If you're anything like me, the next week will be all about analyzing the Week 1 spreads and putting the final touches on your fantasy football prep for the upcoming football season. During our drafts, we all have players we’re determined to land and others we’re actively trying to stay away from. With that in mind, here are the players I’ll be avoiding in fantasy football for the 2024 season.
Note: All ADP rankings are based on Sleeper's PPR rankings.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (ADP's: Overall: 1st, RB: 1st)
Let's start controversial, shall we? I totally understand if you're already pulling your hair out but let me explain. McCaffrey is entering the season already banged up with a hamstring injury and as far as soft injuries go, a hamstring is just one I am staying away from.
While he's managed to stay relatively healthy the last two years since he got to the Bay Area, I just have the feeling that his workload will catch up with him sooner rather than later with the amount of volume Kyle Shannan has given CMC since the trade in 2022. I get why you feel like you'd have to draft him in round one if you have the chance, but I’m more than happy to let someone else take that risk.
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP's: Overall: 21st, TE:1)
Yes, I am avoiding Taylor Swift's boyfriend in fantasy this year. After years of being perhaps the safest pick in fantasy, last season it felt like Kelce was pacing himself during the regular season to make another run at a Super Bowl as it was the only the second time since 2016 he did not finish as the TE1.
As the Chiefs chase a three-peat in 2024, (in maybe even his final season in the NFL??) I expect Kelce once again to hold something back for January when the games really matter as he and the Chiefs chase immortality this winter.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans (ADP's: Overall: 32nd, WR: 16th)
Unlike the last time when Diggs was traded to a team with a young star quarterback in Buffalo, the Texans are stacked with weapons to support sophomore C.J. Stroud. I firmly believe Nico Collins is still the clear WR1 in Houston, and Stroud has already developed a strong connection with fellow second-year player Tank Dell. With such a crowded receiving corps, I see Diggs having an inconsistent season in terms of volume, which makes him a risky fantasy option in my opinion.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP's: Overall 70th, WR: 33rd) & Jordan Addison WR, Minnesota Vikings (ADP's: Overall 85th, WR: 39th)
I’m typically not a fan of pairing players together, but this one speaks for itself.
Both Rice and Addison had productive rookie seasons in 2023, and I expect them to have solid careers learning from great offensive mind coaches.
However, I follow a simple rule when drafting my team's: if there’s even a slight chance of a suspension due to offseason off-field incidents, I’m not picking.
It's that straightforward.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers (ADP's: Overall: 124th, QB 16)
I still believe Justin Herbert is a top-five quarterback in this league, and I expect this to be the easiest season of his career when it comes to game management. Why is that?
Well, it's simple, Jim Harbaugh will make sure his Chargers are physical and in control of the time of possession, just like he has everywhere. Harbaugh will get the most out of Herbert by asking him to do less. However, that approach could lead to a dip in Herbert's fantasy production, even if it benefits the team overall.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets (ADP's: Overall: 149, QB: 18th)
Lastly, I am avoiding Aaron Rodgers in fantasy because we have never seen a 40-year-old quarterback come off such a catastrophic injury. Therefore, I have no idea what to expect from Rodgers. Not to mention, the Jets limited protection up front and no great receivers outside of Garrett Wilson.
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