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The 2023 rookie draft class has aged quite well, and it appears to be a highly talented group. We saw several rookies from the class emerge as major contributors for fantasy gamers last year.
While we saw some incredible performances from the 2023 rookie class, we could see even more from this group in 2024. Several second-year players left some meat on the bone, and they could provide league-winning upside if things break right.
Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five second-year players with league-winning upside to target in your 2024 fantasy football draft.
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Richardson struggled with injuries during his rookie year. He would only play in four games and left two of them early due to injury. It was a real struggle to stay on the field. However, whenever Richardson did start and finish a game, he displayed big-time upside.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON RUSHES IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN 😤 #colts #texans #nfl
pic.twitter.com/YClWePskCd— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) September 17, 2023
In both contests he started and finished, Richardson scored 33.6 and 23.92 fantasy points for an average of 28.76 fantasy points per game. At that pace, Richardson would have finished as the overall QB1 last year. We should not expect these numbers for 2024 as we’re basing things on an extremely small sample size. It does, though, give us an idea of the kind of ceiling Richardson provides.
Given all the injuries he suffered last year, it is fair to wonder if his body will hold up over a full 17 games. However, Richardson offers Konami code upside at the position due to his rushing prowess. A top-5 finish at the position is well within reach. With a little luck, he could even finish as the overall QB1. Richardson just needs to stay healthy to have a chance.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson wasn’t exactly a bust last year, but he didn’t deliver the kind of results fantasy managers were hoping to see. It was not a bad rookie season by any means. He accumulated over 1,400 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns on 272 touches. However, the fact is Robinson was a disappointment relative to ADP and the expectations that were placed on him.
Don’t be misled, though, as Robinson showcased exactly why the Falcons took him eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
BIJAN ROBINSON 71 YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/aXNLAEGJsa
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) January 7, 2024
He ranked 13th out of 49 eligible backs in Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected (RYOE). Among running backs with 100 carries, Robinson also finished eighth in Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) signature Elusive Rating. His work as a receiver is also appealing to fantasy managers. Per FantasyPros, he finished with the second-most targets and seventh-most receptions among all running backs in 2023.
New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris tabbed former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to run the offense. He comes from an offensive system that traditionally utilizes one back in a bell-cow manner and has produced many fantasy-friendly seasons from running backs. The new staff in Atlanta has made it clear they expect Robinson to have a more prominent role in the offense.
Fantasy players can expect Robinson to surpass 300+ touches this upcoming season. He is a safe bet to improve upon his rookie numbers and should return a top-5 finish at the position. Gamers can safely draft him as their RB1 and reap the rewards.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Wow. That probably best summarizes Achane’s impressive rookie season. He was efficient on levels we have never before seen and put up some massive performances throughout the 2023 campaign.
The Miami Dolphins are up 70-20 on the Denver Broncos. Dolphins running backs have EIGHT TDs—5 rushing, 3 receiving.
Rookie De’von Achane had one rush for five yards coming into today. He has 18 rushes for 203 yards today.
A Beatdown of Epic Proportions.pic.twitter.com/pElkAGNwk8
— Polaski (@josephdrobbins) September 24, 2023
His advanced metrics were off the charts. Among running backs with 90+ carries, Achane finished:
First in Explosive Yards %, per Fantasy Points Data Suite
Second in Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt, per Fantasy Points Data Suite
Second in RYOE, per Next Gen Stats
First in RYOE/ATT, per Next Gen Stats
First in PFF Rush Grade
First in PFF Elusive Rating
Despite all the good, there are several points of concern regarding Achane. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, he is undersized for the position and durability is a concern. He fought several injuries throughout his rookie season and missed six games as a result. Achane has reportedly been bulking up this offseason to better handle an expanded workload, but it remains to be seen if that has any effect on his durability.
There is also a question regarding Achane’s 2024 role. The team handed fellow rusher Raheem Mostert a new two-year contract extension following his highly successful 2023. Miami also drafted rookie running back Jaylen Wright in the NFL Draft, and it’s unclear how he figures into the team’s offensive plans. All of this means Achane might not get the second-year bump in workload that many experts are anticipating.
While these are fair concerns, it’s hard to look at Achane’s ludicrous 7.8 yards per carry and advanced metrics and ignore the rather obvious upside. He could easily produce significant numbers on limited touches again due to his extreme efficiency. On top of it all, he is just one Mostert injury away from a potentially massive workload. There is risk in selecting Achane, but he also carries the ability to win your league.
De’Von Achane, track star speed: 76-yard TD.
Achane speed has taken Miami’s already fast offense to “supersonic” level Giants DC Wink Martindale feared: pic.twitter.com/2GqpoYxDHH
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 8, 2023
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Spears was snookered behind starting back Derrick Henry for most of his rookie season. Despite that, Spears finished ninth among all running backs in Elusive Rating and 22nd in PFF’s Breakaway %.
#Titans Tyjae Spears goes 28 yards for the touchdown pic.twitter.com/qJ2NprBe3i
— BSGsports (@BSGsportsmedia) January 7, 2024
With the Titans allowing Henry to walk in free agency, Spears was poised to take over as the Titans' new RB1. That changed once the team signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to a three-year, $21.75 million deal in free agency. Pollard is coming off a down season where he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry and saw many of his advanced metrics decline from his 2022 season. The two backs figure to split touches to start the year.
Spears is younger and appears to be the more explosive back. He also finished higher than Pollard in Elusive Rating, RYOE, and MTF/ATT. If Pollard’s 2023 struggles bleed over to 2024, Tennessee may hand the reins over to Spears completely. He makes for a fine selection in drafts, particularly for gamers who opt for a Zero RB approach.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
McLaughlin flashed big-time upside in limited action as a rookie. PFF graded him as its 16th-highest rusher, and he also finished seventh in PFF’s Elusive Rating. Among backs with 65 attempts, McLaughlin finished fifth in Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (MTF/ATT), per Fantasy Points Data Suite. There is a lot to like about the second-year back heading into the 2024 season.
Jaleel McLaughlin scores his second touchdown of the year, this time off a screen pass from QB Russell Wilson pic.twitter.com/A7hVnefSyp
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 1, 2023
Running backs have always been heavily involved in head coach Sean Payton’s offense. After a disappointing season from Javonte Williams, McLaughlin may command more touches this year. If he can carve out a Reggie Bush/Darren Sproles-type role, he will be a huge asset in PPR leagues.
Much like last offseason, though, McLaughlin is already turning heads.
#Broncos HC Sean Payton on Jaleel McLaughlin:
“He’s here at 5:15, even in the offseason. First one here, running in the weight room, and by the time he’s at breakfast and most people are arriving, he’s put in a good hour and a half’s worth of work. It’s just the way he’s wired,… pic.twitter.com/qMk17cfd6h
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 5, 2024
He is the exact type of player who can help you win your league if he hits. Draft him and reap the rewards.
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