My Yahoo Fantasy Football Draft Grade & Recap (2024)

2024 Rank: 6 - 2023 Rank: 6

Chase enters his age-24 campaign with a trio of 1,000-yard seasons to his name, sitting fourth on the all-time leaderboard for career receiving yards per game (82.6). Somehow, it feels like the 2021 fifth overall pick is capable of more, perhaps because the prowess he showed on deep passes as a rookie hasn't been quite as evident the past two seasons. Chase came in as the fifth overall pick in 2021 and stormed his way to 1,455 yards and 13 TDs while averaging 7.5 targets per game and seeing 27.6 percent of his targets 20-plus yards downfield (12.6 aDOT). In two subsequent seasons he averaged 9.9 targets per game but at an 8.7 aDOT, with less than 15 percent of his targets traveling 20-plus yards back-to-back years. The steady parade of short and intermediate passes isn't such a bad thing, especially for PPR leagues, but it begs the question of what Chase can do if he maintains the short-area usage while regaining his rookie-year impact downfield. The result might look something like the best we've seen from Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson, two of the other WRs jockeying with Chase (and CeeDee Lamb) at the top of draft boards. It would certainly help if the Bengals can keep Chase and QB Joe Burrow both healthy for the first time since 2021, and perhaps make more effort to challenge defenses deep with Chase and fellow wideout Tee Higgins.

2024 Rank: 16 - 2023 Rank: 16

Harrison enters the NFL with as much hype as any wide receiver in the fantasy era, coming in as a third overall pick after consecutive 1,200-yard, 14-TD seasons at Ohio State. He's much taller (6-foot-3) than his Hall of Fame father, Marvin Harrison Sr., and also a good bit heavier (209 pounds). Harrison never did combine drills for NFL teams even though he was healthy this offseason, preferring to stand on his game tape and GPS-tracking data. He reportedly ran a 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds before college, and the tape from OSU suggests speed is one of Harrison's many strengths even if he isn't the type to run a sub-4.4 40. He'll now be a central figure in the second act of Kyler Murray's career, with the QB ready to play a full season sans Kliff Kingsbury for the first time. TE Trey McBride might be Harrison's top competition from targets, as the Cardinals otherwise are counting on some combination of Michael Wilson, Zay Jones and Greg Dortch at wide receiver. Harrison should be the No. 1 WR in Arizona almost immediately.

2024 Rank: 25 - 2023 Rank: 25

If Achane were 20 pounds heavier he might be the best running back in the NFL. He may already be the most dangerous back on any given play thanks to his 4.32 speed, but to reach the top of the fantasy rankings you need both usage and efficiency. It looks like efficiency won't be a problem -- 800 yards and eight touchdowns on 103 carries is just absurd -- after the 2023 third-round pick finished his rookie season four rush attempts shy of qualifying for one of the top five single-season YPC marks (7.8) in NFL history. What remains to be seen is if he can take more usage and hold up physically. Achane dealt with knee, toe and rib issues at different points in his rookie season, missing six full games and nearly all of another. It's probably in the Dolphins' best interest to continue splitting carries between Achane and Raheem Mostert, frustrating as it might be for fantasy investors. The possibility of somewhat limited usage makes Achane more volatile than other players in his ADP range, with the benefit being a massive ceiling if he captures a larger share of a Miami backfield that combined for 2,712 total yards and 34 TDs last year.

2024 Rank: 37 - 2023 Rank: 37

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: 47 - 2023 Rank: 47

McBride finished between fifth and seventh among tight ends in targets (106), catches (81) and receiving yards (825) last season, but those numbers don't tell the whole story. The 2022 second-round pick was a backup for seven games before Zach Ertz injured his quadriceps, and then from Week 8 onward McBride had the largest target share (26.8 percent) among TEs while ranking top three at the position in catches (66), yards (655) and targets (85). After Ertz's injury, McBride averaged 58.3 snaps per game and scored each of his three TDs for the season. The Cardinals didn't re-sign Ertz in the offseason and let WR Marquise Brown walk as well, but they drafted WR Marvin Harrison fourth overall, took TE Tip Reiman in the third round and signed WR Zay Jones. With the dust settled on Arizona's offseason overhaul, Harrison and McBride are the clear favorites to see a large number of targets from QB Kyler Murray, who heads to training camp healthy after an ACL tear cost him six games in 2022 and nine more in 2023.

2024 Rank: 63 - 2023 Rank: 63

A severe high-ankle sprain ended Stevenson's 2023 season Week 13, but he said in February that he was recovered and ready to play again. He boasts a rare combination of power, balance and pass-catching skills, allowing him to pile up usage and explosive plays both on the ground and via receptions. Last year was an almost total waste due not only to Stevenson's injury but also the complete collapse of the New England offense (30th in yards, 31st in points). After averaging 4.6 and 5.0 yards per carry over his first two seasons, Stevenson dropped to 4.0 YPC last year even with backup Ezekiel Elliott taking some of the higher-difficulty work off his plate. Elliott is gone now, replaced by Antonio Gibson, and the Patriots also have a new coaching staff and revamped QB room. It's enough change to create hope for a step forward, but there's still a lot of risk after the team took a more conservative approach to addressing weakness at wide receiver and on the offensive line. QBs Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye aren't likely to be elevated by their supporting cast, and the same can probably be said of Stevenson in the backfield.

2024 Rank: 65 - 2023 Rank: 65

The Steelers traded Johnson to Carolina this spring, after a trend-breaking 2023 campaign in which his per-target efficiency rose (8.2 YPT) but his volume plummeted (87 targets in 13 games). Before last year, he had three straight seasons with 144 or more targets and less than seven yards per target, putting up 88-923-7 in 2020, 107-1,161-8 in 2021 and 86-882-0 in 2022. The latter was one of the least efficient high-volume receiving lines in league history, with Johnson failing to find the end zone and catching only four of his 25 targets 20-plus yards downfield. He went 5-of-18 in that range last season, adding 310 yards on 28 intermediate targets (10-19 yards downfield) and catching 31 of his 40 passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Johnson could now be the No. 1 receiver for coach Dave Canales and QB Bryce Young in Carolina, where 34-year-old Adam Thielen and rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette are the other lead candidates for WR snaps and targets.

2024 Rank: 85 - 2023 Rank: 85

At one point last summer, it was uncertain if Purdy would be ready for Week 1 following offseason elbow surgery. Not only did he recover in time, he proceeded to prove he wasn't a flash in the pan after his surprising rookie season. Purdy feasted on the intermediate area of the field, throwing 10-19 yards from the line of scrimmage at the second highest rate in the league last year and letting his receivers gobble up yards after the catch. While he didn't go deep often, he usually threw a strike when he did, showcasing a stronger arm than his reputation suggests. In fact, he led the league in completion percentage on attempts at least 20 yards downfield (53.8), throwing six TDs and no interceptions. Purdy averaged 9.6 yards per attempt -- the best mark since Kurt Warner's 9.9 in 2000 -- and finished top five in passing yards (4,280) and touchdowns (31) in 16 games. Purdy's dominant group of pass catchers may have gotten even better this offseason with the addition of first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, who figures to be brought along slowly in an offense with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey. The combination of explosive skill-position players and accurate passing means Purdy should be near the top of the league for most efficiency stats again, with the main limitations for fantasy being modest volume (444 attempts last year) and a lack of rushing stats (144 yards, two TDs).

2024 Rank: 159 - 2023 Rank: 159

Baltimore led the NFL in points allowed, sacks, takeaways, and D/ST scoring in 2023, after finishing top 10 in all those categories the previous year. Mike McDonald, their defensive coordinator for two seasons, became Seattle's head coach this offseason, with internal promotion Zach Orr taking over as Baltimore's new DC. The Ravens also lost OLB Jadeveon Clowney, LB Patrick Queen, S Geno Stone and CB Ronald Darby, leaving them with less depth. However, star power remains, and first-round pick Nate Wiggins adds 4.28 speed to the secondary. LB Roquan Smith, S Kyle Hamilton, and DT Justin Madubuike are among the league's best at their positions, and they're joined by other quality, veteran starters. Despite this, the combination of offseason losses, a coaching change, and a tough schedule (.536 opponent win percentage) suggests Baltimore's defense isn't far ahead of the pack the way it was for much of last season.

2024 Rank: 186 - 2023 Rank: 186

Butker has the second-best career FG percentage (89.1) in NFL history and an impressive track record of making clutch kicks in the playoffs. He was especially excellent last season with just two missed kicks (both FGs) in 21 games, converting each of his seven tries from 50-plus yards and all eight in the 40-49 range. The 29-year-old experienced a few down years for FG volume when the Chiefs offense was dominant in the red zone, but those were also his best years for PAT volume. Butker has finished outside the Top 10 in kicker scoring just twice in seven seasons, with one of those years featuring four missed games. He and Baltimore's Justin Tucker are the safest choices at kicker, boasting sterling track records for accuracy on perennially competitive teams.

2024 Rank: 364 - 2023 Rank: 364

2024 Rank: 370 - 2023 Rank: 370

2024 Rank: 374 - 2023 Rank: 374

2024 Rank: 379 - 2023 Rank: 379

2024 Rank: 382 - 2023 Rank: 382

2024 Rank: 387 - 2023 Rank: 387

2024 Rank: 107 - 2023 Rank: 107

Edwards once again served as a power rushing specialist for Baltimore in 2023, and once again he got the job done. His average of 4.1 yards per carry might look bad -- especially after he averaged at least 5.0 YPC in each of his previous four NFL seasons -- but it's almost entirely explained by a massive increase in goal-line usage. Edwards took a league-high 23 carries inside the 5-yard line last year, after getting just 22 carries inside the 5 in his prior four seasons combined. Those goal-line carries accounted for 12 of his career-high 13 rushing touchdowns, and he also had new personal bests for total carries (198) and rushing yards (810). Edwards now has a one-year contract in Los Angeles, where he and J.K. Dobbins will reunite with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The scheme fit should be seamless, but it's hard to envision a fantasy ceiling beyond low-end RB2 range for a 29-year-old back who has never topped 198 carries or 12 catches in a season. The Chargers also figure to use some combination of Dobbins, rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal and/or another young running back.

2024 Rank: 131 - 2023 Rank: 131

Freiermuth averaged 614.5 yards and 4.5 TDs over his first two NFL campaigns but dipped to just 308 yards and two TDs in 2023. A hamstring injury cost him five games last year, and things weren't easy even when Freiermuth was healthy, as he was stuck with Kenny Pickett at quarterback and Matt Canada as offensive coordinator. The Steelers addressed both issues this offseason, hiring Arthur Smith as the new OC and acquiring QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. While Smith's offenses tend to be run-heavy, much like the Steelers' last year, his teams in Tennessee and Atlanta always ranked Top 10 in targets and production from tight ends. The Steelers figure to use multi-TE formations far more often than in recent years, which means a lot of the snaps that went to WR Diontae Johnson -- traded to the Panthers this spring -- will now go to backup TEs like Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward. That could help Freiermuth get more snaps and targets than ever before, or at least enough to rebound toward his 2021-22 production.

2024 Rank: 130 - 2023 Rank: 130

Cousins' season was cut short last year when he tore his Achilles tendon in October. He signed this offseason with the Falcons for $100 million guaranteed, but it remains to be seen if he'll get the volume in Atlanta that he did in Minnesota. Last season, he was on pace for 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns when he went down, thanks to a league-leading 38.9 pass attempts per game. Cousins did it without much deep passing, as his air yards per attempt dropped to 7.3 (24th in the league) and he threw beyond 20 yards downfield on only 6.4 percent of his attempts (31st). Cousins never had a big arm anyway, so relying on intermediate targets at 36 years old is probably the correct formula. Still, his lack of running ability means he'll probably need 600-plus pass attempts under new Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to pay off in a big way for fantasy. Cousins also needs to return healthy and regain his old form, no easy task given the severity of the injury and his age. If not, Michael Penix, the surprising eighth overall pick in this year's draft, will be ready to step in with his cannon arm and superior mobility. A lot can go wrong for Cousins, but he'll at least have a strong offensive line and talented playmakers to prop him up as a solid QB2 for fantasy if he holds up his end of the bargain.

2024 Rank: 139 - 2023 Rank: 139

Herbert can provide above-average efficiency as a runner for bursts of time and for that reason he's an adequate backup, but Herbert hasn't shown volume ability as a runner and his passing-down work simply doesn't stand out. Good as he tends to play when he gets the chance, Herbert has the profile of a running back whose chances dwindle over time. He tends to be a useful on-hand option for a rebuilding team but not a built one, and the Bears are more the latter at this point, especially after signing D'Andre Swift in free agency.

2024 Rank: 135 - 2023 Rank: 135

Mitchell was drafted by Indianapolis with the No. 52 pick this year, making him the 11th wide receiver taken in a strong class. He might've gone earlier other years simply on the strength of his workout numbers, after running a 4.34 40 at the 2024 Combine while weighing in at 6-2, 205. The Colts reportedly were thrilled with Mitchell during spring practices, but his track record from college hints he may not be the most pro-ready receiver. He was never the top target in his team's offense, instead playing second/third fiddle to Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey at Georgia and then Xavier Worthy at Texas. Granted, there's no shame in seeing fewer targets than those guys, especially for a size/speed freak like Mitchell that got a lot of his targets and routes deep downfield. He never had a 1,000-yard last season, but last year he efficiently put up 55-845-11 on 92 targets while Worthy had 75-1,014-5 on 120 looks. Mitchell now figures to compete for NFL snaps with 2022 second-round pick Alec Pierce, who got a lot of playing time but not many targets in both of his first two NFL seasons.

2024 Rank: 241 - 2023 Rank: 241

Hopkins had the best season of a lengthy career in 2023, converting 33 of 36 field-goal attempts for the Browns, including each of eight tries from 50-plus yards. The quantity of longer kicks may have been a bigger surprise than his excellent accuracy, as Hopkins was known for short-range consistency more so than leg strength throughout his six and a half seasons in Washington. He then spent parts of two seasons with the Chargers before landing in Cleveland, where he finished second among kickers in fantasy points per game last season (but then missed the final two games and the playoffs with a hamstring injury). The Browns re-signed Cade York during the offseason, potentially giving Hopkins some strong-legged competition if he slips up during training camp or the preseason.

2024 Rank: 247 - 2023 Rank: 247

Lou Anarumo enters his sixth year as Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, following a challenging 2023 season in which the Bengals defense regressed significantly: they ranked 31st in yardage, 21st in points allowed and 18th in fantasy scoring. The struggles in the secondary were exacerbated by S Jessie Bates' departure to Atlanta and CB Chidobe Awuzie's rocky return from an ACL tear, but the biggest problem was the run defense plummeting to 26th in yards allowed and 31st in yards per carry (a stark decline from top-10 rankings the previous year with a similar front-seven lineup). The Bengals' secondary is poised for improvement this season after signing safeties Vonn Bell and Geno Stone, which allows 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill to shift back to cornerback, his natural position. With reliable slot corner Mike Hilton and promising young starters Cameron Taylor-Britt and Jordan Battle, the main question for Cincinnati's secondary is who will secure the final starting cornerback spot between Hill and DJ Turner. The Bengals boast a strong pass rush from Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard and B.J. Hill, which means there's legitimate hope for a defensive turnaround and a return to fantasy value.