We all remember the worst pick we’ve ever made in a fantasy football draft. Even if it wasn’t a complete bust, maybe you just reached too high for a specific player only to face major disappointment. Before you go drafting your 2024 fantasy football rosters, I’m laying out the worst picks you can make in the first 10 rounds of your draft.
The following players are all worth drafting. This piece specifically speaks to avoiding such players in the specified rounds. Even waiting a round later can make a huge difference. I’m basing these picks off of a 12-team, 1QB, 1.0 Point Per Reception format. One bad pick isn’t going to ruin your draft. Just let someone else take these specific players in each of the specified rounds.
The Worst Picks to Make in Each Round of Your Draft
Round One: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
There is a clear top-eight in fantasy football drafts for this season. In no particular order, that’s Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Justin Jefferson. I don’t think you can wrong with any of these players. There is a bit of risk with each whether it be injury concerns, quarterback play, or contract holdouts, but the combo of talent and opportunity with this top-eight outweighs the risk far more than others.
So, trying to name the worst pick in Round One speaks more to those drafting with the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th picks. In these spots, I just prefer to draft a wide receiver. A.J. Brown and Garrett Wilson come to mind. From this point on, there will be a significant tier break at wide receiver as opposed to the running backs.
So, when I say Jonathan Taylor is the worst pick of the first round, I just mean that I would try to draft a wide receiver. I actually love Jonathan Taylor for the 2024 season. There is a greater possibility of a running back like Taylor coming back to you in Round Two than wide receivers I have ranked ahead of him.
Round Two: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave is the 12th-most targeted wide receiver from the 2023 season. His 138 targets are 63 more than the next closest receiver, Rashid Shaheed (75), who was on the Saints last year and returning this season. Drafting Chris Olave is primarily a volume-based pick, especially in PPR formats.
Chris Olave is the WR21 on a fantasy points-per-game basis from the 2023 season. He and Garrett Wilson are the only two wide receivers to finish top-12 in targets but failed to average 15.0 or more fantasy points per game last season. Garrett Wilson obviously did not have Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) as his quarterback last season. Chris Olave still has Derek Carr as his.
Chris Olave is the worst pick of Round Two especially if you drafted a running back in the first round. He cannot be trusted as your fantasy roster’s WR1 in 2024. However, based on expected target share alone, I would draft Olave in Round Three if he’s available depending on who else is there.
Round Three: James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
Maybe I’m overreacting too much to the preseason, but rookie Ray Davis looks good running the football. Davis brings size and power and always seems to gain positive yardage. The 24-year-old rookie, who is just two months younger than Cook, could legitimately threaten him for carries, especially in the red zone. That’s in addition to Josh Allen calling his own number and taking off running.
If you start your drafts with two wide receivers, then James Cook is the worst pick in Round Three. I would rather draft another wide receiver and grab two running backs in Round Four or Five than have Cook as my RB1. However, with three wide receivers, I would change my tune quickly in Round Four and draft Cook as such.
Cook did have a late-season breakout, averaging 17.8 fantasy points per game (RB5) from Week 11 to 17 after an offensive coordinator change. I’m just not confident he sees goal-to-go touches, though he should still easily surpass 250 total touches this season.
Round Four: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Though I have Rhamondre Steveson as the worst pick of Round Four, I still really like him as a post-hype sleeper. Just not at this cost. The Patriots offense will likely have their growing pains this season. Alex Van Pelt is the new offensive coordinator, after years in the same role with the Cleveland Browns, so Rhamondre should have a nice feature-back role. Consider, too, that Stevenson has a new contract extension to live up to.
While Stevenson looks quicker in limited preseason action and has the pass-catching upside, none of it matters if the offensive line can’t block. They are one of the worst units in the league. Stevenson’s 2022 season yielded 1,461 scrimmage yards with 69 receptions. I’m not too confident he gets back to those numbers, either, with Antonio Gibson backing him up this season. It’s not often Stevenson goes this high, but if you’re thinking about it because he’s a workhorse back, I caution you to wait another round or two to see if he’s still there. The value is much better.
Round Five: Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Through two preseason games, Zamir White is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He’s a big back looking to fill big shoes left behind by the 2022 rushing leader, Josh Jacobs. For fantasy purposes, White may be held back by an, at times, dysfunctional Raiders offense, especially in the red zone. Las Vegas ranked 24th in percentage of trips to the red zone in 2023 which resulted in a touchdown.
White also doesn’t have the pass-catching upside other running backs in this range possess. In the final four games last season as the starter, White averaged just 2.25 targets per game. He had just 17 receptions in 38 games at the University of Georgia, as well. White could barrel his way to a breakout this season, but he’ll need to do most of it on the ground. I don’t think there’s a significant enough of a return here with a Round Five pick investment.
Round Six: C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
Listing C.J. Stroud as the worst pick of Round Six is with the assumption that at least four or five other quarterbacks are already off of the board. While the pressure may build to get a starter of your own, this feels a bit early for Stroud. He can finish inside the top-six quarterbacks solely through the air. Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell are arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. There are just still plenty of options at the quarterback position that either run more, cost a lot less, or both in 1QB leagues. I would rather continue adding depth at wide receiver and running back.
Round Seven: Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
Austin Ekeler may be one of the players I like the most on and off the field but dislike the most for the 2024 fantasy football season. I know seeing a top-five overall pick from last season this far down feels like a major discount, but he’s fallen this far for a reason.
You can attribute Ekeler’s poor performances in 2023 to his ankle injury and the Chargers’ overall struggles. I just don’t think he turns it around much with a change of scenery. Ekeler will share the Commanders’ backfield with Brian Robinson. Not only is Robinson younger and a better runner, at this point in their careers, but even Ekeler admitted he left L.A. because they wanted a guy who can carry the ball 300 times.
Additionally, this backfield will have to share the team rush attempts with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He is expected to be one of the most active rushing quarterbacks in the league from day one. Ekeler is more likely to finish as a flex player this season than return to form and push for RB1, even high-end RB2, numbers.
Round Eight: Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
I’m rooting for Nick Chubb this season. He just won’t be on many of my fantasy football rosters. Round Eight isn’t a terrible investment, but he’s the worst pick among the rest in his return from a serious injury. For those that don’t know, Chubb tore three ligaments in 2015 in the same knee as he did last season. Last year’s injury required two surgeries.
I like drafting Chubb a round or two later with expectations of putting him on an Injured Reserve spot right away. This is just a significant investment for a player who could miss a few games to start the season and you’re holding your breath he stays healthy enough that he doesn’t miss more. Jerome Ford can be had after Nick Chubb in most drafts.
Round Nine: Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
As we prepare for our upcoming drafts, we now know Jordan Addison’s quarterback will be Sam Darnold. That’s without any chance of J.J. McCarthy taking over as he’s set to miss the entire season with a knee injury. Additionally, Addison is rehabbing an ankle injury of his own. There are other wide receivers in this range with more upside that aren’t hurt and on better offenses such as Jameson Williams and rookie Keon Coleman.
Round 10: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
This has everything to do with J.K. Dobbins’ return from an Achilles injury. I want to minimize my risks in fantasy football drafts. I don’t mind drafting players coming off of injuries, but Dobbins has suited up for just 24 games since the start of the 2020 season.
Los Angeles couldn’t be a better spot for a running back. Not only are they expected to take a run-heavy approach to the offense, but they cleaned house at the position this off-season. Dobbins has an outside chance to be the lead back, but I’d rather bet on Gus Edwards with a similar ADP or wait and throw a dart at Kimani Vidal at the end of the draft.
Where did Colin get it wrong? Share your beef in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.