After doing weekly fantasy football mock drafts this summer at ESPN, now is the time when I really start to focus on my top draft targets. The numbers and projections play a role here. So does the tape. I want playmakers and upside on my roster. And sometimes I just go with my gut based on offensive schemes, anticipated deployment and exceptional traits, which can create fantasy production.
Today, I'm giving you multiple players per position from my draft board, in varying tiers. There are quarterbacks with mobility and arm talent, dual-threat running backs, explosive pass catchers, seam stretchers at the tight end position and some late-round fliers.
Here are my favorite fantasy draft targets for the 2024 NFL season.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens - ADP: 36.5 (QB4)
If I'm looking to draft a quarterback early, then Jackson is my top target at the position. Last season, his first in Todd Monken's offense, Jackson averaged 20.7 PPG (QB3), while logging 29 total touchdowns and 821 yards rushing. He's still the most electric playmaker in the league with the ball in his hands, and Monken's offense is built to create both vertical and horizontal space for Jackson as a thrower. With a healthy Mark Andrews back as the Ravens' top option in the pass game, plus an emerging talent in wide receiver Zay Flowers, Jackson has the potential to produce league-winning numbers this season.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - ADP: 59.3 (QB7)
Burrow was banged up last year when the season started, and the club shut him down for good after a wrist injury in Week 11. When Burrow was truly healthy, however, he averaged 21.4 PPG in Weeks 5-10, throwing multiple touchdowns in every game during that stretch. He enters this season with two high-level pass catchers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, in an explosive and schemed offense that really caters to his ability as a timing-and-location thrower. With his current ADP, I can get good value here.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers - ADP: 84.0 (QB9)
I wrote about Love this summer on my "All-Upside" team because I see a rising star here, with a group of dynamic pass catchers in Matt LaFleur's offense. Last season, Love was one of the top fantasy quarterbacks during the second half of the season, averaging 20.4 PPG from Weeks 11-18 while throwing a total of 22 touchdowns (and only three interceptions) during that stretch. Love has the physical traits -- arm talent and mobility -- and can be set up by LaFleur to operate as a rhythm passer off both play-action and dropback concepts. I think Love is undervalued at his current ADP, which means managers can wait at the position and get excellent value later in drafts.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - ADP: 113.8 (QB12)
Williams should be targeted as one of the top QB2s in superflex formats. We know that, but could the rookie potentially produce as a starter in 10- or 12-team leagues? I think that's a real possibility when looking at Chicago's offensive roster and Williams' undeniable talent. With a loaded wide receiver room, which features DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze, plus tight end Cole Kmet and running back D'Andre Swift, Williams can distribute the ball to every level of the field. Keeping Williams on schedule from the pocket will be a priority for new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, using schemed throws and play-action concepts. And if that clicks, Williams has the playmaking ability to produce top-10 fantasy numbers in his first pro season.
Superflex QBs:
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Running backs
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles - ADP: 11.6 (RB5)
If I'm drafting later in the first round of 10- or 12-team leagues and targeting a running back, then give me Barkley. Over his six seasons with the Giants, Barkley averaged 98.8 scrimmage yards per game, and I still see the explosive movement ability on the tape. Now, let's put Barkley behind the Eagles' offensive line, where new coordinator Kellen Moore can also maximize his pass-catching ability, as Barkley has logged 288 receptions during his career. Even with the potential for reduced goal line carries due to the presence of quarterback Jalen Hurts, Barkley has the big-play ability to produce breakout games and upper-tier RB1 numbers in 2024.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars - ADP: 22.4 (RB10)
One of my top targets in summer mocks, Etienne has the dual-threat ability to produce RB1 numbers in 2024. Last season, Etienne averaged 16.6 PPG, while rushing for 11 scores. And he saw low red zone opportunities in Doug Pederson's offense, as he logged nine carries inside the 5-yard line. As a receiver, Etienne can separate underneath or create big plays in the screen game. He caught 58 of 73 targets last season for 456 yards, while adding another touchdown to his season résumé. If you play in a 10-team league and go wide receiver in the first round, Etienne is a smart option when you are back on the clock to fill that RB1 spot in the lineup.
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions - ADP: 72.1 (RB21)
I'm in on Montgomery given his deployment in the red zone for a Lions' offense that can move the ball. Last season, Montgomery scored 13 rushing touchdowns and his 17 carries inside the 5-yard line tied for fourth most in the league with Christian McCaffrey. Montgomery also averaged 14.8 PPG, posting double-digit fantasy production in 13 of 14 games played. Yes, you can draft Montgomery as an insurance play behind Jahmyr Gibbs in 10-team leagues. I get that. In deeper leagues, however, Montgomery's rushing deployment and scoring upside make him a steady RB2 in the lineup.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants - ADP: 119.5 (RB36)
With his current ADP and anticipated usage as the No. 1 back in New York, Singletary gives you really good value later in drafts. Last season in Houston, when Singletary was the starter from Weeks 9-18, he averaged 13.3 PPG. A sudden mover with second-level burst, Singletary also has the pass-catching ability (30 receptions last season) to see targets on backfield releases and wide alignments. Think volume here for a player you can stash on the bench, with potential flex upside as the season progresses.
Late-round fliers:
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
Wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions - ADP: 7.1 (WR3)
St. Brown has been a top target of mine in summer mocks -- when holding the No. 7 or No. 8 slot -- because of his consistent level of production and the route tree he runs in Detroit. St. Brown averaged 20.7 PPG in 2023 while totaling 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns. The volume is there as a three-level target for quarterback Jared Goff, where the Lions can set up St. Brown to attack open zone voids while also giving him free access to expose man coverage matchups. I see St. Brown as one of the safest first-round picks, because of his scheme fit in Detroit and pass-game usage.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals - ADP: 24.9 (WR10)
Let's play the upside with Harrison, who steps into a volume role as Kyler Murray's top target. A player I compared to DeAndre Hopkins in the draft process, Harrison has the body control and route awareness to find open grass, plus the advanced route-running ability to get open. Look for the Cardinals to use Harrison at multiple levels of the field while creating isolation matchups in scoring position. With the anticipated volume here, plus his pro-ready skills at the position, Harrison can produce immediate fantasy results in Arizona.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens - ADP: 63.5 (WR25)
I tagged Flowers as a potential breakout candidate earlier this summer because of his rookie production and the dynamic traits he brings to the Ravens' pass game. Last season, Flowers averaged 12.9 PPG while scoring 19 or more points in four of his final games played. He can get loose in space, as 45.1% of his receiving yards came after the catch. That's the ball-carrier vision and sudden acceleration. Plus, the Ravens can scheme him up at the third level to create big plays. At his current ADP, I can lock in Flowers as my flex in 10-team leagues, but I also see WR2 upside.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs - ADP: 111.9 (WR40)
A true burner with 4.21 speed, Worthy can stretch defenses vertically or run away from coverage on crossers and over routes. That's a scheme fit for Andy Reid's offense, where the Chiefs can use formation and alignment to get Worthy clean off the ball and into the route stem. Plus, with Marquise Brown currently out with a shoulder injury, Worthy is in a position to see more reps and more volume from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With Worthy's big-play ability, in a system that will scheme for his speed, he can be drafted as an upside WR3.
Late-round fliers:
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
Tight ends
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills - ADP: 61.5 (TE6)
With the Bills moving on from wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, there's an opening here for Kincaid to elevate as a prime target for quarterback Josh Allen. As a rookie, Kincaid averaged 9.4 PPG on the season, and that average jumped to 13.8 PPG when he started at tight end for an injured Dawson Knox in Weeks 8-12. Kincaid has the seam-stretching ability to work the middle of the field, and an increase in end zone targets (only three last season) could put him in the mix to produce top-five numbers at the position. You can take the high ceiling of Kincaid at a very reasonable ADP.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys - ADP: 94.4 (TE10)
Ferguson has the makeup of a late-round steal in a Dallas offense that can put up points and utilize the tight end in the red zone. Last season, Ferguson caught 71 of 103 targets for 761 yards and five scores while averaging 10.4 PPG. A rugged mover, Ferguson also averaged 6.0 yards after the catch, and he saw 10 end zone targets. Given his willingness to work the dirty areas of the field, I expect Ferguson to operate as an underneath outlet and seam target for quarterback Dak Prescott, with the scoring potential to cash in on play-action concepts inside the 10-yard line. He's a smart pick if you wait to draft your tight end.