Finding the best value players in each round of your fantasy football draft isn't as much strategy as it is necessity. Most drafters don't need much in the way of cheat sheets or rankings to land some top-tier studs in the first few rounds, but the real test comes later when trying to fill your roster with high-upside sleepers and potential breakouts. Finding these draft-day steals is how you transform a good fantasy team into a great one. It's time to get to know the most underrated players at every position this season.
Studying consensus overall rankings and participating in mock drafts are essential exercises to help you spot underrated players. You will find more sleepers when realizing average draft position (ADP) doesn't often correspond to a player's potential production.
Based on rankings and ADPs from FantasyPros' data for Half-PPR formats, here are the best values and biggest potential steals to target throughout your 2024 drafts.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2024 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Football QB Value Picks: Most underrated fantasy quarterbacks in 2024
Anthony Richardson, Colts (Ranking: QB5 | ADP: QB6)
Richardson was off to a terrific start during his rookie season before it was derailed by a concussion and a shoulder injury that put him on the shelf. His running and big passing in Shane Steichen's offense can resemble a younger Jalen Hurts, only without using as high of a pick on the actual Hurts.
Brock Purdy, 49ers (Ranking: QB11 | ADP: QB11)
Purdy finished as QB8 in average scoring last season and can keep it up as a pocket passer in a prolific offense given his downfield throwing prowess with elite weapons. He had that finish with 4,280 passing yards and 33 total TDs while Christian McCaffrey scored 21. Purdy has the ability to keep it up for Kyle Shanahan ahead of his next contract and be a better value than C.J. Stroud at QB6.
Jayden Daniels, Commanders (Ranking: 12 | ADP: 13)
Like Richardson in relation to Hurts and Lamar Jackson, Daniels is the "cheat code" way to tap into what Kyler Murray can do -- just a few rounds later. The rookie is set up nicely with Murray's former offensive-minded coach Kliff Kingsbury, and the reigning Heisman winner is looking like he will continue to deliver as a dynamic dual threat with plenty of weapons.
2024 PPR RANKINGS
Top 250 Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF/ST | K
Caleb Williams, Bears (Ranking: QB14 | ADP: QB15)
Speaking of weapons, the Bears reloaded for Williams as he replaces Justin Fields with D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet being joined by Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D'Andre Swift and Gerald Everett. New OC Shane Waldron is the ideal play-caller for Williams, who has wasted no time dazzling as a playmaker this preseason just like he did as the previous Heisman winner. Williams and Daniels will be in an epic stat-based battle for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (Ranking: QB19 | ADP: QB20)
Stafford threw a ton last season, but it was only late in the year when he added the TDs, throwing for 15 in the final 6 games to finish as the QB18 in average scoring. He's got two great receivees now in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Stafford can put up fine throwback pocket passing numbers to well outplay this draft position.
Will Levis, Titans (Ranking: 24 | ADP: 23)
There are many interesting values to consider among the QB2s, but the second-year second-rounder has the best environment to produce to challenge as a top-12 option with a new favorable passing offense, line upgrades, and improved weaponry. It helps he's in a rising offensive division with Richardson, Stroud and Trevor Lawrence, too.
2024 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
Fantasy Football RB Value Picks: Most underrated running backs in 2024
Jonathan Taylor, Colts (Ranking: RB4 | ADP: RB5)
Taylor has the potential to reclaim his top-scoring status from a few seasons ago now that health, contract and schematic issues are behind him. He's helped by having a top running QB in Richardson and revamped blocking. He also has little competition for key touches and can build on a strong closing run from 2023.
James Cook, Bills (Ranking: RB14 | ADP: RB14)
Cook shot up with his value in Joe Brady's offense to finish as the RB19 in scoring average. He got a few bumps up to a high-end RB2 in the rankings, but that might be selling him short, especially with a chance to spike well in scores and catches to support Josh Allen.
Alvin Kamara, Saints (Ranking: RB17 | ADP: RB17)
Kamara rebounded from his three-game opening suspension last season to finish as the average RB4 in scoring, and even with the missed time, he was RB14 total. Kendre Miller has faded as a buzzy young player and Jamaal Williams is a jag (just a guy). Kamara avoided being cut and will be the key, versatile centerpiece of Klint Kubiak's offense.
Zamir White, Raiders (Ranking: RB22 | ADP: RB22)
White crushed it in the final four games of last season taking over for an injured Josh Jacobs, averaging 14 Half-PPR points. That would have put him at RB13, a borderline RB1. He can be more effective as a lead back under Luke Getsy, especially with little threat to his workload from Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah.
2024 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QB | RB | WR | TE | Each Team
Najee Harris, Steelers (Ranking: RB23 | ADP: RB24)
The Steelers' offense will run the ball a lot more effectively under Arthur Smith. The blocking has improved throughout and will be boosted by line upgrades and 12 personnel usage. Harris finished as the average RB29 with terrible QB play, which gets an upgrade either way with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. Harris' TDs should get a nice boost from the eight he tallied last season as more scrimmage yards become available, too.
D'Andre Swift, Bears (Ranking: RB25 | ADP: RB20)
Where there's a Taylor, a Swift isn't far behind. Swift looked explosive as a receiving cog right away with Williams in the preseason. He was picked up to clean up a backfield mess after the team couldn't trust youngsters Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. Swift should be busy catching checkdowns and also pop into the end zone well for Waldron, who got Kenneth Walker III to be a solid scorer in Seattle.
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers (Ranking: RB33 | ADP: RB34)
Brooks should be the only Panthers running back targeted by savvy drafters. The successor to Bijan Robinson and Johnson at Texas is recovering well from a torn ACL and is trending to take over the backfield in a much-improved offense by the middle of the season.
2024 FANTASY AUCTION VALUES (PPR & STANDARD)
Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K
Zack Moss, Bengals (Ranking: RB32 | ADP: RB27)
Chase Brown is getting plenty of love, but he is a limited boom-or-bust, change-of-pace runner. Moss was picked up immediately to fill the Joe Mixon early-down role, which led to a lot of TDs in a Joe Burrow-led offense. Moss also can handle himself when needed as a receiver. His supersub stint with the Colts says he should be on the field more after Brown has underwhelmed in the preseason.
Rico Dowdle, Cowboys (Ranking: RB44 | ADP: RB44)
One could consider Ezekiel Elliott leading the Cowboys' backfield again as he's going a little higher as an RB37. But Elliott is 29 with plenty of wear and can't get the workload he had as a young stud in Dallas. The Cowboys were slow to replace Tony Pollard and like Dowdle's upside, so he's a good big swing late with low risk.
Fantasy Football WR Value Picks: Most underrated wide receivers in 2024
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (Ranking: WR5 | ADP: WR5)
St. Brown has the potential to have a Cooper Kupp 2021-like season as the slot centerpiece of this explosive offense. He finished as the WR4 in average scoring last season and can build on that. No one should be surprised if he vaults to the top of consistent WR1 production in 2024 with little change in Detroit's passing game.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (Ranking: WR9 | ADP: WR9)
"Maserati Marv" can roll out of the garage to some elite WR1 production. There are 217 vacated targets in Arizona, and the rookie first-rounder will eat up a chunk of them as Murray's go-to guy. He can easily finish in the top five.
Cooper Kupp, Rams (Ranking: WR18 | ADP: WR18)
Kupp battled to get on the field by midseason and wound up doing some good catchup production complementing Puka Nacua with a WR27 finish in average scoring. Kupp looks fully healthy and has been lighting up camp in rejuvenated fashion at 31. He will dominate targets from Stafford right along with Nacua. It might be impossible to be 2021 Kupp, but 2019 Kupp would still be tremendous value.
2024 Standard, Non-PPR Rankings
Top 250 Overall | QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (Ranking: WR22 | ADP: WR23)
Smith was WR21 in average scoring in 2023, so it's a mystery why he's sliding and not rising in an offense suited to him. He should see more work in the slot to ace Kellen Moore's passing game a la Keenan Allen and CeeDee Lamb before him. He can finish in the top 15 and has a shot to outscore teammate A.J. Brown in fantasy.
Malik Nabers, Giants (Ranking: WR23 | ADP: WR24)
Nabers is right there with Harrison as an immediate veteran-like talent. They're looking like what the combination of A.J. Green and Julio Jones were to high rookie first-round production 13 seasons ago. He will dominate targets to lift Daniel Jones and deliver a big rookie year as the to-go guy.
George Pickens, Steelers (Ranking: WR27 | ADP: WR28)
Pickens' potential chemistry with Kenny Pickett fell apart quickly in 2023, but he rebounded with their shaky QB situation to finish WR33 in average scoring. Pickens is the clear No. 1 with no Diontae Johnson, and gets the big arm of either Wilson or Fields. He should finish as a much higher WR2 boosted by big plays for TDs.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders (Ranking: WR31 | ADP: WR32)
McLaurin is being undervalued despite how much hype Daniels is getting. McLaurin hasn't had much QB or passing scheme consistency and finally is in an ideal system to be a No. 1 for a dynamic, downfield passer. He should also see increased TD potential on top of high reception and target volume to easily outplay his draft status.
Calvin Ridley, Titans (Ranking: WR36 | ADP: WR34)
Ridley had a great start in Jacksonville but ended up being a misfit in his one season there because he wasn't moved around well in their passing game. This other AFC South team will correct that with Brian Callahan and former Jaguars assistant Nick Holz. DeAndre Hopkins is hurting, which opens the door for Ridley to be Will Levis' new veteran No. 1, running routes everywhere on top of being a big-play and red zone threat.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (Ranking: WR44 | ADP: WR47)
Sutton has been disappointing for a while thanks to durability issues and some rockier-than-expected QB connections. Sutton might have found a stabilizing passer for his services in rookie Bo Nix, helped by Jerry Jeudy being traded away to Cleveland. Sutton should dominate targets with second-year youngster Marvin Mims serving as a big-play complement.
Rome Odunze, Bears (Ranking: WR48 | ADP: WR40)
Allen was the key veteran slot addition for Williams, but the former long-time Charger is 32. Odunze seems buried behind Allen and Moore, also contending with the tight ends cutting into target share. But he has massive upside as their other rookie first-rounder, as he's already connected well with Williams. Odunze will be on the field with that pair and tight end Cole Kmet consistently. He will run plenty of routes and can be the source of explosive plays playing off Moore. He has a path to a WR3 floor and WR2 ceiling early.
Fantasy Football TE Value Picks: Most underrated tight ends in 2024
Kyle Pitts, Falcons (Ranking: TE7 | ADP: TE7)
Consider in a similar passing offense with Kirk Cousins at QB last season, the Vikings saw T.J. Hockenson finish No. 3 at tight end in average scoring before going down with his knee injury. That is great news for Pitts with Cousins, who was down to TE17 last year in an atrocious run-heavy attack with terrible QB play. Pitts has the potential to finish in the top four as a top-2 target on his team.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (Ranking: TE9 | ADP: TE10)
Ferguson is coming off a TE9 finish and will become a more integral part of the Cowboys' passing game with still limited receiving pop behind Lamb. Ferguson is coming off a big playoff game vs. the Packers that shows he has untapped scoring upside with Dak Prescott, too.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (Ranking: TE13 | ADP: TE15)
Patty F. will be on the field a lot more in Smith's 12 personnel looks. He will be a key blocker for the running game and a necessary target for the passing game behind top field-stretcher Pickens, after which there's a big dropoff at wideout for Wilson and Fields. Freiermuth can be busy playing off Harris well in the short red zone.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (Ranking: TE20 | ADP: TE22)
Otton was tied for TE23 in average scoring so this is a slight bump up from that. But that might not be enough as he can be the key third target in the new offense of Liam Coen. Chris Godwin is slowing down as an intermediate option, and there's little else trustworthy at wideout behind Mike Evans for Baker Mayfield. Otton can put it together to produce as a late TE2 flyer.
Taysom Hill (Ranking: TE21 | ADP: TE25)
Hill managed to be the TE12 in average scoring with limited touches and targets last season. His hybrid, often explosive role can expand into Deebo Samuel-like work for Kubiak. The team is seeing some passing disappointment with Derek Carr, so Hill will get some key wrinkles at QB and see some high-leverage red zone snaps, too.
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