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Fantasy Football Rankings 2024: NFL sleepers, breakouts, busts by model that nailed Deebo Samuel's rough year
By CBS Sports Staff,
2 days ago
USATSI
Fantasy football rookies have showcased the ability to become immediate contributors, but others take a few weeks or an entire season to develop. Since 2020, three rookie receivers have recorded at least 1,400 yards: Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase and Puka Nacua. With seven receivers selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which ones should you target during your 2024 Fantasy football draft prep? Marvin Harrison Jr., the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, will likely become the highest-drafted rookie receiver in Fantasy football 2024. However, will his rookie production justify his 2024 Fantasy football projections and placement in 2024 Fantasy football cheat sheets?
Last year, the model accurately predicted that Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was being dramatically undervalued. White was coming off the board in the seventh round on average in 12-team PPR leagues, but he emerged as Tampa Bay's workhorse ball carrier and provided significantly more value than expected, finishing No. 4 at his position. White rushed for 990 yards and six touchdowns while adding 64 catches for 549 yards and three more scores as a receiver. Anybody who followed the model's advice scored an every week starting running back in the middle rounds.
The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020 and nailing Jonathan Taylor's monstrous season in 2021. Additionally, it's called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those made a run at their league title.
The model is powered by the same people who generated projections for all three major Fantasy sites, and it beat human experts last season when there was a big difference in ranking. The 2024 Fantasy football PPR rankings and 2024 Fantasy football standard projections update multiple times daily, so you're always getting the best Fantasy football advice.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest 2024 Fantasy football rankings, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them .
Top 2024 Fantasy football sleepers
One of the 2024 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The five-time Pro Bowler had 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns last year in his first season with Tennessee. Hopkins struggled with injuries over his previous two seasons, resulting in playing 10 games or fewer in both years, but he has recorded at least 1,000 yards in each of his eight seasons after his rookie campaign that he's played more than 10 contests.
The Titans could have a significantly different offensive philosophy this season with former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan taking over for Mike Vrabel as head coach. The Bengals threw the ball on 63.5% of their plays last season, the second-most in the NFL, and that wasn't only because of Joe Burrow. Even when Burrow was out with his thumb injury, Callahan continued throwing. This could mean substantially more opportunities for Hopkins and with Will Levis entering his second NFL season, their chemistry and production could increase. The model has Hopkins ranked significantly higher than he's going in 2024 Fantasy football drafts, making him one of the prime 2024 Fantasy football sleeper picks. See more Fantasy football sleepers 2024 here .
Top 2024 Fantasy football breakouts
One of the 2024 Fantasy football breakouts the model is predicting: Titans running back Tyjae Spears. Tennessee is moving on from the Derrick Henry era, leaving a massive void in the backfield. The Titans signed Tony Pollard to a three-year deal in free agency, but Spears was extremely efficient as a rookie and is capable of carving out a starting role this year.
He finished with 838 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns as Henry's backup, posting an impressive 26% forced missed tackle rate. Spears ranked fifth in explosive run rate last season, so he does not need a massive workload to provide Fantasy value. See more Fantasy football breakouts 2024 here .
Top 2024 Fantasy football busts
As for players to avoid, the model lists Ravens running back Derrick Henry as one of its 2024 Fantasy football busts. Henry enters the dreaded 30-year-old tier for running backs and last year already featured a decline in his production. Henry averaged 4.2 yards per carry, tied for the second lowest of his eight-year NFL career, and although he rushed for 1,167 yards, the second most in the NFL, it took him the most carries in the league to do so.
Henry makes his Baltimore debut this year, and Lamar Jackson's elite rushing ability will likely take away from the future Hall of Fame running back's yardage and touchdown opportunity. See more Fantasy football busts 2024 here
How to find proven 2024 Fantasy football football rankings
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