Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football 2024? Picks 1-10
Millions of people will be asking the same question over the next few weeks: Who should I draft in fantasy football? That’s the million dollar question for every fantasy football manager, and we’re here to help you nail your draft.
Here’s our choices for who you should pick in the first round of your fantasy football draft, plus their season-long fantasy football projections on PrizePicks.
Remember, you can always put together your own squad with NFLSZN (season-long) lineups on PrizePicks. Just choose more or less on a player's season-long projections to build your squad.
Check out our fantasy football draft picks for picks 11-20 here.
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Note that this list is based on point per reception scoring.
First Pick — Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers
There’s a reason why CMC is always at the top of draft lists. McCaffrey is a workhorse who’s shown zero signs of slowing down after eight NFL seasons. Last year, he was fourth in explosive run rate and tenth in yards after contact. With WR Brandon Aiyuk looking likely to be traded, there’s one less mouth to feed.
If you draft McCaffrey, it’s a good idea to grab Elijah Mitchell in the late rounds as a handcuff. Then rest easy knowing the fantasy GOAT is on your roster.
Second Pick — CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
If two point per reception leagues existed, I might take CeeDee Lamb first overall. Last season he had a 34 percent target share in Dallas, and due to his late season dominance edged out Tyreek Hill for the No. 1 fantasy WR.
Bonus points: Dallas has involved him some in the run game, last season taking 14 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns — it’s just an upside cherry on top. Lamb has also increased his production every season since the Cowboys drafted him.
It’s worth noting that Lamb is currently holding out for a new contract. It’s possible Lamb could sit out regular season games if the new deal isn’t done in time.
Third Pick — Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
I could see the argument for taking Tyreek Hill sooner, especially given he was on pace for 2,000 yards last season before his ankle problems. But RB DeVon Achane’s emergence last season gives me a little pause. Achane is likely to get more looks as a WR with the Dolphins stacked RB room this year.
Will Hill suffer? Probably not. Will Hill be able to keep his 2021 Cooper Kupp impersonation up? I’m not so sure, but he’s still a top pick as the most unguardable WR in the NFL.
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Fourth Pick — Ja’marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase will produce —1,000 yard seasons come naturally to this guy. But only 15 percent of his targets traveled over 20 yards in 2023, down from 27 percent his rookie year. His production outside of short and intermediate receptions leave something to be desired, but if QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals can stay healthy, the sky’s the limit for Chase in his third season.
Fifth Pick — Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
The biggest question mark for the Jets this season is QB Aaron Rodgers returning from a season-ending Achilles injury. Yes, Aaron Rodgers the future Hall of Famer, who would have been the best QB that Hall has seen, now a season removed from becoming a meme.
The Jets reinforced the line, the defense is projected to be top five again, and Hall has always produced regardless. To fade this guy with a good line and a competent QB would be ridiculous. With the game plan finally giving him some freedom, I could see a path for Breece Hall to continue exceeding his expectations as the Jets’ work horse and finish well above any RB not named CMC.
Sixth Pick — Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Behind only Lamb and Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown finished last season at No. 3 among fantasy WRs, and no one was more consistent. ARSB has increased his receptions every season of his career, and even if he stagnates, his production would still be worth a pick at No. 6.
The Lions elite line and favorable coaching will all remain the same and St. Brown is trending to be one of the safest, most stable looking pickups you could make for your first pick.
Seventh Pick — Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Tyler Allgeier is still on this team and in the rotation, which leads to concerns about Bijan Robinson’s workload in a potential timeshare. But with a new look head coach and offensive coordinator, maybe the staff will realize Allgeier is better suited as a complement to Robinson, not as an equal split guy to the likes of Bijan.
That realization hasn’t come yet unfortunately, as Falcons OC Zac Robinson has already said, Allgeier will “have a big role” this season. What Robinson could do with a bigger workload and the best QB play he’s had in the pros in Kirk Cousins lands him safely in the top 10. The sky’s the limit for Robinson.
Eighth Pick — Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The QB play for the Vikings could be a question mark with Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, but with a guy like Justin Jefferson, does that even matter? He averaged over 100 yards a game last season and is clearly one of the top receivers in the league.
Coupled with sophomore receiver Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension, and tight end TJ Hockenson still recovering from a torn ACL, Jefferson’s targets per game should always be in the double digits, especially early in the season.
Ninth Pick — A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown from Week 3-8 fed families in 2023. He was on pace to break every WR record imaginable last season, but after that, his production slowed down a bit, and at the end of the season he went out injured.
Now, back to 100 percent, and playing alongside the best version of DeVonta Smith we’ve seen, Brown could be in for another record-breaking season on one of the NFL’s best offenses.
Tenth Pick — Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Although this may be a contrarian pick this early, I love Garrett Wilson to round out the top ten. He’s been a target machine in New York, and now we get to see what happens when those targets are from a QB not ranking in the bottom five of the league.
The Jets bulked up the offensive line, adding three pieces, including All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith. Wilson has virtually no target competition, so he should have a steady floor every week. Now he’s paired with Rodgers, who has a history of force feeding his WR1. Plus, Wilson is entering his third year, a common breakout year for WRs to enter stardom. Wilson could be next.
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Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football? Summary & Projections
Who should I draft with the first pick?
Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 1,149.5 rush yards, 10.5 rush TDs, 61.5 receptions, 499.5 receiving yards, 5 rec TDs
Who should I draft with the second pick?
Ceedee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
PrizePicks Projections: 105.5 receptions, 1,325.5 receiving yards, 9.5 receiving TDs, 0.5 rush TDs
Who should I draft with the third pick?
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 98.5 receptions, 1,375.5 receiving yards, 9.5 receiving TDs, 0.5 rush TDs
Who should I draft with the fourth pick?
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 96.5 receptions, 1,299.5 receiving yards, 8.5 receiving TDs
Who should I draft with the fifth overall pick?
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 1,050.5 rush yards, 7.5 rush TDs, 65.5 receptions, 525.5 receiving yards, 3.5 receiving TDs
Who should I draft with the sixth overall pick?
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 104.5 receptions, 1,249 receiving yards, 8.5 receiving TDs
Who should I draft the seventh overall pick?
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 999.5 rush yards, 6.5 rush TDs, 60.5 receptions, 549.5 receiving yards, 3.5 receiving TDs
Who should I draft with the eighth overall pick?
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 91.5 receptions, 1,299.5 receiving yards, 7.5 receiving TDs
Who should I take with the ninth overall pick?
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 86.5 receptions, 1,250.5 receiving yards, 8.5 receiving TDs
Who should I take with the tenth overall pick?
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
PrizePicks 2024 Season Projections: 88.5 receptions, 1,125.5 receiving yards, 7.5 receiving touchdowns.
Choose Your Fantasy Football Squad on PrizePicks
Ready to take your fantasy football game to the next level? Don't let the draft order stunt your expertise.
Check out PrizePicks' season-long board and lock in your lineup by choosing more or less on player's season-long projections, from passing yards, rushing yards, touchdowns, and so much more.
Related PrizePicks NFL Articles:
- Top Picks for NFLSZN on PrizePicks: Fantasy Football Projections
- Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football? Picks 11-20
- Fantasy Football QB Rankings & Sleepers
- Fantasy Football WR Rankings & Sleepers
- 150 Best Fantasy Football Team Names for 2024
Article written by Ryelan Jones
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