Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs were among the Fantasy football breakouts as rookies last year. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions, while Gibbs rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns. Finding 2024 Fantasy football rookies who will make an instant impact is one key to building a winning 2024 Fantasy football strategy. There are plenty of rookies who have a chance to be day-one contributors this season, but which ones should you move up your 2024 Fantasy football rankings? There are also overvalued rookies who will turn into Fantasy football 2024 busts.
It's critical to target 2024 Fantasy football sleepers and 2024 Fantasy football breakouts while avoiding 2024 Fantasy football busts. Before setting your 2024 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2024 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last year, the model accurately predicted that Buccaneers wide receiver Rachaad White was being dramatically undervalued. White was coming off the board in the seventh round on average in 12-team PPR leagues, but he emerged as Tampa Bay's workhorse running back and provided significantly more value than expected, finishing No. 4 at his position. White rushed for 990 yards and six touchdowns while adding 64 catches for 549 yards and three more scores as a receiver. Anybody who followed the model's advice scored an every week starting running back in the middle rounds.
The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020 and nailing Jonathan Taylor's monstrous season in 2021. Additionally, it's called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. Anybody who banked on players like those made a run at their league title.
The model is powered by the same people who generated projections for all three major Fantasy sites, and it beat human experts last season when there was a big difference in ranking. The 2024 Fantasy football PPR rankings and 2024 Fantasy football standard projections update multiple times daily, so you're always getting the best Fantasy football advice.
Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2024, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2024 Fantasy football sleepers
One of the 2024 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. The former Florida tight end is one of the most physically gifted players to ever enter the NFL, but after going over 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2021, Pitts has struggled with injuries and inconsistencies. The Falcons added a proven quarterback this offseason in Kirk Cousins, and the model is calling for a massive uptick in Pitts' fantasy production.
New Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson runs a system that is dependent on production from the tight end position. Pitts is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and he is now playing in a system that will prioritize his role in Atlanta's offense. Pitts currently has an ADP of 100 and is going in the ninth round on average. See more Fantasy football sleepers 2024 here.
Top 2024 Fantasy football breakouts
The model is also projecting Bears quarterback Caleb Williams as one of its 2024 Fantasy football breakouts. Only three rookies have finished as top-10 Fantasy quarterbacks since 2013, but Williams has a chance to join that group this season. Chicago has suddenly turned into a perfect situation for a new quarterback, with wide receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze on the roster.
The Bears also have tight end Cole Kmet and running back D'Andre Swift, so Williams is not lacking weapons heading into his first NFL campaign. The No. 1 overall pick has a strong arm and additional upside as a mobile quarterback who can rack up rushing touchdowns. His situation with the Bears is as ideal as you will find for a rookie quarterback, making him one of the top Fantasy football breakouts this season. See more Fantasy football breakouts 2024 here.
Top 2024 Fantasy football busts
As for players to avoid, the model lists Bears receiver Keenan Allen as one of its 2024 Fantasy football busts. Allen was acquired by the Bears in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Cal standout spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Chargers after entering the NFL as a second round pick. During his stint with the Chargers, Allen compiled a resume that will have him in the Hall of Fame discussion when he hangs up his cleats.
Chicago traded for Allen with the intention of surrounding rookie quarterback Caleb Williams with as many weapons as possible. While he was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL during his tenure with the Chargers, the model is calling for him to fall short of expectations in 2024. The 32-year-old wide receiver has a current ADP of 80 in standard PPR leagues, and is being picked ahead of guys like Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams. There will undoubtedly be some growing pains for Williams as a rookie, and Allen will be competing for targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. See more Fantasy football busts 2024 here
How to find proven 2024 Fantasy football football rankings
SportsLine is also extremely high on a surprising quarterback you aren't even thinking about being taken in the middle rounds of 2024 Fantasy football drafts. This quarterback is listed as a shocking top-10 option ahead of stars like Trevor Lawrence and Aaron Rodgers. You can only see who it is, and the 2023 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.
So which 2024 Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade, and which QB shocks the NFL with a top-10 performance? Visit SportsLine now to get 2024 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that nailed Deebo Samuel as a bust last year, and find out.