One Fantasy Football Sleeper Candidate for Every AFC Team – 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook (2024)

The 2024 fantasy football season is still a few months away. However, it’s never too early to prepare.

Fantasy players want to draft players at an ADP value while avoiding those who will bust. More importantly, fantasy players want to find sleepers who turn into stars.

Let’s look at a sleeper candidate for every AFC team for the 2024 season.

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AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills – Ray Davis

While James Cook is coming off a sophom*ore-year breakout, he had only two rushing touchdowns. By comparison, Latavius Murray had four rushing touchdowns on 158 fewer attempts than the former Georgia star. Meanwhile, Davis was a do-it-all running back at Kentucky. While he won’t replace Cook in the passing game, the rookie should have a role at the goal line. Furthermore, he will become a hot waiver wire add if Cook misses time.

Miami Dolphins – Jaylen Wright

The Dolphins had the best one-two punch at running back last season. However, Raheem Mostert turned 32 this offseason and has struggled to stay healthy in his career. Meanwhile, De'Von Achane is an explosive running back but missed meaningful time last year with multiple injuries. Therefore, fantasy players shouldn’t expect Wright to have a role in 2023 on an explosive Miami offense.

New England Patriots – Javon Baker

New England’s wide receiver room is the island of misfit toys. Therefore, don’t be surprised when Baker stands out from the rest of the unit. We’ve seen Day 3 wide receivers turn into stars as rookies, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. Baker had the 11th-highest PFF receiving grade in the draft class last season and posted a higher yards-per-route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). Many NFL Draft experts think he can make an immediate impact.

He's ready to make plays down the field in New England.@MoveTheSticks shows off what Javon Baker brings to the @Patriots ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PF0dU70qL2

— NFL (@NFL) May 17, 2024

New York Jets – Mike Williams

Hopefully, Williams is ready for Week 1 after tearing his ACL last season. While he has struggled with injuries, the veteran has been a fantasy star when healthy. He was the WR10 in 2021, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Williams was the WR12 on a points-per-game basis last season, averaging 13.6 per contest. The veteran could be a solid flex option playing with Aaron Rodgers.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens – Devontez Walker

While many thought the Ravens would use a premium draft pick on a wide receiver, the team waited until the fourth round to select Walker. Meanwhile, Zay Flowers is the only wide receiver on the roster that played well in 2023. While head coach John Harbaugh has high hopes for Rashod Bateman this upcoming season, don’t be surprised if Walker steals his starting role.

Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Burton

Ja'Marr Chase will likely be a Bengal this upcoming season. However, Tee Higgins could get dealt before Week 1, opening the door for more playing time for Burton. Even if Higgins stays put, the rookie is the favorite to replace Tyler Boyd as the No. 3 wide receiver in Cincinnati’s offense. Burton ranked first in aDOT (20.2) among wide receivers in the draft class with at least 30 targets last season (per PFF).

Cleveland Browns – D'Onta Foreman

Unfortunately, Nick Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury last year. While the Browns expect him to return this season, it’s not likely to be for Week 1. Jerome Ford played well last year, but the team needed to add a bruiser to the backfield. Foreman had productive moments last season and posted nearly 1,000 rushing yards in 2022 with the Carolina Panthers.

.@D33_foreman punches it in 👊

📺: #CARvsCHI on Prime pic.twitter.com/FCzD3LR5Fg

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 10, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Fields

The Steelers completely redid their quarterback room this offseason. Russell Wilson is the likely Week 1 starter, but Fields should see the field at some point in 2024. While he isn’t an ideal starting NFL quarterback, Fields is outstanding for fantasy players. The former Ohio State star has averaged 64.3 rushing yards and 18.8 fantasy points per game over the past two years.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans – Noah Brown

It’s nearly impossible to find a sleeper on Houston’s offense. However, Brown is one fantasy player to keep an eye on during the season. Last year, he scored 18.2 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in 30% of the games. If Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, or Tank Dell misses time this upcoming season, Brown could offer fantasy players flex appeal.

Indianapolis Colts – Evan Hull

Indianapolis let Zack Moss leave in free agency after he had nearly 800 rushing yards in 2023. Instead of signing a veteran or using a premium draft pick on a running back, the Colts didn’t make any significant addition to the backfield. Therefore, Hull is the heavy favorite to be Jonathan Taylor’s backup this season. He is a high-upside handcuff who could turn into a fantasy starter, given Taylor’s injury history.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Tank Bigsby

Many had high hopes for Bigsby as a rookie. Instead, Travis Etienne Jr. had the fourth-most rushing attempts in the NFL (267), accounting for 74.6% of the backfield attempts. While Bigsby had the second-most rushing attempts on the team, he averaged only 2.6 yards per attempt and 1.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, head coach Doug Pederson expects Bigsby to have a larger role in 2024, potentially leading to a sophom*ore-year breakout.

Tennessee Titans – Will Levis

Levis set the NFL on fire, totaling four passing touchdowns and 26.6 fantasy points in his first career start. While he had only four passing touchdowns over his other eight games as a rookie, fantasy players should have high hopes for the second-year quarterback. The Titans made several massive upgrades to Levis’ supporting cast this offseason. Don’t be surprised if he has a sophom*ore-year breakout under new head coach Brian Callahan.

Who had @will_levis throwing 4 touchdowns in his NFL debut on their bingo card? pic.twitter.com/guRZlyeAYy

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos – Jaleel McLaughlin

The Broncos backfield could be a landmine for fantasy players this season. However, McLaughlin has the most upside of any running back on the team. Despite being an undrafted free-agent rookie, McLaughlin led the backfield in yards before contact per rushing attempt (1.91) and after contact per attempt (3.49), per Fantasy Points Data. Furthermore, he had a more than twice as high missed tackle forced per attempt average than Javonte Williams (29% vs. 14%).

Kansas City Chiefs – Jared Wiley

Picking a sleeper candidate on the Chiefs was nearly impossible. However, Wiley could have some fantasy upside as a rookie. Travis Kelce turns 35 during the 2024 regular season and struggled in the second half of last year. The future Hall of Famer scored nine or fewer half-point PPR fantasy points in 40% of the games last season. Kansas City could limit Kelce’s workload to keep him fresh for the playoffs, opening more opportunities for the rookie tight end.

Las Vegas Raiders – Dylan Laube

Many have high hopes for Zamir White after he shined as the featured back late last season. However, the young running back isn’t a difference-maker in the passing game. Meanwhile, Laube had more receptions (68) than first-round rookie wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Ricky Pearsall. Don’t be shocked if he turns into the Raiders’ third-down back early in his career.

PlayerProfiler Stat of the Day🤖

Dylan Laube finished last season with 68 receptions as a RB🤯

That is the same amount or more than these NCAAF WRs had last year⤵️
Brian Thomas Jr (68)
Marvin Harrison Jr (67)
Ricky Pearsall (65)

Are YOU targeting him?📢#PlayerProfilerStats pic.twitter.com/Qc3TPa6BtZ

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) May 25, 2024

Los Angeles Chargers – Kimani Vidal

While everyone expected Jim Harbaugh to select Blake Corum, the Chargers waited until the sixth round to add a running back. Vidal averaged 3.6 yards after contact per rushing attempt and posted a 31.9% missed tackled forced rate last season. No one should be surprised if he ends up as the lead back in Los Angeles this year with limited competition ahead of him on the depth chart.

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