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Fantasy Football Player Notes

2024 Half PPR Draft Rankings

Ladd McConkey Note
Ladd McConkey photo 105. Ladd McConkey WR - (at LV)
Ladd McConkey emerged in his third season at Georgia as a redshirt sophomore, achieving 762 receiving yards and seven touchdowns with a 20% dominator rating, despite a late breakout at 21 years old. Competing for targets with Brock Bowers, one of college football's top tight ends, and ahead of 2024 second-round pick AD Mitchell on the depth chart, McConkey demonstrated his capability, especially in the two games without Bowers in 2023, posting his highest yardage totals. Although injuries impacted his final year's stats, he remained efficient, ranking 8th nationally in yards per route run (3.26). Known for his quickness and polished route-running rather than size, McConkey's agility and speed, highlighted by a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at the combine, make him a promising professional prospect. Drafted by the Chargers who traded up in Round 2, he enters a team with a weak WR corps, positioning him to potentially lead in targets.
14 weeks ago
Gus Edwards Note
Gus Edwards photo 109. Gus Edwards RB - (at LV)
Gus Edwards arrives in Los Angeles with a two-year deal that is essentially a one-year contract, with the money falling off after 2024. Last season, Edwards was the RB32 in fantasy, with the strength of 13 total touchdowns (fourth-most). Edwards is an early down grinder who only managed a 2.8% target share last season, so all of his value will have to come via rushing. Edwards looks like a player on the decline in the rushing department after finishing 51st in juke rate, 39th in evaded tackles, and 45th in yards created per touch last season. With J.K. Dobbins and Kimani Vidal brought in as competition, Edwards could be on the outside looking in with volume this season.
14 weeks ago
Joshua Palmer Note
Joshua Palmer photo 113. Joshua Palmer WR - (at LV)
Joshua Palmer emerged as a significant contributor for the Chargers last season, especially when Mike Williams and Keenan Allen were sidelined. His performance, particularly in games without Williams, showcased his potential, averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game. Even in the absence of both WRs and QB1 Justin Herbert, Palmer maintained a strong target share and production, averaging 11.5 points per game. While the Chargers are likely to draft a wide receiver, Palmer remains a solid in-house option.
14 weeks ago
Justin Herbert Note
Justin Herbert photo 120. Justin Herbert QB - (at LV)
Justin Herbert's 2023 season ended after 13 games due to a broken index finger on his throwing hand. Before the injury, he had been providing fantasy managers with low-end QB1 value. Herbert's yearly finishes in fantasy points per game among quarterbacks (six starts minimum): QB7, QB2, QB15, QB10. It would be nice if Herbert could get back to the production level of his first two years in the league. Over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Herbert averaged 292.2 passing yards, 2.2 TD passes and 23.1 fantasy points per game. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 262.4 passing yards, 1.5 TD passes and 17.7 fantasy points per game. Herbert has exceptional arm talent and rushing upside, but the Chargers will presumably be run-heavy with new head coach Jim Harbaugh in charge and offensive coordinator Greg Roman calling the plays, potentially capping Herbert's fantasy upside.
14 weeks ago
J.K. Dobbins Note
J.K. Dobbins photo 139. J.K. Dobbins RB - (at LV)
Dobbins has been snakebite over the last two years. First, it was the torn ACL that ended his 2022 season. Last year, in Week 1, Dobbins tore his Achilles. Dobbins has been healthy in camp and looks poised to compete for the team lead in carries this season. If you're looking to take a shot on the Bolts' backfield, Dobbins isn't a terrible dart, although I prefer Kimani Vidal to Dobbins or Gus Edwards. Call me skeptical, but I'm trying to learn my lesson about torn Achilles of yesteryear (I'm staring at you, Cam Akers).
14 weeks ago
Kimani Vidal Note
Kimani Vidal photo 196. Kimani Vidal RB - (at LV)
Vidal might have tumbled down the NFL draft board, but don't make the mistake of assuming that he lacks the talent profile to take over the Bolts' backfield. His competition (Gus Edwards & J.K. Dobbins) isn't exactly overwhelming. Last year, Vidal ranked 21st in PFF's elusive rating while proving that he can handle volume with at least 23 carries in 57% of his games. With Greg Roman at the controls, there will be plenty of rushing volume to chew on, even if he doesn't claim the workhorse role. From 2019-2022 with Baltimore, Roman coordinated an offense that ranked first in neutral rushing rate. Vidal could be a flex play by midseason with the upside to grow into more (RB2) as the season moves along. I'll still take a shot on him with a final pick in my leagues.
14 weeks ago
Quentin Johnston Note
Quentin Johnston photo 202. Quentin Johnston WR - (at LV)
Quentin Johnston's rookie season left much to be desired, with disappointing production. Despite the Chargers' offseason moves opening up opportunities, including the departure of key receivers, Johnston failed to capitalize on his chances. With Ladd McConkey drafted early, Johnston's future role in the offense becomes uncertain. While it may be premature to label him a bust after just one season, his lack of impact in Year 1 (61st among 63 qualifying WRs in yards per route run) raises red flags for his fantasy value moving forward.
14 weeks ago
DJ Chark Jr. Note
DJ Chark Jr. photo 232. DJ Chark Jr. WR - (at LV)
The 27-year-old is hitting free agency (again) after playing a complimentary role with the Panthers in 2023. Chark caught a long pass that was initially ruled a TD in Week 18, but it was overturned to a fumble through the end zone. Woof. He is a free agent in 2024 and will likely land on a new team as a complimentary deep threat who misses games with injuries.
Chark was the WR58 overall in 2023, averaging 6.5 points per game (65th). He led the Panthers in TDs (5) and posted over 1,000 air yards on a team-high 31% air yards share (33rd). No player had more air yards with fewer targets (66) than Chark despite two missed games. D.J. Chark signed with the Chargers after the NFL Draft to a one-year deal worth $5 million.
14 weeks ago
Cameron Dicker Note
Cameron Dicker photo 235. Cameron Dicker K - (at LV)
Brenden Rice Note
Brenden Rice photo 301. Brenden Rice WR - (at LV)
Brenden Rice brings a compelling combination of size, athleticism, and football pedigree to the wide receiver position, standing out with his 6'3" frame and impressive physical presence. While his collegiate journey included a breakout season at Colorado and a productive senior year at USC, his final season dominator rating fell slightly below expectations. Nevertheless, Rice's ability to make an impact in the red zone and his proficiency in catching touchdowns highlight his potential as a scoring threat at the next level. His comparison to Josh Palmer underscores the importance of his quarterback and offensive situation in maximizing his impact on the field. Joining the Chargers in the seventh round presents Rice with an opportunity to continue his development and carve out a role in their offense.
14 weeks ago
Hayden Hurst Note
Hayden Hurst photo 304. Hayden Hurst TE - (at LV)
Will Dissly Note
Will Dissly photo 327. Will Dissly TE - (at LV)
Los Angeles Chargers Note
Los Angeles Chargers photo 370. Los Angeles Chargers DST - (at LV)
The LAC DST also looks like an intriguing option late in fantasy drafts given the ease of the schedule to open the year against LV, CAR and PIT. They also boast a top-4 schedule overall per the FP SOS tool.
14 weeks ago
Jaret Patterson Note
Jaret Patterson photo 409. Jaret Patterson RB - (at LV)
Hassan Haskins Note
Hassan Haskins photo 458. Hassan Haskins RB - (at LV)
Derius Davis Note
Derius Davis photo 465. Derius Davis WR - (at LV)
Stone Smartt Note
Stone Smartt photo 492. Stone Smartt TE - (at LV)
Simi Fehoko Note
Simi Fehoko photo 583. Simi Fehoko WR - (at LV)
Tucker Fisk Note
Tucker Fisk photo 592. Tucker Fisk TE - (at LV)
Eric Tomlinson Note
Eric Tomlinson photo 653. Eric Tomlinson TE - (at LV)
Jalen Reagor Note
Jalen Reagor photo 701. Jalen Reagor WR - (at LV)
Easton Stick Note
Easton Stick photo 746. Easton Stick QB - (at LV)
Taylor Heinicke Note
Taylor Heinicke photo 762. Taylor Heinicke QB - (at LV)