Fantasy Football Players to Target and Avoid - NFC East

July 18, 2024

Kacey Kasem identifies fantasy football players to target and avoid on each NFC East team for your drafts. Target and avoid these players to find fantasy success.

Fantasy football managers are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season and preparing for their fantasy football drafts. Evaluating the NFC East rosters to determine which players to target and which to avoid is crucial for these drafts. This article tackles fantasy targets and those to avoid from each NFC East team.

The NFC East is full of veteran stars and rising talents. From the high-powered passing offense of the Dallas Cowboys to the Washington Commanders' rejuvenated roster, each NFC East team has someone for your fantasy roster.

While some teams like the Philadelphia Eagles boast many fantasy-prevalent stars, others such as the New York Giants may offer only a few draft-worthy players. By examining each team's strengths and weaknesses, I aim to provide insights to boost your chances for success in 2024.

Dallas Cowboys

Target: Dak Prescott, QB 

The Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback turns 31 this season, but he is proving that quarterbacks can continue to impress into their 30s. Dak Prescott is coming off one of the best seasons of his career.

He threw for an impressive 4,516 yards in 2023, the third-most passing yards by a quarterback last year. The Mississippi State alum also ranked fourth in pass attempts in 2023, tossing the ball 590 times. He was ranked first in touchdown passes with 36.

Fill in the Blank:

Dak Prescott is a top-____ QB in the NFL. #DallasCowboys #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/b6SETf8vy0

— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) November 5, 2023

After the Week 7 bye, the Cowboys demonstrated adaptability by transitioning from a run-heavy offense to a more balanced approach. The presence of CeeDee Lamb on the roster significantly boosted Prescott's performance. Lamb's 135 receptions out of 179 targets in 2023 led the league, and his 12 receiving touchdowns ranked third, showcasing the team's strategic shift.

Lamb's 1,749 receiving yards was second in the league behind Tyreek Hill's 1,799. Additionally, the star wideout had 14 carries for 113 rushing yards with two scores on the ground. Having a reliable target like Lamb skyrockets Prescott's value. Tight end Jake Ferguson is also in the fold, adding 71 receptions to the mix in 2023.

With backfield circumstances less than ideal for 2024, Prescott will rely on getting the ball to his talented pass-catchers. Running back Tony Pollard left in free agency, and the team signed Ezekiel Elliott to reclaim the spot he left when he played a season with the New England Patriots. Elliott is no longer in his prime, and Prescott should rely heavily on his pass threats this season.

Avoid: Rico Dowdle, RB

A lot of people have been down on Ezekiel Elliott for 2024. As previously referenced, Zeke returns to the Cowboys after a small stint with the Patriots. Elliott's 642-yard rushing season and three touchdowns (on 184 rushing attempts) were nothing to write home about, but it did show he still has a little left in his tank.

Elliott will still start the season as the team's RB1, even if he splits time with Rico Dowdle. Dowdle entered the "Pollard role" after Elliott's departure to New England. Pollard slid into the Zeke role. Now, Pollard is a Tennessee Titan. With Elliott rejoining the team, Dowdle is back in the secondary role.

The Cowboys running back has minimal playing time over his four seasons in the league. Last season, the 26-year-old back carried the ball just 89 times in 16 games. As a pass-catcher, Dowdle impressed with 17 catches for 144 yards and two scores. His average yards per catch was 8.5.

With Pollard in Tennessee, there are 252 rushing attempts and 67 targets for the taking. The thing about Dallas is it has a high-powered passing attack. It is safe to assume Prescott will get the ball to his pass-catchers, and Dowdle has shown he can be helpful in the passing game. With Lamb, Ferguson, and Brandin Cooks on the roster, he has plenty of solid pass-catchers to get the ball to. Dowdle will be an afterthought.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has stated that the Dallas offense will showcase a running back-by-committee approach for the 2024 season. For a player who scored an average of 5.7 PPR fantasy points per game last year, the South Carolina product needs more room to grow. The offense won't allow for it.

New York Giants

Target: Devin Singletary, RB

The veteran running back joins the New York Giants for the 2024 season after a career season in Houston. Devin Singletary started 2023 as the backup to Dameon Pierce in the Texans offense. Eventually, Singletary snatched the job away from Pierce.

The former third-round draft pick's 2023 season saw a career-high 898 rushing yards, even though he was the backup to begin the season. While playing for the Texans, Singletary secured 216 carries and handled the ball 37 times in the red zone. His play helped the Texans secure the AFC South division title.

Devin Singletary for another Texans touchdown! Houston leads Cleveland 45-14! #WeAreTexans

pic.twitter.com/B6LrLrevEh

— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) January 14, 2024

Now, Singletary finds himself in New York, replacing workhorse back Saquon Barkley. Barkley is now in Philadelphia, and Singletary finds himself in an ideal spot. There is less competition in the Giants' running back room than in Houston's.

The Giants spent a fifth-round pick on running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., but the rookie won't see the work Singletary sees. The Giants signed Singletary to a three-year contract worth $16.5M during free agency.

"Motor" will not be the RB1 your roster needs, but he will be a viable RB2 on an offense that should hand him the ball a lot. Fantasy football managers only get a few shots to draft a genuine bell-cow running back nowadays, but Singletary gives you that option without breaking the bank. Barkley leaves behind 962 rushing yards and 280 receiving yards with 10 total touchdowns. Singletary looks poised to have his best season with the Giants.

Avoid: Daniel Jones, QB

Sorry, Danny Dimes. A torn ACL suffered in Week 9 destroyed Daniel Jones' 2023 season. The former first-rounder also missed three games in 2023 due to a neck injury that impacted his left arm's strength.

In 2022, Jones didn't have a great season, but he did finish the season as QB9 in fantasy points per game. His superb finish was mainly due to rushing for 708 yards and seven scores. The ACL tear in 2023 is problematic to fantasy managers because Jones' appeal comes from his ability to rush.

Injuries are not the only cause for concern when drafting Jones. He expects to be healthy for the start of the season. Jones has not had a good supporting cast over his five seasons in the NFL. Saquon Barkley is now with the Philadelphia Eagles, so the one fantasy-relevant player from the team has departed.

Over the years, Jones has played beside wide receivers like Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, and Kenny Golladay. He has never had a true WR1, as it looks like he has with sixth overall draft pick, Malik Nabers. Although Nabers has high draft capital and is a talented athlete, it may take a while for him to get going due to Jones' quarterback play.

Jones has impressed in the running game during his time in the league. The veteran QB has an average of 5.8 yards per carry to pair with 5.5 carries per game. The knee injury is concerning as Jones' rushing ability is his one bright spot. If he has difficulty returning from injury and continues to play poorly, the Giants have Drew Lock waiting in the wings.

Philadelphia Eagles

Target: Saquon Barkley, RB

Barkley joins the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a three-year, $37.75M deal in March. The New York Giants opted against franchise-tagging the star running back for a second time. Now, Barkley finds himself on the best offense of his career.

In 2023, the Giants offensive line dealt with many injuries and poor play. Although center Jason Kelce retired, Barkley will work alongside the best offensive line he has ever had.

Saquon Barkley - WR1 pic.twitter.com/c8V8BoUjzb

— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) November 19, 2023

Not only is the Penn State product great on the ground, but he is also a force as a target through the air. In Barkley's rookie season (2018), he was RB1 in PPR and RB2 in standard leagues. He tallied 1,207 yards that year, taking the ball in for 11 scores on the ground. Additionally, he totaled 721 yards through the air with four receiving touchdowns.

Injuries in the past have impaired Barkley's production. In 2020, the former first-rounder tore his ACL and MCL, only participating in two contests that season. Last season, Barkley was absent in three games due to an ankle sprain. He has had issues with ankle sprains in the past.

Although he has seen injuries, he was still an effective threat last season. Barkley ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns and received 41 balls for 280 yards and four scores through the air. This effectiveness will bleed into his 2024 season, and Barkley will continue posting RB1 numbers with his new team.

Avoid: Dallas Goedert, TE

The seasoned veteran at tight end has been integral to the Philadelphia Eagles offense since being drafted in 2018. He has been the third option in the passing game in his time with the Eagles.

Over the last three seasons, Goedert has had at least 55 receptions, but his production has decreased. The former second-round draft pick tallied 830 yards in 2021, seeing that number go down to 702 in 2022. In 2023, he posted just 529 yards.

Goedert has not been known for his touchdown upside. The 29-year-old scored only three times each season in the last two years and has been sidelined throughout his time in the league. Over the previous two seasons, Goedert has missed eight contests. The South Dakota State product fractured his arm in 2023. He also suffered a shoulder injury in his 2022 season.

The Philly tight end has seen his best PPR finish as the TE9 back in 2021. Throughout his playing career, he has been a boom-or-bust player. He gives you a few big games, such as Week 5 where he scored 25.7 PPR points, or Week 7 where he scored 18.7 points. He ended 2023 as TE14 in PPR leagues and TE15 in standard leagues, scoring an average of 9.7 points per game in PPR leagues and 5.5 points per game in standard leagues.

With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Barkley as major focal points of the offense, Goedert's volume won't be enough to make him a TE1 in fantasy. Relying on Goedert as your only tight end is not ideal.

Washington Commanders

Target: Jayden Daniels, QB 

The Washington Commanders took quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The rookie will step in right away as the starter for the Commanders.

The Heisman-winning quarterback is a dual threat, which makes him an ideal draft target. Dual-threat quarterbacks have shown they are huge fantasy-point earners. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts are runners at the quarterback position who have had top QB finishes in fantasy football over the years.

Jayden Daniels is much more than just a runner but man he is one of the most nimble runners I have seen in a while. pic.twitter.com/DzqneGaCYf

— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) February 6, 2024

Daniels' fifth collegiate season was impressive. The former LSU Tiger rushed for an incredible 1,250 yards in his final year in college. He also scored 10 times on the ground. Additionally, Daniels put up a whopping 8.4 yards per rush.

As noted, Daniels has a lot of talent running the ball. He can find holes and dominate on the ground and is also an incredible deep passer. His arsenal of weapons, which includes Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, Austin Ekeler, and Brian Robinson Jr., means the California-born quarterback has plenty of solid options to get the ball to.

Selecting Daniels at his current FFPC ADP of 96 is wise, as the rookie looks poised for success. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury helped quarterback Kyler Murray play excellent football when Kingsbury was the head coach in Arizona. In 2020, Murray rushed 82 times, scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. Watch for Daniels to have an impressive first season in the league, putting up good fantasy football numbers.

Avoid: Luke McCaffrey, WR

Luke McCaffrey, another rookie drafted by Washington in 2024, is a Rice product who played quarterback for his first three college seasons. McCaffrey is a talented athlete, but may need time to become an NFL-caliber wide receiver.

In McCaffrey's last two seasons at Rice, he grabbed 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 19 scores. Per PlayerProfiler, he had an impressive 28.8 percent target share in his final season with the Owls.

The Commanders need a solid slot player, and McCaffrey can give them that. He might not be able to contribute every week during his rookie season. The 100th overall pick in the draft is behind McLaurin and Dotson on the depth chart.

Jamison Crowder is on the roster and plays in the slot role. Crowder turns 31 before the season starts. He contributed in a minor way to the team last season, tallying 16 receptions for 159 yards and a score in 17 games. He does not look to be a long-term threat to McCaffrey's role on the field, but he could cause issues for the rookie's freshman season.

McLaurin just had his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season and is the standout WR1 on the team. Dotson is back and healthy after playing in all 17 games in 2023. McCaffrey might not see enough targets in his first season to be relevant to fantasy. For dynasty rosters, he is worth taking a flyer on. For redraft, he is best left for someone else.

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