2024 First Fantasy Football Thoughts: AFC/NFC West

by Michael Nazarek - 7/24/2024

As we march towards the release of Version II of our Pre-Season Draft Guide later this week, I look to the teams out west to finish my sweep…

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos: The Broncos surprised a bit last year, but still missed the playoffs. Veteran QB Russell Wilson was traded, as the team drafted QB Bo Nix in April to start. Nix has talent, but it is likely to be a bumpy road as he enters the league and is thrown into the deep end of the pool. QB Jarrett Stidham and QB Zach Wilson, acquired from the Jets, will battle to be the primary backup. For fantasy, Nix is a latter-round backup QB or QB3. In the running game, RB Javonte Williams returns, along with RB Samaje Perine and RB Jaleel McLaughlin. The team also drafted RB Audric Estime in April. They are holding an open competition for the starting job, and while Williams is the favorite, nothing is written in stone. That makes this one situation to watch closely in the coming weeks. Perine or even Williams could be released or traded. Whoever wins the starting job, has RB3 potential for fantasy in 2024. In the passing game, WR Courtland Sutton returns as the WR1, while disappointing WR Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns. Veteran WR Josh Reynolds was signed, while WR Marvin Mims returns for his second season. Sutton is only a WR4 with WR3 upside due to the inexperience at QB, while Reynolds and Mims are risky fantasy prospects. WR Tim Patrick (Achilles) returns, but could be on the roster bubble. Rookie WR Troy Franklin is one to watch in camp this summer. At tight end, TE Adam Trautman returns as the starter, a longtime favorite of HC Sean Payton. TE Greg Dulcich also returns, but injuries have curtailed his fantasy value. In fact, this is one position in Denver that fantasy owners should probably avoid in their draft this summer. Veteran PK Will Lutz returns as the kicker, but has little fantasy value due to the likely inconsistent Broncos offense in 2024.

 

Kansas City Chiefs: The rest of this article can be found in our Pre-Season Draft Guide. If you'd like to read it, please click HERE to order our annual premium product!

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