Fantasy Football Outlooks for Each NFL Team: NFC Conference

September 3, 2024

Mike Fanelli analyzes the fantasy football outlook in only a few sentences for every team in the NFC. Which players should you target and which should you avoid in 2024?

The 2024 NFL regular season will start in only a few days. Yet, fantasy players are cramming in last-minute fantasy football drafts.

While there is endless information on the internet to help fantasy players win their league, sometimes simple is better.

Therefore, I’ve broken down every NFC team from a fantasy perspective in only a few sentences.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb finally got paid, ending his training camp holdout. Fantasy players should have no problem drafting him as the 1.02 pick and the WR1. Dak Prescott remains a mid-range QB1, while Jake Ferguson is one of my favorite mid-round tight end picks. Unfortunately, the backfield of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle offers little upside to fantasy players.

BREAKING: WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys agree to 4-year, $136M extension with $100M guaranteed.

(via @tompelissero, @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/S0A7chtCQ6

— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2024

New York Giants

There might not be a more unappealing fantasy offense than the Giants in the NFL. Malik Nabers is a star and should get drafted as a mid-range WR2 despite catching passes from Daniel Jones and Drew Lock. Meanwhile, Devin Singletary is a solid RB3 option. However, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is one of my favorite late-round sleepers. Don’t be surprised if he makes the backfield a near 50-50 split come October.

Philadelphia Eagles

While the Eagles added Saquon Barkley in the offseason, Jalen Hurts should have double-digit rushing touchdowns again this year. Miles Sanders and Hurts both had 10 or more rushing touchdowns in 2022. Fantasy players should expect a similar outcome this season. Meanwhile, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should be productive in Kellen Moore’s offense. However, Dallas Goedert and Jahan Dotson are on my do-not-draft list.

Washington Commanders

Washington has an up-and-coming offense led by Jayden Daniels. The rookie is one of my favorite quarterbacks to draft outside the first six rounds. He could have over 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler should have fantasy value, but Robinson is a far better value at cost. Meanwhile, Terry McLaurin is the only pass-catcher that fantasy players should draft in a standard-size league.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams has more weapons than any other No. 1 overall pick has had as a rookie in NFL history. DJ Moore is a top-24 wide receiver, while Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze are WR3s with upside if either can push the other out of the equation. Unfortunately, Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett will limit each other’s fantasy upside. D'Andre Swift is a solid RB2, especially in PPR scoring.

Detroit Lions

The Lions have an outstanding one-two punch at running back. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery should get drafted as top-20 guys. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta are superstars worthy of a first and third-round draft pick, respectively. While Jameson Williams is a popular sleeper candidate, my favorite Detroit sleeper is Jared Goff. The veteran quarterback plays only three games outdoors in 2024. Goff is significantly better playing in a dome than outdoors.

Green Bay Packers

While the Packers added Josh Jacobs in free agency, expect the offense to flow through Jordan Love and the passing attack. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed have significant upside but come with injury history. Meanwhile, Romeo Doubs is an appealing double-digit target, especially in non-PPR scoring leagues. The two tight ends could be solid streaming options in 2024. Yet, they shouldn’t get drafted in standard-size leagues.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota lost J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, making Sam Darnold the team’s starting quarterback. While he isn’t worth drafting in a single-quarterback league, the veteran is good enough to make Justin Jefferson a top-3 wide receiver. Unfortunately, T.J. Hockenson won’t be ready until the second half of the year because of a torn ACL. Meanwhile, the backfield should be a near 50-50 split between Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler.

BREAKING: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair this morning. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/GgpgfiNYRX

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2024

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy players can rejoice with Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh. Bijan Robinson should have a featured role after a nearly 50-50 split with Tyler Allgeier in 2023. The arrival of Kirk Cousins has made Drake London and Kyle Pitts popular breakout candidates. Both pass catchers are solid picks at their ADP. Meanwhile, Darnell Mooney is an appealing late-round sleeper. Don’t be surprised if he is a top-36 wide receiver by the end of the year.

Carolina Panthers

While Bryce Young had an awful rookie season, fantasy players should expect a bounce-back season. The Panthers added Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Ja'Tavion Sanders, and Jonathon Brooks in the offseason, giving Young an impressive set of young receivers. Furthermore, Carolina made several additions to their offensive line in free agency. Johnson and Brooks are two of my favorite draft targets.

Nice little throw on the run from Bryce Young 🎯

📱: Stream #CARvsBUF on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tM54H7COAA

— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2024

New Orleans Saints

Unfortunately, New Orleans lacks offensive firepower. Chris Olave could have his first WR1 finish in 2024 after the team hired Klint Kubiak in the offseason. Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed are the only other Saints who should get drafted in standard-size leagues. Taysom Hill is a solid late-round tight end pick if fantasy players are looking for an upside option.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers surprised many last season. However, the team could regress with Dave Canales leaving for the Panthers. Mike Evans is a top-20 wide receiver but comes with some risk because of his age. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin is a popular bounce-back candidate, with the team moving him back into the slot.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy players are undervaluing Kyler Murray. The star quarterback has been outstanding every year of his career before tearing his ACL. James Conner is one of the better safe floor RB2s in fantasy football. Meanwhile, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride should each have over 80 receptions, 800 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2024.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have a talented one-two punch at wide receiver with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. However, both wide receivers come with risk because of past injury history. Kyren Williams will remain the team’s No. 1 running back, but Blake Corum should have a fantasy-relevant role. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford is an appealing QB2 for fantasy players in superflex leagues.

San Francisco 49ers

Christian McCaffrey is the clear-cut 1.01 pick in single quarterback leagues despite the calf injury. Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation makes drafting any 49ers pass catchers a risky move. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy is one of the safest low-end QB1s fantasy players can draft this year, even if Aiyuk gets traded.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle has a new head coach for the first time since 2010. Many believe Jaxon Smith-Njigba will have a breakout season with Tyler Lockett sliding into the No. 3 wide receiver role. My favorite Seahawk to draft is Kenneth Walker III. Reportedly, he has taken control of the backfield, pushing Zach Charbonnet into a handcuff-only role.

#Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb on Kenneth Walker:

“I think he gets better every single day. I think the sky’s the limit for him. I think he’s a really, really talented, powerful back that’s a true three-tool guy… He’s electric out of the backfield as a pass-catcher.” pic.twitter.com/b3FAKUQHib

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 7, 2024

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