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Shaun analyzes three fantasy football rookie sleepers and draft targets for 2024 FFPC Best Ball leagues. These NFL rookies can make fantasy football impacts.
While we aren't yet close to the traditional draft season for fantasy football redraft leagues, June is here, which means best ball drafts are shifting into high gear. Several fantasy football sites have already released their flagship contests, including one of the most popular sites in the game: Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). If you have played on a competitive platform such as FFPC, you have noticed slight nuances to its scoring system that must be considered when drafting.
The first scoring quirk to consider is that quarterbacks get one point for every 20 yards passing instead of the traditional 25 yards. This means pocket passers get a little more of a bump compared to other best ball tournaments where rushing quarterbacks rule the day. Secondly, FFPC is a tight-end premium site. That means tight ends get 1.5 points per reception, while all other skill positions receive one point. These nuances often make for interesting rankings, leading many players to be listed too high or too low based on projections.
I will be breaking down three rookies that you should be targeting in best ball drafts. The obvious ones like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Brock Bowers will not be mentioned because they should already be targets for you. For each player, I will include their current FFPC ADP as well as where they stand in RotoBaller's Best Ball rankings.
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Three Rookies To Target In FFPC Best Ball Drafts
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
FFPC ADP: 133.94
RotoBaller Rank: 162
The Green Bay Packers' third-round draft pick, MarShawn Lloyd, has been the topic of discussion lately, so he may already be on the radar. He comes in behind Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon, but the explosiveness and versatile back could move up quickly to take some workload off Jacobs.
Lloyd tore his ACL in 2020 and missed his first season at South Carolina. He played nine games in 2022 after redshirting in 2021 and recorded 573 rushing yards off 111 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He recorded nine rushing touchdowns that season. In 2023, he recorded 116 carries, 820 rushing yards, 13 receptions, and 232 receiving yards with nine rushing touchdowns. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry, topping off his final college season to be targeted in the NFL Draft.
Jacobs had a down year last season before departing the Las Vegas Raiders, and where he ranked in certain categories is where Lloyd shines. Jacobs ranked 41st in explosive run rate and 37th in missed tackles last season. Now, this is a change of scenery for him with the Packers, but Lloyd and Dillon will be waiting for their opportunity to jump in and take over any issues that he may run into or any struggles that occur.
Marshawn Lloyd is the most complete back in the class.
Check him here on the G/T Counter. Understands the concept and uses this little stutter/jab step to buy his pullers time to get to their spots.
The vision and patience make the play. Then he finishes strong with the MTF. pic.twitter.com/XLoqTEmOEr
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) February 27, 2024
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
FFPC ADP: 104.72
RotoBaller Rank: 117
Trey Benson comes in as a risk-take pick, but the reward could be amazing. The Arizona Cardinals took Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he'll sit behind James Conner. Now, Conner isn't a juicy pick like other running backs, but he has held on to the majority of the running-back duties in Arizona. The downside of Conner for fantasy owners is the injury risk that he brings, which makes Benson look more appealing. With Conner not playing more than 13 games in a season over the past two seasons, I want to target the 20-year-old rookie in drafts.
Benson has ranked 10th and third in breakaway percentage and 42nd and first in elusive rating, per PFF. He will get opportunities to show off his playmaking abilities behind Conner with this Cardinals offense. Benson makes for a solid handcuff and is part of a sneaky Arizona stack that may not be as highly targeted in drafts.
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots
FFPC ADP: 176.11
RotoBaller Rank: 165
The New England Patriots rookie wide receiver comes in at an interesting time with the team. Jacoby Brissett is starting in camp as QB1 and has already shown good chemistry with Ja'Lynn Polk during training camp. With no clear-cut WR1, Polk will compete with Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and K.J. Osborn. The 22-year-old has already impressed his coaches as he picked up Alex Van Pelt's playbook quickly. The Patriots will be excited to see him compete this season, as he had a solid end to his college career.
Polk recorded 69 receptions for 1,159 receiving yards with nine touchdowns in 15 games while averaging 16.8 yards per catch at Washington. He did have to overcome an injury during his sophomore season but was able to bounce back during his senior year. He should be able to transition what he did at Washington with the Patriots and become a solid pick in best ball drafts, especially with his ADP rank of 174.
Ja'Lynn Polk and K.J. Osborn running through some drills early in practice pic.twitter.com/2jbADDMoy6
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 12, 2024
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