Eric Hardter: Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings Explained

Welcome back to another installment in our series of articles where DLF rankers not only explain their dynasty fantasy football rankings, but also include a number of the 2024 rookie draft pick selections so you can see how we each, individually, value those dynasty rookie picks in comparison to players as if it were a dynasty fantasy football startup draft. As would be expected, you will find a great degree of variability in the valuation of these picks as well depending on the style of the ranker. Each draft class has its own quality and depth and, depending on how the ranker values that quality and depth, individual rookie selections will appear earlier or later on the list.

Be sure to catch all of the Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings Explained series.

DLF has always offered our readers multiple sets of dynasty fantasy football rankings from different experts to provide a broad view of player rankings. With many different strategies for building a successful dynasty team, no single set of rankings could possibly meet the needs of every coach. Instead, we’ve long subscribed to the idea of our experts providing their own individual rankings, ultimately giving our readers the opportunity to gravitate to a particular expert who closely matches their own style of ranking or, perhaps, instead choosing to use an average ranking across all experts.

A note about the tables. The Rank column indicates this ranker’s personal rankings. The AVG column indicates the consensus rankings value at the time these rankings were created. The “+/-” column indicates how much higher or lower the ranker is to the consensus average.

Each week we will provide rankings for 120 players and 2024 rookie draft picks, alternating between 1QB and Superflex rankings. For a deeper list of rankings, please visit our consensus dynasty fantasy football rankings.

1QB DYNASTY FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS: Eric Hardter

When I performed this exercise last year, I tried to make my keystone point that we should all rank players however we want. Perhaps no time is this truer than immediately following the NFL’s Free Agency period! While not exactly a blank canvas, we’re forced to look anew at players who may have gained or lost value without commensurately gaining or losing talent. This can lead to massive changes to rankings and/or ADP, though this should not be confused with the dreaded “hot take” (or however the kids are spelling it these days) – rather, we receive new information, process it, and come up with outputs accordingly.

With that in mind, here are a few tenets that guide my 1QB rankings:

Old Man River

I try to be what I would call “appropriately forward-thinking.” Yes, I’d love a roster full of guys who will be putting up points for the next 5-10 years, but there simply just aren’t enough players like that. So I’m also looking in one- and three-year windows, making sure I’m keeping my eyes on the immediate and intermediate prizes. Given this, I’m less likely to punish veteran players I like.

Make a run for it

I’m not averse to running backs in dynasty, nor am I averse to older players at the position if they’ve proven both an ability to carry the load and a high-end outcome. Derrick Henry says “Hello!”

Quarter-back it up

These are 1QB rankings. For me to select a quarterback early, they need to have a trump card such as running ability or a range of outcomes that includes 5,000 yards and 40+ touchdowns…consistently. In general, I’d rather load up on skill positions early and take two signal callers back to back, maybe about midway through the draft, and try to play matchups on a weekly basis. Still, there is one guy who may now just transcend this general mold…

The Tightest of Ends

The tight end position is in flux. The old guard is getting, well, older, and the newbies are showing some spunk. Given the dearth of upside at the position, I’m almost universally higher on who I consider to be the top guys.

Special delivery

I’m prone to players doing something “special” at a young age. It might be hyperbole to some, but doesn’t a guy like Sam LaPorta have an argument for going in the first round of drafts? This also means I’m more than likely to overrate potential one-hit wonders (e.g., Andre Ellington) who come off big seasons, but I’d rather swing and miss than get called out looking.

Forgive and forget

If there’s someone I believe in, or someone who has shown something good to special in the past, I will be less reactive in bumping that player down. Time is running out, but I will continue to back Terry McLaurin based on his early career success with poor quarterback play. Maybe he’ll become the next Allen Robinson, but I’m keeping the flame lit.

Shiny new toys

I don’t consider myself any sort of “risk averse” in dynasty, and will tailor my strategy on a yearly, monthly, and sometimes weekly basis. That said, I’m likely on the more conservative end of the spectrum when it comes to a preference of veterans over rookies. See the section*- titled “Old Man River” above.

Finally, these are just my personal rankings! If my estimation differs from the masses, I’m not expecting folks to cater to me. We’ll find a middle ground in making a deal, or we won’t. Additionally, relative values are going to fluctuate depending on the time of the year and the state of one’s team – these are the “micro” bits of rationale as to why the same trade may make more sense at one point in time versus another, or with one pair of teams versus another.

So with that preamble in hand, let’s get to it!

Rankings: 1 - 24

• Not surprisingly, this grouping is dominated by running backs and receivers! I’ve thrown a couple of 2024 rookie picks in the mix given some of the high-end talent in play.
• Jefferson and Chase are still chalk to me. The former put up nearly 1,100 yards in 10 games with largely bad quarterback play, and the latter put up a line of 100-1,216-7 with a whole lot of Jake Browning. CeeDee Lamb is ascendant and close, but there’s nowhere to go here.
• I’m being pre-reactionary here. Preactionary? Marvin Harrison, Jr. has everything you’re looking for in a long-term receiver prospect. I expect him to go over 1,000 yards as a rookie, and I am baking that in accordingly.
• Garrett Wilson went over 1,000 yards with arguably the worst quarterback play in the league. We like to say “In another year he’d be the number one guy” when it comes to rookie drafts. It’s sort of like that here.
• St. Brown and Brown comes down to splitting hairs. The former is just a little more consistent, and a little younger.
• To the running backs! Hall versus Robinson is again splitting hairs, but I just can’t get past what the Jet has been able to do as a member of the Jets. He finished as the overall PPR RB2 despite coming off a torn ACL and being one of exactly two skill position players the opposing defenses had to worry about. The sky might be the limit here. I’m not punishing Robinson, at least not really – but given the hype, his rookie season was somewhat disappointing. Gibbs is about a smidgen of a tier behind, as he’s never likely to receive the volume Hall and Robinson do.
• McCaffrey would be the 1.01 if he was three years younger. This is still elite status.
• Ditto Tyreek Hill. Okay, maybe five years younger…
• Drake London is going to be a beast in a functional offense with a real quarterback. This may be too low. Giving Nacua the edge because he’s already shown the ceiling.
• LaPorta is my first major divergence from the masses, but again I’ll ask – should he be? He was the PPR TE1 as a rookie, and functions as the second option in an elite passing offense. He could be doing Travis Kelce-like things sooner rather than later. Overreacting is warranted.
• 1.02 goes over Chris Olave as I think Malik Nabers has a higher ceiling. Olave is very good, I just don’t see him becoming elite. So I’m slightly lower than the masses here.
• We’re already starting to see players with warts. Jonathan Taylor needs to put together another elite ceiling to justify his ranking. Waddle and Smith are looking like 1b type of guys. Aiyuk and Pittman are projection bets that the best is yet to come.
• Collins could continue to move up. A classic third-year breakout sees him climbing the ranks.
• Barkley gets a small bump by virtue of going from the outhouse to the penthouse without even changing divisions! This is the first example of the results of free agency mattering.

Rankings: 25 - 48

• This is where I’d start to consider quarterbacks, but we’re still looking largely at ball carriers and pass catchers. Given the top-heaviness of this year’s rookie class, there are a few more picks sprinkled in.
• Some minor divergences here with guys like DK Metcalf, DJ Moore, Kenneth Walker, Tank Dell, and Rashee Rice. I’d chalk this up to nothing more than subtle differences in personal preference. Speaking of chalk, I’m essentially with the consensus on Kyren Williams, Devon Achane, Zay Flowers, and Tank Dell, but I think each one has an extremely bright future. It’s hard to quantify this, but there is only one guy per ranking – so while I felt like I’m higher on them, I’m simply unable to move them up any further than where they’re at. Notably, though I have Flowers slightly ahead of Jordan Addison – I do believe he has a larger potential to be a 1a guy.
• With apologies for the cryptic opening, Stroud is my QB1 overall, almost two rounds higher than consensus. When you’re that good as a rookie, it’s easy to project a 10+ year career as a fantasy QB1. Very few other players can make that case right now.
• Mark Andrews is nearly a round above consensus. See the initial statement on how I value tight ends, as Andrews’ body of work otherwise speaks for itself.
• Somehow I’m nearly a round lower on Josh Allen which surprised me – here again, I think this is simply my preference for other positions.
• I used to be a big Tee Higgins guy. But the fact is that whether due to injury or skill, he hasn’t transcended being “very good.” At this point, I’m not sure he will, and leaving the Bengals (perhaps after this season) might not help his value. I’d be a buyer at the right price, but wouldn’t say I’m actively looking.
• Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes continue to populate the spartan quarterback ranks, and I’m slightly lower on each compared to consensus.
• Ranking Isiah Pacheco this highly seems straightforward to me, but clearly I’m on an island. My case is simple – he’s the lead back on a top offense and functions both on the ground and in the passing game. If I ranked players based on how goofy they look running then he’d be a lot lower, but that’s probably like my fifth or sixth criterion.
• I shouldn’t be so down on Travis Etienne, but I just don’t see him doing that again. He faded down the stretch, and a course correction is likely in store for his volume. If not, he won’t be long for the league.
• I really do like JSN, but his rookie campaign was tantamount to a redshirt year. Unfortunately, the Seahawks are running it back again with everyone save for Pete Carroll. It’s hard to see him demonstrably improving his numbers. Jayden Reed, who I have just after, has an argument to be in front after a strong (if not special) freshman season.
• I have a cluster of rookie picks towards the end of this range, as I’m fairly bullish on guys like Rome Odunze and Brock Bowers. If a player like Troy Franklin goes to a good spot, he could be in this range.

Rankings: 49 - 72

• This is probably my least favorite range of these picks, which I think in part led to a large divergence from consensus. If there’s a guy you like, get him here. If there’s a guy who you might not like but can’t really drop him any lower, get him here too. This also helps explain why I’m leading off with rookie pick 1.07, and have three others in this range. If I’m unsure about the veterans, I’m more likely to roll the dice with a pick.
• Starting with the tight ends, I’m aligned with the consensus on TJ Hockenson and Trey McBride, even taking the rookie picks into account. I’m much higher on Dalton Kincaid, who showed some LaPorta-esque flashes in 2023. I’m a little surprised he’s not more highly regarded. If I’m wrong on Kyle Pitts then so be it, but he just hasn’t come through since his rookie season. If nothing else, he’s still impossibly young for a fourth-year player.
• It’s not personal with Davante Adams, who again produced despite poor play under center. The biggest issue is he’s playing on borrowed time at 31 years of age. I do believe the signing of Gardner Minshew is a boon for his 2024 prospects. Ditto Stefon Diggs, though his late-season faltering raised eyebrows.
• Lamar Jackson is just a byproduct of my disdain for the position in this league format. Color me surprised I was then higher on Anthony Richardson, but if he stays healthy he has a nearly unparalleled positional ceiling. Joe Burrow is more important to the NFL than he is to fantasy football.
• David Montgomery feels like a glitch in the matrix. He was the PPR RB17 despite missing nearly four full games, and clearly works well as the thunder to Gibbs’ lightning. What the Lions are doing works, and it’s going to continue to work for all their skill position players. I’m buying any dip here.
• Hard to know what to make of James Cook. He had highs and he had lows, and he’s probably best used in a lighter manner similar to what I think should happen with Etienne. I’d likely buy at cost but he’s not a guy I’m targeting.
• Terry McLaurin will already be playing with the best quarterback of his career with. At 28 years of age, his window is closing, but there’s still a chance for some fireworks here.
• Christian Kirk is the key cog in the Jaguars passing game, and benefits from Calvin Ridley moving onto Tennessee.
• With George Pickens, I’m like Ben Wyatt in Parks and Rec when it comes to Lil’ Sebastian. I don’t get it. He’s definitely shown a high ceiling, but is also maddeningly inconsistent. Diontae Johnson leaving opens up targets, but Pickens needs to separate and become more than an outstanding contested catch artist. Having Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator is an inauspicious beginning.
• When it comes to Derrick Henry, I’m likely going to roll with the big dog until he retires. He was quite possibly the biggest winner in free agency, and overall RB1 upside exists with Lamar Jackson helping open up rushing lanes. It’s hard to quantify just how big an upgrade the Ravens represent.
• I’m surprised I’m lower on Rhamondre Stevenson, as I don’t really feel that way. I suppose I’m just higher on others. The addition of Antonio Gibson doesn’t really move the needle for me.
• We conclude with a trio of Bucs. Evans gets the slight nod over Godwin because he produces better with Baker Mayfield under center, and the slight age gap doesn’t change that. Godwin needs to recapture his early-career form. As for Rachaad White, I simply believe the gravy train is going to derail. He’s not a good runner and will need to maintain his 2023 efficiency through the air. I guess I just don’t believe his talent matches his PPR finish in 2023, and have ranked him accordingly.

Rankings: 73 - 96

• I really like Cooper Kupp, but he may now be little more than an oft-injured 1b receiver on his own team. Having him in the first four rounds would be aggressive even for a non-ageist like me. While I also have Amari Cooper lower than consensus, I think this is more a byproduct of having some rookies higher.
• I’m up on both Joe Mixon and James Conner. The former landed a plum position in Houston, and the latter continues to function as “the guy” in the desert. This is a great range to get short-term rentals at the position. Ditto Aaron Jones
• Jaylen Warren > Najee Harris. When Arthur Smith is fired in a year, the next offensive coordinator will realize that.
• Tiny bump for Marquise Brown, who is still younger than folks realize and is now paired with the best quarterback in the NFL.
• Huge drop for Tony Pollard. He’s just not an every-down back, and I believe it’ll be a split between him and Tyjae Spears.
• It hurts to have the old guard tight ends so low, but Kansas City purposefully limited Kelce’s snaps to save him for the playoffs, and Kittle is just too hit or miss to be higher at his age. Dallas Goedert treads water for now.
• Absolutely hate this off-season for Justin Herbert. Hate hate hate it. No weapons and a run-first mindset? That has to impact the ranking.
• Calvin Ridley and Diontae Johnson lose a bit of value due to landing spot. I like the latter a bit more as I’d hard to believe Bryce Young is as bad as he looked last year.
• I like Austin Ekeler, but last year was brutal. As such I’m still higher on Brian Robinson as the better half of a committee on what should be an improved offense.
• Just not a fan of D’Andre Swift. It’s going to be a group effort at running back in Chi-town once again.
• Christian Watson is keeping his head afloat and may still be a sneaky buy.
• If I compiled a list of players I wouldn’t bet against returning from severe injury, Nick Chubb would top it. He’s done it before!
• I’m lower on Jordan Love compared to his overall rank, but I still feel having him as my QB9 is an endorsement, not an indictment.
• Bad landing spot for Keenan Allen. He and Herbert had chemistry.
• Jakobi Meyers will never get the respect he deserves as a solid weekly Flex play.

Rankings: 97 - 120

• This feels too high for underperforming veterans like Alvin Kamara and Najee Harris, but you have to take someone here.
• Jake Ferguson and Luke Musgrave showed a lot of promise. If you factor out the rookies, I’m much higher on them than most. Pat Freiermuth should bounce back.
• Demario Douglas was legitimately the only bright spot on the Patriots’ dysfunctional offense following Kendrick Bourne’s injury. The community should probably be higher on him.
• It feels like I’m lower on Spears, but without the rookies I more or less have him as chalk, even factoring in the addition of Pollard. He’s getting a bigger piece of the pie in 2024 now that the big dog has moved on.
• There have now been multiple data points over two years to put forward an argument that Romeo Doubs is the best receiver on the Packers. I’m not saying he is, but rather that there’s an argument here.
• Jahan Dotson makes me sad. I went row by row asking myself “Who would I rather have?” The result is that he’s 35 spots lower than consensus. Hoping for a bounceback, but last year was as bad as his rookie season was good.
• Chuba Hubbard is probably still the guy in Carolina, right? I’m ranking him as if he is.
• The back part of this section is guys who more or less had to fill a void, and who weren’t quarterbacks. It gets ugly quickly in the rankings, and upside doesn’t always turn into talent.
• Closing out with Javonte Williams. Great story in his return, but he just wasn’t the same guy. Will it be too much longer until he’s replaced?

Missed the cut (noteworthy names)

Jameson Williams, Tua Tagovailoa, Brock Purdy, Zamir White, Gabe Davis, Trevor Lawrence, Michael Mayer, Michael Wilson, Mike Williams

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Eric Hardter

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Eric is a Boston College chemistry grad school survivor with a minor in dynasty football. He prefers to utilize both statistics and sarcasm whenever possible, believes in process over results and thinks "Hot Takes" are the scourge of the fantasy landscape.

Latest posts by Eric Hardter (see all)

• Dynasty Fantasy Football Mailbag: Trey McBride vs Sam LaPorta - March 4, 2025
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• Dynasty Running Backs in the Final Year of Their NFL Contracts - February 26, 2025