As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fantasy football enthusiasts are gearing up for another year of intense competition and strategic maneuvering. One of the most critical factors in building a championship-caliber roster is having a deep understanding of each team’s offensive depth chart. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key players at every skill position for all 32 NFL franchises, giving you the insights needed to make informed decisions on draft day and throughout the season.
The Importance of Depth Charts
NFL depth charts are fluid and can change rapidly due to injuries, performance, and coaching decisions. However, having a solid grasp of each team’s pecking order at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end is essential for fantasy success. By understanding the roles and potential of players up and down the depth chart, you can identify sleepers, avoid busts, and pounce on emerging waiver wire gems.
Analyzing Quarterback Situations
At the most important position in football and fantasy, it’s crucial to know not only who the starter is but also the backup situation. Injuries can strike at any time, thrusting a QB2 into the spotlight. According to a league source, approximately 40% of NFL teams saw their backup quarterback take meaningful snaps last season due to injury or performance issues. While most fantasy rosters won’t carry a backup QB, knowing each team’s contingency plan can help you navigate the waiver wire when the need arises.
Running Back Committees
Gone are the days when most NFL teams featured a workhorse running back who rarely left the field. In today’s game, backfield committees are the norm, with coaches deploying specialized roles for two or even three backs. Deciphering the touch distribution and goal-line duties within these committees is vital for fantasy managers. An anonymous NFL offensive coordinator explained, “We gameplan to keep defenses off balance and our backs fresh by utilizing multiple skill sets. Fantasy owners have to adjust and dig deeper into depth charts.”
In today’s NFL, you need a stable of backs with complementary skills. It’s rare to have one guy carry the load all season.
– NFC running backs coach
Wide Receiver Depth and Sleepers
With the proliferation of three-receiver sets in NFL offenses, fantasy managers must study depth charts to identify potential breakout candidates. While WR1s and WR2s are usually well-known commodities, the WR3s and even WR4s on pass-happy teams can emerge as viable flex plays or injury replacements. According to a study by a prominent fantasy football analyst, over the past three seasons, an average of 11 wide receivers who began the year as their team’s WR3 or lower finished the season as top-36 fantasy options at the position.
Tight End Tiers
Tight end is often viewed as a thin position in fantasy football, with a significant drop-off after the top tier. However, savvy managers can find value by examining depth charts for tight ends on the rise. Look for athletic pass-catchers primed for an expanded role, particularly on teams with unproven wide receivers or quarterback questions. Aging veterans can also provide sneaky value, as they often have a reliable rapport with their QB.
| TE Tier | Targets/Game | FPPG (PPR) |
| Elite | 8-10 | 15-20 |
| TE1 | 6-8 | 10-14 |
| TE2 | 4-6 | 7-10 |
Sources indicate that teams like the Cardinals, Giants, and Texans could see their top tight ends vault into TE1 territory this season thanks to advantageous depth chart situations and offensive scheme changes. As you study the TE pecking order for each NFL squad, take note of players generating training camp buzz or impressing in preseason action—these insights can give you a leg up on your competition.
Now that we’ve covered the key factors to consider when evaluating offensive depth charts for fantasy football purposes, let’s dive into the player-by-player breakdowns for all 32 teams. Use this guide as a reference throughout your draft prep and in-season management, and don’t forget to stay alert for news of depth chart movements that could shake up the fantasy landscape.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals boast an intriguing collection of skill-position talent, headlined by dual-threat QB Kyler Murray. Newcomer James Conner looks to hold off the explosive Emari Demercado for lead back duties, while first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. aims to make an immediate impact in a receiving corps that also includes Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch. At tight end, Trey McBride is poised for a breakout in his second season. Keep an eye on this offense as a source of rising fantasy stars.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta underwent an offensive makeover this offseason, bringing in veteran QB Kirk Cousins to mentor top draft pick Michael Penix Jr. The backfield belongs to sophomore sensation Bijan Robinson, with Tyler Allgeier and Jase McClellan battling for backup duties. Drake London and Darnell Mooney form a dynamic WR duo, while Kyle Pitts is healthy and primed to reclaim his spot among the elite fantasy tight ends. The Falcons’ depth chart is brimming with high-upside options for fantasy managers.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens made a splash by signing bruising RB Derrick Henry to pair with QB Lamar Jackson, forming a devastating one-two punch on the ground. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman will lead the receiving corps, with speedster Nelson Agholor stretching the field. Mark Andrews remains an elite TE1, but second-year pro Isaiah Likely is an enticing handcuff with standalone value. Baltimore’s run-heavy offense limits receiver upside but offers immense potential for the backfield stars.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen orchestrates one of the NFL’s most potent aerial attacks, bolstered by the offseason addition of veteran WR Amari Cooper. Gabriel Davis remains a big-play threat, while Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman battle for the WR3 role. The backfield is less settled, with James Cook and rookie Ray Davis vying for touches. At tight end, first-round pick Dalton Kincaid joins Dawson Knox in what could be a frustrating timeshare for fantasy purposes. Load up on Bills pass-catchers, but exercise caution with the backfield until a pecking order emerges.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are rolling with veteran Andy Dalton under center to open the season, but rookie Bryce Young is waiting in the wings. Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard will handle backfield duties, with free-agent signee Miles Sanders lurking as a spoiler. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen provide a high-floor WR tandem, while second-year TE Tommy Tremble could emerge as a sneaky breakout candidate. This offense may lack elite options, but there’s plenty of fantasy depth to mine on the Panthers’ roster.
