Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Photo: USA Today Sports Images
Every fantasy football participant has a draft list, I have two, because as time draws near, the heart overpowers the brain.
That’s why it’s important to have a second list, your dream team: a wish list of players you want to make sure you take into consideration before selecting from the standard draft list.
Because fantasy football is designed to be fun, and winning helps guarantee that, but winning with a team you enjoy watching is a double loss.
That doesn't mean you should draft a ton of players from your favorite team. One is fine…especially if that player is on my “Top 12 for 2024” list.
QB CJ Stroud, Texans
The Texans have a lot of weapons, so it's hard to predict who will outperform who. There will probably be a different player every week, which isn't fantasy friendly. But this is the guy who leads the most potent offensive team in the league. That man is Stroud.
QB Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA. Credit: Jim Russol-USA Today Sports
I'm not a big fan of drafting a (fantasy) backup quarterback, but there's one good reason to do so: to prevent other teams from acquiring a potential star. Daniels is one of those guys. He's a late draft pick, but his running ability makes him the ultimate low risk, high reward player.
RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) takes to the field during the Falcons OTAs at the Falcons training facility on June 3, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
There's no question this guy is the most talented running back in the NFL, a second coming of OJ Simpson. He was a top 10 running back last season as a rookie without any help whatsoever. The Falcons actually have a quarterback this year, which means longer drives, more touches and double the touchdowns. Let's start ticking away at the fantasy MVP trophy.
RB Devon Achain, Dolphins
Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, October 8, 2023. Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achan (28) looks on after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
The Dolphins are on the list of “teams we want to use at least one of our guys on,” along with the Texans. Remember, this offense produced a top-five back last season (Raheem Mostert) who basically just sat back and watched when Acchane was healthy. Will he get hurt again? He carried 38 times in his final collegiate game at Texas A&M in 2022. They didn't seem to be worried about that.
RB Zack Moss, Bengals
Moss is a great reason to focus on wide receiver early in the draft. In his eight starts last season, he had two rushing attempts for 122+ yards, was targeted seven+ times twice and carried 18+ times three times. He joins a high-powered offensive team, is durable, pass-catching and will likely be an eighth-round pick.
WR Drake London, Falcons
Drake London catches a pass. Credit: Getty Images
This is some consolation for those who didn't draft high enough to get teammate Robinson. Rondon is a premium talent, and the Falcons know it. He was targeted 227 times in his first two seasons and dropped the ball just seven times, but somehow only connected 141 times. The aforementioned new QB (Kirk Cousins) should improve that and set the stage for Rondon to be a first-round draft pick for years to come. This is your last year to get him at a discount.
WR Cooper Kupp, Rams
Cooper Kupp is a key player for the Los Angeles Rams. Credit: Getty Images
The last time he was fully healthy, Kupp was targeted 191 times, caught 145 balls and scored 16 touchdowns. Last season, while Kupp was recovering from a serious ankle injury, Puka Nacua worked the pattern, getting 160 targets, 105 catches and six touchdowns. Kupp has been the healthier of the two this year and has already proven to be the better of the two. So why would Nacua be drafted early?
WR Brian Thomas, Jaguars
Will the real Trevor Lawrence please step up? Drafted as a generational talent, Lawrence has suffered from the fact that Clemson had better wide receivers than Jacksonville did. Not anymore. Lawrence throws great deep passes and Thomas runs great deep patterns. It's a match made in fantasy heaven.
WR Jameson Williams, Lions
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) leaves the field after a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field, August 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Credit: Ron Howedel – USA Today Sports
The Lions have added another to the list of teams rich with offensive talent. While defenses focus on stopping David Montgomery up the middle, Jameel Gibbs on both sides, Sam LaPorta behind the linebackers and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the short zone, who can run with the speedy Williams deep down the field? That's their, and maybe your, secret weapon.
TE Brock Bowers, Raiders
Henderson, Nevada, USA – April 26, 2024: Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers speaks to the media at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada. Credit: Candace Ward – USA Today Sports
More and more NFL teams are using tight ends as weapons because more colleges are producing these unique talents. Bowers is the best player in college baseball (maybe ever), and he joins a perfect team that wants to run the ball and throw low-risk passes. A foot injury in camp will be a big concern. If healthy, Bowers could lead all tight ends in catches… as a 7th round pick.
PK Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys
Two questions must be answered every season: Should you draft a kicker with the next-to-last pick and then a defenseman/special teamer, or vice versa? This year the answer is the same: no to both. Aubrey is good enough that he could change fantasy tradition. Do yourself a favor and pick your kicker first. Some people will laugh until he makes a 60-yard kick in the season opener.
Ravens Defense/Special Teams
Speaking of fantasy tradition, this could be the first year that a D/ST is drafted for the ST over the D, a potential impact of the new kickoff rule that seems to benefit the most creative thinkers on the special teams side of the game. At the top of that list is John Harbaugh. And you also get quality defensemen.
