2024 Fantasy Football Creeper Preview

by Michael Nazarek (UPDATED - 8/22/2024)

Editor's Note: Below you will find a portion of our Fantasy Football Creepers for 2024. If you'd like to read about all 21 creepers, please click HERE to order our 2024 Pre-Season Draft Guide.

Were you one of those fantasy owners who drafted QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Cooper Kupp, or TE Mark Andrews last year? Unfortunately, these players were some of the many disappointments due to injuries or other unfortunate circumstances. Just because they didn't perform last year, doesn't mean they will fail again in 2024, but I want to make sure to point out some of the warning signs which may cause certain players to produce poor fantasy numbers this year. I remind everyone that the players on the forthcoming list may produce good fantasy numbers this coming season, but I recommend you think twice before drafting them for your team this year. Let the buyer beware!

 

Note: The UPDATED ADP mentioned below for all players applies to 12-team PPR leagues.

 

RED - Positive Update

PINK - Neutral Update

BLUE - Negative Update

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

Cole Kmet (Chicago) - There is no doubting that Kmet has been very effective in the Bears passing game when called upon, but things have changed significantly since last year. First, rookie QB Caleb Williams is the new starter and the Bears signed veteran WR Keenan Allen and drafted WR Rome Odunze to pair with star WR D.J. Moore. In addition, veteran TE Gerald Everett was signed to help Kmet out. As a result, there will be less overall chances for Kmet to make an impact offensively, which makes him a creeper in my book. Simply put, Kmet is no longer a TE1 for fantasy in 12-team leagues. ADP: Round 11-12. Update 8/22: Kmet is rotating with Everett with the first unit this preseason, which is a fantasy killer. I am avoiding him in all my drafts for this reason alone!

 

Dalton Schultz (Houston) - Schultz showed off his talent in Dallas, when he was targeted early and often, but as a Texan, he's been much more inconsistent in his production. Schultz ended the 2023 season as TE10 in PPR leagues, but he was up and down throughout the year, scoring double-digit points in 7 games, while scoring 9 points or less in 8 others, while missing two games. Unfortunately, the Texans acquired WR Stefon Diggs and WR Tank Dell (leg) returns from injury, which will mean less targets and scoring chances for Schultz in 2024. That pushes him down into the higher-end TE2 territory than a lower-end TE1 for fantasy. ADP: Round 11. Update 8/22: Schultz has been solid in camp, but is being rotated out more than expected with TE Brevin Jordan during the preseason. Adding that fact into my analysis keeps him on this list. Oh, I have drafted him this summer, but only as my fantasy backup.

 

Isaiah Likely (Baltimore) - Likely had a productive part of the season last year when TE Mark Andrews (ankle) went down with a season-ending injury. That said, Andrews is healthy entering 2024 and although the Ravens coaches are spouting off praise concerning Likely, it's highly unlikely that he will be targeted enough for serious draft fantasy consideration in a TE-required league as anything more than a handcuff to Andrews. ADP: Round 15-16. Update 8/22: Likely has looked good this summer, but as long as Andrews is healthy, Likely will see minimal targets, keeping him firmly on my list.

 

The Deep-Creeper

 

Mike Gesicki (Cincinnati) - Gesicki is talented, but was wasted for much of his career as a Dolphin. Now, Gesicki is a Bengal, but has his situation really changed very much? Remember, TE Irv Smith went to Cincy and "died an instant death." Seriously, Gesicki will battle TE Tanner Hudson to be a part of their passing game, an offense that mostly goes through the wideouts when QB Joe Burrow is healthy (he is for 2024). Bottom Line: Drafting Gesicki for fantasy is nothing better than taking Smith in 2023. It simply won't pan out. ADP: Round 18-19. Update 8/22: Nothing much has been said about Gesicki's camp this summer except that he is healthy. That said, I think it's highly unlikely that he will instantly become a consistent fantasy producer for the Bengals passing game in 2024. AVOID.

 

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