2024 NFL Draft: Dynasty Fantasy Football Winners and Losers from the AFC South
The last decade has seen each of the teams within the AFC South win the division, where the NFL Draft is crucial to turning around poor franchises and maintaining contention at the higher end. The 2024 NFL Draft added an influx of talent to the division, resulting in winners and losers from a dynasty fantasy football perspective.
Houston Texans
Draft Picks
- Round 2, Pick 10 – Kamari Lassiter, CB Georgia
- Round 2, Pick 27 – Blake Fisher, OT Notre Dame
- Round 3, Pick 14 – Calen Bullock, S USC
- Round 4, Pick 23 – Cade Stover, TE Ohio State
- Round 6, Pick 12 – Jamal Hill, LB Oregon
- Round 6, Pick 29 – Jawhar Jordan, RB Louisville
- Round 7, Pick 18 – Solomon Byrd, EDGE USC
- Round 7, Pick 27 – Marcus Harris, DT Auburn
- Round 7, Pick 29 – LaDarius Henderson, G Michigan
Winner – Joe Mixon, RB
Mixon was a winner on draft night, partly due to an addition by the Texans but also due to a lack of competition added to the roster. Tackle Blake Fisher will be a solid upgrade to the Texans’ offense as a whole, displaying excellent size and agility, supporting Mixon in both the run and pass game. The lack of major investment at the backup running back spot is a win for Mixon – with the Texans spending a late sixth-round pick on Jordan. Mixon avoided significant rookie talent being added as a handcuff plus or a quality receiving back, hence this was an excellent draft for his dynasty stock. With Mixon’s value ascending, the big question to ponder is at what stage do you pivot from a soon-to-be 28-year-old running back?
Loser – Brevin Jordan, TE
The logical selection for draft loser here is Jordan, who was dealt a blow with the recent three-year extension given to Dalton Schultz and now the drafting of the talented Stover. He was viewed as the TE2 of the class by a number of draft analysts, so could be an underrated steal in round four. In what has become an offense packed with numerous options under the guidance of superstar quarterback CJ Stroud, Jordan was already the sixth or seventh option in the passing game. The addition of Stover casts serious doubt over his Texans’ future, with an expiring contract in 2025. Still only 23 years old, Jordan lost dynasty value on draft night, but could land in a better situation and increased opportunity in the future.
Mixon is up to RB21 in ADP, his highest mark since the start of the 2023 season – is it time to pivot? (Credit: DLF ADP Over Time App).
Indianapolis Colts
Draft Picks
- Round 1, Pick 15 – Laiatu Latu, EDGE UCLA
- Round 2, Pick 20 – Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas
- Round 3, Pick 15 – Matt Goncalves, OT Pittsburgh
- Round 4, Pick 17 – Tanor Bortolini, C Wisconsin
- Round 5, Pick 7 – Anthony Gould, WR Oregon State
- Round 5, Pick 16 – Jaylon Carlies, S Missouri
- Round 5, Pick 29 – Jaylin Simpson, S Auburn
- Round 6, Pick 25 – Micah Abraham, CB Marshall
- Round 7, Pick 14 – Jonah Laulu, DT Oklahoma
Winner – Jonathan Taylor, RB
In a running back class void of game-changing talent, there were still many solid options as a change of pace back or split backfield types. As the Colts didn’t use any draft selection on a running back, a clear winner was Taylor, a once touted generational prospect who shared a backfield with the recently departed Zack Moss in 2023. Throughout the off-season, I’ve been lower than consensus on Taylor, who should see limited pass game work and potential vulturing of rushing touchdowns due to the electric dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson. The lack of competition added in the backfield is a big positive for Taylor, who is approaching the final big sell window in dynasty, however the draft and off-season as a whole could lead to a volume-driven fantasy success in all formats during the upcoming season.
Loser – Alec Pierce, WR
Another easy selection here, with a clear loser of the draft being Pierce, who faces major competition for his role from incoming rookie Mitchell. The 53rd pick of the draft in 2022, Pierce has struggled to make the transition to the NFL, with 73 receptions over his first 33 games. Mitchell is a player with excellent talent and upside as a former player at college football powerhouses Georgia and Texas. While his production was lackluster, he flashed supreme talent against some of the best in college football. Displaying the tools to become a frightening deep threat, Mitchell’s selection makes Pierce expendable, in even the deepest of dynasty leagues.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Draft Picks
- Round 1, Pick 23 – Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
- Round 2, Pick 16 – Maason Smith, DT LSU
- Round 3, Pick 33 – Jarrian Jones, CB Florida State
- Round 4, Pick 14 – Javon Foster, OT Missouri
- Round 4, Pick 16 – Jordan Jefferson, DT LSU
- Round 5, Pick 18 – Deantre Prince, CB Mississippi
- Round 5, Pick 32 – Keilan Robinson, RB Texas
- Round 6, Pick 36 – Cam Little, K Arkansas
- Round 7, Pick 16 – Myles Cole, DE Texas Tech
Winner – Trevor Lawrence, QB
With the addition of first-round wide receiver Thomas Jr, the clear winner of the draft for the Jaguars was franchise quarterback Lawrence. A player who has shown more name than game in fantasy circles to begin his career, Lawrence is set up to truly succeed both in real life and in dynasty. Thomas Jr has an enticing profile, with an outstanding year three breakout, where he led the nation in touchdowns (17). Also, he displays solid hands, with one of the best catch percentages over his college football career, as per Pro Football Focus. Thomas is a boom-bust prospect, as a raw talent with a wide range of outcomes. Still, the selection is great news for Lawrence, who has a capable weapon, with the potential to help at all levels of the passing game.
Loser – Gabe Davis, WR
Thomas Jr was a clear positive selection for Lawrence, however the opposite can be considered for Davis, a recent addition from the Bills on a three-year deal. Davis possesses a similar skill set to Thomas Jr, with an ability to produce admirably as a deep threat and a plus weapon in the red zone. The first-round selection of Thomas Jr shows the Jaguars front office have faith in him to be an impact for the franchise and will give him the volume to justify the selection. The release of wide receiver competition in Zay Jones is a slight positive for Davis, however the draft night results in Davis being an overall loser from a dynasty perspective.
Tennessee Titans
Draft Picks
- Round 1, Pick 7 – JC Latham, OT Alabama
- Round 2, Pick 6 – T’Vondre Sweat, DT Texas
- Round 4, Pick 6 – Cedric Gray, LB North Carolina
- Round 5, Pick 11 – Jarvis Brownlee Jr, CB Louisville
- Round 6, Pick 6 – Jha’Quan Jackson, WR Tulane
- Round 7, Pick 22 – James Williams, S Miami
- Round 7, Pick 32 – Jaylen Harrell, EDGE Michigan
Winner – Will Levis, QB
Surrounding a young quarterback with offensive weapons is key to his success, however protecting him is just as important. The drafting of top offensive lineman Latham was a necessary move by the Titans to give quarterback Levis the best opportunity to succeed. While it could be argued Latham is better in the run game, this is a huge need for the Titans’ passing game – upgrading a weak spot on the roster and an improved running game will help Levis off of play-action, an area he excelled as a rookie. Levis has the weapons and an improving offensive line to make a sophomore leap, with the addition of Latham resulting in him being a winner of the draft.
Will Levis is an interesting gamble at his current cost of a mid-2024 second-round pick, any second-round pick would be a worthwhile price (Credit: DLF Trade Analyzer).
Loser – Kyle Philips, WR
This was a difficult selection with only one offensive skill player drafted by the Titans, however a loser from draft night was third-year wide receiver Philips. While the sixth-round draft capital spent on his new competition in Jackson is far from significant, the selection is a direct threat to Philips, as a player who is also a slot receiver, but offering upside as a returner and rusher. Patience could be wearing thin on Philips, who has only been active for 13 games through two seasons due to injury. It’s unlikely Philips is on the radar in the deepest of dynasty leagues, but draft night plus the signing of Tyler Boyd has ended any hope of success on the Titans for Philips.
He is a keen supporter of mental health projects, where dynasty content is his coping strategy to remain in an optimal mindset.
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