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The 2024 Fantasy Football Draft List of Lists. What Is It?

I've done the legwork elsewhere. It's time for answers.

I wish I could inject all the context and knowledge of my football research into your veins. We're not there (yet), so let's hope the 2024 Fantasy List of Lists proves a worthwhile consolation for your fantasy football fix. 

As the title promises, this plan is a cohesive series of lists that will help you navigate your fantasy drafts. It's formatted in order of pre-draft planning to post-draft free agent considerations. 

If you want to see more detailed explanations about football, fantasy football, and scouting that are the foundation for this specific, I recommend my Footballguys rankings commentary, the RSP publication, and the RSP Dynasty Rankings and Projections service.

The 2024 Fantasy Football Draft List of Lists 2.0

I published list 1.0 in early August. This is for 12-team PPR formats. I'm including considerations for 1-QB and Superflex lineups.

List 2.0 is not necessarily better than List 1.0 other than 2.0 is updated for Average Draft Position (ADP) changes, injuries, and changes to roster status. Players I've updated to the lists are underlined.

Feel free to combine what you believe is the best of both. 

The Draft Strategy I'm Favoring This Year

If there is a semblance of one I like, it's the idea of going old-school fantasy GM this year. 

The Early-RB Approach is appealing. In addition to Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Jonathan Taylor have the potential for excellent volume and scoring appeal despite three of them having runners at quarterback. 

There is enough value at RB and WR to land at least one potential top-10 RB early and still acquire starters and depth at both positions. You'll see in the lists where I've opened with two backs early. 

Thoughts About Draft Strategies in General

Strategies are useful regardless of experience and expertise. For the less experienced, it may be best to stick close to the strategy. For the more experienced, strategies work best as guidelines that afford you flexibility.  

Strategies focused on when to take a position have value if you're drafting against people who are following a predictable pattern when they select specific positions. There can be value to zigging where your league is zagging.

A strategy doesn't have to be about when to take specific positions. Adam Harstad and Bob Harris follow a draft principle predicated on value: They lean into players who fall below their Average Draft Position (ADP). 

2.0 Thoughts: There are no magic beans. Yes, there are players whose contributions make a significant difference in a GM's fantasy season, but there are countless combinations of players who generate championship-caliber fantasy rosters. 

I'm a believer in finding potential outliers who can help give your team an advantage, but too many fantasy GMs allow a touted player's success or failure to become their crutch. The same is true with the draft. 

The best fantasy GMs understand that the draft is one method of building a good team. It's also the easiest process for fantasy analysts to study and deliver actionable advice. If you want to become a dangerous fantasy GM who can thrive in any situation, developing your skills with trades, free agency, and lineup management are equally important.  

Do I Have A "Do Not Draft List?"

Yes and No. Yes, there are players I won't draft within 1-2 rounds of their Average Draft Position (ADP). No, I don't take these players completely off the list. If they fall at least two rounds below their ADP, I will consider them worthwhile values. 

Keep this in mind when you get to the lists of players I'm avoiding in specific rounds.

Strategy and Player Targets for Rounds 1-4

Favorite Opening Combinations of Players in Rounds 1-4

1-QB League Formats

• Early Turn: Tyreek Hill, Derrick Henry, Mike Evans, and Mark Andrews.
• Middle: Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, Cooper Kupp, and Malik Nabers.
• Late Turn: Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, DK Metcalf, and DeVonta Smith. 

Superflex Formats

• Early Turn Superflex): Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and De'Von Achane.
• Middle (Superflex): Tyreek Hill, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Mike Evans.
• Late Turn (Superflex):  Bijan Robinson, Anthony Richardson, Derrick Henry, and Mike Evans.

The Themes for Fave 1-4 Combinations

1-QB League Formats

• Old-school, early-round RB in the house. 
• Derrick Henry has an offensive line! 
• Value at WR in Rounds 3 and 4. 

Superflex Formats

• Get a rushing threat at QB early.
• Derrick Henry has an offensive line!
• Mike Evans is a value. 

The Options I'm Most Excited About in Rounds 1-4

All League Formats

• Value Alert: The only thing wrong with Derrick Henry last year was his surrounding talent. 
• Will Saquon Barkley lose TDs to the Tush Push? Yes, but he's going to be a volume monster.
• Bijan Robinson might be the safest early-round RB due to age, volume, ability, and offensive line.
• If having Tyreek Hill on your team doesn't get you excited, check your pulse.

2.0: My Mind Is Changing About These Early-Round Prospects

• I'm coming around on Cooper Kupp regaining his past value as the Rams' WR1.
• I've always liked DeVonta Smith as a player but didn't love him as a fantasy option. My "like" has intensified thanks to the continuing maturation of Jalen Hurts and the presence of A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley. I'm betting Smith will see more big-play opportunities than ever. 
• I'm still uneasy about taking De'Von Achane so early based on his projected volume, but the logic of his role and fit in the offense influences my willingness to take a chance on him.

The Rookie I Want This Early

• If going RB-heavy early, Malik Nabers is versatile, refined, and acrobatic. Yes, even with Daniel Jones. 

The Players in Rounds 1-4 I'm Avoiding*

*I'm avoiding them unless they drop at least two rounds below their Average Draft Position (ADP). Apply this to every heading as the qualification for avoiding a player. 

All Drafts

• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Chris Olave
• Kyren Williams
• Stefon Diggs

Avoiding No Matter What: Rounds 1-4

No one.

Alternates: Rounds 1-4

These alternative selections are for each pick if the specific player is gone. You could probably build a team with these alternate picks, but that is not the intent. It's about picking the best players. 

If you decide to build with the alternate list, be mindful of position needs and where the projected scarcity of value begins for each. 2.0: The players underlined are updated options. Thoughts on these changes are at the end of each table.

When you see *ADP 1-12 as the alternative
Based on your draft position at the end of the turn, if my initial choices are taken before you're up, you'll have your choice of any player with a top-12 Average Draft Position (ADP). As always, give strong consideration to any players who dropped below their ADP.   

Early Turn Pick in 1-QB Leagues

Changes: Last year was the first year I was sold on Brandon Aiyuk as a worthwhile fantasy option at his price. If Aiyuk remains in San Francisco, and signs are pointing in that direction, I'm bullish on him at his current value. If Aiyuk leaves the 49ers, I'm avoiding him at his current value because a lack of known rapport and scheme knowledge hurts production. 

Middle Pick in 1-QB Leagues

Late Turn Pick in 1-QB Leagues

*ADP 1-2: Based on your draft position at the end of the turn, you'll have your choice of any player with a top-12 ADP if Taylor and/or Barkley are taken before you're up. 

Changes: Cooper Kupp was my third-round option in version 1.0, but his ADP has risen out of this range. Metcalf was my fourth-round option in the last list. Seattle's intention of moving Metcalf around to generate matches could give him career highs in targets and receptions. I'm comfortable with him as a third-round pick. 

Underlined 1-QB Players

Early Turn Pick in Superflex Leagues

Middle Pick in Superflex Leagues

Changes: A.J. Brown's ADP has risen beyond the projected range of this pick, so Barkley gets bumped from the alternative to the primary choice. Jonathan Taylor earns the alternate spot thanks to his all-around skills, and quarterback who will draw defenses to him as a runner.

Taylor may not have a 20-touchdown ceiling because of Anthony Richardson, but I'm comfortable that Taylor's floor is no worse than top-15 at his position. That's a safe pick early, I'll shoot for a high upside later.

Late Turn Pick in Superflex Leagues