While the key dates and events of the NFL offseason remain the same, the cast is always changing. And this year’s cast of characters could make for an awfully dramatic offseason. Here are the most important players to keep an eye on during the offseason for fantasy football purposes.
- Erickson’s Free Agency Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Most Important Offseason Players for Fantasy Football
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)
Tony Pollard might’ve been the most disappointing player in fantasy relative to the hype he was garnering in the summer. His first year as Dallas’ featured back was a bit of a bust, as his efficiency and big-play ability both regressed. Pollard still finished the year as the RB15 in half-PPR formats but anyone who had him knows the ride wasn’t pretty. After playing the 2023 season on the franchise tag, it’ll be interesting to see what Dallas does with Pollard this offseason. But he likely won’t be more than an RB2 in drafts, regardless of where he winds up.
Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
Not many running backs have been as productive when healthy as Josh Jacobs over the last couple of seasons. But injuries cost Jacobs four games in 2023 and the Raiders appear ready to move on. Jacobs is only 26 years old, although he’s only managed to play one full season in five professional campaigns. The market for Jacobs will be fascinating. He’s easily the No. 2 free agent RB next to someone we’ll get to a bit later. But how much does the league value a productive RB in his mid-20s? My expectation is Jacobs will be more coveted on the open market than the running backs listed before him. That still could only mean a three-year deal with little guaranteed money. Depending on situation, view Jacobs as a mid-second round pick in fantasy leagues.
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Tee Higgins is a fascinating case. Maybe that fascination has him too high on this board. But I’m really curious to see where Higgins lands this offseason. The talent is evident. The production has been there. But Higgins couldn’t have entered free agency with less momentum. Injuries to himself and Joe Burrow resulted in a stat line of 42-656-5. The prevailing question with Higgins is whether he’s a true WR1 if he’s taken out of the Cincinnati Bengals ecosystem, where he clearly benefitted from having Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase by his side. Barring a re-signing, Higgins’ situation will likely worsen on his new team. Again, it’s a fascinating situation. The Bengals are probably better off with him but probably won’t pay Higgins what he wants. Yet, I’m not sure Higgins will thrive somewhere else on his own. Higgins’ fantasy value is incredibly volatile at the moment.
Early 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Prep
- Erickson’s Early Fantasy Football Rankings, Tiers & Notes: QB | WR
- Early Must-Have Running Backs: Feb
- Early Must-Have Wide Receivers: Feb
- Early Must-Have QBs & TEs: Feb
- Early Undervalued Players
- Early Overvalued Players: RB | WR
- QB2s With Top-5 Upside: Feb
- RB3s With RB1 Upside: Feb
- TE2s With Top-5 Upside: Feb
- Players to Avoid: QB | RB
- 3 Early Breakout Candidates
- 6 Early Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers
- 7 Fantasy Football Draft Targets: Underrated Handcuffs
- Draft Values, Breakouts & Busts: RB | WR
- RB Dead Zone Running Backs: Draft or Fade?
- Most Polarizing Running Backs to Draft
- Tight End Draft Dart Throws
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