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Mike Fanelli determines which NFL players should be top-10 picks in 2024 fantasy football drafts. Which wide receiver or running back should you pick first?
The 2023 fantasy football season is in the rearview mirror. While some have turned their attention to playoff fantasy football and DFS, others are preparing for next year.
Much will change over the next eight months that will impact the landscape of the NFL and fantasy football in 2024. Free agency and the NFL Draft will be the top two factors. However, several other things will alter the rankings from today and the start of draft season in August.
Yet, there is nothing wrong with doing an early top-10 draft mock draft. So, here are my picks for how the first round of fantasy football drafts should go this summer.
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No. 10 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Kyren Williams
Williams came out of nowhere in the Los Angeles Rams backfield this season, becoming a fantasy star. He scored at least 16.4 half-point PPR fantasy points in 75% of the games, including 22 or more in two of the three fantasy football playoff matchups. Williams is a first-round lock unless the team adds a big-name running back during the offseason.
No. 9 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Jonathan Taylor
Unfortunately, Taylor struggled with injuries in 2023. He missed the first four games recovering from offseason ankle surgery and three late in the year because of a thumb injury. Yet, Taylor showed why he’s a fantasy superstar to close the season, averaging 21.8 fantasy points per game over the final two weeks.
No. 8 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Bijan Robinson
While Robinson didn’t live up to the preseason hype, it wasn’t his fault. Arthur Smith made the superstar rookie part of a three-headed backfield attack with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson. Thankfully, the Atlanta Falcons hired their awful head coach earlier this week, making fantasy players around the world rejoice.
No. 7 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown will never get the same recognition as the top wide receivers in the league because he was a fourth-round NFL Draft pick. However, the former USC star is an elite wide receiver. St. Brown was the WR3 in 2023, averaging 17 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. After having 11 receiving touchdowns over his first two years, the superstar had 10 this season.
No. 6 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Breece Hall
The New York Jets didn’t have the 2023 season they had hoped for. However, Hall and Garrett Wilson confirmed that the team has two of the top young fantasy stars in the league. Despite missing Aaron Rodgers and playing behind an awful offensive line all year, the former Iowa State star was outstanding. Hall was the RB4, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite having only 32 rushing attempts over the first four weeks.
No. 5 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Tyreek Hill
Many will have Hill higher than me in their rankings next year. The superstar wide receiver turned 30 in the offseason and struggled with injuries to close out 2023. Yet, he was one of only three players to be unanimously named AP First-Team All-Pro.
No. 4 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: CeeDee Lamb
Despite the Dallas Cowboys passing attack starting the year slowly, Lamb was outstanding in 2023. He was the WR1, averaging 19.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar was the offense for the Cowboys, scoring a touchdown in nine consecutive games to end the year.
No. 3 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Justin Jefferson
Hopefully, Kirk Cousins is back with the Minnesota Vikings next season. Yet, Jefferson was outstanding with Nick Mullens under center to end the year. Despite missing seven games and leaving two others early because of injury, the superstar was one of 27 wide receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2023.
No. 2 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Ja’Marr Chase
I have Chase ranked over Justin Jefferson today because of the quarterback position. Chase will play with Joe Burrow next year, while Jefferson’s quarterback situation is up in the air. Furthermore, the Cincinnati Bengals might lose Tee Higgins in the offseason, creating even more targets for the former LSU star.
No. 1 Pick for 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts: Christian McCaffrey
While McCaffrey will be 28 when the 2024 NFL season starts, the superstar running back has stayed healthy for the past two years. Furthermore, he has been the top running back and fantasy player since joining the San Francisco 49ers. The only way he isn’t the top-scoring non-quarterback next year is because of a massive injury.
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