RADIO
For most fantasy football players, the game is only a seasonal event. Once the offseason arrives, many forget about fantasy football until training camp starts. However, the game of fantasy football has become a year-round game.
Dynasty fantasy football is the most popular year-round type of contest. However, best ball fantasy football is a growing game. One of the more popular strategies in best ball leagues is stacking players.
A stack consists of three or more players from one team. Typically, it includes a quarterback and two pass-catchers, but not always. Let’s look at some of my favorite best ball stacks for the 2024 season. The ADP for the article is courtesy of Underdog Fantasy.
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Philadelphia Eagles
- Jalen Hurts: ADP 36.3 | QB2
- Saquon Barkley: ADP 16.2 | RB7
- A.J. Brown: ADP 10.5 | WR7
Hurts had a fantasy MVP-type year in 2022, averaging 25.2 fantasy points per game. The superstar had 22 passing touchdowns and only six interceptions, totaling 13 scores on the ground. Last year, he put up similar numbers, tallying 23 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing scores. However, Hurts had 15 interceptions, matching his total from his first two seasons as a starter. Yet, the former Oklahoma star was the QB2 in 2023. Hopefully, he can cut back on the interceptions next season.
After six years with the New York Giants, Barkley signed a massive free-agent deal with the Eagles. The superstar was an RB1 in 2023 despite missing three games with a high ankle sprain and playing on an awful offense. Some are worried Barkley won’t get enough touchdown production, with Jalen Hurts toting double-digit rushing scores in three consecutive years. Yet, Barkley has been outstanding for fantasy players despite having only a 2.9% rushing touchdown rate in his career.
The Eagles are signing former Giants RB Saquon Barkley to a 3-year, $37.75M deal, per multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/ZBGLfv9V0Z
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 11, 2024
Last season was an up-and-down one for Brown. The veteran wide receiver was the WR7, averaging 13.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, he was the WR5, averaging 15 fantasy points per game in his first year with Philadelphia. While Brown’s production fell off a cliff to end the season, the superstar set career highs in receptions (106) and targets (158) in 2023. He is Jalen Hurts’ go-to target, posting a 28.1% targets per route run rate since joining the team (per Fantasy Points Data).
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Burrow: ADP 73.1 | QB7
- Ja'Marr Chase: ADP 4.3 | WR3
- Tee Higgins: ADP 44.1 | WR28
- Mike Gesicki: ADP 221.3 | TE32
Unfortunately, Burrow had his 2023 season ruined before it started. The superstar suffered a calf injury in training camp that hampered him all year. He suffered a season-ending torn ligament in his right wrist in Week 11. Despite playing through multiple injuries, Burrow averaged 2.4 passing touchdowns and 21.4 fantasy points per game over his final five full contests. While he isn’t a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson, Burrow is an underrated runner, totaling five rushing touchdowns in 2022. Expect a bounceback season from the former LSU star.
You can count the number of wide receivers in the NFL better than Chase on one hand. The superstar was the WR13, averaging 13.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing his franchise quarterback for nearly half the year. He averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game in the nine contests that Joe Burrow finished. More importantly, Chase had seven receiving touchdowns last season despite catching only one in a game with Jake Browning starting. Unless Burrow can’t stay healthy, Chase should have his first top-three finish in 2024.
3 tuddies! @Real10jayy__
📺: #CINvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/bJxMYOHeze— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
While Higgins has requested a trade, the Bengals don’t seem willing to entertain it. Higgins had the worst fantasy season of his career in 2023, ending the year as the WR49, averaging 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He set career lows in receptions (42), targets (76), receiving yards (656), touchdowns (five), and games (12). Despite coming off an awful season, Higgins remains one of the top-value wide receivers in fantasy football. He never finished lower than WR22 in the previous two years.
Gesicki was once considered a potential star at the tight end position. However, his career turned for the worse over the past few years. The veteran has averaged only 3.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the past two seasons, playing a limited role for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. However, Gesicki will be one of my favorite late-round picks in best ball drafts this year. Cincinnati could have a consistent role for him, especially with Tyler Boyd off the roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Trevor Lawrence: ADP 113.6 | QB15
- Christian Kirk: ADP 58.1 | WR35
- Evan Engram: ADP 80.1 | TE9
Many had high expectations for Lawrence last season. The former No. 1 overall pick ended the year as the QB12, averaging 16.4 fantasy points per game. However, he was a fantasy bust, finishing as the QB17 on a points-per-game basis, posting a lower average than Russell Wilson. Lawrence’s passing touchdown production declined while his interception rate rose. Yet, he struggled to connect with Calvin Ridley and played through multiple injuries. Despite last season’s failures, I will take a chance on Lawrence as the 15th quarterback off the board in ADP.
Jacksonville lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, making Kirk the team’s No. 1 wide receiver again. The former Texas A&M star was a top-12 wide receiver the last time he was Trevor Lawrence’s top target, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in 2022. The veteran wide receiver has had a 22.9% targets per route run rate since joining the team (per Fantasy Points Data). While his ADP will rise from here, Kirk is on my must-draft list this offseason despite the addition of Gabe Davis in free agency.
Some were skeptical that Engram was worthy of his mid-round ADP last season. Yet, the former Ole Miss star ended the year at the TE2, averaging 10.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He became a go-to target for Trevor Lawrence, finishing 12th in the NFL and first among tight ends in targets (143). Furthermore, the veteran fell three receptions short of breaking Zach Ertz’s record for the most receptions in a season by a tight end (116). Engram’s role could be even larger next year with Calvin Ridley gone.
Christian Kirk and Evan Engram 📈 pic.twitter.com/8vlFeqnu9N
— Fantasy Life (@MBFantasyLife) March 15, 2024
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