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Scott Engel provides a comprehensive fantasy football rundown of veterans and returnees affected by key picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over, we can fully consider the impact of some of the most significant picks on returning NFL players and veterans. Many rookies will compete for quality playing time and can boost the output or negatively cut into the numbers of specific new teammates.
In this feature, I consider and highlight all of the players who were already on rosters and will feel the presence of their incoming first-year teammates on potential production. The players and situations affected are listed in order of being most impactful, whether positive or negative.
Seasonal outlooks are covered in each capsule, yet I also pepper in some dynasty league analysis where it is applicable. Of course, we lead with the RB situation with the Los Angeles Rams, and the possible return of Kyler Murray to top-level fantasy status.
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Kyren Williams
After finishing as the No. 2 RB overall in PPR points per game last season, Williams now clearly gets at least a minor downgrade in appeal after the Rams drafted Blake Corum in the third round. The former Michigan standout has electric cutback moves and is an immediate threat to Williams’ goal-line opportunities. Corum will complement Williams and ensure that he does not get overworked, but the 2023 second-team All-Pro should still be drafted as a back-end RB1 in seasonal leagues.
“Kyren Williams won’t get the same workload he had in 2023” and “Kyren is still an RB1” can both be true.
— Wyatt 🥃 (@WyattB_FF) April 29, 2024
The rookie certainly has some tantalizing abilities. He still has to acclimate to the pro game and level, though, and Williams has already earned the right to remain in the lead RB role. The drafting of Corum should naturally raise concerns about Williams’ workload, but I still expect him to be worthy of a top 10-12 pick at RB. The depth after the top spot at RB for the Rams was shaky, so consider that before overreacting to the possible impact of the newcomer’s role in 2024.
Kyler Murray
Coming off a healthier offseason and with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride as his prime targets, Murray has reemerged as an upside QB1 play for the 2024 season. If he can stay healthy this year, the two-time Pro Bowler can challenge to finish in the top five among fantasy QBs and he should be drafted inside the top 10.
Joshua Palmer/Quentin Johnston
The revamped Chargers WR room now includes rookie Ladd McConkey, so one of Johnston and Palmer will have to step forward as the No. 2 WR for Justin Herbert. Palmer is more proven but has never operated as a featured starter over a full season. Johnston is now pushed for his possible playing time and targets after a forgettable rookie season, but perhaps he can be motivated by the competition. I will be drafting Palmer as a WR4, yet Johnston may be worthy of a late flier. One of the two is likely to exceed fantasy draft-day value.
Dalton Kincaid
Buffalo used only one significant pick on a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning that Kincaid will be ticketed for a very prominent role in the passing game next season. The second-year man has top-five fantasy TE promise for the upcoming campaign and should be drafted right outside of that range in seasonal leagues.
Anthony Richardson/Josh Downs
The addition of Adonai Mitchell gives Richardson another dimension in the passing game. Mitchell is a sizable downfield and scoring threat who will ideally complement Michael Pittman Jr. and Downs. With a quality trio of WRs to work with and terrific rushing upside, a healthy Richardson has the clear potential to finish as a top three fantasy QB in 2024.
But Downs’ outlook now takes a notable hit, especially in dynasty leagues, and the promise that he showed in Weeks 3-8 last year is dulled. He is more of a depth piece for bye weeks and occasional matchup usage.
Daniel Jones
The highly criticized Giants passer did finish as QB9 in 2022 and was 10th in points per game that year. Now, he finally gets a true alpha wide receiver type in Malik Nabers, and Jalin Hyatt could be a lesser-heralded breakout type in his second season. Jones is a proven rusher who now has some respectable weaponry to work with, and he is an interesting later QB2 target.
If Jones fails, though, Drew Lock can be a deep sleeper type. He has smoothed out some of the rough edges of his game and throws a good deep ball, which can click with the likes of Nabers and Hyatt.
Terry McLaurin/Jahan Dotson
With Jayden Daniels at QB in 2024, McLaurin can get back over 1,100 yards and can potentially finish with 80-plus catches for the first time since 2020. Dotson has a good shot to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 campaign and has some promise as a WR4 target. Take a chance on buying lower on Dotson in dynasty leagues.
D.J. Moore
Last season, Moore finished as WR6 overall and ninth in PPR points per game. While the QB change from Justin Fields to Caleb Williams should not be a negative change for him, sharing targets with Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze will cut into the production. Moore is now in the top 15-20 range at WR in seasonal leagues heading into the 2024 campaign.
James Cook
He finished as RB12 in PPR formats, scoring 12-plus points in a five-game stretch that started in Week 10. But Cook rushed for only two TDs last year, and fourth-round rookie Ray Davis figures to complement him as the inside running presence Buffalo has been looking for. The presence of the newcomer from Kentucky does bump Cook out of my top-15 RB range and more toward the back end of the top 20 in seasonal leagues.
Absolutely all the way in on Ray Davis at 128.
5'8" 211 lbs, juice, wiggle, and can run through a dude. I love this pick to add some thunder behind James Cook.
Also of note, he was a Senior Bowl standout, which Beane loves.#BillsMafia #NFLDraft
— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) April 27, 2024
Courtland Sutton
Working with a rookie QB who is also bringing in his top college teammate at WR is not a favorable scenario for Sutton. But while reaching 10 TDs again is unlikely for Sutton in 2024, he should still be the No. 1 target in the Denver passing game, which puts him right on the WR3/4 cusp in seasonal leagues.
Bryce Young
This offseason, the Panthers have done a commendable job of surrounding Young with all he needs to potentially elevate his game. Those moves included drafting WR Xavier Legette, a size/speed playmaker, and TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, who can emerge as an eventual dynasty league riser himself. Young can be taken in seasonal leagues as a worthy late-round flier, and you should poke at the person who currently rosters him in dynasty formats to see what the trade price might be.
Aaron Rodgers
Slithery rookie Malachi Corley will either be a nice luxury as the third WR for Rodgers or he can be the No. 2 if Mike Williams misses time, which is always a concern. Rodgers has a much better WR outlook for this season than he did heading into 2023. The Jets QB can be considered worthy of drafting in the 15-17 range in seasonal formats. It is very possible that Rodgers will outperform his fantasy draft slot in 2024.
Malachi Corley is a GREAT fit w/ Aaron Rodgers
Here's a look at Rodgers' 2019-21 route target tendencies vs NFL avg & Corley's route tree in 2023 (per Brett Kollmann's great vid)
Corley thrived on crossers, screens, and go's.
All 3 were among Rodgers' top 4 favorites. pic.twitter.com/OpRB5g9gEc
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) April 27, 2024
Raheem Mostert/De'Von Achane
Both of the returning Miami RBs should remain atop the depth chart when available, yet rookie Jaylen Wright will be an apparent late-round insurance pick. Mostert and Achane do have durability concerns, and backing up either one of them with Wright could prove to be a savvy fantasy move.
Kirk Cousins
The drafting of Michael Penix Jr. can only motivate Cousins more once he shows that the recovery from an Achilles injury is no longer a significant issue. He should have the usual high-end fantasy QB2 floor when in favorable condition, and can certainly elevate the fantasy outlooks of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. The two best Atlanta pass-catchers will now provide more consistency and upside.
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