Fantasy Football 2024: Early Sleepers, Dynasty Tips and Team Names

NFL training camps are here, preseason action will arrive shortly and the regular season will kick off before you know it.

If you haven't started mapping out your fantasy football strategy yet, what are you waiting for?

Well, coming here means that fantasy football is at least on your mind, so let's make the most of this time by highlighting a couple of early sleepers, providing a few dynasty tips and finally dropping some team names worth your consideration.

Early Sleepers

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 31-10. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has placed its rushing game in the hands of Ezekiel Elliott. That's another way of saying carries (and catches) are very much up for grabs in this backfield, seeing as how the 29-year-old was as unproductive as ever while with the New England Patriots last season.

Dowdle, admittedly, wasn't great, but he was easily more dynamic than Elliott. Dowdle had better per-clip averages both on rushes (4.1 to 3.5) and receptions (8.5 to 6.1). There's a non-zero chance he gets the bulk of backfield opportunities in this offense, which should be one of the league's most explosive.

Will Levis, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Levis opened his NFL career with a bang, delivering a whopping four touchdown passes in his first taste of action. That he posted just four touchdown passes and four interceptions the rest of the way shows how quickly excitement faded around his fantasy outlook.

It could be time to buy back in, though. Tennessee's offense should be far more pass-happy under new coach Brian Callahan, and Levis has new playmakers at his disposal like wide receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Tony Pollard. Throw in the chance that Levis gets some of the short-yardage work that used to go to Derrick Henry, and there are plenty of reasons to believe the arrow is pointing way up for Levis.

Dynasty Tips

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 25: Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Know your league settings inside and out.

The simplest advice is probably the most critical. If you don't know the specifics of your league's settings, then your chances of being successful in it are slim to none.

Do you start one quarterback or two? Do you reward four points for a passing touchdown or six? Are there big-play or big-day bonuses up for grabs?

If you want to be your league's highest scorer, you need to know how to score in your league.

Play to your team's timeline.

Assuming you aren't in a dynasty startup, your team already has some identity. Make sure you strengthen that identity as much as you can.

If you're on the cusp of a possible championship run, don't be shy about converting long-term trade chips into short-term upgrades. If you're operating on a longer calendar, look to flip veterans who aren't helping you win big enough for young players who eventually could.

Funny Team Names

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - MAY 10: Wide receiver Malik Nabers speaks to the media during New York Giants Rookie Minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on May 10, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Country Roads, Take Mahomes

Ja'Marrvelous Mrs. Maisel

Zombies Ate My Nabers

Beg Burrow and Steal

Sir Mixon-Lot

Zeke Squad

Marvin The Martian

Tyreek Down Hill

When in Rome

The Bowers That Be