The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast · The Athletic

Must Have Players

·46 min·4 clips

Jake Seeley targets Anthony Richardson as his must-have quarterback for massive fantasy upside.

This episode of The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast features hosts Chris Welsh, Jake Seeley, and Brandon Funston identifying their must-have fantasy football players for the 2024 season. Jake Seeley and Brandon Funston are fantasy analysts for The Athletic, providing their specific player targets based on draft preparation and share counts. Jake Seeley's must-have quarterback is Anthony Richardson, whom he targets for his top-five upside when missing out on earlier quarterback tiers. Brandon Funston's quarterback is Lamar Jackson, citing his proven elite potential and improved value if he falls in drafts. Funston also holds the most shares of Deshaun Watson, referencing his past top-five finishes and dual-threat ability in Cleveland. The hosts note that in recent drafts, quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen have been pushed up, altering strategies. For running backs, Brandon Funston's RB1 is Tony Pollard, pointing to his RB7 finish last year with the fewest touches among top scorers and an expected larger role. Jake Seeley's RB1 is Nick Chubb, highlighting his RB6 points-per-game finish and potential for more touchdowns without Kareem Hunt. Seeley's must-have RB2 is Dameon Pierce, emphasizing his 250-plus touch potential in an improved Houston offense. Funston's RB2 is Aaron Jones, valuing his four straight RB1 seasons and workload in Green Bay. Seeley's RB3 is Khalil Herbert, arguing he is the clear lead runner in Chicago with RB2 upside despite Rashaad Johnson's role. Funston's RB3 is Rachaad White, projecting his volume of 260-plus touches to likely yield a top-20 finish. At wide receiver, Seeley's WR1 is Amon-Ra St. Brown, citing his elite target rate and opportunity with Jameson Williams suspended. Funston's WR1 is Stefon Diggs, referencing his three-season average of 113 catches and 1,400 yards as a ceiling pick. Funston's WR2 is Amari Cooper, trusting a resurgent Deshaun Watson to support Cooper's consistent production. Seeley's WR2 is DeAndre Hopkins, valuing his target volume and WR9 points-per-game finish last year with Ryan Tannehill. Funston's WR3 is Brandin Cooks, noting his past 1,000-yard seasons and upgrade to the Dallas offense. Seeley's WR3 is Jahan Dotson, whose stock is rising, especially with Terry McLaurin's recent injury scare. A surprising claim is that Dameon Pierce averaged 13 fantasy points per game last year in a terrible offense, suggesting major upside. The hosts find it interesting that consensus ranks often place Chris Godwin and Deebo Samuel above DeAndre Hopkins, whom Seeley considers a tier above. They note the rapid rise of Jahan Dotson from a sleeper to a popular bandwagon pick this August. The tone is conversational and analytical, with hosts debating picks and sharing personal draft experiences. The style is educational, offering specific data points like target percentages and historical finishes to support recommendations. Fantasy managers seeking actionable draft targets and late-round values will appreciate this episode. Listeners who prefer narrative-driven content or have already completed their drafts might find less immediate utility.

As heard by us

A loose draft-room discussion that lands on Herbert as the clearest value.

Jake Seeley, Brandon Funston, and Welsh spend most of the discussion on who needs to be drafted and why, with the strongest stretch centered on Khalil Herbert.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Need a sharper read on your must-have tier?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast