Drafting a successful fantasy football team is all about balance – creating a mix between players with league-winning potential and players with steady reliability. Let's explore the safest picks in each round of the 2024 Yahoo Draft in a 10-team, 0.5 PPR format – with the mission of building a realistic roster that takes into account position depth and scarcity with a relatively high production floor.
Round 1: Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill is the best pick of Round 1. Christian McCaffrey scored the most fantasy points for a non-QB last year, but given his age and the tread on his tires, Hill is a safer investment. The Cheetah has averaged over 1,600 scrimmage yards, 110+ receptions, and 10 total touchdowns over his last three seasons.
Playing in the NFL's most explosive offense has its perks, as he's seeing one of the highest target shares in the league while also being nearly unstoppable. Hill has finished in the top three in fantasy points per game the past two seasons and will very likely finish the year as the offense's leading scorer outside of a QB.
Round 2: Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Joining a high-octane offense is always a good idea, and Pacheco offers the perfect blend of age, opportunity and upside. The RBs and WRs taken in this round are either recovering from preseason injuries (Puka Nukua, Jahmir Gibbs), are weakening with age (Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry) or have uninspiring passing offenses (Devante Adams).
If Garrett Wilson wasn't traded for a 41-year-old who is soon recovering from an Achilles injury, he might be an option, but Pacheco is a three-down back whose receiving work is only going to increase. He's the safest Round 2 bet.
Round 3: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has put up the most fantasy points by a QB in three of the last four seasons. He's the most consistent dual-threat quarterback in the game and you can count on him having 4,200 yards passing along with 500 rushing yards. Add in the fact that no Bills RB will surpass his red-zone work, we could see another 10+ rushing TD-type season. This is one of those “set it and forget it” picks that could secure the fantasy title.
Round 4: Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Now it's time to follow the money. Mixon was paid the sixth-highest annual salary at his position this offseason, while just last year he averaged 4.0 yards per carry and a 49% success rate. Still, he was top-12 among RBs in fantasy points per game and remains a three-down back with limited competition in the backfield. Joining a growing and dangerous Texans offense is ideal for his fantasy value, so expect him to continue his streak of 1,200 scrimmage yards while flirting with 10 total touchdowns.
Round 5: DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Trey McBride and Mark Andrews are popular choices here, but I'd go with Smith. The fourth-year pro has a safe floor of 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Availability matters; Smith missed just one game in his first three seasons in the league. There's also the added benefit of Kellen Moore calling the plays. Smith has only worked out of the slot in 19% of snaps in his career, so more speed and freedom in a top-10 offense will lead to more volume and ultimately more fantasy points.
If something happens to AJ Brown, you could have a WR1 on your hands.
Round 6: George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
With Brandon Aiyuk out of contract, Kittle's fantasy appeal has increased. He's rated as a top-six TE, but if Aiyuk is dealt elsewhere or continues to sit out, he could compete for the No. 1 spot. Kittle finished with 65 receptions, over 1,000 yards and six TODs last season. He's ranked in the top five in total fantasy points by a TE the past three seasons and in the top two in fantasy points per game starting in 2022. If you missed out on a TE in the Round 3-5 run, this is the perfect spot to get him without overpaying.
Round 7: Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
While Round 7 is loaded with excellent wideouts (George Pickens, Tank Dale and Zay Flowers), I prefer to grab another RB to solidify the backfield – even in the dead zone. Of the available options, White emerges as his team's expected RB1 on what projects to be a ground-and-pound, run-heavy squad. New Raiders OC Luke Getsy comes from Green Bay, and when they implemented a committee system there, no one came in behind White to ease his potential workload.
White averaged 23 touches (21 carries and two receptions) and 99.3 rushing yards for a 4.7 yards per carry when he took over as the full-time starter in Week 15 last season.
I would much prefer White over a slow-moving Najee Harris with a bad O-line or a 32-year-old Raheem Mostert having an unremarkable campaign.
Round 8: Terry McLaurin – WR, Washington Commanders
Missing out on Flowers, Dale, or Pickens hurts a bit, but selecting F1 is a wise choice for Round 8, especially when there are so few weapons around him. The departure of Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson freed up one hundred and seventy-four targets, leaving plenty of room for McLaurin. Despite poor QB play, McLaurin has averaged at least 77 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons. Add Jayden Daniels to the equation, and we'll see the best version of McLaurin in years.
Round 9: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rashy Rice and Calvin Ridley could also be considered, but the way Tampa Beat writers are talking about Chris Godwin, he seems like the best option. Godwin shines as a reliable Round 9 selection, has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and some positive TD regression is expected.
Godwin scored just three touchdowns last year, while he had more overall targets, red-zone targets, and receptions than Mike Evans. Don't hesitate to select defense, kickers, and late-round TEs in this round because you can select them later as well.
Round 10: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Yahoo Fantasy contributor Terra Roberts is leading the Daniels hype train and I've joined in, too. He's one of the few dual-threat QBs available this late in the draft, so if you're looking for a QB with top-tier upside or someone to defend against an earlier QB selection, this rookie has immediate breakout potential. The skill positions available in this round aren't exciting either. There are a few injured RBs (Nick Chubb, Jaylen Warren), Devin Singletary and Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson is a junior at least Been in the news in the preseason; but call me crazy — I don't think Austin Ekeler is finished and will be more relevant than the coaching staff expects. Rome Odunze is also on the rise, but with an uncertain target distribution and a new quarterback, it may take time for Odunze to surpass players like DJ Moore or Keenan Allen in the Bears' crowded WR room.