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It is never too early to peer into the fantasy football crystal ball.
While most fantasy fanatics are wrapped up in the NBA and NHL playoffs and the MLB regular season, many fantasy footballers are thinking ahead to the upcoming NFL season that starts in September. They are already putting together their cheat sheets and their lists of sleepers and busts. The latter is what this article is about.
There are plenty of longtime fantasy stalwarts who could be in for letdown seasons in 2024. Whether it is due to their declining play, the declining supporting casts around them, or because their roles have been reduced, many perennial fantasy superstars could be busts this year. Here is a look at three fantasy football veterans you should avoid in 2024.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Three Fantasy Football Veterans You Must Avoid in 2024
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (QB)
Dallas’ franchise quarterback threw for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns last season and enters this season as a top-10 fantasy QB. But Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office depleted the skilled players around Prescott. 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard was replaced by old friend (emphasis on the word “old”) Ezekiel Elliott instead of Saquon Barkley or a high-round rookie.
No. 3 WR Michael Gallup will have his place taken by former third-round pick Jalen Tolbert, who is no sure thing. The offense also lost two Pro Bowl offensive linemen (Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz), who will have rookies inserted into their spots. The replacements for the former starters are cheaper, but they will not be better in 2024. Prescott’s fantasy value will have nowhere to go but down unless top target CeeDee Lamb has the first 2,000-yard year in the history of the NFL. He will still have a solid season, but he will not lead the league in TD tosses again.
Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans (WR)
Diggs, his big mouth, and big contract were dealt to conference rival Houston in a shocking offseason blockbuster that shook up the fantasy world. While his six straight 1,000-yard years and his four consecutive 100-reception seasons would usually make him a lock to be a top-10 fantasy WR heading into the new campaign, especially with C.J. Stroud as his quarterback, Diggs has more question marks surrounding him than the Riddler’s henchmen.
Diggs averaged 160 targets per year over the past four seasons. That number will be virtually impossible to reach in 2024 with receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz taking targets away from him in Houston. Fewer targets normally translates into fewer catches, yards, and touchdowns. Couple that with Diggs’ speed and skills being on the downswing and he might have to settle for an 800-yard season after years of being a fantasy force.
Josh Allen JUST THREW AN 80 YARD BOMB OF A BOMB AND STEFON DIGGS FLAT OUT DROPS IT.
One of the best throws I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/jKHAkVUcW0
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 22, 2024
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (RB)
New Orleans’ longtime centerpiece of the offense looks like the top tailback in town for the 100th year in a row. The problem is he has not looked like the Pro Bowl powerhouse who could dominate games on the ground and also through the air when he first entered the NFL. He 1800-plus touches he has had over the first seven years of his career appear to have caught up with him.
Kamara’s numbers and fantasy value have steadily dropped off the charts in recent years. In 2020, he scored 21 total touchdowns. He has scored 19 in the three years since. Kamara set new career lows in rushing yards and yards per catch last season and had no plays over 25 yards, showing he has lost a step.
New Orleans will allow backup Jamaal Williams to get more touches in 2024 to keep Kamara fresh and also because Williams is a better inside runner and red-zone threat. Do not be surprised if Kamara's fantasy worth reaches an all-time low this season.
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