X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Nick Mariano's "My Guys" For The 2024 Fantasy Football Season

Jaylen Warren - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Nick's favorite 2024 fantasy football sleepers, draft values and targets that he can't stop drafting. He discusses fantasy players he is all-in on this season.

The preseason has started, and fantasy football drafts are firing on all cylinders. Perhaps you've been with me in the best ball streets, but now big seasonal home leagues are revving up. It is time to finalize your prep and get those draft boards ready for action. Fantasy managers often identify which players to target and avoid at their current ADP, but we'll crank it up a notch.

This article will highlight "My Guys," who I keep queueing up and building around. These are players I'm willing to reach for and lock onto. I believe they'll exceed expectations and provide fantasy managers with league-winning upside. Who is joining me?

Avid RotoBaller readers won't be caught off-guard by many of these, but it's fun and helpful to get my faves all placed into one piece. We've got guys going in early rounds as well as the final ones, covering all positions for you, the faithful reader. Let's get to it!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Kyler Murray, QB - Arizona Cardinals

Murray, another year removed from his torn ACL, is circled in several pretty colors on my draft boards. He was tied as the QB9 from Weeks 10-18 last week after making his return from the significant knee injury and came out firing in the second half. That’s what a knocking-off-the-cobwebs Murray did!

And now his ADP sits as the QB10? This man gets an offseason to vibe with Trey McBride, and they draft Marvin Harrison Jr. for him, and we’re still getting him this low? This is 2024 not-rusty Murray with improved weapons at the 2023 rusty price. He (unsurprisingly) averaged a career-low 5.5 rush attempts per game and still had a 44-244-3 rushing line in eight games.

Pacing for over 500 yards and six TDs while getting comfortable scrambling again is cushy. Safeties can’t cheat down with MHJ on the perimeter and McBride a threat to bust up the seam. Kyler's rushing expectations should be higher, as should the 3.7% passing TD rate that ranked 23rd with the next generation of Cardinal pass-catchers. We’ll get to another one in a bit!

 

Bijan Robinson, RB - Atlanta Falcons

You have to let me live with a first-round pick! Robinson battled with Arthur Smith’s shenanigans as a rookie but illustrated the Christian McCaffrey-style versatility on the ground and in the air. And now we’ve got new head coach Raheem Morris saying Robinson is going to be their CMC. Mix in that Atlanta draws a beautiful fantasy playoff schedule against the Raiders, Giants, and Commanders in Weeks 15-17, and you’ve got a stew going.

I would also be content with Breece Hall as my hero RB. If I can’t land these guys in Round 1, then I’m hoping for A.J. Brown and De'Von Achane in Round 2.

 

Jaylen Warren, RB - Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren and Najee Harris are going into another season as Pittsburgh’s one-two backfield punch, with Warren’s versatility going against Harris being the bigger back.  Warren is eight months younger than Harris but only has about 300 career touches to nearly 1,000 for Harris, who has a career 3.9 yards per carry and 6.0 yards per catch after three years.

Warren had a nifty 4.9 YPC as a rookie in 2022, but many assumed that would go down with more volume. Nope! He doubled his attempts in ‘23 alongside a 5.3 YPC and averages 6.6 yards per catch, edging Harris’ catch rate by six percentage points. He’ll need to improve his pass blocking to leap (PFF PBLK Grade: 25.1!), but he was a top-10 runner with an 84.4 PFF Grade and a top-10 receiving RB (72.2) as well.

Whether the Steelers choose to go with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, the running backs should get plenty of work with Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. We’re sweating the whole Brandon Aiyuk trade drama for George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth, but Warren (and Harris) are insulated from this.

Update: Warren's hamstring injury doesn't frighten me, though soft-tissue injuries are certainly not ideal. The short-term dip in his ADP bakes in the risk and doesn't change the outlook.

 

Ray Davis, RB - Buffalo Bills

We saw Buffalo ride an age-33 Latavius Murray for 79 carries and four touchdowns as a short-yardage, goal-line specialist while James Cook largely watched the action (perhaps after a fumble?). That dynamic was accompanied by Josh Allen being a tank with 15 rushing touchdowns.

The Bills can’t envision Allen jamming into heavy-set goal-line defenses as a long-term solution so they drafted Davis, who just thumped 14 touchdowns with 1,129 yards on 199 carries for Kentucky last year. Consider that Allen had never rushed for double-digit scores before so some TD% regression mixed with Murray’s ceded snaps present an opportunity for Davis to pop.

 

Braelon Allen, RB - New York Jets

If you have room for handcuffs then Allen is the one for me. His preseason showing went well with 54 yards on nine carries as the clear No. 2 over Israel Abanikanda and the rest behind Breece Hall. The Jets should provide ample positive gamescripts with Aaron Rodgers being a noted protector of the football and that vaunted defense. If something happens to Hall at any point then Allen is a league-winning, empty-the-wallet free-agent pickup.

 

Rashid Shaheed, WR - New Orleans Saints

Shaheed has very little competition as the No. 2 WR behind Chris Olave. The Saints are in trouble as an organization and can’t afford to build out depth thanks to salary cap issues. Alvin Kamara is aging, Derek Carr is inconsistent at best, Juwan Johnson is returning after offseason foot surgery, and even Olave has battled back tightness during training camp.

Shaheed turned 46 catches into 719 yards and five scores in 15 games. PFF charted Shaheed with 21 deep (20+ yard) targets in ‘23, which led to 12 catches for 474 yards and all five of those TDs. The resulting 99.9 Deep Grade is beautiful. He caught 4-of-5 contested deep targets as well. Whether they unlock more versatility in the short/intermediate game for Shaheed will be the difference between a good and great season here.

Update: Less enthused about Shaheed's toe/foot injury but I'm still excited about his prospects for 2024 assuming they allow him to get up to full health. If you want to pivot away here that's fine -- read on for two other WRs!

 

Jalen McMillan, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs tried Trey Palmer as a viable No. 3 WR behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin,  but he posted just one week with more than nine PPR points. Deven Thompkins mostly contributed on special teams. Cade Otton is fine but doesn’t command a hefty target share. Rachaad White was very involved in the passing game, but there’s room for a third WR to emerge here.

And that’s where McMillan enters the picture. Tampa selected the 6-foot-1 wideout with the 92nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a down season at Washington, where he was largely affected by a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. Even so, he put up a 45-559-5 receiving line after a 79-1098-9 line as a redshirt sophomore.

That’s the man who Tampa envisions earning a perimeter role alongside Evans as Godwin moves back into the slot. Now, McMillan was largely a slot man in his last two years at Washington but lined up outside over 80% of the time in 2021.

While it might be an uphill climb to get standalone value as the No. 3 WR on this team, his versatility means he could explode if anything happens to Evans OR Godwin. We’ll see how he operates with an improved Baker Mayfield, who is coming off of his first career 4,000-yard season and career bests in completion rate (64.3%) and touchdowns (28).

 

Greg Dortch, WR - Arizona Cardinals

Dortch was invisible on the bench for much of the 2023 season, but injuries to Michael Wilson (shoulder) and Marquise Brown (heel) led to snap counts above 75% down the stretch after Kyler Murray returned from his ACL injury. Dortch would eclipse 11 PPR points in four games between Weeks 11-17, checking in as the PPR WR45 within that window.

Murray and Dortch had also lit it up early in 2022. In Weeks 1-3, when Rondale Moore was out, Dortch was the WR19 (15.3 PPG). Then he was benched until popping up as the WR10 in Week 11 with Brown out. His snap count wouldn’t top 60% again until Weeks 16-18, when he was the WR25 (12.1 PPG).

Dortch has performed well when given starting reps and has a leg up on the slot role entering this season. We’ve seen him perform well in the windows when a clear avenue to reps is there. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride will demand volume but the cost to acquire Dortch in drafts is nil, so the risk-reward ratio is tantalizing.

 

Jonnu Smith, TE - Miami Dolphins

Just as we discussed Burton’s role in Cincinnati being undervalued due to past performances in the role, so too is Smith’s potential as Miami’s receiving TE. This is a player who managed to produce highlights in 2023 despite being buried on an Arthur Smith offense in a TE room with Kyle Pitts. The one that sticks out is a 60-yard touchdown that was entirely Smith’s afterburners taking a bubble screen to the house.

This is a guy who can outrun defensive backs in pursuit and who now joins a Mike McDaniel offense that knows how to scheme players into space. We’ve seen the flashes as recently as last year, but there’s a buying opportunity here. Not only did Arthur Smith suppress all ceilings, but the Dolphins didn’t have a notable TE last season.

Smith enters an exciting Miami offense, having just posted career-high marks in catches (50), targets (70), and yards (582) on a run-oriented Atlanta offense. He boasted a 71.4% catch rate despite playing with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, topping 60 yards in four games.

Perhaps those in PPR leagues won’t love the spot with Miami being so hyperefficient at chasing big plays rather than cobbling together via volume. But we’ve seen enough out of Smith to see potential and enough out of McDaniel’s Dolphins to respect their ability to match a player to their scheme. There’s also smoke around an Odell Beckham Jr. injury, which would throw the No. 3 WR role into further murkiness next to Smith.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Spencer Strider

Registers 13 Strikeouts
Hunter Brown

s Records 12 Strikeouts
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Jaxson Dart

Working as No. 2 QB During Offseason Workouts
Xavier Gipson

Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Josh Reynolds

the Front-Runner for WR2 Duties
Garrett Wilson

Stock Up This Offseason
Breece Hall

Motivated Going into 2025 Season
Brandon Aiyuk

Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Keon Coleman

Inconsistent at Minicamp
Mitchell Trubisky

Not a Lock for Backup Job
Dalton Kincaid

Adds Strength and Bulk
James Cook

a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Jacob Misiorowski

Expected to Make Next Start
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Jonathan India

Leaves With Apparent Shoulder Injury
Evan Carter

Leaves Early With Wrist Soreness
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
A.J. Puk

Pauses Throwing Program
Matt Chapman

Can Begin Rehabbing in a Week
Logan Gilbert

Next Start Could Come in the Big Leagues
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Yordan Alvarez

Still Not Hitting
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Jacob Wilson

Returns on Friday
Justin Martinez

Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Will Johnson

Returns to Practice
Harold Fannin Jr.

Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Matt Chapman

Could Miss the Rest of June
Quentin Johnston

Still Running With Starters
Rashawn Slater

Takes Part in Minicamp
Jack Bech

Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Makes Strides This Offseason
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Aaron Civale

Traded to the White Sox
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled With Cramps
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Chris Kreider

Ducks Acquire Chris Kreider From Rangers
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Cale Makar

Wins His Second Norris Trophy
Lane Hutson

Voted NHL's Best Rookie
CGY

Adam Klapka Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Considered a Game-Time Call Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Kevin Porter Jr.

Likely to Decline Player Option
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Kevin Durant

Knicks Not Looking to Trade for Kevin Durant
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
Darius Garland

Kings Targeting Darius Garland
Kevin Durant

Expected to Be Moved Soon
Denny Hamlin

Charges Late to Win at Michigan
Carson Hocevar

Michigan Run is Derailed by A Late-Race Flat Tire
Kyle Larson

Up-and-Down Day Ends With Top-Five Finish at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Quietly Finishes Sixth at Michigan
Corey Perry

Nets Power-Play Goal in Monday's Loss
Chris Buescher

Takes Second Place After William Byron Runs Out of Fuel
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has a Great Points Day to Build Buffer Over the Playoff Cut Line
Ryan Blaney

Flat Tire Results in Poor Finish for Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman

Playoffs in Doubt After Stage 2 Crash at Michigan
Sean O'Malley

Submitted For The First Time In His Career
Merab Dvalishvili

Defends Bantamweight Belt At UFC 316
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena No Longer A Champion
Kayla Harrison

Is The New Champion
Joe Pyfer

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum

Drops Decision
Patchy Mix

Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
Mario Bautista

Extends His Win Streak
Vicente Luque

Submitted At UFC 316
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF