My Yahoo Fantasy Football Draft Grade & Recap (2024)

2024 Rank: 6 - 2023 Rank: 6

Robinson's rookie year was frustrating due to the inconsistent usage he saw under coach Arthur Smith, whose departure could allow the 2023 eight overall pick to take off. Robinson was predictably effective as a rookie, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and 8.4 per catch in an offense with bottom-five QB play. A repeat of his 86 targets from last season likely would go further in 2024 with QB Kirk Cousins throwing the passes instead of Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke. Whatever Robinson's target volume looks like, he should easily improve upon last year's 67.4 percent catch rate (fourth worst among RBs) and also figures to take more carries than he did last year. Capable as Tyler Allgeier might be, he doesn't warrant 186 carries to every 214 of Robinson's --something like a 1:2 ratio would make more sense -- and may not be a good fit anyway in a more spread-out offense under new coordinator Zac Robinson (a former Rams assistant). Robinson's combination of speed (4.46 40), size (5-11, 215), power, balance and agility should make him an excellent fit for any NFL offense, including this new-look Atlanta unit with three top-10 draft picks at skill positions and an experienced, reliable offensive line.

2024 Rank: 12 - 2023 Rank: 12

Perhaps Gibbs will never be among the league leaders in carries, checking in at around 5-9, 200, but he's already shown he doesn't need huge rushing workloads to provide big-time fantasy production. If he can improve on his rookie-year receiving numbers (73.4 percent catch rate, 6.1 yards per catch) while maintaining the excellent rushing efficiency (5.2 YPC) he might soon rank among the league's top fantasy assets. Gibbs should be able to do this even while splitting work with David Montgomery, who steals some goal-line carries but otherwise mostly gets low-value touches like handoffs up the middle. Montgomery's presence didn't stop Gibb from scoring 10 times on 182 carries last year, including five TDs on eight attempts inside the 5-yard line (where Montgomery went 9-for-17 en route to 13 total rushing TDs). Gibbs finished 20th among RBs in carries inside the 5, t-14th in carries inside the 10 (21) and t-13th in red-zone carries (37). Christian McCaffrey was the only player with more red-zone carries and more overall targets than Gibbs, who benefitted both from his own talent and the offense around him. The Lions should have a similarly favorable setup this season for the 2023 12th overall pick, bringing in Kevin Zeitler to replace Jonah Jackson (Rams) at left guard while retaining offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and all their top skill-position players.

2024 Rank: 30 - 2023 Rank: 30

LaPorta is looking for an encore after a record-setting rookie campaign in which he established a new high for catches by a first-year tight end (86) and had the fourth-most yards (889). He ranked fourth in catches and fifth in yards at his position last year, and his 10 touchdowns were at least four more than every other tight end scored. Remarkably, nine of those 10 TDs came at Ford Field, even though 63 of LaPorta's 120 targets came on the road. The 2023 second-round draft pick continued his success in the postseason, recording nine catches in two of Detroit's three playoff games after reaching that total only once during the regular season. LaPorta has a clear path to heavy usage again in 2024 after the Lions parted ways with WR Josh Reynolds (64 targets in 2023) without making any major additions on offense, but LaPorta will have a tough time replicating his scoring prowess barring an increase in red-zone targets from last season's 16, which was fourth-most among TEs.

2024 Rank: 33 - 2023 Rank: 33

Pittman had his best season yet in 2023, his fourth pro year, recording career highs for targets (156), catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152). He scored only four touchdowns and had efficiency numbers right around his career averages, but his target volume increased for a third year in a row, in part because dual-threat rookie QB Anthony Richardson missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. Richardson is back to lead the offense, which likely means more run plays and fewer passes, but it might also lead Pittman to more deep targets and better per-target efficiency, eventually. That's perhaps a big ask for Richardson's first season as a starter, especially with the Colts having 2023 third-round pick Josh Downs and 2024 second-rounder Adonai Mitchell as alternatives at wide receiver. Neither is likely to challenge Pittman for the team lead in targets, but the gap between him and the team's other receivers could close some. After initially getting a franchise tag this offseason, Pittman reached agreement on a three-year contract that takes him through 2026 with Indianapolis.

2024 Rank: 38 - 2023 Rank: 38

Smith topped 900 yards as a rookie in 2021 and has subsequently turned in consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, solidifying himself as one of the best No. 2 receivers in the league. He's no match for A.J. Brown in terms of size and pure athleticism, instead getting it done with precise route-running and strong hands. The 2020 Heisman winner has lived up to expectations as a 10th overall pick, including last year when he bounced back from a slot start to averaged 75.9 yards per game from Week 8 onward. Smith and Brown will lead the way for Philadelphia's passing attack again in 2024, and they'll be working with a new playcaller for the third straight year, this time taking directions from former Cowboys and Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. While his track record is mixed from a real-life standpoint, Moore's offenses generally have been friendly for WR production, potentially opening the door for Smith to take a step forward without usurping Brown as the No. 1.

2024 Rank: 49 - 2023 Rank: 49

It's difficult to project Kamara's fantasy football prospects going forward because 2023 marked the third straight year of decline for his once-elite rushing efficiency and touchdown production. Part of that drop off was for reasons outside of his control -- namely the retirement of Drew Brees and subsequent declines in the Saints' QB and O-line play -- but it's also fair to wonder if the 29-year-old RB has lost a step. Although Kamara took more carries per game each of the past three years than in any of his four seasons playing alongside Brees, there's been a massive trade off in terms of rushing efficiency, dropping from 5.0 YPC in 2017-20 all the way to 3.9 YPC in 2021-23. Kamara also lost a lot of his receiving volume post-Brees, but that part rebounded last season (86 targets in 13 games) with Derek Carr at quarterback. After serving a three-game suspension to start the year, Kamara averaged 19.6 touches and 42.9 touches over the next 13 games, scoring six TDs and tying for the second most targets (86) among running backs. Free-agent addition Jamaal Williams averaged just 7.8 touches for 25.3 yards in the games both he and Kamara played, but 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller could prove more of a threat in 2024 after his strong finish to an injury-marred rookie year.

2024 Rank: 72 - 2023 Rank: 72

It took half the season, but the Packers found their next franchise quarterback. Love struggled a bit in the first eight weeks last year, throwing 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions as the team went 2-5. But the light switched on in the second half, and he threw 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions as the Packers went 7-3 to make the playoffs. In that span, Love was top eight in the NFL for completion percentage, on-target percentage, TD percentage and YPA. He dominated with the deep ball as well, with 20 completions on attempts of 20-plus yards (second only to Dak Prescott's 26). Love finished the season seventh in passing yards (4,159) and second in touchdown passes (32). The Packers' skill players are young and talented, led by wide receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks as well as tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. Green Bay swapped out RB Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs and drafted running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round for improved backfield depth. Love even adds a bit of rushing production (247 yards, four TDs), which gives him a shot at repeating last year's QB5 fantasy finish.

2024 Rank: 167 - 2023 Rank: 167

Cleveland's defense excelled for both real life and fantasy in 2023, ranking sixth in D/ST scoring and first in yards allowed. Despite a turnover-prone offense leading to more points allowed, the defense got it done with big plays, ranking sixth in sacks (49) and tied for third in interceptions (18). DE Myles Garrett was named DPOY after his sixth consecutive year with double-digit sacks, and Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Greg Newsome formed one of the best CB trios in the league. The Browns are returning every player who had multiple interceptions or more than two sacks last year. The primary changes are at linebacker, with Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush replacing Anthony Walker and Sione Taki-Taki. DC Jim Schwartz is also back, which means a tough-looking schedule may be the main concern for Cleveland's defense (their 2024 opponents had a .547 win percentage in 2023). Even with this tough schedule, the Browns' returning talent and continuity under Schwartz position them well for another strong season.

2024 Rank: 228 - 2023 Rank: 228

This will be Fairbairn's eighth season as the kicker in Houston, after tying for third among kickers with 9.3 fantasy points per game last year. He was reborn as a fantasy asset thanks to C.J. Stroud, whose rapid emergence as a top QB gave Houston an above-average offense for the first time since Deshaun Watson's prime. Fairbairn has long been a reliable kicker, converting 87.1 percent of field-goal attempts and 92.4 percent of PATs in his career, but he didn't offer much fantasy value in 2021 and 2022 when the Texans were weak at quarterback. He's been a good long-distance kicker, making 72.5 percent of tries from 50-plus yards, so there's every reason to expect solid fantasy production now that Fairbairn is attached to a good offense again.

2024 Rank: 63 - 2023 Rank: 63

Kirk had career highs for receiving yards (1,108) and touchdowns (eight) in 2022, his first season with the Jaguars, and he was on pace for another 1,000-yard season last year until a core muscle injury cost him the final five games. He was Trevor Lawrence's favorite target even after the Jaguars added Calvin Ridley, whose presence didn't prevent Kirk from finishing 2023 with career highs for target rate (22.5 percent) and yards per route (2.08). The Jags have since parted ways with Ridley and Zay Jones, bringing in first-round pick Brian Thomas and former Bill Gabe Davis as the replacements at wide receiver. The addition of two big receivers could allow Kirk to play even more of his snaps from the slot -- where he's at his best -- and he might still be Lawrence's favorite receiver even if Thomas is now the most physically talented.

2024 Rank: 102 - 2023 Rank: 102

Hopkins joined the Titans on a two-year contract last offseason and immediately jumped in with a huge target share in a run-heavy offense. He was never the fastest wideout and perhaps had lost a half step since his prime, but Hopkins mostly looked like his old self during his age-31 campaign, easily leading a subpar passing attack in targets (137), catches (75), yards (1,057) and touchdowns (seven). After thriving as a possession receiver in Arizona, he surprisingly saw a league-high 39 targets 20-plus yards downfield, in part because rookie QB Will Levis had a league-high 10.8 aDOT. Hopkins had TD catches of 61, 47 and 16 yards in Levis' first start, and while the rookie threw only four more touchdowns the rest of the season, three of those went to Hopkins (giving him six of eight overall). The Titans passing game has a chance to be much improved with Levis entering his second season under new coach Brian Callahan, but some of the improvements -- namely signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd -- hint at Hopkins seeing reductions in his massive target share (28.7 percent) and air-yard share (43.4 percent) from 2023. It is possible better efficiency and/or more overall team passing volume could make up for those losses, but there's no guarantee given Hopkins' age.

2024 Rank: 82 - 2023 Rank: 82

What was supposed to be a breakout bonanza for Pollard last season turned out to be a disappointment instead, as his trademark explosiveness entirely disappeared. Part of the decline can be explained by his role becoming more challenging, with Pollard not only playing added snaps overall but also taking on the grueling work (like short-yardage carries and blitz pickups) that was Ezekiel Elliott's domain before 2023. The other explanation, offered by Pollard himself, is that he wasn't physically at his best until late in the year because he'd suffered a fibula fracture and ligament injury during the previous season's playoffs. Whatever the case, Pollard dropped to a career-low 4.0 YPC and had fewer rushing and receiving yards than in 2022 despite adding 59 carries (252) and 16 receptions (55). His TD total was halved (12 to six), with Pollard scoring just four times on 18 carries inside the 5-yard line and failing to score a TD of 30-plus yards all year (after five in 2022). He now leaves Dallas for Tennessee, where he'll share playing time with a likely equal in Tyjae Spears. Neither is an obvious fit for the goal-line work Pollard struggled with last year, and both are above average as passing-down backs. It's thus unclear what their split will look like, but both figure to have significant roles in Tennessee's more spread-out offense under new coach Brian Callahan.

2024 Rank: 124 - 2023 Rank: 124

Schultz had at least 577 receiving yards and 14 red-zone targets each of the past four seasons while averaging 5.5 touchdowns in that span. The first three of those campaigns came in Dallas prior to an intrastate move to Houston, where he had 635 yards and five TDs in 2023. Schultz re-signed for three years and $36 million in March, ensuring the Texans are committed to him as their starting tight end, but he's now overshadowed by one of the league's best WR rooms. The Texans traded for Stefon Diggs to form a Big 3 with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, and they may even have the best group of backup WRs in the league. A rising tide lifts all boats, however, and second-year QB C.J. Stroud could have that effect on Houston's offense. Schultz is more of a midsize cruiser than a yacht, but he could put up decent numbers again if he's playing a lot of snaps in a top offense, even if he's somewhat of an afterthought within that offense.

2024 Rank: 133 - 2023 Rank: 133

It wasn't long ago that Herbert looked like a perennial top-five fantasy QB. The last couple years, though, he's been hampered by injuries and inconsistent performance. Last year, he struggled for much of the season before a finger injury ended his campaign with four games remaining. His 6.9 YPA ranked 21st among qualified passers, and he finished with career lows for passing yards per game (241.1) and completion percentage (65.1). This season, he'll look to get back on track with a revamped offense under new coach Jim Harbaugh, but that might be easier said than done. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is known for directing run-first offenses and figures to put Herbert well below his career average of 39.1 pass attempts per game, which means any fantasy gains will need to come from superior efficiency and/or rushing stats. The team no longer has RB Austin Ekeler or WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, having replaced them this offseason with cheaper alternatives (J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in the backfield, with journeyman DJ Chark and second-round pick Ladd McConkey at wide receiver). The Chargers lack major receiving threats at running back and tight end, likely leaving McConkey and returning starter Joshua Palmer as Herbert's top weapons in the new-look offense. It's a suboptimal setup for fantasy production, with the only real positives being Herbert's talent and an improved offensive line.

2024 Rank: 249 - 2023 Rank: 249

McPherson's 2021 was one of the best years ever by a rookie kicker, featuring nine field goals of 50-plus yards (on 11 attempts) during the regular season and then 20 kicks without a single miss during the playoffs. He was merely average in his second season, going 5-of-5 from 50-plus but just 19-of-24 inside 50 yards. McPherson rebounded some last year, going 7-of-12 from 50-plus and 19-of-19 on shorter kicks. Overall, he's made 83.9 percent of field-goal attempts and 95.5 percent of PATs, including 75 percent of his long-distance attempts (21 of 28). The solid track record and favorable team context put McPherson in the second tier of kickers for fantasy this season, making him a worthwhile pick toward the end of drafts.