Alright, folks, let’s talk about something I’ve been diving deep into lately: fantasy football. Specifically, I’ve been working on putting together the 2024 fantasy football rankings by position. It’s been a grind, but a fun one. And I figure, why not share my process and maybe give you all some insights for your own leagues?
So, first things first, I started by gathering all the data I could. I looked at last year’s stats, of course. Who were the top performers? Who underperformed? Who got injured and might bounce back? I also started reading every article and expert opinion I could find. Trust me; it was a lot of reading, and there are a lot of different opinions out there.
Then, I started watching game footage. Yeah, it’s time-consuming, but you really start to see who’s got the potential to break out. I jotted down notes, noticing things like, “This quarterback really trusts that receiver,” or “This running back is always fighting for extra yards.” It’s the little things that can make a big difference.
Breaking It Down by Position
Next, I started organizing players by position. I didn’t just want to rank them from best to worst, though. I decided to create tiers within each position, it helps to see which groups of players are roughly equal in value.
- Quarterbacks: I started with the quarterbacks because, let’s be real, they’re usually the highest-scoring players. I put the elite guys, the ones who can single-handedly win you a week, in the top tier. Then came the solid starters, followed by the guys with upside, and so on.
- Running Backs: After quarterbacks, I tackled the running backs. This one was tricky because the position is so volatile. Injuries happen, committees form, and rookies emerge out of nowhere. I focused on guys with a clear path to touches and a history of production.
- Wide Receivers: Wide receivers were next. I looked for guys who are the clear number-one option on their team, the ones who get peppered with targets every game. I also considered their quarterback situation because a good receiver needs someone to throw them the ball.
- Tight Ends: Tight ends followed, and honestly, this position is a bit of a wasteland after the top few guys. I tried to find players who are a significant part of their team’s passing attack.
- Kickers and Defenses: Finally, I ranked kickers and defenses. Now, I know some leagues don’t even use these positions, but if yours does, it’s still important. I didn’t spend too much time here, but I looked for reliable kickers on high-scoring offenses and defenses that force a lot of turnovers.
I put all of this information into a giant spreadsheet. I color-coded it and everything because, why not? Then, I started moving players up and down, debating with myself about their value. This is where the “Average Draft Position” (ADP) comes into play. ADP helped me gauge where players were being drafted in mock drafts, giving me an idea of their perceived value.
I kept tweaking the rankings, moving guys around based on new information or just a gut feeling. I even started doing some mock drafts myself, just to see how the rankings played out in a real draft setting.
Finally, after weeks of work, I had a set of rankings I felt pretty good about. Are they perfect? Absolutely not. There’s always going to be some surprises, some busts, and some breakouts. But I think they’re a solid starting point for anyone looking to dominate their fantasy league this year.
Keep in mind, these rankings are just a tool. The most important thing is to do your own research, trust your gut, and have fun with it. After all, it’s just a game, right?