5 Under the Radar Players you NEED to be Drafting in 2024

Welcome to our 2024 Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks! Every season, there are players who fly under the radar during drafts, only to emerge as key contributors and league-winners. These sleepers often provide exceptional value, outperforming their draft positions and offering significant upside for savvy fantasy managers. Identifying these hidden gems can be the difference between a good team and a championship-winning roster.

In this article, we'll spotlight several sleeper players who have the potential to exceed expectations and deliver strong performances throughout the season. Whether due to favorable changes in their team situations, impressive off-season developments, or promising statistical trends, these players are poised to surprise the fantasy community. Get ready to uncover the hidden talent that could give you the edge in your league. Let’s dive into the sleeper picks for 2024 and help you build a powerhouse fantasy team!

1. Kyle Pitts

Yes, we know—Kyle Pitts has disappointed fantasy managers for years, and drafting him for a third season feels like the worst decision you can make. But hear me out: 2024 is going to be different.

For the past two years, Kyle Pitts has significantly underperformed his draft value, leaving fantasy managers scrambling for replacements at the tight end spot. Coming out of the draft, Pitts was heralded as one of the greatest talents ever at the tight end position, and he lived up to that in his rookie year by surpassing 1,000 yards. However, in his second season, he was drafted around TE3 but shockingly finished as TE33, averaging less than 8 fantasy points per game. In 2023, his draft position slid slightly, and he was taken as TE6 on average, finishing as TE13 with an 8-point per game average. This year, he remains at TE6. It might seem absurd to draft someone this high who has been lackluster the past two seasons, but I'm here to tell you he could potentially end the season as the top tight end in fantasy football.

What’s different for Pitts in 2024? Just about everything. Throughout his career, Pitts was coached by Arthur Smith, who became known as a mediocre coach unable to properly utilize his offensive talent. Pitts was often held back, asked to block or used as a decoy, which severely hurt his production. But now, fantasy managers can rejoice: Arthur Smith has been replaced by Raheem Morris, with Zac Robinson stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, replacing Dave Ragone. Additionally, Atlanta will see a massive boost in quarterback play with the signing of Kirk Cousins this offseason. Since entering the league, Pitts has mostly played with Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, and the jump to Cousins should have massive benefits for Pitts' fantasy outlook.

In mock drafts, Kyle Pitts has been drafted around the 5th round of 12-man leagues, behind players like Dalton Kincaid and Mark Andrews. Pitts remains one of the most talented players in the league, and it's time to trust that talent and have faith that this year will be different. If you reach the 3rd or 4th round and still don’t have a tight end, Pitts should be at the top of your draft board. Don’t hesitate to add him to your roster.

2. Kyler Murray

It's been a while since we've seen Kyler Murray play a full season due to injuries dating back to 2021. Coming out of college as the top quarterback prospect in 2019, he was selected first overall in that year’s draft. Murray didn't disappoint, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and finishing as the QB2 overall in 2020. Yet this year, he's being taken around the 6th round in drafts, as many seem to have forgotten just how talented he is.

Murray returned to the Cardinals in Week 10 last season and finished the season healthy. Despite joining a weak Cardinals offense and not having played in nearly a year, he averaged 19 points per game and was the QB9 over those nine weeks. In the final four weeks, he passed the ball at least 30 times in each game and threw for 7 touchdowns. His strong finish in 2023 should silence any critics questioning his health: he looked as athletic and comfortable as ever. His dynamic rushing ability gives him tremendous upside—he doesn’t hesitate to run the ball and is one of the best quarterbacks in the league at doing so. Not to mention, he had 11 rushing touchdowns the last time he was fully healthy.

The Arizona Cardinals had the 4th overall pick in the 2024 draft and used it on Marvin Harrison Jr. For those who don’t know, Harrison Jr. is one of the most talented wide receiver prospects in recent history. He was the highest-drafted player outside of quarterbacks and led Ohio State with 14 receiving touchdowns and 67 receptions. He’s the real deal. Remember: the last time Kyler Murray had an elite wide receiver was in 2020 with DeAndre Hopkins, and that was when Murray was the QB2, averaging 24.4 fantasy points per game. The connection between Murray and Harrison Jr. is going to be elite and should excite every fantasy manager.

The primary reason Murray has fallen so low in drafts this year is his injury history, but reports from the Cardinals confirm that he is fully healthy and ready to dominate. The presence of such a talented pass-catcher in 2024 should be enough for managers to draft Murray, and I haven’t even mentioned other Cardinals playmakers like Trey McBride and James Conner. Murray is a top 7 quarterback in this year’s draft, and you should take advantage of his low ADP while you can.

3. Zach Moss

Zach Moss is a player worth keeping an eye on this season. Last year, he served as the backup running back for the Colts, playing behind Jonathan Taylor, and managed to finish as RB31 by season's end. However, this offseason, he signed with the Bengals. Unlike the Colts' ground-heavy offense, the Bengals are a pass-first team that relies on superstars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. As a result, Moss has been falling to the 8th or 9th rounds in most 2024 drafts. But there's a reason he was signed, and he has the potential to surpass his draft value if he stays healthy.

In 2023, Moss stepped up as the RB1 for Indianapolis from weeks 2-5 while Taylor was sidelined. During this period, Moss was outstanding, averaging 21 points per game and getting at least 18 carries each week. Once Taylor returned, Moss's touches dwindled, which is why he finished as RB31. Although he won't see the same volume in Cincinnati, he is expected to be the starting back for the Bengals. At 26 years old, Moss is coming off his best career season and will be the team's RB1 for the first time.

For the past seven seasons, Joe Mixon has been Cincinnati's go-to guy, consistently rushing for over 1,000 yards in four of those seasons. Despite averaging only 4.0 yards per carry in 2023, Mixon still surpassed 1,000 yards due to his high volume. Moss, younger and signed to fill Mixon's void, is expected to see more consistent volume than he did in Indianapolis. While Moss likely won’t reach Mixon's RB6 finish, he could come close.

Moss will likely lose some receiving work to backup Chase Brown, who had some involvement in the passing game in 2023. However, Moss is clearly the lead rusher for the Bengals and will receive consistent carries each week. He could be a solid RB2 throughout the season, even though he's currently being drafted more as a flex option. While he may not be at the top of your draft boards, Moss should be heavily considered when searching for quality running backs who can provide reliable week-to-week production.

4. George Pickens

George Pickens is poised for a breakout season in 2024. Entering his third year, he logged over 1,100 receiving yards last season, showcasing only a fraction of his talent. Standing 6'3" and weighing 200 pounds, Pickens is an athletic, muscular receiver who excels at deep passes and outmuscling defensive backs. He averaged 18.1 yards per catch in 2023 and increased his yards per game by 20 from 2022. However, with Diontae Johnson as the WR1 for Pittsburgh for several years, Pickens was limited to occasional deep threats, capping his upside and causing consistency issues. He's being drafted around the 4th or 5th round in most fantasy drafts this season but has the potential to be a top 15 WR in PPR this year.

In March, Diontae Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a mid-round draft pick and cornerback Donte Jackson. Pittsburgh didn’t bring in any high-profile replacements at the receiver position, signaling head coach Mike Tomlin's intention for Pickens to become the new number one weapon for the Steelers offense. Critics might point to a lack of consistency from Pickens as a potential flaw, but this is likely due to the Steelers playing with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky over the past two seasons, both of whom will be backups come September.

The Steelers handed the starting QB role to Russell Wilson in the offseason. Despite Wilson’s advanced age, he is still a significant boost to Pittsburgh’s QB room and should fit nicely with Pickett. Some NFL fans may remember the chemistry Wilson built with DK Metcalf in Seattle. While Pickens isn’t as physical as Metcalf, he has a similar playstyle—both are primarily deep threats who excel at yards after the catch. With Wilson at the helm, Pickens should have a much more efficient season and become a more all-around receiver in 2024.

A potential downside for Pickens in fantasy is offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was hired in the offseason after being fired from his head coaching role in Atlanta. Smith has a reputation for misusing talent, which could negatively impact the Steelers' offense. However, it’s unwise to doubt Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing season. While Arthur Smith’s offense may experience some growing pains, Pickens remains the number one receiver for the team and is primed for a breakout season. He's being drafted around WR28 in fantasy, but he has a much higher ceiling and a floor not much lower than his ADP. He's a high-upside, low-risk option for fantasy managers that could help win your league if you snag him in the first five rounds.

5. Rashid Shaheed

Rashid Shaheed is flying under the radar in fantasy drafts, often being selected in the 11th round, but he has the potential to be a consistent flex play and provide excellent value for managers. With both a high ceiling and a high floor, Shaheed could emerge as the WR2 in the Saints offense behind Chris Olave.

In 2023, Shaheed finished as the WR44 overall and was a risky waiver option each week. He scored over 15.5 points in five games but under 7.2 points in six others. Entering his third professional season, Shaheed has primarily been a deep threat, but this could change with Michael Thomas's absence in 2024. Thomas, often injured, took many short passes and slants, limiting Shaheed’s production to long passes and special teams work. With the Saints' dynamic passing offense, having a reliable WR2 will be a priority, and Shaheed seems ready to take on that role. He’s entering his prime years as a receiver, and his main competition, Cedrick Wilson, is nearly 30 years old and has only 34 receptions over the past two seasons. You can expect quarterback Derek Carr to utilize Shaheed more frequently.

It's worth noting that Michael Thomas was injured for the final seven games of 2023, and Shaheed only had 13 catches in his four fully healthy games during that span. However, he averaged 11 fantasy points. Shaheed's deep threat value is always there, making him a low-risk option with significant upside if available in the 10th round. Even if he doesn’t become a reliable option, his boom-or-bust potential makes him worth a gamble. Worst case, Shaheed remains a high-variance player who can deliver big weeks when needed. Best case, he becomes a consistent WR2 in the Saints offense and a reliable flex play all season long. He’s not guaranteed success, but when his value is so low, there is almost no risk. Don’t hesitate to take a shot on Shaheed in your drafts this year.