24. Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

The history of Wisconsin running backs in the NFL has been mixed. Players like Jonathan Taylor have become stars, while the likes of Ron Dayne did not.

Allen’s NFL fate remains to be seen, but in some ways, his game is a mix of the two. And at 235 pounds, he certainly appears well-suited to the goal-line work that can be so valuable to fantasy managers.

But Allen’s fantasy value in 2024 lies mostly as a handcuff for Breece Hall, who is a clear first-round pick this year. Hall missed 10 games as a rookie with an ACL tear, so having insurance for him is a wise move. It appears as though Allen is that handcuff.

23. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

Here’s a little foreshadowing: You aren’t going to see New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye listed here. Jacoby Brissett figures to open the 2024 campaign as the Patriots’ starter, and even if Maye supplants him at some point, he’ll be at the helm of arguably the NFL’s most talent-deficient offense. Drafting Maye is drafting for the future in fantasy—and even then…meh.

However, the Broncos thought enough of Nix to select him at No. 12 overall (higher than most expected), and the only thing separating him from their starting job is Jarrett Stidham. Nix may well spend his whole NFL career as a middling fantasy QB, but he could hit that admittedly low ceiling in his first year.

22. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy just won a national title at Michigan, but in many respects, he’s just like the guy whom he’s replacing—minus the NFL resume.

McCarthy does most things well, but nothing at an elite level. He’s much more likely to spend his NFL career as a marginal fantasy starter than to ever be a top-five option at the position.

But it’s hard to imagine Vikings head coach Kevin O’ Connell watch Sam Darnold airmail receivers for the rest of the summer and then say, “Yeah, let’s start this guy.” If McCarthy isn’t the Week 1 starter for the Vikings, he figures to be soon after, and the Minnesota offense has more than a few weapons. I hear some guy named Justin is pretty good.