We are well over halfway through the fantasy football season, with pre-season draft rankings nothing more than an afterthought for fantasy managers. Nevertheless, it provides an opportunity to reflect on how the first round order of fantasy football redrafts should have taken place.
Pre-season rankings can and never will be completely accurate. Some players taken early end up being busts at their average draft position (ADP), while others exceed expectations and become valuable picks. Let’s take a look at how first round of fantasy drafts should have went if leagues were to redraft today.
Fantasy Football Redraft – Redoing The First Round Of Fantasy Drafts
Pick #1 – Derrick Henry (ADP 17)
Derrick Henry has been truly unstoppable this season, showing zero signs of slowing down at the prime age of 30. He leads the league amongst running backs in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in his first season on the Ravens. King Henry continues to prove that he is simply built different and shouldn’t be doubted despite him being passed his supposed “prime”.
Pick #2 – Ja’Marr Chase (ADP 7)
Ja’Marr Chase has put up some historic performances this season, currently ranking as the WR1 overall in fantasy football. Chase caught 11 passes for an astonishing 264 yards and three touchdowns in Week 10, surely winning fantasy matchups for managers early on Thursday Night Football. The LSU product has proven he can be the most dominant receiver in the league on any given day and should continue to perform at the highest level moving forward.
Pick #3 – Saquon Barkley (ADP 11)
Saquon Barkley has been an animal for the Eagles this season. The former Giants running back has been dominant and is averaging the highest yards per attempt (5.8) of his career. Barkley has surpassed 30 fantasy points in a third of games this season and has been one of the best players to watch this year.
SAQUON BARKLEY WITH THE BACKWARDS HURDLE 🤯
pic.twitter.com/sm7B2mJdy7— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) November 3, 2024
Pick #4 – Justin Jefferson (ADP 6)
Justin Jefferson has returned to peak form this year after battling injuries through most of last season. Jefferson is the WR2 in fantasy and has recorded over 80 receiving yards in all but two games this season. The star receiver has helped the Vikings to a 7-2 record and continues to make a case that he’s the best overall wide receiver in the NFL.
Pick #5 – Bijan Robinson (ADP 4)
Bijan Robinson has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers this year. The dynamic running-back already has over 1,000 scrimmage yards on the season and has recorded over 18 fantasy points in each of the last five weeks. Robinson is the clear focal point of the Falcons offense and should continue to see over 20 touches a game.
Pick #6 – Jahmyr Gibbs (ADP 13)
Despite a split backfield, Jahmyr Gibbs has made the most of his opportunities this season. The second-year back has been electric to watch and currently ranks as the RB5 in half-PPR. Gibbs has rushed for over 60 yards in all but one game and is averaging six rushing yards per attempt. Gibbs might be the fastest RB in the league and should continue to feast on this high-scoring Lions offense.
Pick #7 – Alvin Kamara (ADP 45)
One of the best value picks of the season, Alvin Kamara has continued to prove doubters wrong and ranks as the RB2 in fantasy. The veteran has been especially productive in PPR formats, leading all running-backs in receptions, targets and receiving yards. Despite the Saints‘ struggles, Kamara has shown that he is quarterback proof and is an undisputed RB1 for fantasy managers this season.
Pick #8 – Kyren Williams (ADP 18)
Kyren Williams has been a true workhorse this season. Williams has the second-most rushing attempts (176) and rushing touchdowns (8) amongst running backs. The third-year RB saw his fantasy football redraft stock drop in pre-season with the Rams drafting Blake Corum, which turned out to be a false narrative. Williams is currently the RB6 in fantasy and only has two games under double-digit fantasy points this season.
Pick #9 – Garrett Wilson (ADP 12)
While running-backs have dominated fantasy points this year, Garrett Wilson is quietly having a career year. The third-year wideout has already set a career-high for touchdowns and is on pace for over 1,200 receiving yards. Wilson ranks as the WR3 in fantasy and has the upside and talent to be one of the league’s elite wide receivers. However, he is unfortunately on the New York Jets.
Pick #10 – De’Von Achane (ADP 20)
De’Von Achane has established himself as the clear lead back on the Dolphins. Apart from a slight dud in Week 10, Achane has looked unstoppable in games that Tua Tagovailoa has played. The speedy running-back is a dual-threat option and has the second-most receptions amongst RBs this year. If Tua can remain healthy, expect Achane to continue to explode and provide first round value during the second half of the season.
Pick #11 – Amon-Ra St. Brown (ADP 8)
Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the most reliable wide receivers in fantasy. The Lions WR1 has only had two games this season under double-digit fantasy points and has caught a touchdown in seven straight games. While St. Brown may not have as much upside as other first-round receivers, he has been extremely dependable for solid fantasy production and still deserves to be drafted in the top 12 picks.
Jared Goff bangs to Amon Ra St. Brown for the TD. pic.twitter.com/Gt5xxgo2p1
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 3, 2024
Pick #12 – Christian McCaffrey (ADP 1)
Christian McCaffrey has undoubtedly disappointed fantasy managers this season, as the consensus number one pick has been hampered by an achilles injury. Nonetheless, CMC finally made his season debut in Week 10, recording over 100 scrimmage yards. Despite missing over half the season, the bottom line is that CMC is the best non-quarterback player in the league when healthy. While injuries always play a risk in football, managers should be ecstatic to have CMC back in their lineups. Expect the reigning offensive player of the year to have a massive impact during the second half of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Chuba Hubbard, Joe Mixon, Lamar Jackson, Drake London
Main Photo Courtesy of Matthew Hinton – Imagn Images
