The 2024 NFL schedule has been released, which means it's time to start preparing for your 2024 fantasy football draft. Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow will face off in the regular season for the fourth straight year. Owners won't have to wait long for that matchup, as it's scheduled for Week 2 after the defending champions take on the Ravens on Thursday Night Football on September 5th. Kansas City won last season with a stronger defense. So how will this change in philosophy impact fantasy football rankings in 2024? Should Mahomes be moved down in your 2024 fantasy football QB rankings?
It's important to avoid 2024 fantasy football flops while targeting 2024 fantasy football sleepers and 2024 fantasy football breakouts. Before you develop your 2024 fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2024 fantasy football rankings and cheat sheet from SportsLine's proven computer model.
Last year, the model accurately predicted that Buccaneers wide receiver Rachad White was significantly underrated. White was an average seventh-round pick in 12-team PPR leagues, but he emerged as Tampa Bay's primary running back, providing more value than expected and ranking fourth at the position. White rushed for 990 yards and six touchdowns and added 549 yards and three scores on 64 catches as a receiver. Anyone who followed the model's advice would have landed a weekly starting running back in the middle rounds.
The same model has a proven track record of providing fantasy football tips, identifying AJ Brown as a sleeper in 2020 and accurately predicting Jonathan Taylor's phenomenal season in 2021. Additionally, they have predicted past fantasy football sleepers such as Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Those who bet on these players have gone on to win league titles.
The model is run by the same people who create the projections for the three major fantasy sites, and it beat out human experts last season when there was a huge difference in rankings. Our 2024 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings and 2024 Fantasy Football Standard Projections are updated multiple times each day, so you'll always get the best fantasy football advice.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest fantasy football rankings for 2024, with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and basses: Visit SportsLine now to see the rankings.
Top Sleepers for Fantasy Football in 2024
One of the model's projected fantasy football sleepers for 2024 is Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. The Falcons made several changes in the offseason that will positively impact Pitts' fantasy value. Atlanta signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason. Cousins is targeted on 27% of passes to tight ends in 2023, fifth-most of any quarterback in the NFL in 2024.
Pitts should also benefit from the departure of fellow tight end Jonnu Smith, a favorite of former head coach Arthur Smith and who frequently took snaps from Pitts. The talented tight end played all 17 games in 2023 after suffering a season-ending MCL sprain in his right knee in Week 11 of the 2022 season. Pitts recorded 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie season and is expected to be a major part of Atlanta's nascent offense in 2024. Read more fantasy football 2024 sleepers here.
Top fantasy football breakouts for 2024
The model also projects Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels as one of the fantasy football breakouts for 2024. Last year's Heisman Trophy winner passed for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns at Louisiana State. The 6-foot-3 quarterback, who averaged 1,009.5 yards and 10.5 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons, has the makings of an elite dual-threat quarterback.
A quarterback who can run and score is a huge asset in fantasy football. Jalen Hurts was QB2 despite being 14th in passing yards and Lamar Jackson was QB4 despite being 15th in passing yards last season. Daniels showed his passing ability in college and with weapons like WR1 Terry McLaurin, tight end Zach Ertz and Austin Ekeler in the backfield, Daniels could break out as a top fantasy football starting quarterback. Read more about fantasy football breakouts in 2024 here.
Top fantasy football blunders for 2024
As for players to avoid, the model lists Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen as one of the fantasy football busts for 2024. Allen ranked third in fantasy points per game among wide receivers last year and was the WR8 overall. He had an impressive 31% target share and showed no signs of slowing down even in the second half of his career.
But he'll have to overcome new obstacles, including playing with a rookie quarterback in Chicago. He'll also face more competition for targets from teammates DJ Moore and Rome Odunze than he did with the Chargers. Because Allen relied so heavily on target share to generate strong fantasy numbers, our model recommends avoiding veterans in your 2024 fantasy football picks. Click here to see more 2024 fantasy football misses
How to Find Proven Fantasy Football Rankings for 2024
SportsLine is also very high on a surprise quarterback who no one thought would be selected in the middle of fantasy football drafts in 2024. This quarterback is listed as a shocking top 10 prospect, ahead of stars like Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Rodgers. Find out who these quarterbacks are, plus each player's 2023 fantasy football rankings, only at SportsLine.
So which sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade in fantasy football in 2024, and which QB will shock the NFL with a top-10 performance? Visit SportsLine now to find out the answers with a cheat sheet for every 2024 fantasy football position from the model that labeled Deebo Samuel a bust last year.
