RADIO
It’s time to break down the top dynasty players in the NFC South. In this series, I am breaking down the teams by division and selecting who I believe is the most valuable dynasty fantasy player on each roster.
It seems like forever since Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees were keeping this division afloat. In the meantime, this has been the weakest division in the league. Thankfully, there is a wave of new talent ready to change the current narrative.
With Bryce Young entering his second season in the league, Kirk Cousins joining the Falcons, and Baker Mayfield revitalizing the Buccaneers, anything can happen. Oh, and don’t forget, Derek Carr and a directionless Saints haven’t been relegated to the XFL yet.
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
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White (RB, TB)
I was very surprised when I ended up selecting Rachaad White for this article. It’s not that I think he is a bad player, I was expecting it would be Mike Evans or Baker Mayfield highlighted. However, after careful consideration, I would trade both aforementioned names for White in my dynasty league.
White has somehow become one of the few NFL workhorse RBs. After being selected at the back of the third round in 2022, White has quickly become one of the most underrated fantasy backs. He finished last season as the RB7 in fantasy, and this team only brought in rookie Bucky Irving to compete for playing time.
My biggest concern for White is Dave Canales leaving to coach the Carolina Panthers. Canales is known for using one back heavily in the passing game. Now with Liam Coen in his first year as offensive coordinator, we don’t know exactly how he likes to use his backs. However, White’s prowess in the passing game should get him involved in any style of offense.
#Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles wants to keep deploying Rachaad White in the short passing game as a way to counter White’s inefficiency in the run game:
“However we can get him in open space, we’re gonna try to get him in open space. And, if they’re taking away the run where he… pic.twitter.com/6WfIcX7kkx
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) November 2, 2023
New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave (WR, NO)
I know I made fun of the Saints in my introduction to this article, but seriously, is this the least exciting team in football? Balancing between salary-cap implosion and aging-out players, there is only one answer to this question.
The 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft has flashed brilliance in his young career. There is no doubt that Olave is a very talented WR in this league. However, with the QB carousel that has haunted the Saints the last few years, his potential is still unclear. Can he become a true WR1 in this league? Possibly. However, I think he is more along the lines of Keenan Allen and Diontae Johnson. This is not a bad thing as his ability to separate should secure him a heavy target share regardless of who is under center.
Olave may never reach 10+ touchdowns in a season, but he should be a lock for 1000+ yards and 70+ receptions every year. Lock him in as an excellent dynasty WR2 who can balance out the more volatile WR1s such as Ja'Marr Chase and A.J. Brown.
A moment for our guy @chrisolave_ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2RIYpKvVav
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) June 27, 2024
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL)
I am unbelievably ready for Bijan Robinson this season. After being held back due to poor QB play and questionable usage last season, he could redefine the dynasty RB landscape in 2024.
I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but I truly think a Christian McCaffrey type of season could be in the cards for Robinson. This team has a very talented offensive line and added one of the most consistent pocket passers in recent years. Plus, with Kirk Cousins coming off a torn Achilles, he may need to check the ball down more often.
Additionally, Raheem Morris takes over as head coach. Morris stems from the Rams' coaching tree, which is notorious for impactful fantasy RBs and utilizing primarily one back. Mix this with the long-term security of the Michael Penix Jr. selection, and Robinson is one of the top dynasty players overall.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on his plans for the offense:
“It starts with the run. Bijan Robinson’s exciting, let’s not kid ourselves. It starts with the run and that up front crew and the toughness that they play with and they displayed last year and how they get off the ball.… pic.twitter.com/LLkJl6oyet
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 19, 2024
Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks (RB, CAR)
After selecting a top dynasty player on the Falcons, it feels like we have entered an entirely different league when trying to select a Panther. Unlike the Falcons, the Panthers do not have any blue-chip fantasy players. Even if Bryce Young regains the ability we saw at Alabama, there is no one on this team with the talent of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.
Either way, I am selecting Brooks over the security of Diontae Johnson and the upside of Xavier Legette. With Brooks coming off a torn ACL, he may start his career slowly and build his fantasy role. Additionally, Dave Canales is a great hire as head coach as he revitalized the careers of both Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield. He was also the coordinator who gave Rachaad White 70 targets last year.
Brooks has the talent and size to be a workhorse RB in this league. The real question is how valuable is the role on this team? We’ve seen what Najee Harris can do on a lackluster Steelers offense, which leads me to believe Brooks’ floor is pretty safe.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on his plans for the offense:
“It starts with the run. Bijan Robinson’s exciting, let’s not kid ourselves. It starts with the run and that up front crew and the toughness that they play with and they displayed last year and how they get off the ball.… pic.twitter.com/LLkJl6oyet
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 19, 2024
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