Fantasy Football League Winners: Trey Benson, Matthew Stafford, Christian McCaffrey

Several factors go into building a winning fantasy football team. One of those factors is identifying which players will let your team down and bust. Another is knowing which players have league-winning upside, especially in the later rounds. To help you build an elite fantasy football roster, I will identify the most likely bust candidate and potential league winner for every NFL team.

Today, I give my fantasy football draft bust and league-winner candidates from the NFC West teams – the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

Fantasy Football Draft League Winners: NFC West

ADP via Underdog Fantasy

Fantasy Football League Winners

Trey Benson (ARI): ADP 112.7 | RB33

The rookie running back will be a fantasy star one day, but Benson won’t replace James Conner as the starter in 2024. However, he is an injury away from being a league winner. Conner has missed over 20% of the games in his career because of injury, including four games in back-to-back years. Benson is an explosive runner with home-run speed, making him a dangerous player with the ball in his hands. The rookie will have some week-winning performances and could be a league winner if Conner misses significant time.

Matthew Stafford (LAR): ADP 150.3 | QB19

Stafford was the QB15 last year, averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game. While that was an improvement from his injury-riddled 2022 season, it was still well below his first year in Los Angeles. However, the former No. 1 overall pick was outstanding in the second half of the season once he had all his weapons healthy. Stafford was the QB6 from Week 12 through Week 17, averaging 2.5 passing touchdowns and 20.8 fantasy points per game. The veteran has top-eight upside if Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp stay healthy.

Christian McCaffrey (SF): ADP 1.3 | RB1

Despite being the first pick in nearly every 1QB league draft, McCaffrey has league-winning upside. He was the RB1 last season, averaging 22.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar was the only non-quarterback to average over 20 fantasy points per game, averaging 2.5 more than any other running back. Furthermore, McCaffrey has averaged 8.5 fantasy points per contest in the passing game in 27 career contests with San Francisco. He could easily have another RB1 finish if he can stay healthy in 2024.

Geno Smith (SEA): ADP 167.5 | QB22

Unfortunately, Smith is coming off a disappointing season, ending the year as the QB19. However, fantasy players should give him a pass, as his offensive line struggled to stay healthy. Meanwhile, the veteran was the QB5 in 2022, averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game. He had 30 passing touchdowns that year, the fourth-most in the NFL. Thankfully, Seattle improved its offensive line in the offseason. More importantly, Smith has a talented set of wide receivers, giving him the weapons needed for a top-10 finish this year.