In every dynasty league, whether you are entering a new startup or just churning the roster of an existing league, there are players I want to target every year. Whether I’m looking to draft or trade for them, I want them on as many teams as possible. Well, here’s my list. The players who are my “Must Haves” in dynasty fantasy football in 2024.
Dynasty Draft Picks: DBro’s Must-Have Players
Quarterbacks
This section is specifically focused on Superflex. In 1QB dynasty formats, the answer is always easy. Go with a QB committee approach or high-end QB1 with rushing upside. Unless you are rostering an elite at the position in 1QB, there’s no reason to pay up.
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)
In Dynasty, I want exposure to a player with Richardson’s upside. He has a legit QB1 overall outcome in 2024 in his range. In Richardson’s two full starts, he averaged 25.7 fantasy points per game, which, if you’re keeping score at home, is more than Josh Allen averaged last year (24.2). Richardson led all quarterbacks (minimum 80 dropbacks) in fantasy points per dropback. With another year to digest Shane Steichen’s offense, Richardson could explode in his second season.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC)
The last two years for Lawrence haven’t been overwhelmingly amazing (QB13, QB12), but everything in my bones believes Lawrence has an electric 2024 season. The additions of Gabriel Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. give Lawrence a tandem of talented field stretchers that complement the underneath prowess of Christian Kirk and Evan Engram.
The Jaguars could deploy a wonderfully pass-happy offense this year if their finish to last season is any indication of their plans. Last year, in Weeks 11-18, Jacksonville ranked fifth in neutral pace, eighth in neutral passing rate and 11th in red zone passing rate. If we get a full season of this type of volume and all of these weapons play up to their potential, Lawrence will have a banner season. Buy in now.
Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS)
Yes, I love Jayden Daniels. No, I won’t stop talking about him every chance that I get. I will continue to be enamored with a quarterback with his rushing upside who will be in a pace-up offense and has the type of passing skills that he possesses. During his final year at LSU, Daniels ranked second in passing grade, first in yards per attempt, third in big-time throw rate, and first in clean pocket passer rating. A top-five fantasy points per game season in his rookie season is attainable if everything gels, but at his floor, he should at least post a QB1 season.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)
McCarthy was a love list guy for me during the NFL Draft cycle, and nothing has happened to cool my stance on him. Everyone tried to shade him during the draft process. “He didn’t have enough passing volume.” I’m sorry, but he was unable to make their opponents more competitive against Michigan. “He is a pocket passer with a weak arm.” Well, his throwing velocity (one mph short of the NFL combine record) and his 91st percentile three-cone and 72nd percentile 20-yard shuttle disagree with you. “He’s just not that good of a thrower of the football.” His top 12 finishes in his final season at Michigan in passing grade, adjusted completion rate, and yards per attempt debunk this faulty narrative. Face facts. McCarthy is good, and you should be targeting him in Dynasty.
Running Backs
I could name some veteran options here or super-stud running backs, but the approach for many of my dynasty startup teams has been and will continue to be targeting youth and underrated players at the position as I build the backbone of my teams in the early rounds with wide receivers. The NFL has devalued the running back position, and in many instances, so have I when building dynasty teams.
MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB)
Lloyd is the future of the Green Bay backfield. Yes, I know I’m already tossing strays at Josh Jacobs out the gate. I don’t care. I’m comfortable fading a running back that last year ranked (among 49 qualifying backs) 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 44th in yards after contact per attempt with the 12th-highest stuff rate. Next year, after June 1, Green Bay can cut Jacobs and save 8.2 million against the cap.
Lloyd was my pre-draft RB1 and continues to be a favorite target of mine in all formats. The kid can play and is a top-shelf tackle-breaker. Since 2022, among 242 qualifying collegiate rushers, Lloyd ranked ninth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 24th in yards after contact per attempt. Take the discount because his value will do nothing but increase in 2024.
Trey Benson (RB – ARI)
The reasons surrounding Benson are easy and clear. Conner is in the last year of his deal, and Benson looks like the heir apparent. He should easily factor into the backfield in year one, and if Conner misses any time, he could be the every-down workhorse for Arizona. Benson’s tackle-breaking metrics fell off in 2023, but in 2022, he was a mauler ranking sixth in yards after contact per attempt, third in breakaway rate, and first in elusive rating. The needle is pointing up for Benson. His time could come earlier than we’re all projecting if Conner can’t stay on the field in 2024.
Zamir White (RB – LV)
White has no competition for touches in his backfield. The Raiders didn’t bring in any real threats in free agency or the NFL Draft. No, I’m not worried about Alexander Mattison or Dylan Laube. Laube probably doesn’t see the field in 2024, with Ameer Abdullah playing ahead of him. Las Vegas gave White a big vote of confidence after watching what he did down the stretch last year.
In Weeks 15-18, he averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total yards as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. In that span, among 41 qualifying backs, he ranked 10th in yards after contact per attempt and 17th in missed tackles forced and breakaway rate. He’s set to gobble up volume in 2024.
Brian Robinson (RB – WAS)
Robinson is young and now has an offensive coordinator that should run the ever-loving hell out of the ball in 2024. Robinson should be the favorite for goal-line work, which is amazing considering Kliff Kingsbury’s history. In 2020, Kenyan Drake ranked fourth in rushing attempts inside the five-yard line. The following season, James Conner was eighth in the same statistical category. Add in that last year Robinson was 22nd in explosive run rate, 13th in yards after contact per attempt and fifth in yards per route run. Robinson should have a career year in 2024.
Wide Receivers
Youth, elite upside, and the ability to gain value in dynasty in 2024. Those are the three boxes that I’m trying to check with players at wide receiver.
Drake London (WR – ATL)
Just a friendly reminder regarding London’s talent level, but in his rookie season, he was fourth in target share, 15th in yards per route run and seventh in first downs per route run. The reason he didn’t put up a wonderful season was he was stuck in passing volume hell, as Atlanta had the second-fewest passing attempts in the NFL. London has dealt with wretched quarterback play during his short tenure in the league.
Over the last two seasons, Atlanta has had the fifth and fourth-lowest highly accurate target rates and the third and sixth-lowest catchable target rates. That all changes in 2024. Between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix, we are getting a massive upgrade in quarterback play, and Zac Robinson isn’t designing an offense that will finish in the bottom three in passing attempts. Liftoff is happening for London. Buy in.
Nico Collins (WR – HOU)
Collins enjoyed a monstrous breakout season last year, tied to one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. After his contract extension this offseason, Collins is now joined at C.J. Stroud’s hip for the foreseeable future. Collins finished last year as the WR7 in fantasy points per game while drawing a 21.1% target share.
He checked all the efficiency boxes, ranking second in yards per route run (3.37), fifth in first downs per route run and second in fantasy points per route run. Even if Collins takes a small step back with Stefon Diggs in town in 2024 with Diggs on a one-year deal, it won’t be a prolonged dip. Collins is a must-draft receiver in dynasty.
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
When he walks like an alpha, plays like an alpha and puts up stats like an alpha, he’s an alpha. Odunze is an alpha. I get the rookie season worries as Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore flank him, but Allen is a free agent after 2024, and Moore is a free agent in 2026. Odunze could be the long-term WR1 tied to Caleb Williams.
Odunze is an elite-level talent who proved it, drawing a 24.3% target share while ranking 11th in yards per route run and sixth in receiving grade against man coverage in his final season at Washington. Overall, in that season, he was 18th in yards per route run and eighth in receiving grade among all FBS wide receivers with at least 50 targets. I’ll take the year-one discount for Odunze in every league.
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
Invest in talented second-year wide receivers. Always. Last year, Flowers finished as the WR31 in fantasy points per game while ranking 19th in target share (22.7%) and 34th in fantasy points per route run. What we saw from him after Mark Andrews was sidelined was encouraging regarding his upside prospects. Yes, Andrews was out, so the volume bump is easy to understand, but volume is earned, so it can’t be just assumed that will happen in every case.
Without Andrews on the field for the remainder of the season, Flowers saw his first-read share increase from 26.2% to 30.7%, and he climbed to 20th in fantasy points per route run from 40th. With Odell Beckham Jr. out of town, Baltimore is making a big investment that Flowers and Andrews can handle the heavy lifting in 2024. Flowers has the talent to improve his dynasty stock further this season. He is a priority target for me in every league.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
I know Smith-Njigba’s rookie season didn’t live up to the hype (WR56 in fantasy points per game), but I’m still bullish about his sophomore season outlook. Let’s examine where things went wrong in 2023. First we need to talk about the broken wrist he suffered before the season. That hampered his early season usage as he didn’t see above a 60% snapshare until Week 6. Even without factoring in the injury, his 2023 usage profile was pathetic. Shane Waldron neutered Smith-Njigba into a low aDOT screen merchant.
Last year among 44 qualifying wide receivers, Smith-Njigba had the seventh-highest screen rate (25.6% of his target volume) and the seventh-most screen targets. His aDOT with these targets was a jaw dropping -2.9 yards. When Smith-Njigba was tasked with performing as an outside receiver he was superb, ranking 15th in yards per route run and fourth in targets per route run. Buy the dip on a supremely talented player.
Christian Kirk (WR – JAC)
Kirk has two years left on his current deal and could easily be the Jaguars’ WR1 this season. Last season, he was headed for a beautiful season before injury derailed him. In Weeks 2-12, Krik was the WR19 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 22.6% target share and 30.5% air-yard share, producing 2.31 YPRR and 0.101 FD/RR. If he had kept up that pace for the full season, he would have ranked 22nd, 17th and 22nd in those categories. His full season counting stat pace was 138 targets, 94 receptions and 1,278 receiving yards. Kirk should pick back up where he left off in 2024.
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Pearsall is being priced like Deebo Samuel, will be with the 49ers long term and only earned Day 2 draft capital. You’ve got to be kidding me. This is ridiculous. I won’t be surprised if Samuel is moved to another team before Week 1. Then, the sky is the limit for Pearsall. Pearsall’s skillset is a mashup of Samuel’s and Brandon Aiyuk’s.
Pearsall can offer the 49ers a little something after the catch, but he is also a superb route runner who ranked in the 89th percentile in receiving grade, the 91st percentile in receiving grade against single coverage and the 90th percentile in separation percentage in his final season at Florida. I have and will continue to draft as much Pearsall as possible.
Jermaine Burton (WR – CIN)
Again, we have a supremely talented wide receiver being priced as if Tee Higgins will be on the Bengals after the 2024 season. Considering Cincinnati’s history of paying their top-end talent versus letting them walk in free agency, I’ll be making huge bets on Burton during this startup cycle. The Bengals’ passing attack could be led for years to come by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Jermaine Burton.
Burrow will love throwing to a receiver that last year ranked in the 90th percentile against single coverage and 82nd percentile in YPRR. Whenever Higgins moves onto another team, people will hurry to move Burton up their rankings, but by then, the buying window will have been shut tight. Don’t miss out.
Javon Baker (WR – NE)
The Patriots’ wide receiving depth chart is wide open. While the room looks muddied at the moment, this creates a perfect opportunity to get Baker at a discount. If you believe that the cream rises to the top, then you should be making a bet on Baker in dynasty. Baker was typecast as a field stretcher in college, but he has the after-the-catch tenacity and route-running prowess to win at all three levels and become a target hog. In his final collegiate season, he ranked eighth in YPRR and 24th in PFF receiving grade. Across his final two years in the collegiate ranks, he ranked 18th among all FBS wide receivers in explosive plays. Baker is a baller and a must-have in dynasty.
Luke McCaffrey (WR – WAS)
McCaffrey crushed every part of the NFL Draft process. He flashed big time at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and then he opened a ton of eyes during his athletic testing. Despite his last name, I don’t think many people were expecting him to walk away with a 4.46 40 time and a 96th percentile agility score. Don’t be blown away when McCaffrey is starting in two wide receiver sets over Jahan Dotson.
McCaffrey is still honing his game, especially against man coverage, but he already has a good feel for and understanding of how to beat zone coverage. In a league where every team utilizes zone coverage on at least 54.5% of their defensive snaps and 23 teams run it on at least 66% of their snaps, McCaffrey should be able to hit the ground running. Last year against zone among 111 qualifying FBS wide receivers, he ranked sixth in receiving grade and 28th in YPRR against zone. I expect McCaffrey to hop Jahan Dotson this season and compete to be second on the team in targets in 2024, behind only Terry McLaurin.
Tight Ends
Athleticism. Athleticism. Athleticism and, oh yeah, efficiency. That’s the name of the game at tight end. Oh, also success in yards per route run against man coverage. If you play tight end and these descriptors fit you or your game, then yeah, I’m looking to get you on my roster in dynasty.
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
Sammy Ballgame became a household name immediately last year with a legendary rookie season. He finished the year as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He was also sixth in target share and yards per route run, third in first downs per route run and 10th in first read share. LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown should be the pillars of the Detroit passing attack with Jared Goff for years to come. He won’t come at a discount now, but LaPorta is worth paying up for in dynasty.
Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
Kincaid broke out in his rookie season and there’s no looking back. The second-year receiver buy-in approach applies here. Last year in Weeks 7-18, he ranked seventh in target share (19.0%), ninth in receiving yards per game (50.5) and first-read share (21.0%) and 12th in YPRR (1.85). I want to bet on talented players, especially ones entering their second season after a standout rookie year. Kincaid checks all the boxes here.
Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
Getting a young tight end that has already flashed elite upside or has elite upside in their range of outcomes is a priority for me in dynasty right now. McBride was on a tear at the end of last year, and I fully expect him to pick up right where he left off in 2024, where he left off. In Weeks 8-18, among tight ends, he ranked first in weighted opportunity and target share, fourth in YPRR and missed tackles forced, and fifth in PFF receiving grade.
If you extrapolated that 10-game sample over a full season, McBride would have finished with 144 targets, 112 receptions and 1,114 receiving yards. Yes, McBride will have to contend with Marvin Harrison Jr. weekly for the team target lead, but that’s it. There isn’t another soul on the Cardinals roster that will consistently push these two with a high-end target share. Youth. Efficiency. Volume. McBride has it all.
Ben Sinnott (TE – WAS)
The Lawmaker. The leader of the Senate is here to bring order back to the rookie tight-end market. Zach Ertz is suppressing the ADP of a ridiculously talented tight end with a clear runway to massive target upside. Could Ertz cap his numbers in year one? Sure, it’s possible, but I don’t care about that. I want young tight ends that have insane upside if everything hits, and it’s so easy to see with Sinnott. He’s an electric athlete (9.7 RAS) and a widely underrated receiving threat. In 2023, he was ninth in YPRR and receiving grade while also checking in at fourth in missed tackles forced. Draft The Lawmaker & thank me later.
Erick All (TE – CIN)
Let’s get this out of the way. No, I’m not worried about his injury history. The back injury that led to the premature ending of his 2022 season was proven to be in the rearview after he started crushing souls in 2023 without issues. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn ACL, which is the only injury recovery that concerns me, but hey, I’m an ardent believer in modern medicine and science. All should make a complete recovery from that injury as well.
His landing spot with Cincinnati is mouth-watering. Tee Higgins is likely gone, and Mike Gesicki and his one-year deal are all that stand in his way from an every-down role. All has ranked top-10 in yards per route run in each of the last two collegiate seasons in which he was healthy enough to garner at least 20 targets. During his final season in college, he was first in yards per route run and eighth in receiving grade against man coverage. I want him on ALL of my dynasty teams.
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