Drafting a successful fantasy football team is all about balance. You need a good mix of players with league-winning potential and consistent, reliable players. Let's explore the safest picks in each round of the 2024 Yahoo Draft for 10 teams in a 0.5 PPR format. The goal is to build a realistic roster with a relatively high production floor, taking into account depth and scarcity at the position.
Round 1: Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill is a can't-miss pick in the first round. Christian McCaffrey scored the most fantasy points of any non-quarterback last year, but Hill is a safer investment given his age and tire wear. The Cheetah has averaged over 1,600 scrimmage yards, 110+ receptions and 10 total touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Playing for the NFL's most explosive offense has its perks: He receives the highest target share in the league while also being virtually unguardable. Hill has ranked in the top three in fantasy points per game each of the past two seasons and could potentially finish the year as the top non-QB scorer.
Round 2: Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
It's always a good idea to bet on a team with a strong offense, and Pacheco offers the perfect combination of age, opportunity and potential. The running backs and wide receivers picked in this round are either just returning from preseason injuries (Puka N'Kua, Jameel Gibbs), are aging (Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry) or have underwhelming passing attacks (Davante Adams).
He could be an option if Garrett Wilson isn't signed as the soon-to-be 41-year-old is just coming off an Achilles injury, but Pacheco is a three-down back who's only going to get more receiving work, so he's the safest bet in the second round.
Round 3: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has scored the most fantasy points as a QB in three of the last four seasons. He is the most consistent dual threat quarterback in the game and you can count on him for 4,200 passing yards and 500 rushing yards. Add in the fact that no Bills RB has been better than him in the red zone and you can look forward to another 10+ rushing TD type season. This is one of those “set it and forget it” type picks that can win you a fantasy title.
Round 4: Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
It's time to follow the money. Mixon received the sixth-highest salary at his position this offseason despite averaging 4.0 yards per carry and completing 49% of his attempts last year. Still, he was top-12 among running backs in fantasy points per game and remains a three-down back with limited competition in the backfield. Joining a dangerous Texans offense on the rise is ideal for his fantasy value, as he is expected to continue his streak of piling up 1,200 scrimmage yards and scoring nearly 10 total touchdowns.
Round 5: DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Trey McBride and Mark Andrews are the favorites, but I'm going with Smith. Smith, a fourth-year pro, owns a safety minimum of 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Opportunities are important; Smith has missed just one game in his first three seasons in the league. He'll also have the benefit of having Kellen Moore calling the plays. Smith has only played 19% of his career from the slot, so the added movement and freedom in a top-10 offense will translate to more volume and ultimately more fantasy points.
If something happens to AJ Brown, they could have a WR1 on their hands.
Round 6: George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk's contractual holdout makes Kittle more appealing in fantasy. He's rated as a top-six TE, but could compete for the #1 spot if Aiyuk moves on to another team or continues to miss games. Kittle finished last season with 65 receptions, over 1,000 yards and six tardiness. He finished top-five in total fantasy points by TEs the past three seasons and top-two in fantasy points per game beyond 2022. If you missed out on a TE in rounds 3-5, here are the best places to acquire one without overpaying.
Round 7: Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
There are quality wide receivers in the seventh round (George Pickens, Tank Dell, Zay Flowers), but they would still like to get another RB in the dead zone to bolster their backfield. Of the players available to choose from, White stands out as the RB1 for what is expected to be a ground-and-pound, run-heavy team. New Raiders OC Luke Getzy comes from Green Bay, where they used a committee system, but there is no player to stand behind White and take away his potential workload.
White emerged as a full-time starter in Week 15 of last season and averaged 23 touches (21 carries and two receptions), 99.3 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per carry.
I'd pick White over Najee Harris, who's sluggish against a weak offensive line, or 32-year-old Raheem Mostert, who is coming off an unconventional breakout season.
Round 8: Terry McLaurin – WR, Washington Commanders
Missing out on Flowers, Dell and Pickens hurts a bit, but taking F1 in the eighth round is a smart move, especially with so few weapons surrounding him. The departures of Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson left 174 targets open, leaving a sizable chunk for McLaurin to take over. Despite inconsistent QB play, McLaurin has recorded at least 77 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons. Adding Jayden Daniels to the mix will likely see us see the best of McLaurin.
Round 9: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ruchy Rice and Calvin Ridley are also options to consider, but given the rave reviews from Tampa reporters about Chris Godwin, he's the option. Godwin has shone as a reliable ninth-round pick, with three straight 1,000-yard and touchdown seasons under his belt.
Godwin only recorded 3 total touchdowns last year despite getting more targets, red zone targets and receptions than Mike Evans. You can pass on defensemen, kickers and late round TEs this round since you can select them later.
Round 10: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Yahoo Fantasy contributor Tera Roberts has been leading the Daniels craze, and I'm on board. Daniels is one of the few dual-threat QBs available late in the draft, so if you're looking for a QB with top-tier potential or someone to hedge against a previous QB selection, this rookie has the potential to break out right away. The skill positions available this round aren't appealing either, with a couple of injured RBs (Nick Chubb, Jaylen Warren) and Devin Singletary and Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson Jr. has been talked about at least in the preseason, but if I'm crazy, I don't think Austin Ekeler is retired and will be more important than the coaching staff is making him out to be. Rome Odunze is also on the rise, but with target allocations still to be determined and the quarterback a rookie, it may take some time for Odunze to overtake the likes of DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in the Bears' crowded wide receiver corps.
