Top Fantasy Football Dynasty Players For Each Team: AFC North

July 8, 2024

Ellis Johnson selects the most valuable dynasty fantasy football player on each AFC North team for the 2024 season. These are the star players you want to have.

We are less than 75 days until the NFL kickoff, and already the highlights out of camp are getting me excited. Although it’s important to keep a level head, watching rookies and breakout candidates making spectacular uncontested catches is always fun.

We have a lot of exciting fantasy rookies joining the mix this season, along with multiple veterans in new situations. Whether it’s Kirk Cousins or Marvin Harrison Jr., the dynasty environment has changed drastically.

In this series of articles, I will highlight who I believe is the most valuable dynasty player on each NFL team. I’ll divide the teams by division and break down the situation that may impact these players in the future. 

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)

We start this series with the reigning NFL MVP. Jackson has been an absolute delight to watch every Sunday. His dynamic ability as a rusher and improvements as a passer have turned him into one of the most well-rounded QBs in the league. 

For fantasy, he typically lacks the consistency of other top players like Josh Allen. However, he is one of the few QBs that can single-handedly win you a week, taking advantage of fantasy scoring formats. If you’re lucky enough to have him on your roster, enjoy the roller coaster.

I have a feeling that in the next few years, we may start hearing analysts telling managers to move on from Jackson as he gets older. This will likely be a result of his playing style and the history of rushing QBs having shorter careers. You can make an argument for that thought process; however, I believe Jackson is an outlier. 

We truly haven’t seen a dynamic runner like Jackson in the league before. Cam Newton never had a season with over 750 rushing yards, and Michael Vick had two seasons with over 900 yards. Jackson has already managed five of six seasons over 750 rushing yards, with two seasons over 1,000 yards and one 1,200-yard season.

We’ve only seen anomalies like Jackson a few times, and Father Time often doesn’t impact them the same (for example, Derrick Henry). Unless he suffers a major injury, I’d be planning on holding the two-time MVP for his entire career.

Lamar Jackson was COOKING in Cleveland last season pic.twitter.com/zTyywr7Kxh

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 23, 2024

Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper (WR, CLE)

It’s not a good sign for either fantasy or the NFL when your top dynasty player is a receiver who will be 30 to start the season. Having said that, Amari Cooper is one heck of a player. Despite multiple QBs under center, he finished as the WR18 last year.

Cooper is a solid value in most leagues and a trade target for any contending team. Although he is looking for an extension, Cooper’s contract runs through 2025. If Deshaun Watson fails to perform for a third straight year, he could follow the Russell Wilson career path and be on a different team.

Extend Amari Cooper. pic.twitter.com/JcTAcOmyoL

— Matthew Peterson (@MatthewPetey) June 20, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers

George Pickens (WR, PIT)

Pickens is the top dynasty player on this team by a landslide. There isn’t much excitement regarding the Steelers in the fantasy community. On top of the team relying on Russell Wilson under center to start the year, it added fantasy football’s arch-nemesis Arthur Smith as its offensive coordinator. 

Despite all of this, there is one diamond in the rough. That diamond is unquestionably George Pickens. How valuable the lead passing role will be in this offense is still questionable; however, Pickens has progressed steadily over his first two seasons, cracking 1,000 yards and 100 targets last season.

With the departure of Diontae Johnson, Pickens is splitting targets with only Pat Freiermuth and rookie Roman Wilson. Russell Wilson did make some splashes downfield with Courtland Sutton last year, paving a solid path to a top-20 season for Pickens. If you have him in the dynasty, he’s an exciting player. However, it’s hard to tell what the future has in store for Pickens.

GEORGE PICKENS 86 YARDS TO THE HOUSE
pic.twitter.com/w77JeahbAm

— PFF (@PFF) December 23, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN)

The Bengals have two names near the top of their respective dynasty positional ranks. If you're playing in a Superflex league, this answer could easily be Joe Burrow. These two are expected to be linked together for their whole careers and have shown elite chemistry that produces fantasy points.

I have Chase atop the Bengals’ dynasty values as he is my WR1 in dynasty formats. I believe his long-term security with Burrow puts him ahead of CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson. As a result, even in Superflex leagues, I believe a 24-year-old who is the dynasty WR1 is more valuable than the QB5.

Since Jefferson recently signed his new deal, the market is set for these star WRs. I expect Chase’s new deal to be imminent, as the Bengals have been preparing to pay him for a while. With Burrow and (soon-to-be) Chase both locked up, you better buckle up because this could be the year they both explode.

Jamarr Chase last season:

100 Catches
1216 Yards
7 TD’s

5th player in NFL history to record 15 receptions and 3 TD’s in one game

Became the first player in NFL history to have multiple games of 10+ receptions, 150+ receiving yards, and 3+ TD’s in his first three seasons.

WR1 pic.twitter.com/Gb7z0luAKY

— nathan😾 (@nwhodey) June 25, 2024

More Dynasty League Strategy