Fantasy Football Outlooks for Each NFL Team: AFC Conference

Mike Fanelli analyzes the fantasy football outlook in only a few sentences for every team in the AFC. Which players should you target and which should you avoid in 2024?

The 2024 NFL regular season is almost here. However, there is always time for another fantasy football draft.

However, the mountains of information can be overwhelming, especially for fantasy players with multiple drafts to complete between now and opening night.

Therefore, I’ve broken down every AFC team from a fantasy perspective in only a few sentences. While fantasy players should take in as much information as possible, sometimes having a simple outlook is more beneficial.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen remains a top-3 fantasy quarterback despite losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason. Dalton Kincaid is a popular breakout candidate and should lead the team in receptions, targets, and touchdowns. Meanwhile, Keon Coleman should be the first Buffalo wide receiver drafted, offering fantasy players the most upside.

BREAKING: The #Bills are trading WR Stefon Diggs to the #Texans, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/QvqbnKcG71

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 3, 2024

Miami Dolphins

While Miami had arguably the top rushing attack in the NFL last season, many are nervous about drafting De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. Achane’s efficiency will regress, while Mostert won’t have 21 touchdowns again. Yet, both running backs could be values at their current ADP. Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are top-15 wide receivers.

New England Patriots

Whether Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye start more games in 2024, the Patriots will have one of the worst fantasy football offenses in the NFL. However, Rhamondre Stevenson is a solid safe floor RB2 for fantasy players. Meanwhile, Demario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker are all late-round draft throw options. However, they could end up on the waiver wire by Week 3.

New York Jets

The Jets could have an outstanding fantasy season if Aaron Rodgers returns to MVP form. Breece Hall is a top-5 pick in all scoring formats after the team significantly improved their offensive line in the offseason. Meanwhile, Garrett Wilson should finally have a breakout season and be worthy of his first-round ADP after struggling with poor quarterback play for the past two years.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry is a polarizing pick this year. Many are concerned about his age and believe he won’t see the volume needed for a top-12 finish. However, Gus Edwards’ 13 rushing touchdowns from last season should be the floor for Henry if he plays all 17 games. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews are solid picks at their ADP. Meanwhile, Zay Flowers could have a sophomore-year breakout after a strong finish to his rookie season.

Cincinnati Bengals

Hopefully, Joe Burrow can stay healthy in 2024 after dealing with a calf and wrist injury last year. While Ja'Marr Chase has missed most of training camp because of a contract dispute, the superstar should still get drafted as a top-5 wide receiver. Tee Higgins has had an outstanding training camp. Fantasy players should draft him as a top-20 guy, expecting him to have a career season before hitting the open market in March.

Joe Burrow airs it out to Tee Higgins.

Higgins is putting together his best camp practice today. pic.twitter.com/q43FqIxi4A

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) August 7, 2024

Cleveland Browns

Unfortunately, Nick Chubb will start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP), knocking him out for at least the first four games. Jerome Ford has top-20 appeal with Chubb out of the lineup, while D'Onta Foreman can be a solid late-round pick. Hopefully, Deshaun Watson can stay healthy. Amari Cooper is the only Browns pass catcher I want to draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Yikes! The Steelers' offense looked awful during the preseason, regardless of who played quarterback. George Pickens’ fantasy value could tank if the team trades for Brandon Aiyuk. Yet, he could be a league winner if Aiyuk doesn’t come to town. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are solid RB2s but limit each other’s upside.

AFC South

Houston Texans

Houston has the top wide receiver core in the NFL. Nico Collins and Tank Dell are coming off an impressive 2023 season. Yet, they added Stefon Diggs in the offseason. While fantasy players debate which wide receiver they should draft, picking C.J. Stroud is the best solution to that debate. Joe Mixon and Dalton Schultz are solid draft options but lack significant upside despite playing in an explosive offense.

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson could be a league winner because of his rushing abilities, scoring four touchdowns in four games as a rookie. He is one of four quarterbacks that could have 30 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores in 2024. However, that’s unlikely to happen unless Jonathan Taylor struggles with injuries again. Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are the only wide receivers worth drafting in standard-sized leagues.

ANTHONY RICHARDSON TAKES IT HIMSELF.

📺: #JAXvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/2awLV5mL5o

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars lack a big-name wide receiver but have multiple solid mid-round pass catchers. Christian Kirk was a top-12 wide receiver the last time he was Trevor Lawrence’s No. 1 guy (2022). Meanwhile, Evan Engram is a solid mid-range TE 1. Brian Thomas Jr. could be a massive steal after a solid preseason performance.

Tennessee Titans

After totaling four passing touchdowns in his NFL debut, Will Levis had only four the rest of his rookie season. However, he should be significantly better after the Titans added Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd in the offseason to his receiving core. Tyjae Spears and DeAndre Hopkins should also benefit from the coaching staff changes.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

While no one is surprised, Bo Nix will start in Week 1. Courtland Sutton is the only pass catcher worth drafting in standard-size leagues. However, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. are potential early-season waiver wire targets. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin should get drafted as top-35 running backs.

Now that Denver has named Bo Nix as its starter, he will become the first Broncos rookie quarterback to start Week 1 since John Elway. pic.twitter.com/IIUHOQ4WNY

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2024

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes is coming off the worst fantasy season of his career as the team’s starting quarterback. However, he is a prime bounce-back candidate after the Chiefs added Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown in the offseason. Rashee Rice likely won’t be suspended until next year, making him the first Kansas City wide receiver to draft.

Las Vegas Raiders

Fantasy players should be nervous about drafting Davante Adams. The Raiders have one of the worst quarterback situations in the NFL. More importantly, Brock Bowers will cut into the veteran’s target share. Zamir White is a polarizing draft pick after finishing last season on fire. Yet, Las Vegas only added Alexander Mattison and Dylan Laube in the offseason. White is one of my must-have draft targets.

Los Angeles Chargers

After years of being a pass-happy offense, the Chargers will be run-heavy under Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert is a mid-range QB2 with upside but not a must-draft in single quarterback leagues. Joshua Palmer and Ladd McConkey are the only pass catchers on the team worth drafting. Meanwhile, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Kimani Vidal are appealing draft options at their ADP.

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