When preparing for your fantasy football drafts, knowing which players to target and others to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy football rankings compared to fantasy football average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into some of Derek Brown’s favorite late-round fantasy football draft picks to target.
When preparing for your fantasy football drafts, knowing which players to target and others to avoid is important. The amount of information available can be overwhelming, so a great way to condense the data and determine players to draft and others to leave for your leaguemates is to use our expert consensus fantasy football rankings compared to fantasy football average draft position (ADP). In this way, you can identify players the experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. Let’s dive into some of Derek Brown’s favorite late-round fantasy football draft picks to target.
2024 Fantasy Football Draft Advice
Later Round Targets
Could I have cut this list down? Sure, but these are all my guys when we get into the later rounds. While you build the backbone of your team in the early rounds, which is immensely important, the later rounds are where we mine value and find players that can turn the tide for a fantasy team. WR4s that become WR2s. Quarterbacks, receivers, and tight ends who can be weekly starters. This is where you win your league, so I didn’t want to skimp on targets. I’ll be targeting these 20+ players across all of my fantasy action in 2024.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA): Smith-Njigba’s usage last year was comical. The team neutered him into a low aDOT player when he has the skills to be so much more. When he was aligned outside, he flashed the talent that had plenty of Fantasy GMs drafting him aggressively last year. Among 81 qualifying wide receivers last season, when he was running routes on the perimeter, Smith-Njigba ranked 15th in YPRR and fourth in TPRR. Among 61 qualifying receivers with at least 40 perimeter targets, he also ranked 14th in FD/RR. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator to revamp this offense and a retooled offensive line, Smith-Njigba should flourish in his sophomore season.
- Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN): RIP Tyjae Spears RB1 szn. It was fun while it lasted, but Tony Pollard‘s arrival has kiboshed that. That doesn’t mean Tyjae Spears can’t be 2021 Tony Pollard to Tony Pollard in Tennessee. Spears operated as discount De’Von Achane last season, ranking fifth in explosive run rate and 14th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). He proved that he can be a three-down explosive play monster as well, ranking seventh in target share, 10th in TPRR, and 17th in YPRR. If the Titans trot out an offense with an above-average neutral rushing rate and Spears can continue his insane efficiency, he will remain a strong RB3 who could finish as a low-end RB2 if this offense surprises people.
- Christian Watson (WR – GB): I hate to break it to the Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed hives, but when Watson was on the field last year, he remained the Packer’s WR1. In Weeks 5-13, Watson led the team in target share (17.7%), air-yard share (36.7%), YPRR (1.79), end zone targets (14), first-read share (22.3%), and FD/RR (0.081). Hamstring woes have plagued Watson for the last two years, but Green Bay investigated further into it this offseason with the hopes of getting their stud third-year wide receiver right for 2024. If Watson can finally enjoy a fully healthy season, he can fulfill the potential we have seen in spurts over the last two seasons.
- Ladd McConkey & Joshua Palmer (WRs – LAC): McConkey or Palmer could become the Bolts’ WR1 in short order. Is the passing volume in a Greg Roman offense a concern? Absolutely, but that’s why their ADPs are this low. During Roman’s final four seasons with Baltimore, his offenses averaged 496 passing attempts. If McConkey or Palmer can earn at least a 21% target share, then we’re talking 102 targets, which might not sound like much, but that would have been tied for 32nd among wide receivers last season. There’s plenty of upside for McConkey or Palmer to earn an even larger slice of the target pie in 2024, considering the other pass catchers that are running opposite them and their inherent talent levels. Last year at Georgia, McConkey was in the 98th percentile in receiving grade and receiving grade versus single coverage. He was also in the 91st percentile or higher in separation percentage and YPRR. Last year, Palmer opened my eyes in the seven games he played without Mike Williams. In those contests, he garnered an 18.9% target share with a 31.4% air-yard share, producing 2.19 yards per route run and 71.1 receiving yards per game. Someone from this passing attack will emerge in 2024. These are the two bets to make across your leagues.
- Curtis Samuel (WR, BUF): The last time we saw Curtis Samuel in a Joe Brady offense, he finished as the WR27 in fantasy points per game with 1,051 total yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. While I don’t think we see that type of resurgence from Samuel, he could surpass his WR48 standing last year, catching passes from Josh Allen. Last year, Samuel only managed a 14.7% target share with a 7.1 aDOT and 1.60 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). None of those numbers really make the senses perk up, but he could be utilized more out wide this year which would be great for Samuel. Last year, from the perimeter, among 109 qualifying receivers, he ranked 30th in yards per route run (2.12). The year prior, he posted a 1.84 yards per route run mark from the outside. Samuel could fight Kincaid for the team lead in targets while adding value on the ground. He should be the first Bills’ wide receiver drafted this year despite the concerns about turf toe now.
- Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS): Let’s get this out of the way. If Daniels starts every game this season, his rushing equity alone will push him into the top 12 of fantasy quarterbacks. In his final season at LSU, Daniels rushed for 1,134, and now he’s paired with an offensive coordinator who is quite familiar with game planning with a mobile quarterback. Kliff Kingsbury’s offense will feature play-action and deep passing, which are two of Daniels’ stand-out strengths. At the height of Kyler Murray‘s powers under Kliff Kingsbury (2021), he ranked fifth in deep ball rate and 11th in play-action dropback rate. In 2023, Daniels led all collegiate passers in deep passing grade and deep adjusted completion rate while also ranking fourth in play-action passing grade. Daniels is the best argument for waiting on a quarterback in your drafts.
- Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): Jerome Ford could be the Brown’s starting tailback again this season. Nick Chubb‘s health remains up in the air. While the early returns have been encouraging for his recovery, he isn’t guaranteed to play in the early parts of the season or at all in 2024. Last season, in Weeks 3-17, when Ford was the starter, he averaged 14.9 touches and 66.6 total yards as the RB20 in fantasy. Ford played well, ranking 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 16th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If he is the team’s starter again this season, he should be considered an RB2 with upside. He could see even more work this season if he can hold off D’Onta Foreman on early downs and Nyheim Hines for the pass game work.
- Blake Corum (RB – LAR): I have my worries about Corum, but the Rams investing third-round draft capital in him was interesting. Corum’s yards after contact per attempt, breakaway percentage, and elusive ratings fell in each of his final three collegiate seasons (per PFF). That’s not exactly the trend line that you want to have entering the NFL, but the Rams’ third-round investment in the Michigan product is a decent vote of confidence that Corum can possibly get back to his 2021 form (24th in yards after contact per attempt per PFF). I doubt Corum is taking passing down snaps away from Kyren Williams, but he could help spell him on early downs and salt away the clock late in games. Corum is a high-end handcuff only right now.
- Chase Brown (RB, CIN): Chase Brown remains a high-end handcuff bet for 2024 that could end up leading the Bengals in backfield touches. He has been running as the RB1 in camp plenty, and the buzz has been building. Last season, Brown was impressive on a per-touch basis, although the sample size is pretty limited (44 carries). Among 77 backs with at least 40 carries, Brown ranked 12th in yards after contact per attempt and 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Brown is a player to get exposure with during draft season because the upside is there for him to outkick his ADP massively.
- Rico Dowdle (RB – DAL): Dowdle will fight Ezekiel Elliott for work in Dallas this season. Dowdle has long been a fav player of mine. Last year, among 53 qualifying backs, he ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt while also having the 23rd lowest stuff rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Could Dowdle be the next Alexander Mattison? It’s possible, but I’m willing to make the bet that he surprises people in 2024. He’s an RB3/4 who could easily post RB2 numbers if he runs away from Elliott with the job.
- Jermaine Burton (WR – CIN): Burton will contend for the WR3 role with Andrei Iosivas. Right now, Iosivas has the lead, but we’ll see if he can hold Burton off all season. Off-the-field issues are the only reason that Burton was available when the Bengals selected him in the NFL Draft. Based on talent alone, he should have been at least a second-round pick and could have honestly pushed for a first-round selection. In his final season at Alabama, Burton was in the 90th percentile against single coverage and 82nd percentile in YPRR. Take the swing on Burton in the later rounds. If he hasn’t cemented his status as the WR3 early in the season, he’s an easy drop candidate. The upside here is worth the late-round flier.
- Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC): Vidal might have tumbled down the NFL draft board, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that he lacks the talent profile to take over the Bolts’ backfield. His competition (Gus Edwards & J.K. Dobbins) isn’t exactly overwhelming. Last year, Vidal ranked 21st in PFF’s elusive rating while proving that he can handle volume with at least 23 carries in 57% of his games. With Greg Roman at the controls, there will be plenty of rushing volume to chew on, even if he doesn’t claim the workhorse role. From 2019-2022 with Baltimore, Roman coordinated an offense that ranked first in neutral rushing rate. Vidal could be a flex play by midseason with the upside to grow into more (RB2) as the season moves along. I’ll still take a shot on him with a final pick in my leagues.
- Jaleel McLaughlin (RB – DEN): Fully expect me to be above consensus regarding McLaughlin. Last year, he was electric with every touch he earned. Among all running backs with at least 50 rushing attempts or 20 targets, McLaughlin ranked 14th in explosive run rate, fifth in missed tackles forced per attempt, fourth in yards after contact per attempt, and fourth in yards per route run. Denver made it a point to get him involved in the passing game when he was on the field, as he also ranked first in targets per route run. McLaughlin could easily earn more opportunities this season, and the passing down back in a Sean Payton offense is a role we should covet highly. Over the last nine seasons, Payton has coordinated an NFL offense; he has never finished lower than fourth in targets to the running back position. If McLaughlin keeps Sean Payton’s trust, he could be an RB3 that vaults into steady RB2 production (especially in PPR leagues).
- MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB): Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably already aware that MarShawn Lloyd was one of my man crushes throughout the NFL Draft cycle. While his landing spot has turned many off, I’m not fazed. Will Josh Jacobs be heavily involved weekly? Sure, but that doesn’t mean that Lloyd is a zero or change-of-pace option only. Lloyd crushed every part of the predraft process after jumping off the stat sheet during his final two collegiate seasons. In each of those two years, he finished in the top 20 in yards after contact per attempt, breakaway percentage, and PFF elusive rating. Lloyd will quickly be a major factor in this backfield, with his main competition for touches (Josh Jacobs) hoping for a bounceback year. Last year, Jacobs struggled mightily to break tackles and create big plays as he ranked (among 49 qualifying backs last season per Fantasy Points Data) 41st in explosive run rate, 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 44th in yards after contact per attempt. Lloyd is an RB3/4 who can easily out-kick his ADP this season. His hamstring issues this preseason could limit him out the gate, but drafting Lloyd is a bet on talent, and Lloyd has it.
- Jaylen Wright (RB – MIA): Wright got decent draft capital (fourth-round) in the NFL Draft, but he landed in a nightmare situation. Raheem Mostert is coming off arguably the best season of his career, and De’Von Achane is one of the league’s most explosive rushers. Wright looks to be on the outside looking in for rushing volume right now, but it only takes one injury to change that. Mostert and Achane haven’t exactly been pictures of health in the NFL. Wright is the perfect late-round high-upside draft pick to covet this year. The talented rookie, who ranked fifth in yards after contact per attempt and 13th in elusive rating (per PFF), is only one domino’s fall away from consistent RB2/3 production this year.
- DeMario Douglas & Javon Baker (WRs – NE): The Patriots’ wide receiving depth chart is wide open, and these are the two bets that I’m making from that room. Regardless of whether Drake Maye or Jacoby Brissett is under center, this offense has the chance to surprise people. Last year, in the eight games Douglas played at least 50% of the snaps, he commanded a team-leading 20.8% target share and 24.4% first read share. He was a WR3 or better in weekly fantasy scoring in five of those eight games. My infatuation with Baker began during the NFL Draft cycle. He’s got that dawg in him. 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. 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. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of the season, he is challenging for the weekly lead in targets on the team. Douglas or Baker could easily turn into a strong weekly flex/WR3 this season.
- Ben Sinnott (TE – WAS): In deeper leagues or leagues with premiums on tight ends, Sinnott is a strong late-round pick. Yes, if you’re combing through this article looking for Jahan Dotson‘s name, you won’t find it. After two massively disappointing campaigns, Dotson has given little reason to hope for a third-year breakout, which is why I’m mentioning Sinnott and, subsequently, Luke McCaffrey next. This offense has the potential to surprise people in 2024. If that does happen, not only could Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson pop among skill players, but Jayden Daniels is likely taking another player along for the ride. The fossilized remains of Zach Ertz are all that stand between Sinnott and a banner rookie season. Sinnott checks all the boxes that I look for with a tight end with massive upside. 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. If there’s a rookie tight end that could pop in year one not named Brock Bowers, it’s Sinnott.
- Luke McCaffrey (WR – WAS): Another NFL Draft cycle crush has crept into redraft season, with McCaffrey making this list. McCaffrey crushed every part of the 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 forty time and a 96th percentile agility score. Don’t be blown away when McCaffrey starts in two wide receiver sets, especially after the Jahan Dotson trade. 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. McCaffrey is a magnificent dart to toss in as many drafts as possible.
- Demarcus Robinson (WR – LAR): It’s like everyone is forgetting what Robinson did to close the 2023 season with Los Angeles. In Weeks 13-18, he went on a tear ranking (among 109 qualifying receivers), 36th in YPRR, 28th in FD/RR, and 26th in fantasy points per route run. In those six weeks, Robinson was the WR31 in fantasy points per game. Robinson is the perfect veteran receiver to pair with a high-upside rookie late. Robinson could be a strong weekly flex play from the outset before relinquishing his fantasy lineup duties mid-season to a stretch run rookie hammer.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG): Tracy’s NFL career could be much better than his collegiate one when it’s all said and done. Last year’s tackle-breaking metrics should raise your eyebrows, especially for a player still acclimating to the position. Tracy ranked fourth in yards after contact per attempt and fifth in elusive rating (per PFF). Purdue offered him the most vanilla offensive role possible in the passing game with his receiver background. I expect the Giants to rectify that when he does garner snaps. Tracy only has to unseat Eric Gray to earn the RB2 role for the Giants. Gray didn’t do anything to wow the team last year with his 2.8 yards per carry and 1.53 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Devin Singletary looks like the team’s workhorse, but if he goes down, Tracy could take over three-down duties. He’s one of the best handcuff options in drafts.
Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
Check out the consensus 2024 fantasy football draft rankings from our experts.
