Now let take a look into the NFC West. Like the AFC West, I will list the teams in order in which I believe they will finish in their division. This is a division packed with fantasy impact players from top to bottom. So let’s dive right in.
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San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey clapping hands.
The 49ers seem to want to run it back in 2024, with basically the same offense as they had in 2023. And why wouldn’t they, being that this offense got SF to the Superbowl. WR Brandon Aiyuk has been rumored to be on the trading block, due to contract disputes between he and the 9ers, so it’s yet to be seen if he will be a 49er come fall. Other than Aiyuk, the rest of the skill position starters will for sure be the same.
Back in January, I predicted QB Brock Purdy to rank #3 in fantasy QBs for 2024 . Now that may be a little bit of a stretch, as he would need to continue to improve his game, and the offense would have to stay on track, for him to accomplish that. I do think, he can be a top 5 fantasy QB regardless.
RB Christian McCaffrey had over 2,000 total yards and 21 total TDs in 2023, and led all RBs in total fantasy points and fantasy points per game. If he is able to stay healthy, he could repeat that feat. McCaffrey was plagued by injury his last 2 years in Carolina, but has managed to stay on the field for the 49ers in the past 2 years. I’m guessing a high percentage of leagues will have McCaffrey drafted #1 overall.
Both WRs Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are low end WR1s or high end WR2s. Both have the skill set to be highly productive fantasy WRs. Their biggest down fall is that there is only one ball to go around to all of this offense.
TE George Kittle finished 2nd the last two years in total fantasy points among TEs. He almost certainly will remain in the top 5, in 2024.
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua in the huddle.
The Rams were able to compete for the NFC West division title in 2023, but came up short, due in part to injuries. LA will be looking to take that title in 2024, and they certainly have the offense to do so.
QB Matthew Stafford will be returning for his 16th NFL season in 2024. Although Stafford would be considered by many to be an elite QB, he is not a good option in fantasy. Mostly because he is strictly a pocket passer and doesn’t rack up those rushing yards and TDs. He does make the skilled players around him viable fantasy picks though.
RB Kyren Williams exploded onto the scene in his 2nd year as a pro in 2023. He missed 5 games in the middle of the season, yet still ranked #4 in total fantasy points for the season. I expect Williams to be a high end RB1 and top 5 overall fantasy pick.
Rams sources say rookie RB Blake Corum will make an immediate impact on this football team. They also said that about Williams prior to last season. I might look to pick Corum late in a draft, especially if I was able to draft Williams earlier. That way, if Williams were to get injured, I have his back up. But then again, there’s always the possibility that the Rams go running back by committee, taking away touches from each other, declining both of their fantasy values.
WR Cooper Kupp has been plagued by injury the past two seasons, allowing for the emergence of rookie WR Puka Nacua. Nacua also exploded onto the scene, as a rookie, in 2023, and finished the season ranked 5th in total fantasy points among WRs. Nacua may be the better fantasy option over Kupp in 2024, but Kupp still has a huge upside. Either can be a solid WR1 for your fantasy team and worthy of a 2nd round pick.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is going to rely heavy on good defensive play in 2024. They just missed the playoffs at 9-8, which was good enough for some teams in the NFC to get in. The Hawks decided to go in a new direction, and fire their long time, (Superbowl winning, but 72 years old) head coach, Pete Carroll. Newly hired head coach Mike Macdonald, former defensive coordinator in Baltimore, is expected to implement defensive schemes that will bring out the best in Seattle’s already talented defensive squad. With all that being said, who, besides Seattle’s DST, has fantasy value?
QB Geno Smith had a career resurgence with the Hawks in 2022, after Seattle traded their 9 time Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson. Smith passed for over 4,000 yards and 30 TDs in 2022, ranking 5th overall in total fantasy points. He took a step back in 2023, and with a defensive minded head coach, I wouldn’t consider Smith to be anything but a back up fantasy QB.
RB Kenneth Walker III had an impressive rookie season, once he got a chance to start, but hasn’t seemed to improve statistically, since. He averages right around 11 fantasy points per game, putting him just inside the top 20 for RBs. Walker is probably a 3rd or 4th round pick.
WR DK Metcalf is a big strong WR, and should sill be Smith’s #1 target. In this Seattle offense though, Metcalf is only a WR2 in fantasy. I would look to the 4th or 5th round before drafting him.
WR Tyler Lockett had a good run from 2018 to 2022, topping 1,000 yards in 4 of those seasons, and averaging right around 10 fantasy points per game. 2023 was a down year for Lockett, failing to top 100 yards or double digit receptions in any game. With Lockett’s smaller frame, if he’s starting to lose a step, you may want to look else where to fill your WR slots.
Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr drafted #4 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Cardinals were an abysmal 4-13 in 2023, which landed them the 4th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Arizona struck gold when the first 3 teams in the draft all took QBs, so WR Marvin Harrison Jr fell in the Cardinal’s lap.
Harrison may be the Cardinals #1 fantasy prospect. From what they say, he is as NFL ready as a rookie WR has been since Lary Fitzgerld. I would be willing to use a 3rd round pick on Harrison.
I have a hard time trusting QB Kyler Murray as my primary fantasy QB. In 2020, he finished 3rd in total overall fantasy points, averaging almost 24 points per game. But he hasn’t been able to match that production, or even stay on the field all season, since. Although, the addition of Harrison Jr. may help him get back to the 2020 Murray.
RB James Conner had over 1,000 yards in only 13 games in 2023. That’s the problem. Only 13 games. Conner isn’t able to finish seasons. He may be a top 15 RB in total fantasy points, but plan on having weeks where he is not available.
I hope you find this article on the NFC West potential fantasy stars helpful for the upcoming season. I’d love to get some feed back as to where you agree or disagree with my assessment. Please feel free to leave your comments below.
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This was such an engaging read! Your breakdown of the NFC West teams is spot-on and really insightful for fantasy football enthusiasts. The depth of your analysis, from the 49ers’ potent offense to the Cardinals’ intriguing rookie prospects, makes this a valuable resource.
I completely agree with your take on the 49ers. Brock Purdy has shown immense potential, and pairing him with Christian McCaffrey’s consistent performance could indeed keep them at the top. McCaffrey’s health is always a concern, but if he stays fit, he’s a fantasy goldmine. The dynamic between Aiyuk and Samuel will be interesting to watch, especially if Aiyuk’s contract issues are resolved.
Overall, your analysis provides a great mix of optimism and caution. I’m looking forward to seeing how these predictions play out this season. Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive and thoughtful article. I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on potential sleeper picks in the NFC West!
Kavitha,
I can tell you know your stuff in the NFL and the fantasy landscape therein. I really appreciate your engaging comments, and I’m glad you find my article insightful and hopefully useful to people gearing up for the 2024 season.
My personal opinion on sleepers, is I tend to avoid them. I’m just a “proven commodity” kind of guy. A sleeper to me, is a guy I rate higher than most people, so I may look to draft him slightly earlier than his average draft position.
Otherwise, a complete unknown sleeper I avoid, so I don’t waste a draft selection, where I could be drafting another player who could help my team.
My recommendation on possible undrafted sleepers is to try to avoid unnecessary moves to keep you ranked as high on the waiver wire list as possible, so you have a chance at that unknown star who shines in week 3.