Every year, we at ESPN Fantasy strive to help you with your fantasy football draft preparation, including sleeper lists and cheat sheets. Below, you get the best of both worlds, as ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter offers up his personal list of early-, mid-, and late-round targets in 2024 fantasy leagues.

Below are some players I feel strongly about this season. Obviously, these aren’t the only ones I think will excel in 2024, but I believe these players have a real chance to exceed their current draft values. If they get a pick at certain points in the draft or in tiebreaker situations, these are players who will be strongly considered.

I’m in a 12-team league where some of these players don’t have to be drafted, and a 16-team league where some of them could be more valuable. But again, these are players that I think have high value relative to their ADPs and are poised to have productive seasons.

I hope this list is helpful. Good luck this season!

Quarterback

NFL teams can’t win consistently without elite quarterbacks, but fantasy teams can. Fantasy managers don’t have to throw a high draft pick at an elite quarterback like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson to have a championship-caliber season. Because of that, as much as I respect the league’s best quarterbacks, they’re not recommended for the first few rounds. Once Round 4 rolls around, I’m willing to consider a certain special talent.

Early rounds

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts: Any QB who is both a threat and a threat on offense is a fantastic option.

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Schefter impresses with the first QB off the board

Adam Schefter stirs up excitement in the room after selecting Anthony Richardson with the first quarterback overall in the draft.

Middle rounds

CJ Stroud, Houston Texans: There may not be a rookie quarterback who has ever played better than Stroud last season. Now add Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to that mix.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: A pass-friendly offense has already helped Prescott produce big fantasy football, and this season will be no different.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: A year after Murray returned to fantasy relevance, the Cardinals drafted arguably the best wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Able to run and throw a lot in an offense where his skills are expected to shine.

Late rounds

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: He put up solid fantasy numbers last season and now he has enough weapons to improve that production.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: He may not be considered an elite quarterback in the NFL, but his fantasy numbers are very consistent.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints: Had fantasy-friendly numbers at the end of last season despite multiple injuries. Now that he’s healthy, his numbers should be healthier too.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Sean Payton admired Nix long before he drafted him, and Nix has done nothing this summer to diminish that sentiment.

Run back

There are some elite early targets, but there are also starting running backs available with ADPs around or above 100. Ideally, you could select a starting RB early, address other needs, and find another starter later.

Early rounds

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: The only question is his health. If he stays healthy, he can repeat what he did last season as Fantasy’s No. 1 player in points per game.

Breece Hall, New York Jets: A Jets official predicted this summer that Hall would total 2,500 yards.

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: This could be the kind of fantasy season we expected from Robinson last season.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions: Last season, he often looked like the most explosive and electric running back in football.

Middle rounds

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Constantly underestimated and constantly overproducing.

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: Seattle wants to use Walker as a receiver to supplement his current running production.

James Cook, Buffalo Bills: People forget how much Buffalo dominated the run after Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator and Cook became the lead back.

Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders: Although the team signed former Chargers standout Austin Ekeler via free agency, Robinson appears to be the running back who comes out on top in fantasy.

Late rounds

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans: Spears shined last season and without Derrick Henry, he has a chance to be even better this season.

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: Brown’s own teammates have been praising his talents all summer.

Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers: He is expected to be a key weapon in the red zone, especially around the goal line.

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys: Could easily become Dallas’ most productive defender.

Ray Davis, Accounts: It appears this is the best choice for managers who want to add running back James Cook from the Bills to their team.

Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles: Like Davis above, Shipley is good insurance for managers who have Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on their roster.

Audric Estime And Blake Watson, Broncos: Someone has to step up in the Broncos backfield, and here are two rookies who have shown their potential.

Wide receiver

The passing years in the NFL have produced a plethora of high-profile receivers. There are plenty of good ones, early and late, but if a fantasy manager can find this year’s Puka Nacua, it would be fantasy gold.

Early rounds

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: His spot on this list is 100% dependent on the Bengals getting a new deal. If there isn’t a new deal, Chase becomes risky.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: Target machine that is as strong and reliable as it gets.

Garrett Wilson, Jets: Was ready to show everyone what an elite receiver he is last season … until the fourth play of Week 1, when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon. If Rodgers stays healthy, Wilson is a star.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals: One of the best receiving prospects to come out of college in recent years, Harrison was born to do this.

Nico Collins, Texans: Stroud called Houston’s offense a five-headed monster. If that’s true, Collins plays a starring role.

Chris Olave, Saints: The Saints’ offense is expected to improve with the addition of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and if the offense is better, Olave will undoubtedly be better, too.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins: Waddle would be a No. 1 receiver on almost any other team. He’s just paired with the NFL’s most explosive player, Tyreek Hill.

Malik Nabers, New York Giants: Some NFL personnel departments, including the Giants, rated him as a better receiver than Harrison.

DeVonta Smith, Eagles: AJ Brown gets a lot of attention in Philadelphia, but Smith still gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so.

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: This is the best thing he’s done since his Triple Crown season.

Tank Dell, Texans: Stroud has told people he thinks Dell is one of the best receivers in the league.

Middle rounds

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers: As a rookie, Reed showed tremendous potential, and there’s no reason he wouldn’t be better in Year 2.

Christian Watson, Packers: Health is the only thing keeping Watson from becoming a serious threat for the Packers.

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens: In his second season, Flowers should be the top target in the Ravens’ offense.

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears: He has already built a bond with rookie QB Caleb Williams that will bond them for years to come.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks: Has shown how productive he can be in his debut season and will likely continue to do so in the future.

Later rounds

Rashid Shaheed, Saints: A speed demon who can consistently produce big plays.

Josh Downs, Colts: Before suffering a serious ankle injury this summer, Downs looked ready to perform, and he likely will once he recovers.

Michael Wilson And Greg Dortch, Cardinals: Someone in the Cardinals’ offense outside of Harrison and Trey McBride is going to produce. Here are two solid options.

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers: It appears the Bucs have found a receiver for the future who is ready to contribute in his rookie season.

Andrei Iosivas, Bengals: Given Cincinnati’s uncertain contractual situation, Iosivas could be a major benefactor.

Luke McCaffrey, Commanders: Washington needs more help receiving players.

Tight end

Like running back, there are a few outliers up high and a few values ​​on the back end. Tight end has been a tough position to fill in recent fantasy seasons, but the position looks to have some real depth this season.

Early rounds

Sam LaPorta, Lions: Showed his superstar potential as a rookie when the Lions hired him.

Middle rounds

Trey McBride, Cardinals: There were times last season when he played like a baby Grunk.

Dalton Kincaid, Accounts: Without Stefon Diggs in Buffalo, Kincaid could become Josh Allen’s top target.

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders have big plans for their first-round pick.

Later rounds

Isaiah Probably, Ravens: Could be a lot of teams best tight end; it’s just tougher in Baltimore with Mark Andrews around. But the Ravens know how talented he is.

Tyler Conklin, Jets: On a team looking for additional receiving options, Conklin could be a safe haven for Aaron Rodgers.

Greg Dulcich, Broncos: The Christian Watson of tight ends. If he’s healthy, he’ll be a factor.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans: It will be interesting to see if the Titans’ new head coach, Brian Callahan, can get the most out of his talented tight end.

Juwan Johnson, Saints: Last season he performed better than expected, but now he has to overcome a foot injury he sustained in the off-season.

Theo Johnson, Giants: The Giants believe Johnson can be a significant factor in his rookie season.