Fantasy football draft time means often referring to the rankings on your cheat sheets to help you make your picks. But that also comes with still needing to make some choices between players at the same position.
Whatever draft strategy you are using in redraft leagues, you have control over the final decision you make every time you're on the clock. That ranges from knowing how and when you would like to address a position, to figuring out which of multiple options from a team is the best value pick.
The Sporting News fantasy football team break down the toughest decisions when it comes to 2024 drafts.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2024 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
What's the best draft strategy to use this year: Zero-RB, Hero-RB, or Heavy-RB?
Vinnie Iyer: Let me go with "Hero", baby. I tend to use this strategy a lot: Get a workhorse you think can carry your team some weeks and then flip to a zero-RB approach by making sure you don't miss out on the early high draft values at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. Even if you can't get Christian McCafrrey, there will be other high-volume backs with whom to try this in 2024.
Michael O'Hara: Hero RB is certainly the way to approach drafts in 2024. With so few stud running backs in the modern NFL, locking down a true workhorse is crucial. Depending on how you look at it, there are only five or six running backs who are worthy of a Hero RB build. Locking down one of these guys and hammering receiver in the middle rounds is the way to go.
Ed Williams: I'm not a proponent of Zero-RB in season-long leagues, but after that, I don't think there's a clear cut answer. More times than not, I do agree that Hero-RB is the way to go this year. But league settings is a huge factor here as well. If your league utilizes three wide receiver spots as well as one or two flex positions, then I don't think Hero-RB is a foregone conclusion.
2024 PPR RANKINGS
Top 250 Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF/ST | K
For example, I drafted in my home league earlier this week - it's a Superflex that utilizes two wide receiver slots as well as two flex slots, one of which can be filled by a QB. I went in thinking I'd grab an elite RB in the first two rounds and take a lengthy break from the position. Picking out of the No. 6 spot, I hoped to draft either Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts, but they went No. 3 and 5, respectively. Lamar Jackson was the next QB on my list, but it felt too early. Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson were there, but Tyreek Hill was too enticing, and I went WR. When it came back around, I was shocked to see Lamar still there, so I scooped him up. This trend continued to play out round after round. Despite the way the league was set up, running backs were starting to fly off the board, and the value didn't seem to be there. As a result, there was great value at other positions. I ended up holding off on running back until Round 6 when I selected Alvin Kamara - not someone I was originally excited to to draft or someone I was targeting, but in a PPR league, he can still be a big weapon. To get someone with an ADP of 40 at pick No. 66 is great value. So it's always good to go into a draft with a strategy in mind, but it's equally important to be flexible enough to pivot if the draft board calls for it.
How long should you wait to take a QB in one-QB leagues?
Iyer: Don't lock in early, middle or late when it comes to quarterback. You never know what value will drop to you between Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes lasting a little later than expected. That said, don't fret if they're gone with hot sleepers through the back-end QBs, led by rookies Jayden Daniels and Caleb Wlliams.
O'Hara: After seeing multiple quarterbacks steam up into Round 2 last year, the prices of elite quarterback have become much more palatable in this year's draft landscape. Grabbing one of Allen or Hurts in Round 3, or waiting until Round 4 to scoop up Lamar Jackson is my preference.
Williams: I agree with Vinnie that you really have to go in with an open mind when it comes to QB. There isn't a specific round to target, but with so many running quarterback options now, if you don't draft a mobile quarterback, you could be facing an uphill battle many weeks (Patrick Mahomes aside). I think Anthony Richardson can end up being a fantasy monster this season, but with such a small sample size, an even better (and safer) value could be Kyler Murray who has an ADP of QB10 and overall No. 72.
2024 FANTASY AUCTION VALUES (PPR & STANDARD)
Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF/ST | K
Which quarterback who is not Allen, Hurts, Jackson or Mahomes has the best chance to finishing QB1 in scoring in 2024?
Iyer: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders - He's got the arm. He's got the cheat code of running. He has a huge ceiling as a rookie.
O'Hara: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts - He has the physical gifts to deliver Cam Newton-like seasons. The jury is still out on his accuracy as a passer, but if he can hold a reasonable completion percentage, he'll have the rushing production to push for QB1.
Williams: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals - You see a theme here as we all hit on rushing quarterbacks. It just takes otherworldly passing numbers to end up QB1 overall if you don't rack up rushing yards. With another offseason removed from his torn ACL, in a new offensive system, with a brand new top target in Marvin Harrison, Jr., the recipe is certainly in place for an overall fantasy QB1 season.
2024 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
Which player 30 or older will have the best fantasy season from any position?
Iyer: Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens - Watch him rack up big-time rushing yardage and TDs on the league's best rushing attack.
O'Hara: Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders - Few players in the NFL are able to command a 30-percent target share and draw 170 targets, but Davante Adams is one of them. Even in a year where "everything went wrong" Adams was still the WR10 in PPR.
Williams: Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins - This feels like cheating, but I'm going with Cheetah. I'm not sure exactly how many elite years Hill has left in the tank, but I'd be very surprised if the answer is zero. I've started to come around to Kupp having another big season, but Hill is the safer bet here.
2024 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | Deep Sleepers | Sleepers by Team
Who is the best running back to take when Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson are all off the board?
Iyer: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts - He'll be back in a big way, playing off Anthony Richardson, and should dominate volume with Trey Sermon as the best backup behind him.
O'Hara: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions - Gibbs has the versatile skill set to be truly matchup proof on a weekly basis. Coupled with a potent offense in Detroit, look to buy the ascending talent in a phenomenal situation.
Williams: Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers - Before Samaje Perine landed in Kansas City, my answer may have been Isiah Pacheco, but that's a big unknown that just muddied the waters in that backfield, so I'm tempering expectations now. On the flipside, Josh Jacobs has been the most significant riser in our running back rankings. The original fears were that Marshawn Lloyd was a sexy rookie sleeper and AJ Dillon could still potentially vulture some goal line touches. Now, Dillon is on IR and out for the year, and Lloyd was banged up for much of the postseason. I'm also old enough to remember Jacobs rushing for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 53 receptions for 400 more yards. Especially since you can draft him later than the other backs mentioned, Pacheco included.
Who is the best value pick at running back outside of the Top-24 in 2024?
Iyer: Zamir White, Raiders. He has the best chance of a having a feature-like volume season after a strong finishing run last season.
O'Hara: Jonathon Brooks, Panthers. Brooks should provide low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 production after he is fully ramped up following an ACL tear. Pair him with the perfect bridge RB in Jerome Ford to enjoy solid production all year while paying an affordable price.
Williams: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos - While Perine has me cooling on Pacheco a bit, his departure from Denver is a big plus for Javonte Williams. After tearing his ACL and LCL in 2022, Williams returned last year, but he didn't look himself - then again, the Broncos' offense was pretty brutal the entire season. Williams is healthier now, has had a good camp, Perine is gone, and rookie Audric Estime is looking like more of a longer-term prospect. Jaleel McLaughlin is still behind him, Williams is RB27 and overall No. 81 according to consensus ADP. We have him as RB20 and overall No. 69.
Titans, Cowboys, Bengals, Chargers or Commanders: Which crowded backfield situation presents the best RB options?
Iyer: Los Angeles Chargers - Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins are the cheapest on the board as they reunite and try to pound the rock back in Greg Roman's run-heavy offense.
O'Hara: Cincinnati Bengals - A healthy Joe Burrow means this offense will return to its elite form. Grabbing a piece of this backfield will pay dividends in the form of scoring opportunities.
Williams: Washington Commanders - First and foremost, the answer is not the Cowboys - I can't even think of how far Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Rico Dowdle would have to fall for me to draft them to my team. And while I wouldn't be excited about him, I think Brian Robinson will provide very good value with an ADP of RB28 and No. 88 overall. With the departure of Jahan Dotson, I think we may see Austin Ekeler in the passing game even more than originally thought. That also could turn him into an option as well. But Robinson is the safest pick out of any of these situations.
Which 31-year-old wide receiver do you want most on your team, Davante Adams or Mike Evans?
Iyer: Davante Adams - Evans is as consistent as they come with 1,000-yard seasons and double-digit TD potential. But Adams will be rejuvenated in Las Vegas with him dominating targets through the red zone from Gardner Minshew.
O'Hara: Davante Adams - Scroll up just a bit to see why he's the clear choice.
Williams: Davante Adams - It's unanimous. Evans has a pretty safe floor, but given Adam's target volume, so does he, even in a worse offense. Give me the higher ceiling with Davante.
Which former Ohio State wide receiver do you want on your teams most?
Vinnie: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals - He would be the choice early over young veterans Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave because of that massive rookie upside. Late, go for the second-year value of the Seahawks' Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
O'Hara: Jaxon-Smith Njigba, Seattle Seahawks - He comes at the cheapest price and could realistically ascend into the WR2 ranks in Ryan Grubb's pass-heavy offense.
Williams: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders - Harrison is our highest-ranked Ohio State WR, but McLaurin provides the best value. He's never played with even a mediocre quarterback, and while he's just a rookie, Jayden Daniels should be McLaurin's best quarterback by far. Plus, there isn't even a clear-cut WR2 on this team. With Dotson being traded with the Eagles, Dyami Brown is our best guess so far. McLaurin should see massive volume. The talent has always been there, but the throws haven't. That should start to change this year.
Which of the Bears' three top wide receivers do you want most on your team?
Iyer: Rome Odunze. He's the rookie with big upside staying the field often opposite D.J. Moore with Keenan Allen having major wear from age and injury in the slot.
O'Hara: Rome Odunze. Don't be shocked if he surpasses Allen on the target totem pole by mid-season.
Williams: Not Keenan Allen - Rome Odunze is the best value here. Based on his skill-set and seemingly instant rapport with fellow rookie Caleb Williams, the potential ceiling is there. But I'm also higher than consensus on D.J. Moore. It feels like he's been around forever, but he's only 27. Keenan Allen, though, is a clear fade. The former Charger is 32 now and is labeled as High-Risk in Draft Sharks' Injury Guide.
Which of the Packers' many wide receivers do you want most for your team?
Iyer: Dontayvion Wicks - He's the cheapest in terms of draft pick cost and he can do a lot more than a WR7 as a favorite emerging target of Jordan Love.
O'Hara: Christian Watson - If he can overcome the hamstring issues, he can keep Wicks off the field and develop an incredibly valuable role full of end zone and deep targets.
Williams: Christian Watson - He's a boom-or-bust type of pick, but Watson possesses the highest ceiling of any receiver on the Packers. Jayden Reed gets honorable mention since he can do some damage in the running game as well.
Who is the most underdrafted wide receiver in 2024 fantasy football drafts?
Iyer: Terry McLaurin, Commanders - He is set up to become what a prime DeAndre Hopkins was to Murray in Arizona taking advantage of primo No. 1 status for Daniels.
O'Hara: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars - Thomas is a physical specimen who is a dominant vertical receiver. He has the opportunity to earn a large role in a quality offense with a quarterback who's willing to push the ball downfield.
Williams: DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles - Full disclosure, I'm an Eagles fan. But Smith being drafted as the WR22 and No. 45 overall is egregious. He's already shown he can still produce at a WR2 level alongside A.J. Brown. But Kellen Moore is the new offensive coordinator, and Smith has been reported to be playing quite a bit in the same power slot role that Keenan Allen was in last year. Allen finished last season as the WR8.
Which AFC North wide receiver do you want most on your team: Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Zay Flowers or George Pickens?
Iyer: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers - These guys are oddly being draft from the four teams in the division at the borderline of WR2s. Pickens has the juiciest big play-upside as a swing for the fences type of pick and he can be Russell Wilson's key field-stretching go-to guy.
O'Hara: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns - Cooper out performs expectations each and every year. Expect another top-24 year from the veteran.
Williams: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers - I'm not sure I'd draft any of these guys, but I think Pickens has the best skill set and potential target share to have a ceiling-type season.
What young tight end would you want on your team most if Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews were all off the board?
Iyer: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills - Trey McBride has a fair case, but Kincaid is headed to a monster year in Buffalo as their best and most reliable receiver, period, and McBride is no longer the default top target for Kyler Murray with Harrison now the NO. 1.
O'Hara: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons - We've seen Pitts be a player with legitimate ceiling and he's just 23 years old. He'll finally have a reliable quarterback in a modern offense and should flourish.
Williams: Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals - If we did this a couple of days ago, based on my rankings, I would have went Kincaid as well. But in the most recent update, McBride and Kincaid swapped spots as the No. 3 and No. 4 tight ends. Andrews' injury history makes me very nervous, so I would take McBride, Kincaid, and even Pitts over Andrews. The bump for McBride is that he seems to have a clearer path to a big target share. Kincaid can get there as well, but there are so many unknowns with a lot of turnover in the Buffalo offense.
