As mandatory minicamps reach a conclusion and training camps loom on the horizon, we’re entering the peak of anticipation in the fantasy football realm. As the offseason progresses, perceptions of players are bound to evolve based on various factors, including their performance in practices and their opportunities for playing time. In this article, we’ll spotlight 24 players (and more) primed to ascend fantasy football draft boards as we approach the upcoming season. From potential breakout stars to established names with newfound opportunities, these players are poised to exceed expectations and garner increased attention from fantasy football managers. Below we dive into a few notable names.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
- Erickson’s Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Picks
Fantasy Football Draft Advice
All average draft positions referenced are best ball ADPs.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAX) – ADP 97.3 | WR47
I’ll leave this here. Note that when Trevor Lawrence was asked about Gabe Davis, he referenced his willingness to do the dirty work. Blocking. Woof.
*Brian Thomas will be in the role vacated by Calvin Ridley"
The role….
1800-plus air yards
23% target share
36% air yards share
NFL leader in end zone targets
WR10 expected points per game.Don't get caught sleeping ???? on the 23rd overall pick https://t.co/jwfhYW33TN
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) June 11, 2024
On a side note, 2024 rookie RB Keilan Robinson could end up in a Jamal Agnew-type role on offense, along with contributions on special teams as a return man.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB – DAL) – ADP 126 | RB41
No backfield draws the “ambiguous” label more than the Dallas Cowboys entering the 2024 season. But is it that tough of a code to crack? We expect no clear workhorse in Dallas, but from a perspective of high-value touches, how is Ezekiel Elliott not the first name that comes to mind? Given all the wear on his body, Elliott seems destined to work solely on third downs and in the red zone as he did in all the glory years with Dallas. The Cowboys missed Elliott last season in the red zone as Tony Pollard struggled immensely in that area of the field. Elliot scored more red-zone TDs last season (5) than Pollard despite 40 fewer red-zone touches.
Even if Rico Dowdle is the younger more explosive RB in a tandem, Elliott’s pathway to fantasy opportunities makes him the back to own in Dallas. It will take just one report of Elliott scoring in the red zone for the rest of the fantasy community to come to this conclusion. Chris Meaney of FTN made a strong case for Elliott in one of the latest episodes of the FantasyPros Football Podcast.
Other potential risers in Dallas include sixth-round rookie WR Ryan Flournoy. He’s super athletic with an absurd relative athletic score (RAS). He’s already 24 years old, but that might help him hit the ground running sooner rather than later. He’s making the most of his opportunities with CeeDee Lamb not attending offseason activities. Second-year WR Jalen Brooks has gotten some buzz as well. It’s probably not great for Jalen Tolbert‘s security in the No. 3 WR role.
Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN) – ADP 104.0 | RB33
Tony Pollard is being drafted slightly ahead of Tyjae Spears (RB29) when there’s very much unknown regarding each player’s role in the 2024 Titans offense under Brian Callahan. All the rhetoric out of offseason activities has suggested this will be a 50/50 split. Early ADP has favored Pollard given the contract and body of work, but Spears’ intrigue as a second-year RB (typically a strong bet to make) creates a value proposition where he is being drafted. Given the improvements on the Titans’ OL — ranked eighth by ESPN’s Mike Clay with the addition of OL coach Bill Callahan — one could argue that both Titans RBs are being undersold. I could say the same about Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins.
Also note that Titans senior writer Jim Wyatt highlighted TE Josh Whyle as a second-year TE who impressed during the OTAs.
Expert Must-Have Draft Picks
- Fitz’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)
- Erickson’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)
- DBro’s Top Fantasy Football Draft Targets (Premium)
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