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As the 2024 free agency period comes to a close, it’s time for us to start preparing for the upcoming NFL season. Along with that comes an early dive into what the 2024 fantasy football world will look like. Here’s a quick glimpse at five players on new teams who should see a higher future fantasy output due to their team swap.
QB Sam Darnold - Minnesota Vikings
I know…I know…but hear me out. This elite Vikings offense allowed Kirk Cousins to put up fantastic numbers in his relatively short 2023 campaign. At the time of his season-ending injury, Cousins was on pace to throw for almost 40 touchdowns and 5,000 yards by season’s end. Even assuming that Darnold doesn’t have the upside of Cousins, he should still be able to put up numbers with this plethora of weapons.
Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson looks to be in line for a big contract extension after initial reports linked him to a potential trade. Second-year wideout Jordan Addison and 2-time Pro Bowl Tight End T.J. Hockenson are both certified playmakers. The Vikings also upgraded at running back by adding Aaron Jones from their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
If Darnold ends up being named the Week One starter, there’s no reason to think that he shouldn’t put above-average numbers in this pass-heavy offense. Darnold could be a solid late-round pick in most leagues.
??????: The #Vikings are preparing for a potential scenario where they start Sam Darnold in 2024 and look to the 2025 QB Class for a new starter, says @SeifertESPN
“They’re preparing for the possibility of riding with offseason free agent addition Sam Darnold in 2024 and… pic.twitter.com/Jlo1JOhsZh
RB Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley's swap of NFC East rivals is unquestionably a win-win for both Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. It is also a likely win for Barkley's future fantasy owners. The 2024 season will mark the first season in Barkley’s NFL career where he will play for a team that is projected to be a serious Super Bowl contender.
Barkley's former team, the New York Giants, had an abysmal record of 34-64-1 since drafting him back in 2018. Playing for a significantly better team should be enough to increase Barkley’s fantasy output. With D’Andre Swift’s departure to the Chicago Bears, Barkley is undoubtedly solidified as the Eagles bell-cow back.
I fully expect Barkley to be an almost unanimous first-round pick in 10 to 12-team leagues, as he should be. As a serious threat in the passing game, Barkley also has added value in full PPR leagues.
WR Marquise Brown - Kansas City Chiefs
This one seems like an obvious choice. The 2024 Kansas City Chiefs look to be a prime spot for the emergence of Marquise Brown. Brown has always been a player who has consistently produced. However, Brown has yet to take the next step and achieve the label of “star”.
Despite winning back-to-back Super Bowls and cementing themselves as the NFL’s next dynasty, the Chiefs have lacked a true number-one receiver in the two seasons since trading away Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. The void is there for the Chiefs, and it looks like a perfect opportunity for Brown to finally have his breakout season.
From a fantasy perspective, Brown looks to be a highly attractive option with the potential to reach WR1 status by the end of the season. Even with competition from promising second-year receiver Rashee Rice (legal issues still unknown), Brown looks to have an immediate role within this Chiefs offense with plenty of opportunities to shine.
RB Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
As is the case with Saquon Barkley, the simple factor of going to a much better team plays a big role for running backs. Josh Jacobs seems to check even more boxes than that for the Packers. Realistically, Jacobs might very well be the best Running Back the Packers have had in 5…10…maybe even 20 years.
In 2023, Green Bay was completely ravaged by injuries at the running back position. Aaron Jones seemed to be on the injury report for the entire season, and none of his backups were anything special, especially from a fantasy perspective. Jacobs is only a year removed from being the NFL’s leading rusher, and now he goes to a team with a winning culture and a strong desire to run the football.
In recent years, Jacobs has been one of the league's most versatile running backs, remaining a consistent threat in the passing game. Here, Jacobs is paired with a smart offensive coach and a talented young cast of offensive weapons headed by breakout star Jordan Love. Expect Jacobs to be a comfortable RB1 choice who should be drafted firmly within the first 20 picks.
Green Bay is ready for the Josh Jacobs show! Packers fans should be geeked to have him as their running back. He is a BEAST #GoPackGo? #NFL?pic.twitter.com/qnHehnuAn5
WR Curtis Samuel - Buffalo Bills
This is yet another instance of a good player being put into an ideal situation. Curtis Samuel, a consistently good role player for the Panthers and Commanders during his 7-year NFL career, now slots in as the Buffalo Bills WR1 (For now). With Stefon Diggs being tradeded to the Texans, the Bills receiver room is wide open. Even if the Bills draft another wide receiver, Samuel will be primed to see a considerable amount of touches.
We’ve agreed to terms on a trade that will send WR Stefon Diggs to Houston for a 2025 second round draft pick.
More details: https://t.co/qidbgR9zfQ pic.twitter.com/J3IHJeDxN9
These touches should not only come in the receiving game. As a slot/niche type player, Samuel should regularly be used on end-around and in other aspects of the running game. While Samuel isn't a high-end fantasy receiver option in 2024, he should have just as much, if not a bit more, value as former Bills receiver Gabe Davis has had in recent years.
