4 Players I Can’t Wait to Draft In 2024 Best Ball
2024 Best Ball Values
With the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, hot best ball summer is officially upon us. Websites across the industry have released their best ball contests, highlighted by Underdog’s BBMV. As I start drafting my portfolio for the summer, I have four players in particular that I want to be heavily exposed to. They’re players I believe are being undervalued right now, and I will be taking advantage of their mispriced ADPs. With that being said, let’s dig in.
Who are your favorite 2024 best ball values? Join us on Discord and let’s discuss!
Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
Underdog: QB6, 56.3 ADP
I normally don’t have a strong take on quarterbacks for fantasy; they are usually just a way for me to get exposure to pass catchers. However, AR is different. He only played two full games last year and got hurt midway through the other two. In total, he only attempted 84 passes and ran it 25 times. He basically played 2.5 games and had 8 red zone carries, converting 4 of them for touchdowns. To add on to the rushing component of Richardson’s game, check out this tweet from Ian Hartitz.
With Shane Stechen as OC, Jalen Hurts ran it 139 and 165 times in two seasons as the starter. I’d say Richardson is a good bet to match or surpass those numbers. Richardson showed great potential, leading all quarterbacks in fantasy points per dropback, per Adam Levitan. This season, he will have a receiver trio of Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Adonai Mitchell to throw to. Not bad at all. I believe AR has a solid shot at finishing as the fantasy QB1 this year, and I’ll be drafting with that mindset.
Devonta Smith, WR, Eagles
Underdog: WR23, ADP 33.9
Last year, Smith was always being drafted in the early 20s on Underdog. He finished as a WR2 with a strong season and just received a 3-year contract extension from the Eagles. The situation is basically the same as last year, with Jalen Hurts throwing the ball and AJ Brown as the lead receiver. Still, Smith has proven he is more than capable of putting up big numbers as the 2nd option and being a good fantasy WR. If his ADP stays in the mid-30s, I will have a lot of Smith in my best ball portfolio.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
Underdog: TE6, ADP 60.3
After 3 years of advocating on Pitts’ behalf, I think we will FINALLY get the season we’ve been waiting for. With Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball, Pitts could easily set career highs in all relevant categories and become an elite fantasy tight end. Sure, he’s competing for touches with Drake London and Bijan Robinson, but there isn’t much after that. Darnell Mooney is a decent receiver, but he shouldn’t cut into Pitts’ work. If you’ve watched Pitts over the last couple of years, you know how rough he’s had it. Last year, he led all tight ends in air yards, air yards share, ADOT, and deep targets per Player Profiler. He was also 2nd in average cushion.
The problem was never him, it was his quarterback play. He shouldn’t have to worry about that anymore, and he can benefit from one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the league. Cousins has always been friendly to tight ends in fantasy (Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, T.J. Hockenson). The scary thing is that Pitts can easily surpass all of those guys.
Kendre Miller, RB, Saints
Underdog: RB47, ADP 154.5
This is a bit of a longshot compared to the others, but Miller showed some flashes last year that he could be a good NFL player. In 8 games, he totaled 51 touches (41 carries, 10 catches) for 273 total yards and 2 TDs. With Alvin Kamara out in Week 18, he was able to produce a 13/73/1 rushing line vs the Falcons. There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about Miller. To start, New Orleans didn’t bring in another RB this offseason through the draft or free agency. Miller is only competing with Kamara and the corpse of Jamaal Williams for touches. He should easily beat Williams for the RB2 role, and there is contingent value if something happens to Kamara.
There is obviously the injury route, but what if Kamara is traded? He carries a $14.2 million cap hit in 2024, and the Saints aren’t contending for a Super Bowl any time soon. What if they decide to trade him to a contending team in need of a pass-catching RB? (Texans, Bengals, Chiefs) If that were to happen, Miller would be in a fantastic spot. Even if neither of those things happen, Miller can still pay off his ADP as the RB2 in New Orleans. He is certainly one of my favorite late-round runningback targets, and he should be one of yours, too.
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