Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Hunter Henry, Braelon Allen, Derrick Henry (2024)

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.

Fantasy Football Draft Advice

All average draft positions referenced are best ball ADPs.

Hunter Henry (TE – NE) – ADP 161.8 | TE18

As Patriots beat reporter Evan Lazar wrote in his piece “Six Observations on Offense From the Patriots First Minicamp Practice” Hunter Henry is the top dog in the tight end room as Mr. Reliable. Given his experience and appealing role in a TE-centric Alex Van Pelt offense, nobody should be shocked when Henry emerges as the Patriots’ leading pass-catcher with so much ambiguity among the WRs. Whether it’s Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye as the QB1. Henry’s also always been a featured red-zone weapon, bolstering the case for him as a great late-round tight end target.

In 2022, Van Pelt’s Browns put Brissett in a position to finish 17th in passing EPA and 12th in PFF passing grade. David Njoku also finished second among all TEs in red-zone targets.

In Brissett’s first year as the Colts starting QB, the leading receiver was tight end Jack Doyle. He caught 80 balls for 690 yards. In 2019, Doyle tied for the team lead in total targets.

Lazar also mentions that second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk is already far ahead compared to the recent Patriots’ top WR draft selection that didn’t pan out.

Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ) – ADP193.8 | RB59

It didn’t take long for rookie RB to assert himself as the No. 2 atop the backfield depth chart. Every report out of OTAs has cited Braelon Allen as a big riser, while Breece Hall has been nursing a minor injury as a precaution.

Derrick Henry (RB – BAL) – ADP 32.5 | RB10

I couldn’t stop at just 20 guys after Ravens HC John Harbaugh dropped this nugget on Derrick Henry.

#Ravens HC John Harbaugh on whether he thinks Derrick Henry can maintain the same workload Henry saw in Tennessee:

“We do. I mean, I watched the wear and tear that he put on defenses — and ours included — over the years… I can’t wait to see him in action.” pic.twitter.com/pqGvmmkA9o

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 12, 2024

I realize the upside Henry carries (literally) in the Ravens offense, given his chance for a strong workload in a backfield alongside Lamar Jackson. Defenses won’t be able to focus on taking him away. But when does it become too pricy to pay up for a 30-year-old RB who doesn’t catch passes? I weigh in on Henry’s potential downside in my latest RB piece.

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