Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, DEN): 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Values

Baller Move: Target Around ~120th overall

ADP: ~148

ANALYSIS: The undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State turned heads as a rookie in 2023. He showed quickness, burst, and flashed big play ability.

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

McLaughlin has consistently impressed the Broncos’ coaching staff with his work ethic and dedication to improving his craft.

With Denver moving on from Samaje Perine, the runway is clear for McLaughlin to handle RB2 duties and emerge as the team’s primary pass-catching back. Denver targeted running backs at the highest rate in the league in 2023. With rookie Bo Nix taking over at quarterback, running backs will likely remain highly involved in the passing game.

#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

We’ve seen multiple running backs carry fantasy value in Sean Payton's offenses for years. From Reggie Bush to Darren Sproles to Alvin Kamara, there has always been a pass-catching back working in tandem with an early down hammer.

Is McLaughlin as talented as the names above? Most likely not, but he did grade out well across various metrics as a rookie. Either way, his role in the offense seems secure, and a breakout sophomore season is likely.

Aggressively target McLaughlin in the later rounds of your draft as early as the round 10-11 range. He can be a PPR cheat code and is an ideal pick if you take a zero RB or even Hero-RB approach.

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