With 11 weeks in the books, fantasy managers can make clear evaluations now whether or not each of their picks were successful back in July or August. Some of the biggest busts were already revealed, but now it’s time to look on the bright side at which players have been the most valuable in fantasy football.
Each player is slightly different given their preseason ADP and expectations for the player going into the season. While this is not a comprehensive list of those who have provided the most value for fantasy football picks, the following four players have been difference makers all season for those who drafted them.
Saints’ Alvin Kamara Among Most Valuable Fantasy Football Picks
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield has had one of the most impressive fantasy seasons in recent years. He lost his two best wide receivers in Week 7 (Evans will return this year), but that hasn’t stopped his production. Mayfield is currently averaging 22 fantasy points per game.
His numbers are high enough for him to the seventh-best player in fantasy football right now. That is even more shocking than his preseason ADP being 158 in standard leagues and 160 in PPR leagues. Mayfield owners may have gotten the steal of the draft. He’s someone who should continue to start every week in fantasy.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
It may be a surprise to see Alvin Kamara on this list given how good he’s been over the last several years. However, he was slept on in the offseason. Kamara came into this fantasy season with an ADP of 45 in standard leagues and 50 in PPR leagues. In most drafts he was the 15th running back off the board.
Those who waited for him got RB1 value at an RB2 price. His 20 fantasy points per game is the ninth-best among all players, and he is currently RB3. Only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley have produced more, and both of them were top 15 picks in fantasy this year. Kamara continues to provide value in the run game and passing game for the Saints.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix has had a remarkable start to his NFL career, and it’s showing in fantasy football as well. Nix currently averages 18.3 fantasy points per game after having a preseason ADP of 192 in standard leagues and 174 in PPR leagues. He is currently the QB7 for fantasy and 11th overall after an impressive performance against Atlanta.
Nix has shown the ability to make plays in the air and on the ground. The supporting cast aside from Courtland Sutton around him isn’t the best, but he’s already playing at an elite level. If Denver can give him more weapons, he will be a top-10 fantasy quarterback for years to come.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins has had some inconsistencies this year, but he went from being a player to stash on the bench to someone you can trust on a weekly basis. Through 11 weeks, Dobbins is averaging 15 fantasy points per game. He has eight touchdowns in 2024 showing his ability to find the endzone consistently.
He came into this season as the RB41 in both standard (ADP of 120) and PPR (ADP of 130) leagues. Dobbins has greatly exceeded his preseason expectations as the current RB13. He’s a top 40 player overall this season in fantasy football and proves to be a late-round steal each week he takes the field.
Honorable Mentions: Chuba Hubbard, Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers, Darnell Mooney
ADP Source: FantasyPros
Main Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lew – Imagn Images
