Who Should I Draft? Brandon Aiyuk, Saquon Barkley, Davante Adams Fantasy Football Outlooks (2024)

With the 2024 NFL preseason in the rearview mirror, fantasy football drafts will happen by the hundreds over the next week.

Fantasy players are looking for late-round rookie sleepers, hoping they turn into this year’s version of Puka Nacua and Sam LaPorta. However, let’s not forget about the big-name players in the early rounds.

Three of the more polarizing early-round picks this year are Brandon Aiyuk, Saquon Barkley, and Davante Adams. Which veteran should fantasy players draft in 2024? Let’s dive into their fantasy football outlooks.

• 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

Brandon Aiyuk 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Aiyuk has been the most talked about wide receiver in the NFL over the past several weeks. He could sign a long-term contract with the San Francisco 49ers or get traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, the star receiver was the WR14, averaging 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

AIYUUUUUUUUUUUK AGAIN.

📺: #SFvsPIT on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/oe2fa730Im

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023

Unfortunately, fantasy players can’t draft him with confidence until his contract situation gets resolved. Aiyuk should put up similar numbers to last season in 2024 if he remains with the 49ers. However, getting traded to Pittsburgh would impact his fantasy upside for this year.

Saquon Barkley 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The former Penn State star is one of the top running backs in the NFL when healthy. Unfortunately, Barkley has struggled with injuries in his career, including missing three games last season. Yet, he still finished the year as the RB12, averaging 14.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 1,242 scrimmage yards and 10 offensive scores.

Touchdown Tommy D to Saquon!

📺: #NYGvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/jckqnJwdb2 pic.twitter.com/L38e9zWL7O

— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2023

After six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley joined the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Many are concerned that the veteran will lose rushing touchdowns to Jalen Hurts. However, that likely won’t be a problem. Miles Sanders and Hurts both had double-digit rushing scores in 2022. Expect a similar outcome this season for Barkley.

Davante Adams 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Many would argue that Adams has been the most dominating wide receiver in the league over the past five years. However, the future Hall of Famer showed signs of decline last season. He was the WR11, averaging 12.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 1,144 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His eight receiving scores were his lowest total since five in 2019.

One drive. One @tae15adams TD.

📺: #LVvsBUF on CBS⁰
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/JOpflshOhl

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023

Adams has been a volume receiver his entire career, seeing 169 targets in three consecutive years. However, that streak likely will come to an end in 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Brock Bowers in the first round of the NFL Draft. More importantly, the team wants to run the ball, given its below-average quarterback unit. Unfortunately, that limits Adams' fantasy upside.

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

Fantasy players should be happy drafting all three veterans at the right price. However, Barkley is the highest in my fantasy football rankings. He will get to play behind the best offensive line of his career. Furthermore, the veteran should have double-digit touchdowns despite playing alongside Hurts.

More Fantasy Football Analysis