Fantasy Football 2024: Updated Rankings After Early Free-Agency Signings
Free agency has already reshaped the NFL landscape.
The fantasy football outlook is changing right along with it.
With no shortage of notable names already on the move, fantasy managers should keep track of the transactions, particularly when these changes could move player values up or down. To help with that process, we'll follow our updated half-point-per-reception rankings for the 2024 season by spotlighting a few players whose fantasy value increased or decreased based on the early signings.
Top 25 Player Rankings
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1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
3. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
4. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
6. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
8. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
9. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
10. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
11. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
12. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
13. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
14. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
15. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
16. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
17. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
18. DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
19. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
20. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
21. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
22. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
23. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
24. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
25. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Falcons Playmakers
In the past three drafts, the Falcons have invested a top-10 pick in an offensive firepower. Tight end Kyle Pitts came first as the fourth overall selection in 2021, wide receiver Drake London followed a year later as the eighth pick and running back Bijan Robinson was plucked from that same spot last year. They haven't gotten a great return on any of those investments—though Robinson had a strong rookie season—but spotty quarterback play could have been largely to blame.
That, may as much as anything, is why Atlanta just gave Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. Cousins is 35 and coming off a torn Achilles', so it's not a risk-free move, but if he plays like he's capable, he can elevate this entire offense. He threw for better than 4,200 yards with 29-plus touchdowns in three consecutive seasons before the injury ended his run, but he was well on his way to exceeding those marks once again (2,331 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes in eight games last season).
Between Cousins' accuracy and willingness to air it out, combined with Atlanta's clear confidence in him, this passing offense should be electric. And there should be enough fireworks to keep all three of Robinson, Pitts and London plenty involved in the production.
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Henry's volume finally took a hit last season, as the Tennessee Titans effectively phased him out of the franchise. He still wound up with 280 carries for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns, but those rushing attempts were his fewest in a full season since 2018.
Clearly, there's a lot of tread on the 30-year-old's tires, but the run-happy Ravens believe he has plenty more to contribute. It's hard to imagine he could have wound up in a better spot, as the bruising back just wound up in a Baltimore offense that was one of only three in the league with more rushing than passing attempts last season.
So, Henry should see his number called early and often, but what he won't see is as much defensive attention as he received in Tennessee. Opponents will be laser-locked on attempting to contain dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson, which could free up wider running lanes for Henry, who also saw a significant upgrade in offensive protection with his scenery change.
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Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Ekeler has a history with Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, who was the Los Angeles Chargers had coach when Ekeler entered the league in 2017. That should be a good thing.
Here's what probably isn't good news, though: Ekeler could see his workload cut into by Brian Robinson Jr., who may continue to be heavily involved as an early-down and short-yardage back.
And when Ekeler is on the field, he may see increased defensive attention, since he doesn't have as many playmakers around him or nearly the same level of quarterback play he had in Los Angeles. Those aren't exactly ideal conditions for a 28-year-old running back hoping to rebound from the least efficient rushing effort of his career (personal-worst 3.5 yards per carry).
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Back in February, Stevenson told reporters, "I want to be the featured back for the Patriots." That proved to be too ambitious of an ask, though, for someone who managed just 857 scrimmage yards and four scores in 12 games last season.
When free agency opened, New England's first move was to sign former Commanders running back Antonio Gibson to a three-year deal. The pass-catching back will likely immediately step into third-down duties, which limits how much field time Stevenson can actually receive, even if he handles the bulk of this team's carries.
While it's unclear where the Patriots will turn at quarterback, it almost certainly won't be to someone who strikes fear in opposing defenses. Not right away, at least. So, a lot of Stevenson's early down attempts could come against stacked defensive boxes.
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