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.
Kendre Miller (RB – NO) – ADP 138.0 | RB43
Rumor out of Saints camp is that Alvin Kamara isn’t happy with his contract. He skipped OTAs despite the team installing a new offense under Klint Kubiak. Stock up for second-year RB Kendre Miller, especially if this “holdout” drags into training camp.
Just spoke to Alvin Kamara's agent Brad Cicala, who confirms Kamara's departure is contract-related. https://t.co/1Ls47eU0do
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 13, 2024
Rashee Rice (WR – KC) – ADP 78.8 | WR39
Rashee Rice’s ADP has fallen dramatically concerning his off-the-field issues earlier this year. It’s anybody’s guess when/how long Rice will be suspended with the most likely outcome somewhere from 4-6 games. But fantasy managers tend to never quite accurately predict the suspension length and when it occurs, given the appeal and legal processes, etc. It’s entirely possible Rice could be suspended for fewer games, and it might not even happen until the 2025 season. Recall Alvin Kamara’s suspension was dragged through 18 months before he served a three-game suspension at the start of 2023.
One way or another, once we get concrete information about Rice, you are either going to see his ADP rise or the ADPs of his WR Chiefs teammates — Marquise Brown/Xavier Worthy — jump after news breaks.
Recall that Brown has had stretches of WR1 production. In 2022, Brown was the WR6 through the first six weeks of the 2022 season. And in the eight games played without DeAndre Hopkins, Brown averaged nearly 12.3 points per game in half-PPR (WR15).
Patrick Mahomes spoke glowingly about his 2024 receiver group and how they can help elevate this passing game back to an elite level. The Athletic’s Nate Taylor writes how Mahomes is eager to see how Brown and Worthy’s speed opens up the intermediate level of the field for Rice and Travis Kelce. If Rice is suspended early on, Kelce might see the biggest production boost to start the season.
Hayden Hurst (TE – LAC) – ADP 254.0 | TE38
Hayden Hurst is the TE1 for the Chargers and the one most likely to inherit the pass-catching role. He is super familiar with Greg Roman’s offense from his days spent in Baltimore.
During the 2023 CFB season, only Iowa targeted its tight ends more than Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan teams among the entire FBS, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Josh Palmer (WR57) is also drastically undervalued despite his status as the longest-tenured Chargers WR to play with Justin Herbert. Before his injury last season, Palmer was on pace for 72-1,198-4 on 117 targets. The steam for Ladd McConkey is also creating an ADP rise, with the latest report from the Athletic’s Daniel Popper citing the rookie and Justin Herbert’s chemistry continuing to blossom.
Other Chargers notes regarding their backfield… Gus Edwards suffered an injury but is expected back for training camp. J.K. Dobbins is returning from an injury, but Greg Roman and company have spoken highly of him: “Huge asset for us.” It’s also noteworthy that there hasn’t been much “buzz” around rookie Kimani Vidal. It’s early, but not nothing.
#Chargers OC Greg Roman on J.K. Dobbins:
“It’s just a matter of him getting back up to speed, physically. And hopefully we can keep him there, because he’s a huge asset for us.” pic.twitter.com/OAn1uwfUl8
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 13, 2024
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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