5 fantasy football players who will become household names this season

Remember last year when everyone was rushing to draft Puka Nacua?

Oh, right. That didn’t happen. The Los Angeles Rams wideout held an average draft position of 265, according to FantasyPros. One year later, Nacua has an ADP of 14. Yeah, stars emerge quickly in the NFL.

One moment no one knows who you are, the next fantasy managers can’t live without you.

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So it only feels right to list out the five most likely candidates to join Nacua as the newest household name this season — the one guy who you saw tumble down the draft board and get overlooked who just keeps coming back to haunt you.

Try to draft them if you still can.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (198.8 ADP)

Technically, the Oregon Ducks product is holding onto the RB2 role behind Rachaad White in Tampa Bay, but after a stellar preseason showing, Irving could eat into White’s share. If White gets off to a slow start, the rookie could move up the depth chart pretty quickly.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts (171.2 ADP)

With Josh Downs nursing an ankle injury, there’s an opportunity for the rookie from Texas to make an immediate impact in the Colts’ offense. Yet, even if Downs is available for Week 1, Mitchell’s time is coming. He’s an explosive playmaker who pairs perfectly opposite Michael Pittman Jr. — especially with Anthony Richardson’s arm strength under center.

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens (62.2 ADP)

Zay Flowers was a star last year. He’ll shine even brighter in 2024 with Rahsod Bateman and Nelson Agholor as sturdy supporting cast at wideout. If Lamar Jackson is going to repeat as MVP, Flowers will have to be even better than his rookie season when he put up 858 yards and five touchdowns on 77 catches.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans (101.2 ADP)

Tony Pollard’s arrival in Tennessee might feel a lot scarier than it actually is for fans of Spears. The former Cowboys tailback posted a relatively lackluster 1,005 yards and six touchdowns on 252 carries for a career-low 4.0 yards per carry last season. That leaves the door open for Spears to make noise as a change-of-pace back who can explode through the line.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (114.2 ADP)

Brown has been getting reps as RB1 with the Bengals, and considering his only competition is Zack Moss, we can expect a pretty even split until one wrestles the job away from the other. Plan on the 24-year-old Brown emerging victorious and running managers to victory in Joe Burrow’s offense.