t be fantasy-relevant except in Superflex and dynasty formats. New England doesn’t have a ton of offensive firepower and will likely struggle in Maye’s debut season. Look for the Patriots to lean on the running game with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson in the backfield. Stevenson only played 12 games last season but still finished as the RB35 and averaged 12.1 PPR points per game. He’s one year removed from a 1,000-yard season. Stevenson should get the bulk of the early down opportunities but Gibson will see plenty of action in a change-of-pace role. Maye will likely check it down as much as possible until he gets used to the speed of the NFL, so Gibson could be a sneaky late-round fantasy pick. The Pats have some solid tight ends in Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, and even rookies Mitchell Wilcox and Jaheim Bell. But New England’s receivers leave a lot to be desired. Mac Jones was one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL last year while having to lean on receivers Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. None of those players instill fear in opposing secondaries. Douglas was the most efficient wideout on the roster in 2023 but only managed to finish as the WR63 in PPR formats. The Pats realized that to compete, they needed to improve their skill position players. Enter second-round Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk. Polk should be on the field in three-receiver sets next to Bourne and Douglas. Additionally, the Patriots also took a shot on Javon Baker out of UCF in the fourth round but he’ll be more of a project. For the first time in two decades, the New England Patriots are in a complete rebuild. They aren’t expected to contend but they have some young players worth monitoring. Overall, this is not an offense to prioritize in fantasy drafts. Quarterbacks QB DRAKE MAYE – BYE WEEK FILL-IN Drake Maye has the toughest road of the presumptive 2024 rookie starters. New England is just starting a rebuild after falling to 30th in offense and last in scoring in 2023. Maye (6-4, 223) has ideal size, excellent athleticism, and a cannon arm. On the other hand, Maye was a divisive prospect whose production plummeted when facing pressure and he struggled to consistently go through progressions. Additionally, the Patriots will give veteran Jacoby Brissett every opportunity to open the season as their starter. New England also has the second-lowest win total this season. Even if he starts Week 1, Maye will face plenty of attrition this year, making him a fantasy option to avoid. ADVICE: QB2 only in dynasty formats QB JACOBY BRISSETT – LOW POTENTIAL ADVICE: If Drake Maye isn’t deemed ready the Pats won’t hesitate to open the season with Brissett under center. The veteran journeyman is capable of posting solid fantasy QB2 numbers in spurts. Subsequently, Brissett is becoming more fantasy-relevant in deeper Superflex drafts. Running Backs RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON – QUALITY BACKUP Stevenson was a popular breakout candidate last summer. However, New England put the ‘offense’ in offensive and Stevenon’s season was cut short due to a high-ankle sprain. Before going down, Stevenson was averaging 15.0 fantasy points per game in the final four games in which he received double-digit carries. The Patriots are projected to win the fewest games in the AFC. They also have the league’s second-toughest schedule. Additionally, Antonio Gibson looms as a threat to cut into Stevenson’s receiving role. Stevenson should lead the backfield in carries and if Gibson struggles to adapt, could be a sneaky ‘hero’ RB candidate at a discounted price. ADVICE: Flex play with some pass-catching. RB ANTONIO GIBSON – QUALITY BACKUP Gibson only had a 43% success rate in zone concepts last season, some 10% worse than Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots will switch to a zone-blocking scheme. That means Gibson may be reduced to change-of-pace duties. Gibson has been a productive receiver but appears to firmly be the RB2 behind Stevenson. Things can change, of course. There has been some talk of Gibson having a legitimate chance of unseating Stevenson and being a quality post-hype sleeper. However, the analytics have not been in his favor. View Gibson as more of an RB4/5 with some pass-catching upside. ADVICE: RB4 with limited potential in a zone-blocking scheme. Wide Receivers WR DEMARIO DOUGLAS – BYE WEEK FILL-IN Douglas emerged as New England’s top receiver last year, catching 49-of-79 targets for 561 scoreless yards. He commanded a healthy 24.8% target share but wasn’t particularly effective. Douglas ended up with a negative EPA for an offense that ranked 28th in passing. New England’s 2024 offense is in a state of flux, with a new quarterback and several new pass-catchers added to the mix. Douglas is the favorite to open the season as the Patriots’ slot receiver but he’s assuredly going to see a reduced target share. He’s little more than a WR5/6 in deeper leagues. ADVICE: Will contend for starting slot duties but has very little fantasy value. WR KENDRICK BOURNE – BYE WEEK FILL-IN ADVICE: Bourne will enter training camp penciled in as one of New England’s starters. But with a new regime, new quarterback, and added competition, he is by no means a sure bet. View Bourne as an end-of-roster depth add with limited ceiling. WR JA’LYNN POLK – BYE WEEK FILL-IN ADVICE: New England’s receiving corps is tough to handicap, but Polk has good size (6-1, 203,) hands, and excelled against zone coverage. The odds are good that Polk will earn a
2024 Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview
2024 Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview The Dolphins had a fantastic 2023 season but fell apart in the postseason after losing to the eventual champs. However, Tua Tagovailoa had a strong campaign with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal, not to mention one of the best running games in the league with Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane. Plus, the Dolphins just signed Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year deal. Miami’s success in 2024 hinges on the continued growth of Tagovailoa, whose precision and astute decision-making suggested undeniable potential. While questions persisted regarding his arm strength and leadership when facing adversity, he proved a lot of neighsayers wrong with his deep-ball accuracy. Tyreek Hill was the second-best wideout in fantasy football after finishing with 119 receptions, a league-high 1,799 yards, and 13 trips to the end zone. Waddle finished as the WR34, corralling 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four scores in 14 games. Miami’s passing attack will be full throttle again in 2024 and both key members of the backfield return. Raheem Mostert led the league with a whopping 21 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. Devon Acahne showed flashes of dominance in 2023 and should build upon his impressive rookie season. Despite missing six games, Achane managed to finish as the RB24 in PPR leagues and was a top-five running back in FPPG (17.3). Achane is positioned as a mid-range RB1 heading into the 2024 season, which reflects the scarcity of dependable running back choices. Weighing in at 188 pounds, he may not shoulder a workload of 300 touches, but he could still make a significant fantasy impact if he remains efficient and contributes in the passing game. The Phins also added Tennessee speedster Jaylen Wright to the fold in Round Four. Last season, Tyreek Hill said, “I’ve won a Super Bowl and I feel like this is the better team than when I was in Kansas City.” With a healthy Tagovailoa, championship aspirations aren’t outlandish. Achane averaged a ridiculous 7.8 yards per carry and if he can even come close to that, Miami’s offense will be difficult to defend. Pick your poison but no matter what, a member of the Dolphins is going to burn you– be it Tyreek, Achane, Waddle, or Beckham. And if there is a coach I have confidence in getting the ball to his playmakers, it’s Mike McDaniel, a football genius. Quarterback QB TUA TAGOVAILOA – QUALITY BACKUP The issue with Tua Tagovailoa was never talent, but health. He finally played a full season and dwarfed his previous career-best totals. PFF graded Tagovailoa as their top passer last season after he threw for 4,624 yards and 29 scores. But most of that production occurred in Weeks 1-8. In the second half of the season, Tagovailoa averaged just 240.7 passing yards and 1.2 touchdowns per game down the stretch. The Dolphins added even more speed to their already impressive arsenal, so there is hope he can sustain those early numbers for a full slate. He offers nothing as a runner but Tagovailoa will contend for QB1 numbers as a pure passer in a high-octane offense. ADVICE: Solid starter with QB1 upside Running Backs RB DE’VON ACHANE – SOLID/SAFE PICK Achane burst onto the scene as a rookie, leading the NFL in breakaway rate, second in yards after contact per attempt, fourth in fantasy points per game, and averaging an insane 7.8 yards per carry. All of that came on 107 carries- which is the only issue. Raheem Mostert is back and the Dolphins added speedster Jaylen Wright to the mix. Achane was given double-digit carries just five times but averaged 27.4 fantasy points per game in those contests. We often see running backs break out in their second year. Achane has top 5 upside, with usage being the only concern. ADVICE: League-winning upside RB RAHEEM MOSTERT – SOLID/SAFE PICK Drafted as a middling flex option last summer, Raheem Mostert became a fantasy league-winner with his NFL-leading 21 touchdowns in Miami’s top-ranked offense. Mostert thrived in the red zone, out-carrying De’Von Achane inside the five-yard line 20-5. But he wasn’t a one-trick pony. Mostert was also top 10 in yards after contact and missed tackles forced. He’s 32 but has plenty of tread left on the tires. Achane and Jaylen Wright make it a crowded backfield, but Miami will live in the red zone, and Mostert’s short-yardage role puts him in a good position to contend for strong RB2 numbers at a discounted price. ADVICE: Don’t Count on 21 TDs but Mostert is still a high-value pick. RB JAYLEN WRIGHT – SUPER SLEEPER (HIGH RISK/POTENTIAL) Josh McDaniels continues to build his roster like a kid experimenting with the fastest possible players on Madden GM mode. Wright rushed for over 1,000 yards and Tennessee while ranking ninth in yards after contact per attempt (4.35) and posting a top-15 PFF Elusive Rating. Wright also fared well as a receiver. But he will have a difficult time competing for touches behind the explosive De’Von Ahcane and Raheem Mostert. However, the skill set is a great fit for McDaniels and makes Wright one of the top late-round stash-and-cash options in drafts. ADVICE: Intriguing skill set to target in the final rounds of drafts, with RB2 upside if the Dolphins have an injury Wide Receivers WR TYREEK HILL – STUD (LOW RISK) Despite missing a game, Hill led the league in receiving yards (1,799), touchdown receptions (13), yards per route run (3.82), and average depth or target (11.3). Hill had a career-high 171 targets and 119 receptions in Miami’s top-ranked offense. Now 30, Hill has shown no signs of slowing down and has the best Vegas odds to lead the league in yards once again. He remains the NFL’s most potent deep threat and is one of the most consistent (WR 1/2 in 12-of-16 games) and prolific wideouts in the league. Hill should be the No. 1 wideout selected in every draft and should not fall out
2024 Buffalo Bills Fantasy Preview
2024 Buffalo Bills Fantasy Preview The Bills still have one of the top QBs in the NFL, Josh Allen. However, this offense will look much different without Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Allen was the top quarterback in fantasy football last year, so expectations remain high despite the wholesale changes in the passing attack. Will free-agent acquisitions Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins, along with second-round draft pick Keon Coleman be enough to give the Bills the same firepower in the passing game this year? Time will tell. Buffalo did hang on to Khalil Shakir and spoke glowingly about his potential and new role. Plus, the franchise signed Chase Claypool to a one-year deal, which should help the receiver room. Buffalo has two very talented tight ends, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Knox opened 2023 as the starter but a wrist injury opened the door for Kincaid to become a pivotal piece of the offense. Kincaid ended the season as the TE11 after tallying 73 receptions (80.2% catch rate) for 673 yards and two TDs. Absent Diggs and Davis, Kincaid could be Josh Allen’s go-to option in 2024. Despite the loss of two critical weapons, many pundits still think the Bills have a shot at a Super Bowl appearance in 2024 under Sean McDermott. “Look around the league,” said Rich Gannon. “They have a top-five situation. They have an outstanding quarterback and a terrific football coach. It’s rare to have both in the same city.” Fortunately for Buffalo, Josh Allen isn’t the only one who balled out last year. RB James Cook eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards and averaged 4.7 yards per tote. He totaled 1,567 scrimmage yards but only found the end zone as a runner twice. However, he made up for that in the passing game. The youngster hauled in 44-of-54 targets for 445 receiving yards and an additional four touchdowns. Although the Bills drafted RB Ray Davis out of Kentucky with their fourth-round selection, Cook doesn’t have a lot of competition in the backfield. Cook will likely see 250+ touches in 2024 as the Bills will rely more on the running game. However, Josh Allen could easily vulture some touchdowns near the goal line. Still, Cook should wrack up a ton of yardage and it’s fair to expect positive regression to the mean in terms of touchdown output. Outside of Allen, Cook is the team’s most intriguing player from a fantasy perspective. Quarterback QB JOSH ALLEN – STUD (LOW RISK) Although he failed to throw for 30 touchdowns for the first time in four years, Josh Allen’s career-best 15 rushing scores helped lead him to another overall QB1 finish. Adversity is at hand in 2024, with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis gone. Second-round rookie WR Keon Coleman joins Curtis Samuel and standout TE Dalton Kincaid in a new-look offense, Meanwhile, the Bills fortified what was already a strength by selecting three offensive linemen in this year’s draft. That hints at a more run-based approach. That would suit Allen fine. Since entering the league he’s averaged 601 yards and 8.8 scores on the ground each season. ADVICE: QB1 In all formats Running Backs RB JAMES COOK – SOLID/SAFE PICK Cook saw a big boost in touches and playing time after the Bills brought in Joe Brady to run the offense. From Week 10 on, Cook averaged 15.5 fantasy points per game, including the playoffs. He really shined as a receiver, ranking eighth overall with 445 receiving yards and four scores. However, Cook had a whopping seven dropped passes and four fumbles and he has only rushed for two touchdowns in each of his two seasons. Additionally, the Bills invested a fourth-round pick Kentucky RB Ray Davis, who catches the ball well and can contribute in short yardage. ADVICE: Still on the RB1 radar but with some risk RB RAY DAVIS – FANTASY HANDCUFF ADVICE: Davis has the size to factor in on early downs and in short yardage right away. Buffalo had 21 RB carries inside the 5-yard line last season and James Cook only commanded five of those. Excellent late-round sleeper with RB2 value if Cook misses time. Wide Receivers WR CURTIS SAMUEL – BYE WEEK FILL-IN Curtis Samuel has been remarkably consistent, posting WR44 and WR48 overall numbers in his final two seasons in Washington. Samuel ran the 12th-highest slot rate (68.7%) last season but with Khalil Shakir expected to take the majority of inside reps, Samuel will be thrust into perimeter duties. That’s a questionable role for a player who ranked 93rd in ADOT and 91st in yards per catch. The upgrade at quarterback potentially helps, but Samuel’s fantasy prospects would improve if he were utilized closer to the line of scrimmage. It remains to be seen how the Bills will employ their new addition. ADVICE: Middling WR4 with some modes value if he becomes Buffalo’s slot receiver WR KHALIL SHAKIR – SLEEPER (UNDERVALUED) Khalil Shakir made big strides in his second season, with a pair of 100-yard games. Shakir took on a larger role in the final month of the season, averaging 12.5 fantasy points per game in Buffalo’s final five contests (including playoffs). Josh Allen showed a real connection with his young receiver, boasting a league-best 95.6% catchable target rate and 133.6 QB Rating when targeting Shakir. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone, Shakir has a clear path to slot duties and a big boost in opportunities in his pivotal third season. Shakir is a popular late-round sleeper with WR3 upside. ADVICE: Shakir is one of the top late-round sleepers to target in 2024 fantasy drafts. WR KEON COLEMAN – SUPER SLEEPER (HIGH RISK/POTENTIAL) Buffalo’s staff was enamored with Keon Coleman throughout the draft process and got their man the opening pick of Round 2. Coleman (6-3, 213) has excellent size, slot/perimeter versatility, and is an outstanding athlete who has the frame to be a potent red-zone weapon. And the Bills are counting on Coleman to be a significant part of their offense right away. After trading away Stefon