The Fantasy Football season is right around the corner with training camps underway. We have a lot of content planned for the upcoming fantasy football season. Today, we are reviewing the receivers who could have breakout fantasy campaigns in 2024.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
It’s easy to see why Olave might have a breakout season in 2024. He’s shown us his amazing talent and potential throughout the first two seasons of his NFL career. Can we expect him to take the next step into fantasy superstardom?
After a successful career at Ohio State, Olave was selected No. 11 overall by New Orleans in the 2022 NFL Draft. They needed to replace Michael Thomas and they found that man in Olave.
In his first two seasons, Olave has accrued 1,000+ yards. Finishing as high as a WR16 by the end of the 2023 fantasy season. With Klint Kubiak taking over the play-calling duties in New Orleans… the Saints could rely on Olave more. In Kubiak’s offense, Jefferson posted a 108-1,616-10 line on 167 targets and finished as the WR4. I’m not saying Olave is on the same level as Jefferson, but we should expect similar usage.
The analytical profile of Olave projects that he’ll be a solid first-round draft choice and even better if you can grab him in the second round. His projected ADP is No. 21 which is solid for a receiver with his talent.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Last season, Smith-Njigba showed us what he could do at the NFL level. Fighting through those injuries and a talented duo of veterans makes his 628 yards on 63 receptions. He was quite impressive. However, the Seahawks will be deploying a new coaching staff in 2024. With that new coaching staff, comes former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. The offensive scheme that Grubb likes to run should pay dividends for Smith-Njigba.
At 32 years old, Tyler Lockett may likely return to the slot, especially in a system that requires speed on the outside. He’s entering his seventh season; Father Time will eventually catch up. With the potential decline for Lockett, a year-two jump for Smith-Njigba could not be more imminent.
The ADP for Smith-Njigba currently sits at 43 for 2024. His projected numbers sit at 73 receptions, 796 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. These would all be improvements based on last season, though not by much. I have a hard time believing that Mike Macdonald and Grubb will use Smith-Njigba the same way that Pete Carroll and Shane Waldron. That’s why I’ve listed him as one of the breakout receivers for the 2024 fantasy season. Grubb loved to push the ball downfield at Washington, especially through the air. Whether it’s Geno Smith or Sam Howell at QB, I don’t see that changing at the NFL level.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Many sites had him listed on their breakout receivers list last year, but it couldn’t be more promising for the 2024 fantasy season now that Kirk Cousins is under center for Atlanta.
For the past two years, London has been plagued with inaccurate passes and an ineffective offense. He improved in 2023 but was still outside of the top 50 receivers. That should all change with a new QB and coaching staff.
Currently, his ADP is 23 and he’s projected to have 87 receptions for 1,333 yards and seven touchdowns according to Fantasy Pros. If all goes as expected, he should become a top 20 receiver in fantasy this season.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Shakir found some success last season, but still finds himself outside the top 50 players at his position. By week seven, he had become a regular in the Bills’ offense. Shakir finished second on the team to only Stefon Diggs in target rate (14.1%) and total targets (51). He led the team in receiving yards (646) and yards per route run (1.78) and tied for the team lead in touchdowns (three) from that point on, including the playoffs.
It would be wise for the Bills to continue that moment, especially with Diggs gone. He has a great chance to emerge as a top target earner in a high-end offense with an elite quarterback.
The former Boise State product isn’t the biggest receiver at 6-foot and 190 pounds. That’s why he spends most of his time in the slot. He’s not a stranger to playing on the outside though.
A season ago, Shakir finished the season averaging 9.0 PPR points per game. This season that number will certainly increase. Heading into his third season in the NFL, Shakir’s ADP is sitting at 129 according to FantasyPros.
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