When it comes to fantasy football drafts, many subscribe to the theory that a roster featuring a combination of safe, high-floor players and those with boom potential in any given week is a recipe for success. Throughout the summer months, I focus on identifying the players with considerable upside, taking into account various factors, such as ADP, scheme fit and the traits I see on the tape, that can lead to a bump in overall production.
The depth of the wide receiver position is in play here, as I have multiple pass catchers to discuss. There are also quarterbacks you can get excellent value on later in drafts, plus two running backs — in big-time offenses — who should be on your target list.
So, let’s get into it. Here is my All-Upside Team for the 2024 fantasy football season.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
I see Love as a rising star in this league, and his numbers during the second half of last season support that. Love averaged 20.6 points per game (QB4) from Weeks 11 to 18, while logging 22 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. He is a rhythm and timing thrower in Matt LaFleur’s offense, which uses play-action elements, with the second-reaction traits (arm talent and mobility) to create special plays outside of structure.
With a wide receiver room featuring young and dynamic talent, plus seam-stretchers at the tight end position, Love is set up to make another jump in his second season as a starter in Green Bay. And with his ADP sitting at QB10, you can fill up your roster before getting Love at excellent draft value in later rounds.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens has been one of my top targets during our summer mock drafts because of the value at his current ADP (WR29), plus the upside and matchup talent he brings as an explosive-play target. Pickens averaged 18.1 yards per catch in 2023, with 44.9% of his receptions coming on vertical throws. That pairs well with new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, who is still one of top deep-ball passers in the league, and fits with new coordinator Arthur Smith, who will use schemed concepts to attack the third level of the field. With those vertical opportunities, in addition to the underneath targets and the anticipated boost in red zone looks, Pickens is primed to produce breakout games while also potentially jumping into the WR2 mix.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys
If you wait on the tight end position, like I do, then Ferguson can be targeted as a late-round steal. His numbers took off in 2023, as he caught 71 of 103 targets for 761 yards, with five touchdowns, while posting nine games of double-digit fantasy production.
I’m all-in on Ferguson’s play style, too. He’s a rugged mover who averaged 6.0 yards after the catch, and he has the willingness to work the dirty areas of the field. Plus, Ferguson can get loose up the seams, and he is a prime target for quarterback Dak Prescott in scoring position. Ferguson saw 10 end zone targets last season and Dallas wants to use the play-action pass game when it gets near the goal line. Currently holding an ADP of TE10, Ferguson has top-five upside in a Cowboys offense that will throw the ball and score points.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Smith-Njigba was under-utilized in his rookie year in Seattle, as he caught 63 passes and had a target share of only 17%. However, we saw the receiving chops and alignment versatility that will create real upside for Smith-Njigba this season while working in a new Seahawks offensive system.
Smith-Njigba has the catch-and-run skills to operate out of the slot (he caught 25 of 44 slot targets in 2023), but don’t sleep on his ability to run routes from the perimeter, where he was much more efficient. Last season, he caught 38 of 47 targets from wide alignments as a multilevel route runner. With the transition to a new coaching staff, we should see more opportunities for Smith-Njigba as the No. 3 receiver in Seattle. And at his current ADP of WR42, I have no issue betting on his talent and the potential bump in usage in Year 2.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
Cook’s run-game deployment jumped after Joe Brady took over as the interim offensive coordinator in Buffalo last season. Under Brady, Cook averaged 16.7 carries from Weeks 11 to 18. Simply put, the run game was a foundational piece of the Bills’ offense during that stretch, and I expect that to continue this season with Brady coming back in a permanent role.
With Cook, you also get the explosive traits and the receiving upside. He had 33 rushes of 10 or more yards last season, while catching 44 targets for 445 yards and four scores. Plenty of matchups there and screen-game opportunities. While the presence of Josh Allen as a runner and the addition of rookie running back Ray Davis could continue to limit Cook’s scoring opportunities in the low red zone, looking at his ADP (RB12), Cook has RB1 upside given his dual-threat ability.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
I don’t usually write up rookies in this piece, but the potential is there for McConkey to produce consistent numbers in his first pro season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Sure, this offense will be more run-heavy with Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. We know that. But in a Chargers wide receiver room that lacks a proven top target for quarterback Justin Herbert, the door is open for McConkey to emerge quickly.
Remember, McConkey has the route-running traits and the top-end speed to get loose down the field. That means three-level targets from slot/boundary alignments, plus the play-action throws that get McConkey into open voids for catch-and-run opportunities. Due to the Chargers’ anticipated offensive structure, McConkey’s ceiling sits in the WR3 range, but at an ADP of WR45 he offers upside.
Zack Moss, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Moss is a grinder who can handle heavy volume in the run game and is set up to be the early-down and goal-line back for the Bengals. Last season, filling in for the injured Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis, Moss had eight games with double-digit carries, including six with 18 or more, and he had three games with 20 or more fantasy points.
While second-year back Chase Brown offers more juice in the pass game for the Bengals, Moss (27 receptions last season) can still contribute as an underneath outlet for quarterback Joe Burrow on checks, swings and screens. Plus, you are taking the upside of Moss in the run game for a Cincinnati offense that will put the ball on the doorstep of the goal line. Target Moss as a flex with the potential for lower-tier RB2 production. And you can get that at an ADP of RB29.
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
If you are looking for a later-round wide receiver with breakout potential, keep an eye on Williams. He enters the season slated to play the No. 2 role for the Lions opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown, and we know he has the electric playmaking traits to produce.
In 12 games last season, Williams averaged 14.8 YPC, with 20.8% of his receptions going for 20 or more yards. In addition to his vertical stretch ability to win down the field, Williams is an elusive, rapid accelerator after the catch. He will need to see his target volume climb (42 targets in 2023), and the availability concerns are real, as he has missed 16 games over his first two pro seasons. But in the Lions’ schemed pass game, Williams will be put in a position to see the ball at the intermediate and deep levels of the field. Take the upside here with Williams’ ADP sitting at WR49.