Mike Fanelli | Wed, Jul 3rd 2024, 6:01am EDT

5 Players to Draft in PPR Leagues (2024 Fantasy Football)

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.

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.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)

2023 PPR Finish – WR13 | 15.6 Fantasy Points Per Game
2023 Non-PPR Finish – WR25 | 8.8 Fantasy Points Per Game

Fantasy players loved Pittman in PPR and considered him decent in non-PPR leagues. The former USC star has never been a high touchdown producer, totaling 15 scores in 62 career games. Furthermore, he has four touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. However, Pittman has been a catching machine, totaling 88 or more receptions every year since his rookie season. Last year, the veteran had 109 receptions, the fourth-most among wide receivers and the fifth-most in the NFL.

However, there is some concern with the star receiver in 2024. Pittman averaged 4.5 receptions per game and a 22% target per route run rate in the two contests Anthony Richardson finished last season (per Fantasy Points Data). By comparison, the receiver averaged 7.3 and 29% in the 12 contests Gardner Minshew started. Yet, Pittman will continue to be the focal point of the passing attack after signing a massive extension this offseason. He is one of the safer players to draft in PPR leagues this year.

Evan Engram (TE – JAX)

2023 PPR Finish – TE2 | 13.5 Fantasy Points Per Game
2023 Non-PPR Finish – TE6 | 6.8 Fantasy Points Per Game

Engram led all tight ends in several receiving categories, including receptions (114), targets (143), and routes run (581). He finished with at least 11.2% more receptions, targets, and routes run than any other tight end in 2023. However, the veteran ranked 12th among tight ends and 54th in the NFL with four receiving touchdowns. Yet, that wasn’t a surprise, as Engram has 18 receiving touchdowns in 84 career games since his rookie season (3.2% TD rate).

Therefore, fantasy players shouldn’t be shocked that the veteran averaged nearly twice as many fantasy points per game in PPR vs. non-PPR last year. However, that could change in 2024. Engram had five end zone targets last season, the third-most on the team (per Fantasy Points Data). The two guys with more were Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones. While the veteran could be better in non-PPR leagues this year, fantasy players should prioritize Engram in PPR leagues after the moves the Jaguars made at wide receiver this offseason.

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)

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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