Fantasy Football League Winners: C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Christian Kirk, Tyjae Spears

Several factors go into building a winning fantasy football team. One of those factors is identifying which players will let your team down and bust. Another is knowing which players have league-winning upside, especially in the later rounds. To help you build an elite fantasy football roster, I will identify the most likely bust candidate and potential league winner for every NFL team.

Today, I give my fantasy football league-winner candidates from the AFC South teams – the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.

Fantasy Football Draft League Winners: AFC South

ADP via Underdog Fantasy

Fantasy Football League Winners

C.J. Stroud (HOU): ADP 66.3 | QB6

Stroud was an elite fantasy quarterback as a rookie, averaging 18.4 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the former Ohio State star was outstanding to end the year. Stroud was the QB5 on a points-per-game basis from Week 9 through the end of the season, averaging two passing touchdowns and 20.5 fantasy points per contest. More importantly, he was outstanding during that run despite playing only five games with Tank Dell. After the Bills added Stefon Diggs this offseason, Stroud has an elite receiving core at his disposal.

Anthony Richardson (IND): ADP 57.2 | QB5

Unfortunately, Richardson’s rookie season ended after playing only four games. However, the former Florida star was the QB11 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 18.2 fantasy points per contest. Yet, he left two games early with injuries. Richardson averaged 25.3 fantasy points, 211.5 passing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, 48 rushing yards, and a touchdown in the two games he finished as a rookie. The Colts improved his receiving core, spending a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on Adonai Mitchell. Richardson has overall QB1 upside if he can stay healthy.

Christian Kirk (JAX): ADP 43.1 | WR30

The last time Kirk was Trevor Lawrence’s go-to wide receiver, he ended the year as the WR11, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the veteran was the WR16, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game from Week 2 through Week 12, despite Calvin Ridley seeing a 20% target per route run rate during those contests last season (per Fantasy Points Data). With Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. challenging defenses downfield, expect Kirk to see plenty of easy targets in the middle of the field.

Tyjae Spears (TEN): ADP 110.7 | RB33

Fantasy players had high hopes for Spears heading into the offseason. Unfortunately, the Titans signed Tony Pollard to a significant contract in free agency. Yet, the former Tulane star is one of my favorite mid-round running back draft picks this year. He had the fifth-best explosive run rate (7%) and the ninth-best yards after contact per rushing attempt average (2.92) among running backs with at least 100 attempts last season (per Fantasy Points Data). While Pollard won’t disappear into the background, Spears will be the better Tennessee running back.