Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Picks - Players For Standard (Non-PPR) Leagues

4 months ago by Kacey Kasem

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When drafting a standard (non-PPR) fantasy football roster, touchdown potential and yardage are key factors to evaluate. Focusing on receptions is more important for point-per-reception (PPR) leagues than standard.

Six must-have players for standard leagues are highlighted in this article. These players don't always see the most targets or catches, but they can break off big plays and score plenty of touchdowns.

Knowing which players are most valuable in standard leagues will give you an edge over your league mates. These are players worth rostering in standard leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

DK Metcalf, WR - Seattle Seahawks

Last season, DK Metcalf finished as WR15 in standard leagues. He put up 10 fantasy points per game in that format. The 26-year-old put up double-digit fantasy points in seven contests last season. Metcalf ended last season as WR21 in PPR leagues. His better finish in standard leagues relied heavily on his touchdown upside.

Per PlayerProfiler, Metcalf had a 22.9% target share while seeing a 38.1% red zone target share in the Seattle offense. He was additionally targeted 24 times in the red zone.

DK Metcalf! 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/KVkz7xlcA0

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) December 24, 2023

In 2023, the former second-round pick saw 119 targets. It was the lowest number of targets Metcalf had seen since his rookie season. He made the most of those targets, tallying 66 receptions for 1,114 receiving yards. Metcalf additionally scored eight times.

The Seahawks have a new offensive coordinator in Ryan Grubb. Grubb joins Seattle after serving as the offensive coordinator at Washington. Grubb's offense in Washington was very pass-heavy, something he'll look to bring to the Seattle offense. With a heavier passing game in 2024, Metcalf should be a standout in standard leagues.

Mike Evans, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans finished the 2023 season as WR4 in standard leagues. Evans averaged 12 fantasy points per game. The veteran receiver had 10 games of double-digit fantasy points. Some are concerned that Evans' productivity will crash as he ages. He has shown he has not fallen off, as he has over 1,000 yards receiving and 65 receptions in all 10 of his NFL seasons.

Evans has shown that he can produce big numbers no matter what quarterback gets him the ball. Over his career in the NFL, Evans has had six different starting quarterbacks. Critics were worried Evans would not produce with Baker Mayfield taking over for the retired Tom Brady.

Baker and Mike Evans connect for 70 yards 🚨 #CHIvsTB pic.twitter.com/eH1iciHM8b

— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) September 17, 2023

The always-productive player put up impressive numbers with new quarterback Mayfield. In 17 games played last season, Evans caught 79 balls for 1,255 yards and 13 scores. The five-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in air yards last season, posting 1,906. Additionally, his touchdown numbers were impressive. He took in 12 or more scores for the fifth time in his NFL career.

Evans acquired a two-year contract with Tampa Bay, returning for his 11th season in the NFL. The deal is worth a base salary of $41M over two seasons, with $29M guaranteed. The 2023 NFL receiving touchdowns co-leader scores reliably every season. He is a top choice to draft in standard leagues.

David Montgomery, RB - Detroit Lions

Last season, Lions running back David Montgomery had his second 1,000-yard rushing season. He found himself sharing running duties with Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers should not be too concerned about Gibbs on the roster. Both running backs can be productive in Detroit's offense.

The Lions have one of the best offenses in the league. Montgomery is one key figure in the lineup that helps the offense succeed. Last season, Montgomery was ranked 15th in carries and fifth in red-zone touches (per Fantasy Points Data). Additionally, Montgomery scored 13 times last season.

DAVID MONTGOMERY PUTS THE LIONS IN THE LEAD

📺: #Kickoff2023 on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/EBLJ3Rwf5g pic.twitter.com/I2skW3lwyQ

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2023

Last year, the 27-year-old ran for 1,015 yards on 219 carries in 14 games. Montgomery averaged 4.6 yards per carry. He also led all running backs last season with 41 carries inside the 10-yard line. Gibbs also had a productive season, appearing in 15 games and gaining 182 rushes for 945 yards. He also grabbed 52 receptions for 316 yards and 13 scores through the air.

Both running backs can have important roles in this offense. Gibbs is going rounds ahead of Montgomery. The Iowa State alum is the ideal choice for standard leagues as he is cheaper than Gibbs. You'll get a runner who scored on 5.94% of his carries last season.

He finished as RB9 in standard leagues in 2023, posting 11 double-digit fantasy weeks. Montgomery will look to put up similar numbers in 2024.

Derrick Henry, RB - Baltimore Ravens

A player with a touchdown upside that is perfect for standard leagues is running back Derrick Henry. Henry joins a Ravens team that ranked seventh in the league in red zone scoring percentage (touchdowns only). The red zone scoring percentage for Baltimore last season was 62.16%.

Last season, Henry scored 12.9 standard fantasy points per game, finishing the season with 218.7 total points. Henry posted 11 double-digit scoring weeks last season in standard formats. The former second-rounder ended 2023 as the RB5 in standard leagues while finishing as RB8 in PPR formats. His ability to score touchdowns has helped skyrocket him to fantasy elite status.

Derrick Henry scores in what could be his final game for the Titans 👑

🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/97Lm8iuPKn

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) January 7, 2024

Over the past six seasons, the 30-year-old has finished as a top-15 player at the running back position. He has over 1,000 rushing yards and tallied 10 or more touchdowns in five of those years.

Last year, the Ravens used Gus Edwards as their starting back. He scored 13 rushing touchdowns and carried the ball 198 times. Additionally, Edwards put up 810 rushing yards. These were all career-bests for the runner.

Henry should fit in nicely with the Ravens, a team that likes to use quarterback Lamar Jackson's legs. Jackson is one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the league.

You would think a talented running quarterback would eat into Henry's production. Baltimore wants to ensure Jackson doesn't take big hits, so it'll protect him in the red zone.

The Pro Bowl running back should see plenty of goal-line carries this season. His scoring potential makes him a brilliant selection in standard leagues.

George Kittle, TE - San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle finished his 2023 campaign as the TE5 in PPR leagues. In standard leagues, the veteran tight end was TE2 to end season. Kittle's 2022 season saw him finish as TE2 in standard, while 2021 saw the tight end finish as TE4 in standard leagues.

Over his last three seasons in the league, the five-time Pro Bowler has averaged 6.0 targets per game. The offense doesn't allow him to see as many targets as many of the top tight ends in the league.

Christian McCaffrey joined the roster in 2022. Wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk make for a nice one-two punch. The Iowa product's fantasy production would have improved if one of those wideouts had been traded. However, both wide receivers remain on the roster, eating into Kittle's target share.

Having a capable quarterback in Brock Purdy has helped Kittle's stock. Purdy is an accurate thrower who can get the ball to Kittle out deep.

GEORGE KITTLE GETS LOOSE 💨
pic.twitter.com/5b8cIUXjA9

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 21, 2024

Although Kyle Shanahan's offense is known for being run-heavy, Purdy still feels comfortable passing the ball to the 2017 draft pick. Last season, Kittle scored six times, dropping from the 11 touchdowns he scored in 2022.

Although his production was down, he continues to do what he's been known for in his career. He is an excellent blocker, which doesn't help for fantasy football purposes but shows how much the team relies on him.

His numbers haven't been as great as they once were due to a highly skilled offense. Still, finishing in the top four (standard format) at tight end over the last three years is noteworthy.

Kittle will give you boom-or-bust weeks, but he's a reliable option in a high-powered offense. He's a bargain in drafts at his 57.08 ADP.

Taysom Hill, TE - New Orleans Saints

Tight end? Quarterback? Wide receiver? Running back or fullback? What is Taysom Hill? He's not your average tight end. The man can do it all.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson did not practice in training camp. Johnson had foot surgery in June. It is yet to be determined if he can play in the season opener.

Both running backs, Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, are banged up. Kamara has a back injury, and Miller has a hamstring injury. Hill would fill that void if any of these players were to miss time. The veteran player has played quarterback and tight end. He has also played some wide receiver and on special teams.

Taysom Hill hace hasta recepciones espectaculares #NFLFantasyEsp

pic.twitter.com/vfJc47MZL4

— NFL Fantasy en Español (@NFLFantasyEsp) November 26, 2023

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has stated the team would like to expand his usage. The BYU alum has been finding work alongside the running backs and fullbacks. In the 16-10 preseason loss to San Francisco, Hill ran the ball five times for 21 yards while scoring a touchdown.

Hill finished last season as TE7 in standard leagues and TE12 in PPR leagues. He averages 10 touchdowns per year and can play anywhere. He's a solid pick in standard formats.

The 34-year-old is not the player you want as your only rostered tight end, so plan accordingly. Hill will give you spike weeks and have multiple double-digit scoring games. He is worth a flyer based on his FFPC ADP (337.89).

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