Several factors go into building a winning fantasy football team. One of those factors is identifying players with league-winning upside, especially in the later rounds. To help you create an elite fantasy football roster, I have identified one potential league winner for every NFL team.
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League Winner from Every NFL Team for Fantasy Football
AFC East
Curtis Samuel (BUF): ADP 90.1 | WR49
Buffalo made massive changes to their receiving core this offseason, replacing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis with Keon Coleman and Samuel. While Dalton Kincaid is the biggest benefactor from the offseason moves, his ADP takes him out of the league-winner conversation. Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if Samuel is the team’s leading wide receiver. The veteran has struggled on an awful Washington Commanders offense the past few years. However, Samuel was the WR25, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game the last time Joe Brady was his offensive coordinator.
Jaylen Wright (MIA): ADP 158.1 | RB50
Wright was a popular pick in dynasty rookie drafts after the Dolphins traded a 2025 third-round pick to select for the former Tennessee star. He had the second-best yards after contact per attempt average (4.35) among running backs, with at least 60 rushing attempts in the rookie class last year (per PFF). Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane have struggled to stay healthy in their careers. Therefore, Wright could find himself in a featured role for one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL at some point this season.
Javon Baker (NE): ADP 202.2 | WR84
The Patriots have arguably the worst receiving core in the NFL. However, fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Baker shines as a rookie. We have seen NFL Draft Day 3 picks turn into fantasy stars as rookies, including Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The former UCF product had the 11th-highest PFF receiving grade in the draft class last season and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). Baker could quickly turn into the go-to target for Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye.
Mike Williams (NYJ): ADP 130.4 | WR61
Unfortunately, Williams started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Yet, the veteran expects to play on opening weekend. He was the WR15 over the first three weeks last year before tearing his ACL, averaging 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Aaron Rodgers has produced two fantasy WR1s in the same season multiple times in his career. While the veteran won’t be a top-15 guy in 2024, Williams should easily outperform his WR61 ADP if he is ready for Week 1.
AFC North
Isaiah Likely (BAL): ADP 181.9 | TE22
Handcuff running backs are ideal potential league-winner candidates. Anyone with Elijah Mitchell on their roster will have an RB1 if Christian McCaffrey misses time with an injury. While handcuffing tight ends is uncommon, Likely proved to be a league winner last year with Mark Andrew out of the lineup. He was the TE4, averaging 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as the starter to end last season. Fantasy players shouldn’t draft Likely in standard-size redraft leagues. However, he’s an appealing late-round option in best ball drafts.
Jermaine Burton (CIN): ADP 151.8 | WR69
Burton was a popular dynasty rookie draft pick with Tee Higgins‘ contract situation. While he signed the franchise tag and will play for the Bengals in 2024, Burton still has significant fantasy upside. The former Alabama receiver slipped in the NFL Draft because of off-the-field concerns. Yet, Burton is a talented player, ranking first in aDOT (20.2) among wide receivers in the draft class with at least 30 targets last year (per PFF). Higgins has dealt with injuries in his career. Burton could see over 100 targets as a rookie.
Deshaun Watson (CLE): ADP 159.7 | QB21
While fantasy players have forgotten about him, Watson was once one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He averaged 20.7 or more fantasy points per game in each of his first four seasons. More importantly, the veteran averaged 17.7 fantasy points per game in the five contests he played at least half of the snaps last season. That average would have made him the QB13 on a points-per-game basis. Watson has his best receiving core since joining the Browns. Don’t be surprised if he has a career year.
Justin Fields (PIT): ADP 212.1 | QB32
Reportedly, Russell Wilson has the inside track on the starting role in Pittsburgh. However, fantasy players should take a shot on Fields, especially in superflex leagues. While the former Ohio State quarterback isn’t a starting-caliber NFL QB, he is an elite fantasy quarterback because of his rushing abilities. Fields has averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game on the ground in his career. Meanwhile, Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense is perfect for rushing quarterbacks. Over the past two years, the Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks totaled 825 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
AFC South
C.J. Stroud (HOU): ADP 70.6 | 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 57.4 | QB5
Unfortunately, Richardson’s rookie season ended after playing only four games. However, he 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 (JAC): ADP 45.1 | 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 107.8 | RB31
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 product 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.
AFC West
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): ADP 152.1 | RB47
Denver’s backfield is a wide-open competition. However, McLaughlin is the only Broncos running back I’m drafting. He impressed as a rookie, averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game and 6.9 yards per rushing attempt in the four contests with at least seven attempts. Furthermore, McLaughlin had the 12th-best explosive run rate among running backs with at least 75 rushing attempts in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). Don’t be surprised if Sean Payton views him as his next Alvin Kamara and gives McLaughlin a significant workload, especially in the passing game.
Rashee Rice (KC): ADP 61.3 | WR37
Some expect Rice to get suspended after multiple off-the-field incidents this offseason. Therefore, his ADP could rise or nosedive depending on the length of the suspension. He was outstanding to end his rookie year. Rice was the WR6 from Week 12 through Week 17, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the Chiefs added Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy, they are downfield threats and should create easier targets for Rice in the middle of the field. He could lead the team in targets per game in 2024.
Zamir White (LV): ADP 87.8 | RB23
White was the RB8, averaging 14.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the four weeks Josh Jacobs missed with an injury last season. He had the fourth-highest yards after contact per rushing attempt (3.06) among running backs with at least 30 attempts during those four weeks, ahead of Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, White had 20 or more touches in every contest, totaling 100 or more scrimmage yards in all but one game. He is one of my must-have running back draft targets.
Gus Edwards (LAC): ADP 117.4 | RB35
The veteran is coming off the best year of his career. Edwards was the RB20, averaging 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last season. While he had no role in the passing game, totaling 13 targets in 17 games, Edwards was a touchdown machine. The veteran had 13 rushing touchdowns, the third-most among running backs and the fifth-most in the NFL. More importantly, Edwards has little competition in the Chargers backfield. Expect Greg Roman to make him the focal point of the team’s offense, especially in the red zone.
NFC East
Dak Prescott (DAL): ADP 95.5 | QB9
Dak Prescott was a league winner in 2023 despite a slow start. Prescott was the QB21 over the first five weeks, averaging only 12.6 fantasy points per game. By comparison, he was the QB1, averaging 24 fantasy points per game after the Cowboys’ Week 7 bye. Prescott led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns while finishing third in yards (4,516). More importantly, the veteran averaged 36.4 pass attempts per game after the bye week. Prescott has overall QB1 upside and is criminally underrated as a late eighth-round pick.
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): ADP 164.5 | WR73
Robinson’s fantasy value got a massive boost following Darren Waller’s retirement. Daniel Jones loves to target the middle part of the field, which will help the slot receiver. The former Kentucky star had a 26% target per route run rate and a 20.2% first-read target share in the five games he played with Jones last year (per Fantasy Points Data). Furthermore, Robinson had six or more targets in 45% of his games last season. He should be the clear-cut No. 2 receiving option behind Malik Nabers.
Will Shipley (PHI): ADP 213.3 | RB67
Philadelphia surprised many this offseason when they signed Saquon Barkley to a massive contract in free agency. Unfortunately, Barkley has dealt with numerous injuries in his career, missing 25.3% of the games, including three contests last year. Therefore, Shipley could have significant upside if Barkley misses time in 2024. The rookie running back had 11 or more rushing touchdowns in two of his three college seasons. Furthermore, he can make plays in the passing game, totaling 85 receptions for 602 receiving yards at Clemson.
Luke McCaffrey (WAS): ADP 186.8 | WR81
While the hottest rumor in the NFL is about Brandon Aiyuk wanting to play with Jayden Daniels, fantasy players should target McCaffrey late in their drafts. The rookie is still learning the wide receiver position after starting his college career as a quarterback. Yet, he ranked second in the draft class among wide receivers in contested catches last season (17), finishing only behind Rome Odunze (per PFF). While McCaffrey won’t replace Terry McLaurin as the No. 1 receiver, don’t be surprised if he pushes Jahan Dotson for snaps and targets.
NFC North
Caleb Williams (CHI): ADP 113.2 | QB13
Rarely are No. 1 overall picks in the NFL Draft set up to succeed as rookies. Last year, Bryce Young had no weapons and an awful offensive line. However, that won’t be the case for Williams. The Bears made multiple additions to their offensive line, including trading for Ryan Bates. More importantly, Chicago added Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Gerald Everett and D’Andre Swift to a receiving core led by D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet. Williams has the talent and supporting cast needed to put up massive numbers as a rookie.
Jared Goff (DET): ADP 125.7 | QB16
The veteran will be one of my highest-rostered players this year because he is a massive draft bargain. Goff was the QB7 in 2023, averaging 17 fantasy points per game. Detroit held onto offensive coordinator Ben Johnson after having one of the top offenses in 2023. Goff averaged 2.1 passing touchdowns and 19.9 fantasy points per game in 12 contests in a dome last season. By comparison, he averaged one passing touchdown and 13.3 fantasy points per game in the five contests outside. The veteran plays only three games outdoors in 2024.
Jordan Love (GB): ADP 98.1 | QB10
Love had multiple doubters heading into his first season as the starter. He began the year on fire, averaging three passing touchdowns and 21.7 fantasy points per game over the first two weeks. After hitting a slump, the former Utah State star proved he is a franchise-caliber quarterback. Love was the QB2 over the final seven contests of the fantasy season, averaging 2.3 passing touchdowns and 21.6 fantasy points per game. The second-year starter has an exciting young core of receiving options, giving him significant fantasy upside.
Ty Chandler (MIN): ADP 144.3 | RB45
Some called Chandler a sleeper candidate earlier this offseason. Unfortunately, the Vikings swapped out Alexander Mattison for Aaron Jones in free agency. However, the veteran running back struggled with multiple injuries last year. Furthermore, Jones will turn 30 during the upcoming season. Chandler averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt and a 5.7% explosive run rate over the final four games last year (per Fantasy Points Data) despite facing the top-ranked run defense twice in that span. He is an injury to Jones away from being a top-20 guy.
NFC South
Darnell Mooney (ATL): ADP 147.3 | WR68
The veteran was an afterthought on an inconsistent Chicago Bears passing attack last year, averaging only 4.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, there is hope for Mooney in Atlanta with Kirk Cousins under center. He has produced two top-12 wide receivers in the same season twice during his time with the Minnesota Vikings (2018 and 2020). While Mooney won’t be a top-12 guy, the veteran is a capable receiver, putting up a 1,000-yard receiving season in his career. He should easily outperform his ADP.
Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR): ADP 213.8 | TE31
Many thought Sanders would be an early Day 2 pick, especially after having the seventh-most contest catches among tight ends last season. Instead, he made it to the start of the fourth round. However, Sanders could have fantasy value as a rookie. The Panthers haven’t had a difference-maker at tight end since Greg Olsen left. Furthermore, Diontae Johnson is the only pass catcher on the roster guaranteed to see more targets than Sanders. He has the yards after the catch talent to become a go-to target for Bryce Young.
Rashid Shaheed (NO): ADP 103.7 | WR53
Shaheed is a popular third-year breakout candidate after the Saints moved on from Michael Thomas, making him the No. 2 receiver. The explosive playmaker was the WR43 last season, averaging 8.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he had the 15th-highest yards per target among wide receivers, with at least 75 targets last year. Shaheed could be even better in 2024 after New Orleans hired Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator. While fantasy players should target Chris Olave at his second-round ADP, Shaheed is an excellent mid-round option.
Chris Godwin (TB): ADP 59.1 | WR36
Fantasy players struggled with starting Godwin, as he scored 9.6 or fewer half-point PPR fantasy points in 64.7% of the games last year. Furthermore, the veteran averaged under 10 fantasy points per game for the first time since 2018. However, Godwin is prime for a bounce-back performance, with the Buccaneers moving him back into the slot. Last year, the veteran averaged 0.41 fantasy points per route run in the slot compared to 0.26 lined up outside (per Fantasy Points Data). He is one of my favorite wide receiver draft targets.
NFC West
Trey Benson (ARI): ADP 113.6 | RB33
The rookie running back will be a fantasy star one day, but Benson won’t replace James Conner as the starter in 2024. However, he is an injury away from being a league winner. Conner has missed over 20% of the games in his career because of injury, including four games in back-to-back years. Benson is an explosive runner with home-run speed, making him a dangerous player with the ball in his hands. The rookie will have some week-winning performances and could be a league winner if Conner misses significant time.
Matthew Stafford (LAR): ADP 149.6 | QB19
Stafford was the QB15 last year, averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game. While that was an improvement from his injury-riddled 2022 season, it was still well below his first year in Los Angeles. However, the former No. 1 overall pick was outstanding in the second half of the season once he had all his weapons healthy. Stafford was the QB6 from Week 12 through Week 17, averaging 2.5 passing touchdowns and 20.8 fantasy points per game. The veteran has top-eight upside if Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp stay healthy.
Christian McCaffrey (SF): ADP 1.3 | RB1
Despite being the first pick in nearly every 1QB league draft, McCaffrey has league-winning upside. He was the RB1 last season, averaging 22.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar was the only non-quarterback to average over 20 fantasy points per game, averaging 2.5 more than any other running back. Furthermore, McCaffrey has averaged 8.5 fantasy points per contest in the passing game in 27 career contests with San Francisco. He could easily have another RB1 finish if he can stay healthy in 2024.
Geno Smith (SEA): ADP 166.3 | QB22
Unfortunately, Smith is coming off a disappointing season, ending the year as the QB19. However, fantasy players should give him a pass, as his offensive line struggled to stay healthy. Meanwhile, the veteran was the QB5 in 2022, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game. He had 30 passing touchdowns that year, the fourth-most in the NFL. Thankfully, Seattle improved its offensive line in the offseason. More importantly, Smith has a talented set of wide receivers, giving him the weapons needed for a top-10 finish this year.
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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.
