Now that the fantasy football season has come to a close, managers finally have time to sit down, kick back and relax. At the same time, they are pondering who on earth they are going to take with their first pick in 2024. A long offseason lies ahead, but while it is fresh in our minds, let’s talk about the first ten picks for the 2024 fantasy season.
1.01: Christian McCaffrey, RB
Duh. What else do I even have to say here? Christian McCaffrey scored more points than any other player in fantasy football last year and is in the same situation. McCaffrey is entering his age 28 season but has shown no signs of slowing down. Next question, please.
1.02: Justin Jefferson, WR
Justin Jefferson battled injuries all year and caused a lot of stress for fantasy football managers off the field. That said, Jefferson showcased exactly what you are looking for in a WR1 when he was on the field. It took him ten games to reach 1000 yards, becoming only the 3rd player in NFL history to do so. Quarterback play doesn’t seem to matter when throwing the ball to #18, but assuming his old pal Kirk Cousins returns for another season, there is no reason to believe that Jefferson won’t continue his run of dominance.
Crazy stat: Among wide receivers with at least 50 career games, only five average over 80 yards/game.
One is in the Hall of Fame, and the other 4 are still playing or not eligible yet.
1. Justin Jefferson - 98.3 Y/G (60 games)
2. Calvin Johnson - 86.1 Y/G (135 games)
3. Antonio… pic.twitter.com/F3BeVbX489
1.03: CeeDee Lamb, WR
One player poised to make a compelling case for being drafted as the number three pick is CeeDee Lamb. The dynamic wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys showcased immense talent and playmaking ability in the previous season, hinting at a potential breakout in the year ahead. Lamb has exceptional route-running skills, hands of steel, and the ability to stretch the field.
Naturally, Lamb has become the favorite target for quarterback Dak Prescott. The synergy between Lamb and Prescott is a fantasy goldmine, as evidenced by their on-field chemistry, especially late in the season.
1.04: Tyreek Hill, WR
Tyreek Hill’s season was nothing short of spectacular and exciting. Hill missed one game due to an injury, which stopped him from breaking the single-season receiving record. Hill still had 119 catches, 1799 yards, and 13 TDs, which is an amazing season. Known for his electrifying speed and dynamic playmaking ability, Hill has been a constant force on the field for the Miami Dolphins since joining the team.
One of the standout features of Hill’s season has been his ability to take over games. Hill’s impact on the Dolphins offense has been pivotal, whether it’s burning defenders on deep routes or turning short receptions into explosive gains. Hill’s agility and acceleration make him a nightmare for defensive backs, and his knack for finding open spaces on the field has consistently put the Dolphins in favorable positions to score points all year.
1.05: Breece Hall, RB
I am finding it harder and harder to rank Breece Hall outside of my top three running backs. Returning from an ACL injury is always a coin flip on performance, but the young New York Jets running back was up for the challenge. Hall finished six yards short of a 1,000-yard season and seems primed for a breakout season with the return of Aaron Rodgers next year.
Hall showcased his incredible skill and versatility by consistently making big plays and being a consistent threat on offense. Hall possesses great vision, agility, and speed. His ability to consistently find the gaps and make defenders miss is a “You either have it, or you don’t skill, and Hall certainly has “it.”
Still such an unbelievable TD from Breece Hall man. pic.twitter.com/1GbzKO6zYt
1.06: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
First round can be a coin flip a lot of the time, and honestly, Ja’Marr Chase easily could make a case to be a top-four pick. The Bengals’ season really never seemed to get on track as Joe Burrow got hurt in the preseason, and then, right as it seemed he was finally getting healthy suffered a season-ending injury.
“Uno” still managed to finish the season with 100 catches, 1216 yards and 7 TDs. Chase is easily one of the most polarizing and electrifying talents in the game of football. A healthy Joe Burrow returning next year with a bad taste in his mouth after the Bengals failed to make the playoffs could propel Chase to a WR1 season.
1.07: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
Now we know why Dan Campbell and company were so excited to draft Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs gained attention for his impressive performance as a freshman during his impressive 2020 college season. In his rookie year, Gibbs showcased his versatility as a running back, displaying speed, agility, and the ability to contribute in both the running and passing game.
The thunder and lighting duo of Gibbs and David Montgomery brings back flashes of the Saints 2018 backfield with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. The Lions are officially in the “we expect you to win games” tier, and Gibbs will be a key contributor for years to come.
1.08: Bijan Robinson, RB
Bijan Robinson was another rookie standout who was underwhelming at the same time. Robinson came into the NFL with lofty expectations and was a first-round pick last year. Arthur Smith made sure to tamper our expectations, and Robinson was not quite the bell-cow we were expecting yet.
Tyler Allgeier had 186 carries to Robinson’s 214, making the backfield more of a committee. Robinson was able to average nearly a full yard per carry more than Allgeier, and toward the end of the year, we began to see the shift we expected to see at the beginning of the season. It’s another year in the league, and Robinson could easily be the number-one overall pick sooner rather than later.
Bijan Robinson is a freak and that’s not new news…. But he’s making Alien ? plays every week now. #Bijanrobinson #atl #falcons #film #all22 pic.twitter.com/Xr8MJnsHXX
1.09: Jonathan Taylor, RB
The Indianapolis Colts have one of the most exciting young offenses in the NFL, and with a full off-season, Anthony Richardson should be able to take a considerable amount of pressure off of Jonathan Taylor. The Colts run a lot of RPOs, and when you have to decide between letting Richardson take off or letting Taylor take off, it’s a pretty lose-lose situation.
Taylor is poised for another good year if he can stay healthy. The speedy power back is one of those league-winning picks in the first round. Leagues aren’t typically won in the first round of drafts, but getting a running back this late in the first round who can easily finish as the #1 overall player is definitely a good start.
1.10: Kyren Williams, RB
Kyren Williams was the biggest league winner in 20223 as he burst onto the scene after the departure of Cam Akers. There was chatter about Williams being a favorite of coach Sean McVay, but we saw nothing that could have been predicted. 228 Carries 1,144 yards, five yards/carry, and 15 total touchdowns.
There are some questions to be answered about whether he can repeat such success, but he is a professional running back on tape. Williams makes the right cuts to get defenders off balance, hits the correct hole, and shows patience while allowing his blocks to get set up. Unless the Rams bring in another significant running back, you can expect Williams to be an impact player once again next year.
