Contract Year Fantasy Players
I often find in fantasy football drafts seeing if I can identify players heading into a contract year that consensus may not be keen on drafting. Last year, players like Saquon Barkley, Marquise Brown, Kirk Cousins, Mike Evans, Derrick Henry, Tee Higgins, and Calvin Ridley were part of that group. The biggest winner was a tie between Kirk Cousins, Mike Evans, and Calvin Ridley, if you ask me! Why? Go ahead and check out the juicy contracts they each signed this off-season.
So what players are heading into the ’24 season on a contract year looking to make some money and win us fantasy championships? Let’s take a look!
Javonte Williams – RB (DEN)
Javonte Williams is a polarizing player. His overall scope as a player is night and day different among some fans. Personally, I think he’s going to bounce back from the ACL injury in 2022. Sure, he was “healthy” in 2023, but we all know running backs never look the same in the immediate season post-ACL injury. Minus one or two outliers (thanks Adrian Peterson & Breece Hall). Now, he is two years removed from the injury and has a new quarterback under center. It’s Javonte’s time to shine!
In his rookie campaign, Javonte racked up 900 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, and 7 total touchdowns, which was good for RB17 in 2021. Suffered the knee injury a month or so into his sophomore season and returned in 2023. Last season, Javonte ran for 775 yards and 5 total touchdowns. For me, considering it was an entirely new coaching staff and the team was a mess all season long, Javonte did fine. Not to mention, he had 275 total opportunities! 2024 should be a good year for Javonte.
As we approach Javonte’s contract year, he must turn it up a notch. Which I think he is going to do. I see a 1,000-yard season shortly for Javonte Williams. Right now, he is my RB15, which would be his best fantasy finish to date.
Nick Chubb – RB (CLE)
Nick Chubb is one of those running backs that everyone loves to have on their fantasy team. That is until he shatters his knee and is approaching the slippery slope of the dreaded running back age dropoff. Right now, you can snag Nick Chubb in the 12th round of fantasy football drafts. On the surface, that’s crazy to think about. Considering his circumstances, it makes sense. He is still recovering from the knee injury from last season, and may not be ready to go at the beginning of the season.
Nick Chubb’s contract year is not only crucial to him and his success, but the Browns have invested A LOT in their current roster, and missing out on prime Nick Chubb would not be ideal. Hopefully, that prime Chubb train hasn’t left the station. If you plan on drafting a “zero RB” fantasy team this season, Nick Chubb may be the perfect pick for you in the later rounds. If he does come back with vengeance, your fantasy team is going to benefit from it! I’m putting my eggs in that basket. Sign me up for Nick Chubb during fantasy football playoffs!
Travis Etienne Jr. – RB (JAX)
Another running back! That’s right. Travis Etienne Jr. heads into a contract year as the Jaguars look to progress for a championship run. I don’t need to get fancy with this one. If you haven’t been paying attention to Travis Etienne in the NFL, he is good. Very good. Does even better when the Jags are firing on all cylinders. Look at last season. In the first half of the year, Etienne was dominating! Multiple 2+ TD games and all sorts of work in the offense going his way. As the season went downhill for the Jags, Etienne struggled a bit. Can’t deny that.
It doesn’t scare me, though. Almost 1,500 scrimmage yards in back-to-back seasons is very impressive. He saw all sorts of opportunities in ’23 and is going to in ’24 as well. He finished as the RB3 overall last season and his ADP is currently in the end of the 3rd round/beginning of the 4th round of drafts. So you’re telling me I can potentially get two top 10 RBs and maybe even 2 top WRs in my first four rounds? I will take that chance. Etienne is someone I want to leave my drafts with this year.
Diontae Johnson – WR (CAR)
I love me some Diontae Johnson in fantasy football! I also love the thought of Diontae Johnson in David Canales (Panthers’ new HC) offense while in a contract year. Are you telling me I can get Diontae in the 6th round as potentially my WR3 maybe even WR2? I’m all for that. Even if the Panthers don’t get any better, they’ll be losing which means Diontae will be on the field. You can only score fantasy points if you’re on the field!
Last year was his worst fantasy output since his rookie season. Bryce Young still has a chance to be something compared to the dumpster fires that were tossing Diontae the rock the past few seasons and David Canales has shown what he is capable of doing with offensive playmakers. I don’t see Diontae jumping to his best finish (WR9), but I can see him finishing closer to the back end of the WR2s this season. For the price of a 6th rounder, I will happily welcome that to my fantasy teams.
Joshua Palmer – WR (LAC)
Not only do I want Joshua Palmer due to the looming contract year, but who is catching passes for the Chargers? Sure, they drafted Ladd McConkey, but Joshua Palmer is in the driver’s seat for leading the WR room. In 6 out of 10 games that Palmer was active in 2023, he caught 7 or more passes. Now there’s no Keenan Allen or Austin Ekeler to siphon targets?! What more could you want?
On top of that, you can grab him as a flex spot in your drafts which is a huge bonus considering the opportunity Palmer has in front of him. He will easily have weeks where he’s scoring in the top 24. I am no fortune teller, but Joshua Palmer will finish the season much higher than his current cost of WR52.
Marquise Brown – WR (KC)
Brown’s “contract year” is a little different than the rest of these players mentioned. His contract is only a one-year deal with the Chiefs. So, while he is still set to be a free agent after this season, this is definitely a “prove it” deal for him plus an amazing opportunity to play with one of the greatest quarterbacks to touch turf. There’s a lot of mouths to feed in Kansas City, but considering the success of their offense, I am willing to draft a player like Marquise Brown who is a difference-maker on the field.
His cost is approaching my limit, however. Right now, he is being drafted as a mid-WR3. Either a 4th rounder or a 5th rounder in drafts. There are some other solid options in that range, which I tend to draft instead, but I have my fair share of Marquise Brown in best ball for sure! If you like to gamble, Marquise Brown is the player for you. He will have weeks where he is top 10 for sure.
Kyle Pitts – TE (ATL)
Truthfully, this makes me feel icky. To even suggest drafting Pitts after the letdown he has been seems ridiculous. However…Kirk Cousins is far and away the best quarterback Kyle Pitts has ever played with. The chance to turn things around is now. New coach. New quarterback. Time to make some money, Kyle!
TE6 is the highest finish Kyle Pitts has seen in his short, 3-year career. I think that will change this season. I have him as a top 5 TE for this season. Sure, not a monumental difference, but I think we will see Kyle Pitts cross the 200-point threshold this year. His ADP is at the end of the 5th/beginning of the 6th round, so if you think you can nail your RB/WR picks in the first few rounds, take Pitts, and let’s profit!
Pat Freiermuth – TE (PIT)
I could not love Muth’s contract year situation any better. Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina, which leaves George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth as the reliable pass catchers still in the ‘Burgh. They did not bring in much competition, though I will respect Van Jefferson’s (brought in via free agency) abilities. Pittsburgh also drafted Roman Wilson, so maybe those two will have an impact on the offense. It doesn’t stray me away from drafting Pat Freirmuth this season.
Muth’s ADP is sitting at TE14, and he’s currently going in rounds 10, 11, or 12. I can’t stress this enough…sign me up. I have Pat Freiermuth as my TE9 right now. If I’m right, I can fill out the rest of my roster and then snag my tight end at the end of my draft. A tight end who wants to sign a healthy deal after this season?? I will draft that guy all day!
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