Dive into our newest Featured Professionals article, the place our high analysts break down their must-have mid-round operating again and broad receiver picks, together with insights on why these gamers ought to be in your draft checklist.
Fantasy Soccer Mid-Spherical RB Targets
Which RB with a half-PPR ADP between RB25-48 are you concentrating on probably the most in your drafts and why?
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)
“Anthony Lynn is the brand new run sport coordinator for the Commanders and will equally deploy Austin Ekeler–Brian Robinson to Ekeler-Melvin Gordon circa 2019. Ekeler noticed heavy targets again then (92 catches in 2019), however one other RB was incomes all of the red-zone work. That may very well be Robinson in 2023, which makes him the higher Commander RB to focus on, particularly at a less expensive price. He’s being drafted precisely the place he was final season regardless of a robust sophomore marketing campaign. He completed RB22 general and was twenty first in factors per sport (12.0). He was the carbon-copy fantasy RB2 that began sizzling – RB4 Weeks 1-11 and Eleventh in factors per sport (13.5) – simply to crawl to the end line (RB51 from Week 12 onward, averaging 7.8 factors per sport). The receiving utilization with a cell QB and Ekeler within the fold doubtless received’t be a big a part of Robinson’s 2024 manufacturing, however that’s baked into his ADP as a fantasy RB3. What’s being ignored is that he ought to profit from some boosted speeding effectivity on this offense (thanks, cell QB), together with seeing the majority of pink zone work.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Brian Robinson seems like a possible steal at an ADP of RB34. The chance is that Austin Ekeler finally ends up getting extra snaps and touches than Robinson, leaving B-Rob on the improper facet of the weekly begin/sit bubble. However Ekeler is coming off a poor season, and a few of his offseason feedback counsel he’s on the lookout for much less work than he had with the Chargers, no more. The enchantment with Robinson is that if he earns a majority of Washington’s early-down snaps, he’s more likely to profit from taking part in with ultra-mobile rookie QB Jayden Daniels and from the fast offensive tempo favored by new Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The 6-1, 228-pound Robinson might inherit a landing windfall if the Washington offense perks up with Daniels on the controls. When Kingsbury was head coach and play-caller for Arizona in Kyler Murray’s rookie 12 months, Kenyan Drake had eight touchdowns in eight video games with the Cardinals after coming over in a midseason commerce with the Dolphins. Drake additionally averaged 80.4 speeding yards per sport with Arizona and 5.2 yards per carry. Robinson’s potential for 2024 is intriguing, and the buy-in is remarkably inexpensive.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“I need a ton of publicity to Brian Robinson Jr. throughout fantasy draft season. The entire metrics level to a participant that’s being undervalued. Final season, he was the RB14 in fantasy factors per alternative and the RB22 in fantasy factors per sport. He additionally stood out in effectivity classes, rating twenty second in explosive run price and thirteenth in yards after contact per try (per Fantasy Factors Information). I need the purpose line again in a Kliff Kingsbury offense, and that ought to simply be Robinson Jr. ”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
“Jonathon Brooks is certainly one of my must-have operating backs this 12 months. The previous Longhorn would have a top-20, perhaps top-15 ADP if he wasn’t coming off a torn ACL. Brooks averaged 6.1 speeding yards per try and 113.9 yards per sport final season. He had the Eleventh-most missed tackles pressured (63) in 2023 regardless of lacking the ultimate 4 video games with the harm (per PFF). Final 12 months, Dave Canales made Rachaad White an RB1 regardless of averaging solely 3.6 yards per speeding try. Brooks will probably be considerably higher as soon as he’s 100% wholesome.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Gus Edwards (RB – LAC)
“Gus Edwards is the brand new RB1 for the Los Angeles Chargers! He was signed by the brand new Jim Harbaugh teaching workers, which runs at a excessive price. In 2023, Edwards was seen as underwhelming regardless that he ran for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns, with operating quarterback Lamar Jackson! This 12 months, he will probably be on offense with Justin Herbert, a pocket-passing quarterback, which is able to permit the “Gus Bus” to get rolling and make drafting the RB41 a steal in fantasy drafts!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)
“I might goal Tony Pollard in 2024 for the associated however reverse motive I light him in 2023: anticipated landing regression. Pollard scored an unsustainable 9 of his 12 touchdowns from 10 or extra yards from the tip zone in 2022. His landing price was very more likely to fall in 2023, however I consider it fell to the alternative, unsustainable excessive. Pollard had 61 carries contained in the 5-yard line final 12 months, second most at his place. He might cut up time with Tyjae Spears on the Titans this season, however wager on higher landing luck in any case.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
“Jerome Ford (ECR RB38, ADP 37, my RB27) – Nick Chubb, who has endured a number of offseason surgical procedures after a ugly knee harm, is just not anticipated again till midseason and is unlikely to tackle a full load upon his return. Enter Jerome Ford, who received loads of fantasy championships final season because the RB4 in Week 17 on a Cleveland Browns squad vying for a playoff berth. Ford was the RB15 in Weeks 3-17 after Chubb went down; he’ll proceed to get loads of run behind one of many NFL’s greatest offensive traces. Ford, who can also be an asset within the passing sport, represents among the best Draft Day values at any place at his present ADP (RB37).”
– Drew DeLuca (QB Checklist)
“Cleveland Browns operating again Jerome Ford checks in at RB37 in ADP and will probably be an enormous steal this season. Ford completed final season as RB17 and has plummeted in ADP, with Nick Chubb being the assumed starter. The issue is that Nick Chubb is nearly 29 years previous and is coming off a season-ending knee harm. We’ve seen how tough it’s for even a younger operating again to rebound from an harm that severe, and it might show an unimaginable activity for an growing older Chubb. Even when Chubb can return for Week 1, he’s unlikely to be anyplace close to his full explosiveness, and the Browns will probably be greatest served to make this a operating again by committee. Even in a timeshare, Ford ought to simply crush his ADP and be an RB2. Ford may very well be a league-winner if Chubb can’t make a full return to the sector.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Soccer Universe)
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)
“There are loads of good choices at RB on this vary, however I’m confused why we’re so low on final season’s half-ppr RB2 general. Raheem Mostert has roughly the identical alternative in an elite offensive scheme, and he’s going off the board at RB28. Sure, he’s previous (he’s 32). Sure, he’s obtained very actual competitors in second-year phenom De’Von Achane. However with TD regression nearly sure to hit and his touches all however assured to come back down, he’s nonetheless a locked-in RB2 for me with RB1 upside as soon as once more. Achane and Mostert can each be RB1s this season. Raheem has the dream ADP proper now. Purchase in.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Soccer Universe)
Blake Corum (RB – LAR)
“The current information on Kyren Williams injuring his foot has made me rethink my stance on his 2024 outlook. The Rams are grooming Blake Corum to deal with a full workload if Kyren can’t maintain up. If that occurs, Corum instantly turns into very attention-grabbing in a very good offense just like the Rams. I assume that makes this a “Blake or break” sleeper decide? Nevertheless, one factor that’s by no means attention-grabbing is Mark Ringo’s horrible jokes wherein he exhibits no “deCorum” in any respect. Ha ha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“Preserve shopping for into Blake Corum when you can. Nonetheless sitting simply exterior RB3 vary because the RB37 off boards, I’m loving this worth. Corum would require endurance, nevertheless. Kyren Williams has had prolonged spells on the sideline in each of his first two seasons within the league, probably opening the door for Corum to get a run. As we all know, being concerned with the highest Sean McVay operating again does pay dividends. Simply ask Todd Gurley, Cam Akers (for a cut up second), and Kyren Williams managers about that. Corum is subsequent in line, and that may be a when, not an if.”
– Ed Birdsall (Speaking Factors Sports activities)
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
“Chase Brown at half-PPR ADP RB38 has the proper mix of rapid flex worth and second-half-season upside. In Weeks 13-18, Brown started carving out a big position alongside Joe Mixon, garnering 27% of crew carries and seven% goal share. This was sufficient for Brown, along with his explosiveness, to turn out to be a flex choice as RB35. Zack Moss was not all sunshine and rainbows final season. Throughout his second stint changing an injured Taylor from Weeks 13-15, he had an abysmal 2.56 yards per carry and three.86 yards per goal. Chase Brown might overtake this backfield earlier than lengthy.”
– Daniel Mader (Stomach Up Sports activities)
Fantasy Soccer Mid-Spherical WR Targets
Which WR with a half-PPR ADP between WR25-55 are you concentrating on probably the most in your drafts and why?
Chris Godwin (WR – TB)
“Chris Godwin didn’t expertise a Mike Evans resurgence underneath Baker Mayfield at QB in 2023 concerning fantasy factors. Godwin led the Buccaneers with 91 catches for 1,1109 receiving yards, however he solely caught 3 TDs… in 19 video games performed. Nevertheless, Godwin’s goal share (23%) was almost similar to Evans’s (25%). No participant scored fewer TDs with extra receiving yards than Godwin. Based mostly on the sheer quantity/utilization Godwin has seen, he ought to be nearer to a complete of double-digit scores versus the typical of three TDs he has had over the previous two years. It was the dearth of high-value alternatives that nuked Godwin in fantasy soccer and positioned him exterior the highest 36 WRs in factors per sport. Works in Godwin’s favor that new OC Liam Coen will probably be calling the offense in 2024, and he has already urged placing Godwin again into the slot in a full-time position. Godwin performed his lowest slot snap price (37%) since 2018 final season.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Chris Godwin of the Buccaneers goes off the board as WR33, and that’s far too late. In 2023, he completed as WR31, which is well his worst end in any season aside from his rookie season. Even in an almost career-low 12 months, Gowdin nonetheless managed over 1,00 receiving yards and 83 receptions. He has skilled some dangerous landing luck over the previous two years, and with some constructive landing regression, he ought to simply triple his landing complete from final season and discover himself as a mid to high-end WR2. Don’t let your league mates draft Godwin; he’s free cash going as late because the tenth spherical.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Soccer Universe)
Christian Kirk (WR – JAC)
“Christian Kirk will probably be certainly one of my favourite broad receiver draft targets this 12 months. The final time the veteran was Trevor Lawrence‘s No. 1 broad receiver, he ended the 2022 season because the WR11, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy factors per sport. Moreover, Kirk was the WR16, averaging 11.7 fantasy factors per sport from Week 2 by means of Week 12 final 12 months, regardless of Calvin Ridley seeing a 20% goal per route run price throughout these contests (per Fantasy Factors Information). With Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. difficult defenses downfield, anticipate Kirk to see loads of straightforward targets in the course of the sector. I wouldn’t wager in opposition to him having a top-15 end.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“I don’t know why we’re valuing Christian Kirk as a WR3, however I’ll proceed to gobble up the worth. Final 12 months in Weeks 2-12, Krik was the WR19 in fantasy factors per sport, drawing a 22.6% goal share and 30.5% air-yard share, producing 2.31 YPRR and 0.101 FD/RR (per Fantasy Factors Information). Kirk ought to be thought-about the Jaguars’ run-away WR1 with WR1/2 upside in fantasy. Draft him early and sometimes, and revel in a banner 2024 season.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“Christian Kirk (ECR WR29, ADP WR30, my WR16) is just one 12 months faraway from a 2022 season wherein he caught 84 of 133 targets and completed because the WR11. After a Week 1 dud in 2023, Kirk was the WR16 in 0.5 PPR fantasy soccer leagues between Weeks 2 and 12. He was on tempo for 129 targets getting into Week 13, when he left with a season-ending core muscle harm. Each Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram suited up for every a kind of video games. Ridley is gone in 2024, as is Zay Jones, successfully changed by rookie Brian Thomas, Jr. and the mercurial Gabe Davis, respectively. Kirk presents a excessive flooring and a low-end WR1 ceiling; he ought to proceed to function a go-to weapon for Trevor Lawrence and represents unbelievable worth at his ADP (WR30).”
– Drew DeLuca (QB Checklist)
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
“I’m touting two Washington Commanders in a single installment of Featured Professionals. What might probably go improper? Terry McLaurin has banked 4 straight 1,000-yard seasons with no less than 77 catches in all 4 years. The quarterbacks with whom McLaurin has performed no less than two video games over that span: Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, late-career Alex Smith, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett. Maybe No. 2 general draft decide Jayden Daniels can take McLaurin to new heights. McLaurin hasn’t scored greater than 5 touchdowns in any of the final 4 years, and he’ll now be taking part in with a QB who threw 31 TD passes to WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. in 13 video games final season. Additionally, new Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury likes a brisk offensive tempo, and the Washington protection seems fairly sketchy on paper, which might result in loads of high-scoring observe meets for the Commanders. It’s a pleasant setup for the fairly priced (WR32) McLaurin.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“In on the ground ADP worth of WR32 for Terry McLaurin. Final season with Sam Howell, McLaurin was WR42 on a points-per-game foundation. Howell had loads of makes an attempt however was ranked thirty second in deep ball completion pct. This led to McLaurin having his lowest yards per goal mark in his profession at 7.6. His second-lowest landing price was 3%, and his lowest catch price was 59.8%. Jayden Daniels, at minimal, is an improve for McLaurin. Daniels was the 4th most efficient deep ball QB in school final 12 months and was identified for constantly hitting the deep ball on the perimeter.”
– Daniel Mader (Stomach Up Sports activities)
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
“Calvin Ridley was the large signing of the Tennessee Titans this low season! Derrick Henry has moved on to Baltimore, and the crew is working to turn out to be a pass-centric crew with Will Levis on the helm and Ridley because the WR1! In 2023, Ridley returned to the league after his suspension with 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, which was seen as a down 12 months! Search for him to play his manner again into the dialog of top-flight broad receivers because the pass-catching centerpiece of the revamped Tennessee Titans’ passing assault!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Christian Watson (WR – GB)
“I wouldn’t wager the farm that Christian Watson’s reported offseason work to scale back the asymmetry of his legs will truly cut back his frequency of hamstring accidents. However his ceiling is excessive sufficient to take the chance. Watson has Julio Jones measurables at 6-foot-4 and with a 4.36-second 40 time. And he scored 7 touchdowns in 11 begins as a rookie in 2022 and tied for second with 12 pink zone targets between Weeks 8 and 13 in 2023 earlier than a hamstring harm ended his sophomore season prematurely.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
“The worth of Diontae Johnson is uncontrolled. An ADP of WR38 makes zero sense for a pure separator who will probably be featured in Carolina’s offensive assault. Youthful than Adam Thielen – who noticed 137 targets final season – Diontae hasn’t earned fewer than that quantity since his second 12 months within the league when taking part in a full season. New head coach Dave Canales can also be a famous QB whisperer, reviving the fantasy values of Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield in back-to-back seasons. Bryce Younger is subsequent as much as obtain the Canales therapy, and his high goal will probably be Johnson. Thielen was the half-ppr WR25 final season. That’s Diontae’s flooring in 2024.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Soccer Universe)
Jameson Williams (WR – DET) | Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)
“NFL Senior Author Nick Baumgardner (who relies in Michigan) reported, “One thing I heard this week (NFL mix week) various occasions: Detroit believes Jameson Williams goes to be a dude subsequent 12 months. And uh, to be clear: That’s the primary time I’ve heard that sort of agency optimism about Williams from Lions folks in trustworthy moments since he obtained there.” As for Keon Coleman, Josh Allen has thrown for over 4,200 yards for the final 4 years. In three of these years, he threw for no less than 35 TDs, which helped carry Stefon Diggs to finishes at third, seventh, 4th, and tenth ranked WR in fantasy. Somebody has to catch passes and TDs from Josh Allen in 2024 now that Davis and Diggs are gone. And bear in mind, the Payments didn’t burn their first decide within the draft (#33 general) on Coleman to maintain him on the bench.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
“Tee Higgins because the WR29 in half is solely ludicrous. I do know he had a down season a 12 months in the past, tormented by accidents and the like, however come on. Higgins has proven that he’s an enormous play machine and is a close to 1000-yard lock if he might be wholesome. The place else are you getting that sort of assure at this worth? Higgins additionally has a man named Joe Burrow throwing him the ball; he’s fairly good when you ask me. Higgins can also be taking part in for his money in 2024. By no means underestimate the will of gamers to smash their projected ceilings when they’re in line for his or her first massive contract. Higgins is a cut price proper now. Go get him.”
– Ed Birdsall (Speaking Factors Sports activities)
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