Top 10 Valentine’s Day Fantasy Crushes for 2024

Roses are red, violets are blue, here are some players you’ll want on your crew.
Top 10 Valentine’s Day Fantasy Crushes for 2024
Top 10 Valentine’s Day Fantasy Crushes for 2024 /

It's that time of the year when love is in the air. The card stores are an explosion of red and pink hearts with little dudes in diapers shooting arrows. Flower bouquets are everywhere and dating website subscriptions increase as single folks look for love. Well, I'm looking for love, too. But I ain't talkin' 'bout that kind of love. Instead, it’s the love of players who will help me win a fantasy football championship next season.

I won't be labeling these players "sleepers" or "breakouts," but I have faith that these 10 players could be massive stat-sheet stuffers (most of them in their second NFL season). So, sit back with a loved one and check out my 2024 fantasy crush list!

Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson
John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports

Robinson didn’t have a bad rookie season, finishing ninth in PPR points. However, he was just 17th in points per game among runners who played at least 10 games. Robinson also saw just 214 carries, which is the seventh-fewest among backs who finished in the top 20 in points. With Arthur Smith no longer calling the shots, I’m expecting Robinson to be closer to a true featured back under his new coaches.

Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

Wilson was on this list last season and, unfortunately, he failed to meet expectations without Aaron Rodgers. So, let’s try this again! The Ohio State product should post career totals in 2024, assuming his 40-year-old quarterback can stay on the field and out of the trainer’s room. In that scenario, and in a Jets offense that should have no problem moving the football, Wilson could take that next step toward stardom.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Rookie

I’m not sure where Harrison will land (I’m hoping with the Arizona Cardinals), but it won’t matter that much. The son of a Hall of Famer, he is coming off a collegiate campaign that saw him record 1,200-plus yards and 14 touchdowns for the second straight year. A near can’t-miss prospect at a position that has produced immediate success a lot more often in recent years, Harrison is a player I’ll be targeting.

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson was on his way to fantasy stardom as a rookie, scoring 17-plus points in his first three games including a 29.6-point performance in Week 3. Unfortunately, he suffered an injured shoulder in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season. One of the more explosive running quarterbacks in the league, Richardson will be a popular breakout candidate in his second season. I have him ranked in the top 10 for 2024.

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans

Houston Texans WR Tank Dell
Thomas Shea/USA TODAY Sports

Much like Richardson, Dell showed huge potential as a rookie before injuring his knee and missing the rest of the season. The playmaking wideout scored 17-plus points in six of his 10 full games, during which time he averaged an impressive 16.5 points. In what looks like an explosive Houston pass attack with C.J. Stroud at the helm, Dell will push for top-40 overall value in a lot of 2024 fantasy drafts.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

Reed was a deep sleeper on my radar last season, and he certainly exceeded those expectations with a WR25 finish as a rookie. He was particularly productive down the stretch, scoring 15 or more points in all but one of his final eight games. I will be looking to get pieces of the Packers pass attack, which is loaded with good, young talent, but my main target in that group will be Reed, even as a top-50 selection.

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Addison had a nice rookie season, posting 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 scores. However, take a look at his numbers in games in which he played at least 30 snaps and was alongside Justin Jefferson. In those eight contests, Addison posted 34 catches for 472 yards and scored six touchdowns. I’m not sure who the quarterback will be in Minnesota next season, but Addison should post solid totals in Year Two.

Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

McBride finished seventh in fantasy points among tight ends last season, but I don’t think he’s reached his ceiling. In his first seven games, all with Zach Ertz on the team, McBride was the TE29 averaging 4.6 points per game. In the remaining 10 games, all without Ertz, McBride was the TE3 and averaged 15 points. That was more than Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Mark Andrews!

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

Spears has a chance to be a major fantasy contributor, assuming the Titans don’t re-sign Derrick Henry. The Tulane alum showed flashes of potential in his first NFL campaign, averaging 4.5 yards per rush and breaking 13 tackles on 152 touches. He also averaged 11.2 points in seven games where he saw at least 10 touches. If he does assume the top backfield role, Spears will be a massive breakout candidate.

Brock Bowers, TE, Rookie

Bowers is considered one of the top tight end prospects to come out of college in the last decade. He posted 175 catches, 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in 40 career games at Georgia, during which time he drew comparisons to George Kittle. I’m not usually big on rookie tight ends, but Bowers is a special talent and could make a Sam LaPorta type of impact if he lands with the right team in the 2024 NFL draft.


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Michael Fabiano
MICHAEL FABIANO

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.