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 middle-round fantasy football draft picks to target.

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2024 Fantasy Football Draft Advice

Round 5 Targets

Anthony Richardson is my only QB must-have in this range. He has legitimate QB1 overall upside. Again, we head back to pick your TE1 overall warrior thinking. The rest of the receivers I love in this range are solid bets to eclipse their projections with their mix of possible volume and talent. Oh, and for my wide receiver-heavy drafters, this is a good spot to consider drafting your first RB with Montgomery. He’s a top-24 back with RB1 possibilities if Gibbs were to miss any time.

• Malik Nabers (WR – NYG): While we might have worries about the landing spot, there are two undeniable facts here. Nabers is a stone-cold baller, and he will vacuum up all the targets he can handle in 2024. During his final year at LSU, Nabers ranked third in YPRR, first in PFF receiving grade, and fourth in missed tackles forced. Nabers is the clear WR1 for New York this season, and it’s not particularly close. No Giants wide receiver managed over a 16.9% target share last year, so there’s no one standing in Nabers’ way of soaking up a 23-25% target share in his rookie season. The Giants threw the ball 518 times last year. If Nabers can earn a 25% target share and the Giants don’t pass any more than they did last season, he will theoretically see 130 targets. That would have been tied for 19th in targets among wide receivers last season. I’m willing to invest in Nabers’ talent, and I’m just praying that we get at least league-average quarterback play from Daniel Jones and company this season.
• Amari Cooper (WR – CLE): Cooper continues to chug along. Entering his age-30 season, he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Last year, he finished as the WR17 in fantasy points per game, ranking 23rd in target share (22.1%), 13th in air-yard share (39%), and 12th in YPRR. While Deshaun Watson wasn’t good last year, that didn’t stop Cooper from excelling with Watson. In the five full games Watson played, Cooper averaged 96 receiving yards per game with 2.96 YPRR and 0.123 FD/RR. Over a full season, among 81 qualifying wide receivers, Cooper would have ranked fourth, fifth, and 10th in those statistical categories if he kept up that pace. Cooper is a fantastic value pick this year that has some juicy upside.

Don't be surprised in 2024 if Anthony Richardson

…puts up a 2022 Jalen Hurts season.

Richardson has a path to being the QB1 overall

In his 2 full starts

25.7 fppg
(last yr Josh Allen was QB1 – 24.2 fppg)

48 rushing yds/game
(would have been 3rd best among QBs)

The play… pic.twitter.com/4KcO2U37Nr

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) April 2, 2024

• Anthony Richardson (QB – IND): Richardson is a mystery box of untold potential entering the 2024 season. If he could put what we saw in a small sample last year on paper for an entire campaign, it could be magical. In Richardson’s two full starts, he averaged 25.7 fantasy points per game, which, if you’re keeping score at home, is more than Josh Allen averaged last year (24.2). Richardson led all quarterbacks (minimum 80 dropbacks) in fantasy points per dropback. Are his passing numbers worrisome? Sure. Are there some small silver linings that lead to hopeful thoughts? Yep. In his final two games, he managed at least 8.0 yards per attempt and at least a 7.1% big-time throw rate. Even if he takes a step forward as a passer, rushing will be the magic elixir that will carry Richardson in 2024. Last year, Richardson, even in the abbreviated sample, ranked fifth in rushing yards per game and third in red zone carries per game. Richardson has QB1 overall upside this season if everything breaks his way.
• Zay Flowers (WR – BAL): Flowers had his moments as a rookie. While he didn’t live up to the preseason hype, it wasn’t a dreadful rookie showing by any stretch, especially after Mark Andrews was out. Without Andrews, Flowers saw his first read share increase to 30.7%, and his FD/RR rate increased ever so slightly from 0.081 to 0.085. Flowers, during that stretch (eight games), earned six end zone targets, which was awesome compared to the single end zone target he saw in Weeks 1-10. With Odell Beckham Jr. gone in 2024, the Baltimore passing attack will further consolidate around Flowers and Andrews.

• David Montgomery (RB – DET): David Montgomery wrapped up his first season in Detroit as a resounding success in real-life football and fantasy. He was the RB15 in fantasy as he managed the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his NFL career. Montgomery did see his volume limited down the stretch some, as he averaged 15 touches and 75.7 total yards after his return in Week 10. He’ll continue to share the backfield load with Jahmyr Gibbs weekly, but in one of the best offenses in the NFL, that shouldn’t be a massive worry for his 2024 outlook. Montgomery will be the early down hammer (19th in missed tackles forced per attempt, per Fantasy Points Data) and be plenty involved in the red zone. Last season, he was 15th in carries and fifth in red zone touches as he scored 13 touchdowns (fourth-most).

• Tank Dell (WR – HOU): Yes, Dell now has to contend with Stefon Diggs for targets, too, but we need to put respect on Dell’s name and understand that he could still fight for the team lead in targets in 2024. Last year, in the seven full games that Dell and Nico Collins played together, Dell bested him in every meaningful category. Dell led the duo in target share (22.5 vs. 22.1%), air-yard share (35.9 vs. 25.3%), weighted opportunity (59.0 vs. 50.9), and fantasy points per game (18.7 vs. 18.1). Overall last year Dell posted monster numbers in YPRR (2.40) and FD/RR (0.115) ranking 16th and 14th in these statistics. His recovery from a broken fibula will be huge, but if he is still the same guy we saw in 2023, there’s plenty of reason to invest heavily in him smashing in 2024.
• Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF): After Kincaid became the starter for the Bills, he was a locked in TE1. In Weeks 7-18, he ranked seventh in target share (19.0%), ninth in receiving yards per game (50.5) and first-read share (21.0%), and 12th in YPRR (1.85). During that stretch, he ranked 11th in route per dropback rate and fantasy points per game. There’s room for Kincaid to grow in 2024 with more routes and experience. He could enter the top three tight end conversation this year as the leader of the Bills’ passing attack with Stefon Diggs moving on to Houston. Invest in talented second-year players in good offenses. Kincaid checks all those boxes.

Round 6 Targets

This round is a beautiful mix of volume, onesie positional hammers, and investing in underrated offenses. Washington, Arizona, Jacksonville, and New England are my favorite underrated offenses to invest in for 2024. Kittle and Pitts fall into this round to complete the tight ends with elite upside for this season.

• Christian Kirk (WR – JAC): Kirk will be the Jaguars’ WR1 in 2024. He was on his way to a monstrous season before getting derailed by injury. In Weeks 2-12, Krik was the WR19 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 22.6% target share and 30.5% air-yard share, producing 2.31 YPRR and 0.101 FD/RR. If he had kept up that pace for the full season, he would have ranked 22nd, 17th, and 22nd in those categories. His full season counting stat pace was 138 targets, 94 receptions, and 1,278 receiving yards. With Calvin Ridley gone, Kirk’s biggest competition for targets is Evan Engram. Engram didn’t break out last year until Kirk was out, so I doubt Engram is the clear option over Kirk entering 2024. Gabriel Davis is a proven role player, and Brian Thomas Jr. is a rookie who will face growing pains in the NFL. Look for Trevor Lawrence to feed Kirk this year as one of the best values in fantasy drafts.
• Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS): McLaurin is primed for a bounce-back season in 2024. Last year, Sam Howell and his putrid passing sunk McLaurin’s season. McLaurin still led the team with a 20.4% target share, a 34.7% air-yard share, 1.64 YPRR, and a 25.4% first-read share. Don’t forget that this is the same receiver that ranked 16th in YPRR (2.20) and 19th in FD/RR (0.104) in 2023. That talent didn’t suddenly disappear. It was depressed by a quarterback last year that ranked 21st in CPOE and 25th in clean pocket passer rating. Last year, he was the WR34 in fantasy points per game and the WR21 in expected fantasy points per game. With Jayden Daniels under center, McLaurin could return to the WR2 ranks in 2024.
• Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE): To say Rhamondre Stevenson’s 2023 season was a disappointment would be an understatement. Stevenson was the RB10 in 2022, averaging 86 total yards per game, but he couldn’t come close to those numbers last year, finishing as the RB27 in fantasy points per game with 71.4 total yards per game. Stevenson’s overall numbers stunk, but if we look further into how his season played out, there’s hope for 2024. In Weeks 1-8, among 39 qualifying backs (minimum 50 rushing attempts per Fantasy Points Data), he ranked 33rd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 38th in yards after contact per attempt. In Weeks 9-13 (Stevenson missed the remainder of the season due to a high ankle sprain), he looked like the stud that we thought we were getting for the entire season. In that four-game stretch (minimum 25 carries), among 48 qualifying backs, he ranked 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and third in yards after contact per attempt. Stevenson could easily bounce back this season and be a wondrous value.
• Kyler Murray (QB – ARI): Murray immediately reinserted himself into the QB1 conversation in fantasy last year. He finished as the QB9 in fantasy points per game while struggling as a passer. Among 45 qualifying passers last season, he was 38th in CPOE, 35th in highly accurate throw rate, and had the ninth-highest off-target rate. It wasn’t pretty, but for fantasy purposes, he smoothed over those rough edges with rushing ranking ninth in rushing yards per game, 10th in carries per game, and ninth in red zone carries per game. Murray has displayed serious arm talent in the NFL previously, so I’m expecting a bounce back with his passing. Last year, we saw his floor, which is still a QB1 in fantasy. In 2020, we saw what the ceiling looked like (QB3). Murray will be one of my most drafted players in 2024.

Zamir White's full szn pace
(Weeks 15-18 as the starter for LVR)

357 carries
1,687 rushing yards
55 targets
38 rec
255 rec yds

YES I KNOW it was only 4 games BUT I really don't think everyone is considering how much volume he is set for in 2024.

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 17, 2024

• Zamir White (RB – LV): Zamir White proved capable of carrying the mail last year and should be the Raiders’ workhorse in 2024. In Weeks 15-18, he averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total yards as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. During this cup of coffee as the team’s starter, among 41 qualifying backs, he ranked 13th in explosive run rate, sixth in yards after contact per attempt, and 17th in success rate. With Josh Jacobs heading to Cheesehead town, White should be a volume-driven RB2 with upside for more in 2024.
• Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL): Pitts was railroaded yet again last year by Arthur Smith, as he played most of the season at less than 100%. Pitts finished as the TE16 in fantasy points per game and the TE15 in expected fantasy points per game. Much of this can be attributed to his minuscule touchdown production (only three, 18th among TEs) and a non-existent red zone role (34th in red zone targets). While Pitts lagged in YPRR and FD/RR (18th in both), he still flashed in one of the metrics I look to for projecting talent and ceiling at the tight end position, and that’s YPRR vs. man coverage. Last year, Pitts ranked seventh in this metric, immediately behind Travis Kelce. With a revamped offensive system, a clean bill of health, and improved quarterback play, Pitts is set to soar this season.
• George Kittle (TE – SF): Kittle proved last year that the tank isn’t dry. He was the TE6 in fantasy points per game, finishing with the third-highest receptions and receiving yards of his career, while he ranked only tenth in raw target volume (90). Kittle’s high leverage usage was fine, though, as he was first in deep targets and 10th in red zone targets among tight ends. Among 51 qualifying tight ends, he ranked first in YPRR (2.42) and seventh in FD/RR (0.10). Kittle can easily post another top-six fantasy tight end season in 2024, and the floor and ceiling will move upward if Deebo Samuel is moved before Week 1.

Round 7 Targets

This round is full of disrespected target volume and underappreciated upside. Love could finish as a top-three fantasy quarterback, while Rice and Warren are awesome and could be difference-making picks in 2024.

• Chris Godwin (WR, TB): Last year, Chris Godwin finished as the WR34 in fantasy points per game, which was his lowest finish in fantasy since 2018. His season was a letdown, but there’s hope that a big bounce back is coming in 2024, especially if he continues the pace he was on to close last year. In Weeks 1-13, Godwin was the WR45 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 20.4% target share while producing 50.5 receiving yards per game, 1.62 yards per route run, and 0.088 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After Week 13, he turned up the heat, closing the season as the WR16 in fantasy points per game with a 28.7% target share, 83.6 receiving yards per game, 2.79 yards per route run, and 0.133 first downs per route run. This coincided with his slot rate bumping up from 36.1% to 44%. The Bucs have talked about Godwin moving from the perimeter in 2024 and back into his familiar slot role, which would be amazing for his production and 2024 outlook. Godwin looks like an incredible value in drafts.
• Jordan Love (QB – GB): Love completed his first full season as the Packer’s starter and surpassed every expectation that I had for him. Love was the QB5 in fantasy points per game, ranking seventh in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns. After he had somewhat of a slow start to the season, Love caught fire after Week 9. For the rest of the season among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, he was fourth in passer rating and CPOE and sixth in fantasy points per dropback. During that stretch, he was also sixth in clean pocket passer rating. Love is a wonderful value in drafts if you want to wait on quarterback some and still have access to top 3-5 upside at the position.
• Rashee Rice (WR – KC): Every year, we have to navigate these suspension waters for some players. Rice’s ADP could vary widely from league to league. With that in mind, I’m more likely to take the leap and select Rice in leagues where he slips down the board, or I’m looking to “play catch up some” at wide receiver, depending on how my draft has unfolded. The additions of Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown to this passing attack have also muddied the waters for Rice. All of this uncertainty will make drafters wary of pressing the button, but the risk will be built into his ADP. While we can debate all of those factors, we can’t debate that Rice is a supremely talented player catching passes from one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In Weeks 12-18, Rice ranked 12th in target share (25.2%), 10th in YPRR (2.77) and FD/RR (0.123), and ninth in fantasy points per route run (0.60). With every passing day, it looks like Rice won’t be suspended for this season. Buy the dip.
• Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT): Jaylen Warren was one of the most explosive and elusive backs in the NFL. This sounds like a hyperbolic statement I know, but it really isn’t. Last season, he finished third in explosive run rate, first in missed tackles forced per attempt, and second in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If these numbers don’t jump off the page, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Oh wait, he was also 12th in yards per route run and fifth in targets per route run. Warren is a stud and outperformed Najee Harris in nearly every metric. While he finished as the RB29 in fantasy points per game, that doesn’t tell the entire story. Warren was an RB2 or better in weekly scoring in 50% of his games. Warren will still have to split a backfield this season with Harris, but if you’re betting on talent (which you should be), there aren’t many better options to grab in drafts that have his type of upside if anything were to happen to Harris.

Round 8 Targets

Volume and contingent upside swings. That’s what I’m all about in Round 8. Johnson is an auto pick in this range if you’re looking to catch up or deepen your WR room. Odunze and Worthy are locked in muddy depth charts that could clarify quickly with one injury or if these talented rookies rise to the top of the pecking order. Robinson and Singletary are my two favorite RB2 targets this year.

Stop sleeping on Brian Robinson in 2024 pic.twitter.com/BLXekCguaw

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) April 6, 2024

• Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR): Earning volume is a skill. It’s a reflection of talent, and few do that better than Johnson year after year. Once he returned from injury in Week 7, he continued to gobble up targets like usual, ranking 14th in target share (23.7%), sixth in air-yard share (41.6%), and 20th in FD/RR (0.109). In that span, he was the WR33 in fantasy points per game. Johnson should have no issues earning similar volume this season in Carolina, flanked by Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette. Look for Bryce Young to pepper his new WR1. Johnson is a WR3/4 that could easily post WR2 production in 2024.
• Brian Robinson (RB – WAS): Brian Robinson‘s overall stat lines don’t portray how good he was last season. Robinson was the RB14 in fantasy points per opportunity and the RB22 in fantasy points per game. He also stood out in efficiency categories, ranking 22nd in explosive run rate and 13th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). In the 12 games in which he played at least 40% of the snaps, Robinson averaged 15.5 touches and 77.9 total yards per game. He quietly displayed a three-down skillset last season, proving that he can play on passing downs, ranking fifth in yards per route run and 12th in PFF’s pass-blocking grade (minimum 20 targets and 50 pass-blocking snaps). Robinson will have to fight Austin Ekeler for passing down snaps and red zone work as he settles into the RB2/3 zone for 2024.
• Rome Odunze (WR – CHI): No one should question Odunze’s talent. In his final season in college, Odunze ranked 18th in YPRR and 8th in PFF receiving grade. It is fair to wonder about his ability to earn targets in year one, as D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen will flank him. There are reasons to be hopeful for Odunze, though. Unlike Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year, Odunze can still have splash weeks this year because of his ability to stretch the field, as his 15.5 aDOT in 2023 attests, so he can maximize some lost volume with big plays. The volume of this passing attack could surprise us as well, though. In 2021-2023, under new Bears’ offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Seattle ranked seventh in neutral pace and ninth in neutral passing rate. If the passing volume shocks the world and/or Keenan Allen or D.J. Moore misses any time, Odunze could outplay his ADP.
• Xavier Worthy (WR – KC): A wide receiver drafted in the first round landing in Kansas City? Yes, please. Worthy has blinding speed and the ability to create big plays with the ball in his hands. In two of his final three collegiate seasons, he ranked inside the top 27 collegiate receivers in yards after the catch per reception (27th, 8th). Worthy was also in the 90th percentile in his final season at Texas in separation percentage. Hollywood Brown isn’t a sure thing at this point in his career to stay healthy for an entire season. Rashee Rice has suspension questions looming. This offense, at some point this season, could boil down to Worthy and Travis Kelce as Patrick Mahomes‘ top two targets.
• Devin Singletary (RB – NYG): Devin Singletary steps in as the Giants’ new lead back with some big shoes to fill with Saquon Barkley‘s departure. Last year, with the Texans, he proved again that he could be a solid starting tailback in the NFL as he stepped in during the middle of the season and stole the starting job away from Dameon Pierce in Houston. In Weeks 9-18, he averaged 19 touches and 86.6 total yards as the RB21 in fantasy points per game. Singletary continues to roll along as an efficient rusher. Last year, he was 19th in explosive run rate and 22nd in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). While the Giants aren’t the sexiest landing spot, Singletary should flirt with RB2 production as the team’s bellcow.
• Jonathon Brooks (RB, CAR): Brooks lands in CAR with second-round NFL Draft capital in a wide-open backfield, with his toughest competition being Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. Yes, he’s recovering from an ACL tear, but as soon as he’s ready to shoulder most of the load for this backfield, it should be his job. Brooks displayed a three-down skillset last year at Texas, ranking 21st in yards after contact per attempt and yards per route run while also finishing ninth in PFF elusive rating. Brooks could begin the season as an RB3/flex but finish it as a stretch run hero.

Fantasy Football Draft Rankings

Check out the consensus 2024 fantasy football draft rankings from our experts.