Fantasy football players know the type of scoring makes all the difference in which players you want to draft. In PPR leagues, fantasy players want to start wide receivers in their flex spots. Meanwhile, they want to start running backs in their flex spots in non-PPR leagues.
Furthermore, your league’s scoring type impacts which players you want to target in your fantasy football drafts. Some players are elite regardless of the scoring format, like Christian McCaffrey and CeeDee Lamb. However, other players can be outstanding in one format and average in another.
Let’s look at five players I’m targeting in PPR leagues but fading in non-PPR leagues this year.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Players to Draft in PPR Leagues
Rachaad White (RB – TB)
- 2023 PPR Finish – RB4 | 15.8 Fantasy Points Per Game
- 2023 Non-PPR Finish – RB8 | 12 Fantasy Points Per Game
White had a breakout season in 2023, thanks to a featured role out of the backfield, both on the ground and in the air. However, the former Arizona State star was 24.1% better in PPR vs. non-PPR leagues. His 64 receptions were the third-most on the team and the fourth-most in the NFL among running backs. Yet, White had only an 18% target per route run rate, a lower average than D’Onta Foreman (per Fantasy Points Data).
Unfortunately, his role in the passing game could take a hit in 2024. The Buccaneers added Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving during the NFL Draft, giving them two new talented weapons on offense. Irving should cut into White’s role in the passing game, which impacts his value in PPR leagues. He will need to have more success finding the end zone to have another top-five finish. Yet, White should still get drafted as a low-end RB1 in all PPR leagues.
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
- 2023 PPR Finish – RB11 | 17.9 Fantasy Points Per Game
- 2023 Non-PPR Finish – RB24 | 12.2 Fantasy Points Per Game
There wasn’t a running back more dependent on the passing game last year than Kamara. The veteran running back missed the first three games because of a suspension. He made his season debut in Week 4, totaling 21.4 PPR fantasy points and 8.4 non-PPR fantasy points. Kamara finished the week as the RB9 in PPR and the RB19 in non-PPR. The veteran had 13 receptions in the loss, the most for a running back last year. Furthermore, the veteran had several big catch performances last season.
A running back had double-digit receptions in three games last year, with Kamara accounting for the top two, totaling 13 in Week 4 and 12 in Week 7. The veteran had five performances with six or more receptions, two more than Courtland Sutton. Kamara was the RB3 on a points-per-game basis in PPR scoring and the RB14 in non-PPR. His role in the passing game could expand in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, making him one of my favorite draft targets.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
- 2023 PPR Finish – RB22 | 11.6 Fantasy Points Per Game
- 2023 Non-PPR Finish – RB30 | 8.0 Fantasy Points Per Game
The Steelers’ offense could look significantly different this year under Arthur Smith. However, fantasy players know his offense will flow through the backfield after Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier were top-34 running backs, with Smith calling the plays last season. While Najee Harris was the lead rusher, totaling 106 more attempts than Warren, the former undrafted free agent had 32 more receptions and 36 more targets in 2023.
Furthermore, Warren had the fifth-most receptions among running backs last year despite ranking 21st in route run (237) at the position. More importantly, he had a 30% target per route run rate, the same average as Breece Hall (per Fantasy Points Data). During Smith’s time with the Atlanta Falcons, the running backs averaged 107 targets per season. Warren has a chance to break out regardless of scoring format but should get drafted significantly earlier in PPR than in non-PPR leagues.
Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Target
- 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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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.