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The 2024 NFL regular season is only a few weeks out. Every fantasy football player may know of the saying you can’t win your league in the first round, but you can certainly lose it.
That saying means fantasy players want to avoid first-round draft picks who end up being a bust. While your first-round selection won’t win you the league, it could cost you any chance at bringing home the title.
Instead of only looking at first-round players, I’ve provided the safest draft pick for every NFC team.
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
NFC East Fantasy Football Targets
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
While Lamb and the Cowboys are in the middle of a contract dispute, the superstar was the top wide receiver in fantasy football last season. He had 135 receptions on 181 targets for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the NFL in targets. Unless Lamb’s holdout slides into the regular season, the veteran should be the clear-cut first wide receiver drafted.
CeeDee stretches to extend the lead for the @dallascowboys just before half!
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/Agasz4pzBN— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Nabers has been the talk of training camp for the Giants and the NFL. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in practice at the time of writing. Therefore, fantasy players need to look for any update on the rookie receiver’s health. However, early reports believe Nabers suffered a minor ankle sprain. The rookie could see over a 25% target share this year if he is healthy.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Last year, Hurts regressed as an NFL quarterback but still put up massive fantasy numbers. While the addition of Saquon Barkley likely means Hurts will see a reduction in rushing touchdowns, the arrival of Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator should help him in the passing game. The superstar quarterback arguably has the best supporting cast in the league.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The Commanders have struggled at the quarterback position for years. However, that won’t be the case with Daniels under center in 2024. The rookie quarterback is one of the safer low-end QB1s to draft this season because of his rushing abilities. Furthermore, Washington will be chasing points often this year, giving Daniels more chances to score fantasy points.
NFC North Fantasy Football Targets
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
Chicago has arguably the top wide receiver trio in the league with Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. While the rookie is the best draft value, Moore is the safest player to draft in 2024. The veteran wide receiver had a career year last season, totaling 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He should put up similar numbers with Caleb Williams under center.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Many fantasy experts have five wide receivers in their top tier. While St. Brown isn’t the flashiest of that unit, he is the safest pick. The former USC star has been one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football since the end of his rookie season in 2021. St. Brown had a career-high 10 receiving touchdowns last year. Don’t be surprised if he has another double-digit touchdown season again in 2024.
A wide open @amonra_stbrown gives the @Lions the lead ‼️#DETvsGB on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zUoTWf7h2y pic.twitter.com/gsxRGKhDzY— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2023
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The Packers have one of the more up-in-the-air wide receiver corps in the NFL. Therefore, fantasy players should avoid picking between Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks. Instead, drafting Love will give fantasy players the most important part of Green Bay’s offense. The former Utah State star had the second-most passing touchdowns in the NFL last season.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in free agency, Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy are good enough options at quarterback to keep Jefferson in the top-5 wide receiver mix. The superstar wide receiver missed seven games and left two early because of injuries last season. Yet, he still had over 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive year.
NFC South Fantasy Football Targets
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson didn’t have the massive rookie season that fantasy players had high hopes for from the former Texas star. However, Arthur Smith is no longer with the team, meaning Robinson won’t be in a near 50-50 backfield split with Tyler Allgeier. Fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Robinson ends the year as the overall RB1.
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
Unfortunately, Johnson has struggled the past two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers because of awful quarterback production. While Bryce Young had an awful rookie season, the former Alabama star should be significantly better with the arrival of Dave Canales. The new head coach said Johnson will be the focal point of the offense. After totaling 87 targets last year, expect the veteran receiver to have at least 120 in 2024.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
The Saints don’t have an elite offense. Chris Olave will lead the team in targets but Kamara should finish second. The veteran running back isn’t the explosive runner he was a few years ago. Yet, Kamara should have a featured role again in 2024 after New Orleans hired Klint Kubiak as its offensive coordinator in the offseason.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While many thought Evans would struggle without Tom Brady, the veteran had an outstanding year in 2023. He had 79 receptions on 136 targets for 1,1255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season with Baker Mayfield under center, leading the NFL in receiving scores. More importantly, Evans has had at least 70 receptions for 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in three of the past four years.
Mike Evans is too strong 💪
📺: #TENvsTB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGc6Bj pic.twitter.com/Mvd9mu4GpW— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
NFC West Fantasy Football Targets
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
The rookie receiver will be Kyler Murray’s go-to guy in the passing game. Harrison had back-to-back seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns at Ohio State despite losing C.J. Stroud to the NFL. While Trey McBride will see a significant target share, Harrison could lead the league as a rookie.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua had arguably the best fantasy season for a rookie wide receiver in NFL history. The fifth-round pick broke two rookie receiving records, totaling 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. Furthermore, he was the WR4, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite ranking 29th in the league with six receiving touchdowns. While Cooper Kupp is healthy heading into the season, Nacua remains the Rams’ No. 1 wide receiver.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Hopefully, McCaffrey’s calf injury won’t linger into the regular season because the clear-cut 1.01 pick is a fantasy cheat code when healthy. He was the RB1 last year, averaging 22.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, McCaffrey led the NFL with 339 touches, 1,459 rushing yards, 2,023 scrimmage yards, and 21 offensive touchdowns.
CMC extends the TD streak 🙌
📺: #CINvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/YZ9lNTGkqG— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
While the Seahawks spent a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Zach Charbonnet, Walker was the lead back in Seattle last season. More importantly, training-camp reports suggest he will have a featured role this year. Despite playing behind a poor and banged-up offensive line, Walker had at least 900 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for the second consecutive season.
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