Fantasy Football Target Analysis: NFC (2024)

The NFL season is approaching and all our fantasy football drafts are beginning. We must research and ensure we learn everything we can to help us win our league. To win the fantasy football league, the first step is to have a strong draft. Having a solid fantasy football draft starts with understanding the situations around the NFL. Today, we will break down the changes within the NFC and help you know who should become a target for your fantasy football teams in 2024. Check out the AFC version of this article here.

Fantasy Football Target Analysis: NFC

Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR)

Diontae Johnson is one of the best route runners in the league. He also enters an opportunity where the Carolina Panthers are starving for an X receiver and an alpha within their offense. They are desperate to help Bryce Young succeed, and Diontae Johnson can do just that with his easy strength of schedule (SOS) in 2024.

The Carolina Panthers should play the majority of their game from behind, which means a massive uptick in passing attempts. We watched what this receiving core did without Diontae Johnson, which means Johnson should be peppered and heavily targeted in 2024.

Earning volume is a skill because it shows you are talented enough to demand it. He was 14th in target share last season in Pittsburgh with 23.7% of the targets. It’s not too bold to say we could see 25% from Johnson this year, which is elite territory. He is being drafted 83rd overall, according to his average draft position (ADP). Honestly, that is a joke for someone who will be the first read on the majority of plays. Please don’t leave your draft without him this season.

Brian Robinson (RB – WAS)

When discussing Brian Robinson within this article, we aren’t talking about the rushing game where he should become the lead dog in that backfield over Austin Ekeler. Instead, we will discuss how Austin Ekeler will dominate all passing downs to eliminate the chance of Robinson becoming a three-down back (without an injury).

Austin Ekeler is a route machine compared to Brian Robinson. Even in his older age, Ekeler ran 52.9% of routes per team dropback, which was fifth in the NFL. Sadly, Brian Robinson only ran 29.7%, 44th in the league. Ekeler has been the first read target in over 9% of the team’s offense, whereas Robinson has only been 5.8%. Ekeler edges out Robinson in the targets per route run category as well.

Robinson was RB22 in fantasy points per game (PPG) last season, but that’s when he shared the backfield with Antonio Gibson‘s fumbling woes. Robinson has skills in the passing game, ranking seventh in yards per route run (50 route minimum) and 12th in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) blocking grade. Yet, a blocking grade most likely won’t save Robinson from being pulled off the field during third downs for a pass-catching veteran like Austin Ekeler.

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)

Dallas Goedert has become the forgotten piece in the Philadelphia offense. With all the big names in town, it’s easy to see a tight end fall out of favor within the offense. Typically, with the tight end not being a top-three option, this would spell doom for their season. However, pause on that idea as we remember Kellen Moore has entered the conversation as the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator. His offensive schemes have helped elevate tight ends in the past, and with Dallas Goedert on the roster, I expect more of the same.

Dallas Goedert ran the fifth-highest routes per team dropback of any tight end in the NFL, who ran at least 50 routes and saw 25 targets. He also recorded the 11th-highest team target share as a tight end, with 17.7%. He was also the first read on 20.6% of the plays in Philadelphia, which was ninth-best this year, higher than second-year phenom Sam LaPorta.

Don’t expect a dip in his production; instead, expect the target share to stay the same but with a spike in efficiency to help bolster his stats.

Drake London (WR – ATL) + Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) + Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)

This one is pretty simple. So far, this is the best quarterback Falcons weapons will play with during their tenure in the NFL. They also have entered an offense that isn’t focused solely on pounding the rock. All three players could put up their best years as a pro this upcoming season. The only thing that can hold them back is if Kirk Cousins is burnt toast from the Achilles injury. This Atlanta offense is very condensed, and all three players should see an uptick in usage across the board to help the Falcons again soar in the NFC.

DK Metcalf (WR – SEA)

DK Metcalf brings the 12th-most air yards from 2023 to this new offense under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who led the Washington Huskies to produce the most passing yards per game and second-most total yards. Metcalf also has a way to connect with his OC, as Grubb was the American Football Monthly’s NAIA National Strength and Conditioning Coordinator in 2008. Consider this tidbit on the level as Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp eat breakfast together. It helps build a bond for a wide receiver built like a brick house and already possesses the alpha wide receiver role within the offense.

Metcalf has eight touchdowns and 16 end-zone targets, the fifth-most in the NFL last season. A good bet in 2024 is that Metcalf can surpass his 114 targets.

Greg Dortch (WR – ARI)

The Arizona Cardinals have moved on from Rondale Moore, and the only competition they brought into the wide receiver room was rookie Marvin Harrison. Harrison and Trey McBride should lead the way in Arizona, but the third option can easily be Greg Dortch, who has produced for the Arizona Cardinals every time he enters the field.

Dortch only saw 39 targets last season, so to say he will see more is to say, “I have a lock of a bet.”

Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. Let us help you build your knowledge base so that when you enter your drafts you enter them as the league master. If you ever need help with more information or want to connect over football, do not hesitate to contact me on X at @jpep20. Good luck this offseason.

Fantasy Draft Advice NFL Diontae Johnson Bryce Young Brian Robinson Austin Ekeler Antonio Gibson Dallas Goedert Sam LaPorta Drake London Kyle Pitts Bijan Robinson Kirk Cousins DK Metcalf Matthew Stafford Cooper Kupp Greg Dortch Rondale Moore Marvin Harrison Trey McBride