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We might be a few months away from fantasy football drafts, but it is never too early to start researching and getting an idea of where players are falling in drafts, especially in the first round.
Despite many fantasy managers choosing to wait until closer to the season to start studying, the best managers are always a couple of steps ahead. Looking through the first round, a few early observations that should be highlighted is the depth of talent at the wide receiver position. There is a ton to consider, however, when viewing all of these talented players.
So, let's take an early look at the top-12 picks in fantasy football this upcoming season.
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1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
CMC was a complete workhorse last season and there is no reason to believe that he won't do the same thing again. Supplying talent both in the run and receiving game, McCaffrey gives a ton of potential each week. In 2023, McCaffrey averaged 24.5 fantasy points per game, leading all players, and clinched his second career RB1 title. It may be rare for a running back to once again repeat this achievement, but if anyone can do it, it's McCaffrey.
2. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill finished last season as the PPR WR2 and did so while missing a couple of games due to injury. Hill led the league with 53 receptions of 15-plus yards and eight games with 25-plus PPR points. The Cheetah is the best receiver in the game and seems to be the safest option when considering all of the talented receivers in the league.
TUA TO TYREEK HILL TOUCHDOWN
MIAMI NEEDED THAT BADLY.pic.twitter.com/89ZJaaL1Vj
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 14, 2024
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson missed seven games last season, but was still able to be a top receiver when it came to fantasy points per game. Jefferson has the most talent at the wide receiver position, but the question marks left at quarterback for Minnesota raises some possible consistency problems. Even with the questions raised on who will be the starting quarterback in 2024, Jefferson shouldn't be overlooked and still should be a top-five selection.
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Not having your superstar quarterback for the majority of the season was a real buzzkill for Chase. The talent is there and he still is one of the more electric players to watch while still being so young. Chase should be back among the top-five fantasy WRs in 2024 after a full season of having Joe Burrow back and healthy.
5. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
The reigning PPR WR1 is positioned as a top-five pick this year and is the fourth wide receiver chosen in this first-round mock draft. Lamb was excellent last season as he delivered 28.5 fantasy points per game in the second half of the season from Weeks 8 to 18. Lamb is a very secure selection, especially in PPR formatted leagues as he led the league in 2023 with 32 red-zone targets. The young receiver is looking to continue his success in 2024 after finishing as the No. 1 wide receiver in 2023.
92 YARD TD FOR CEEDEE LAMB. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ReQAmEfRDL
— Cody Brown Bets (@CodyBrownBets) December 31, 2023
6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
It was a disappointing rookie year for fantasy managers who drafted Robinson in 2023. While still finishing as the RB9, his ceiling was perceived to be much higher and he was unable to find a rushing touchdown until Week 5. However, with a new coach and a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins, Robinson has a chance to reach his full potential and could be one of the league's best running backs in 2024.
7. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall didn't have the best start to his 2023 season, but he was able to lead all NFL running backs in the receiving game while also recording just under 1,000 rushing yards on the ground. Hall caught 71 receptions (first among running backs) and 549 receiving yards (first), which establishes him as the best dual-threat running back in this mock draft.
8. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown had an incredible season in 2023 where he recorded over 1,450 receiving yards on 106 receptions. Brown has surpassed 1,000 yards now in four of his five seasons played. The wideout brings speed and strength on an already loaded Philadelphia team and will continue to serve as Jalen Hurts' top receiving option.
9. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
St. Brown ended the 2023 season ranking as the PPR WR3 after recording 119 receptions for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns. Now entering his fourth NFL season, he is positioned to be selected in the first round of fantasy drafts after being selected as a second-rounder in most drafts in 2023. Jared Goff has trusted St. Brown to become his No. 1 option and the chemistry will grow even more in 2024.
10. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Williams was what many called the "breakout league-winner" last season and showed a ton of promise in 2023. He was a wrecking ball last season as he averaged 3.3 yards after contact. The Kyren Williams hype keeps increasing and this could be a name that you see skyrocket when the football season inches closer.
11. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
A little bit of an underwhelming season for Wilson, as many expected him to be one of the best fantasy performers last season. His season overall was unfortunately tarnished due to his starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers missing the entire season with an Achilles injury. With Rodgers coming back fully healthy for 2024, expect Wilson to show the NFL how talented he is and he could find himself as a top-five receiver by the end of the season.
12. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs was impressive in 2023 as he managed to finish as the RB10 despite low usage to begin the year and with fellow Lions running back David Montgomery taking a majority of the red-zone carries away from Gibbs. Just like Breece Hall, Gibbs is viewed as one of the league's best dual-threat running backs as he is a fantastic receiver as well as being spectacular on the ground.
JAHMYR GIBBS TOUCHDOWN
LIONS OFFENSE IS ABSOLUTELY COOKINGpic.twitter.com/BM5dZK2u0f
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 29, 2024
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