5 Risky Players at the Top of Fantasy Football Drafts in 2024

Aug 13, 2024

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Risk is something we all take on when playing fake football. Most people consider the upside when making selections, but few consider a player’s potential risk, particularly at the top of draft boards.

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The following is a look at the players with the most inherent risk at their price heading into 2024. These guys shouldn’t be totally avoided on draft day, but my intent is to point out their lower range of outcomes rather than the chance to outperform ADP.

Puka Nacua, WR - Rams (Yahoo ADP: WR8, 13)

It was a historic rookie year for Puka Nacua, as he set records in both receptions and yards on his way to a WR7 finish in half-PPR points per game. If we zoom in, Nacua had some great weeks, finishing as a WR1 in seven games, but he also had plenty of stinkers, with five contests as the WR40 or worse.

The rookie mostly hit his big ceiling when Cooper Kupp was sidelined. Kupp missed five contests in 2023, and while he wasn’t on the field, Nacua produced 36% of his 246 total fantasy points. With Kupp in the mix, the rookie’s production dipped by 5.8 half-PPR points per tilt to 13.2. That number would have been the WR14, and Nacua is leaving boards as the WR8, as early as the first round on some sites.

Continue reading for more on Nacua and four additional risky picks in 2024.