The Safest Fantasy Football Player To Draft From Each AFC Team in 2024

Mike Fanelli analyzes the safest early round fantasy football players from each AFC team. Which players from the AFC are the safest to draft for your squad in 2024?

The 2024 fantasy football season is nearly here. One of the most popular fantasy football sayings is that you can’t win your league in the first round, but you can lose it.

That saying means fantasy players want to avoid first-round draft picks who end up being a bust. While your first-round selection won’t win you the league, it could cost you any chance at winning the title.

Instead of only looking at the first round, I’ve provided the safest draft pick for every AFC team.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

AFC East Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Some are worried that Allen doesn’t have the receiving corps needed to be an elite quarterback. While the Bills lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, they added Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel. Furthermore, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid are popular breakout candidates after their strong finishes last season. After finishing as the QB1 in three of the past four years, Allen is all but a lock for another top-3 finish in 2024.

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

The only concern with the superstar receiver is his age. Hill turned 30 years old during the offseason. However, he was arguably the top wide receiver in the NFL last year, leading the league in receiving yards (1,799) and touchdowns (13). While Jaylen Waddle could earn more targets in 2024, fantasy players have no reason to think the passing attack won’t flow through Hill.

TUA TO TYREEK AGAIN. 60-YARD TD.

📺: #MIAvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/IK98vuCTEI

— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

While Stevenson was a bust last year, fantasy players should feel confident drafting him this season. The former Oklahoma star was on fire before suffering a season-ending high ankle sprain in Week 13, totaling 87 or more rushing yards in his final three healthy contests. More importantly, he should be the focal point of the offense this year with Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye under center.

Breece Hall, New York Jets

Hall was outstanding last season despite starting the year on a snap count. He was the RB4, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar was a league-winner despite playing on the worst offense in the NFL. Thankfully, that won’t be the case in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers under center. Furthermore, the Jets significantly improved their offensive line in the offseason.

AFC North Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The reigning NFL MVP was the QB4 last season, averaging 20.7 fantasy points per game. Jackson is a fantasy cheat code because of his rushing abilities. Fantasy players get the value of a quarterback and a running back with Jackson. The Ravens added Derrick Henry this offseason, which should open up even better running lanes for the superstar quarterback.

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

While he had a down 2023 season, Chase is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Despite Joe Burrow missing seven games with an injury, the superstar wide receiver had over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns for the third consecutive year. Chase is eligible for a contract extension. Therefore, don’t be surprised if he has a career season in 2024.

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Cooper was the WR18 last year, averaging 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite catching passes from four quarterbacks. The veteran wide receiver had only five receiving touchdowns and needed some luck to reach that total. However, he was at his best with Deshaun Watson under center. The addition of Jerry Jeudy shouldn’t worry fantasy players. Cooper remains Cleveland’s No. 1 pass-catcher.

Off the defenders helmet and right to Amari Cooper for the TD 😱

📺: #AZvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpcMkc pic.twitter.com/fg1O0Nh4db

— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

Many are excited about Jaylen Warren after the Steelers hired Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. Yet, Harris remains Pittsburgh’s No. 1 running back. The former Alabama star isn’t the most explosive running back in the NFL. However, the veteran has had at least 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns every year of his career despite playing behind a poor offensive line.

AFC South Fantasy Football Draft Targets

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

No one expected Stroud to have an all-time rookie season. He joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks in the past 50 years to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, Stroud is the only one to accomplish this feat as a rookie. The former Ohio State star should be even better this season after the Texans traded for Stefon Diggs.

CJ STROUDDDDDDDDDDDD. #TBvsHOU pic.twitter.com/gW2PMBVIbj

— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Unfortunately, Taylor has struggled with injuries over the past two years. However, he is one of the top running backs in the NFL and fantasy football when healthy. The superstar finished last season on fire, averaging 23 rushing attempts for 109 yards and a touchdown per game over the final three contests. Taylor could be the overall RB1 this year if he stays healthy.

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

The last time Kirk was Trevor Lawrence’s No. 1 wide receiver, he had a top-12 finish in half-point PPR scoring. Jacksonville made several changes in the passing game in the offseason, adding Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. While Evan Engram had an outstanding finish to the 2023 season, Kirk was Lawrence’s go-to guy in the middle of the field when healthy. Expect a bounce-back year from the veteran receiver.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

While Ridley failed to meet his high expectations in Jacksonville, the veteran wide receiver is one of my favorite draft targets this season. The Titans aggressively went after him in free agency. Therefore, he should be the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver and the focal point of the offense. Last year, Ridley led the NFL in end-zone targets but struggled to convert. Don’t be surprised if that changes this upcoming season.

AFC West Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Fantasy players should be nervous about drafting any Broncos player in 2024. However, Sutton has the safest floor on the team. The veteran wide receiver had 10 receiving touchdowns last season, the fourth most in the NFL. While Denver added Troy Franklin and Josh Reynolds in the offseason, the team traded away Jerry Jeudy. Sutton won’t be a top-24 wide receiver but can be a solid flex option for fantasy players.

One-handed. Jump ball. Just an insane TD catch from Courtland Sutton. @SuttonCourtland#DENvsKC on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/U9rA3YdBnZ pic.twitter.com/Gh5dOrmShS

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2023

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes is my favorite Chief to draft this year. However, fantasy players could get burned again with the superstar quarterback. Meanwhile, Pacheco is an underrated fantasy running back. He has the featured role on a talented offense. Furthermore, the third-year player could see more work in the passing game this season with Jerick McKinnon no longer on the roster.

Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders will likely have one of the worst passing attacks in the NFL with Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew II under center. However, Adams should be the focal point of the passing attack. The superstar had 175 targets last season, making it the third consecutive year with at least 169. While his days as a WR1 are likely over, Adams should be a steady high-end WR2 for fantasy players this season.

Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers

After being a pass-happy team for years, the Chargers should be a run-heavy offense in 2024. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman love to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage. While Los Angeles added J.K. Dobbins and Kimani Vidal in the offseason, Edwards is the favorite to be the featured running back this season. After totaling 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, the veteran running back could be even better this year.

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