Undervalued Fantasy Football Players 2024: Malik Nabers, Jake Ferguson and David Montgomery

When discussing value in fantasy football, we must be on the same page about exactly what that means. Value refers to a player's cost in comparison to their perceived value. For example, Anthony Richardson is the sixth QB drafted despite only playing in three games last year.

Some may feel he's a good value because of his scoring potential as a player who can run it for big gains and deliver rushing touchdowns in the red zone. Some may feel he's overvalued because we haven't seen him play enough to justify using a pick on him so early.

When trying to identify undervalued players in fantasy football, I try to think about what they're good at and not good at and how other people view their skills.

Let's delve into Richardson's unique qualities. While he still needs to improve his passing game, his rushing potential is exceptional. In two of his three starts, he finished as a top-five fantasy QB, showcasing his ability to score big in fantasy football. 

It's crucial to remember that fantasy football is not about drafting for an actual franchise. Richardson may need some refinement, but in just a few games, he demonstrated his ability to score fantasy points in abundance. Even if his ranking seems high with a limited sample size, he's appropriately valued as a high-risk, high-reward player, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.

David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

Last year, I was not a fan of Montgomery. I suppose my larger point was that Jahmyr Gibbs was the back you wanted to own between the two, and while that was and still is correct, Montgomery can still contribute at a high level.

What I didn't foresee was how efficient the Lions' offense would be. I would've given Montgomery his due as a producer in the red zone, but who would've predicted Detroit to be so good. 

He finished fifth in red-zone carries (51) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (10). Looking ahead to 2024, Montgomery is the RB19 after posting a RB14 season. 

I can understand the concern about some negative touchdown regression after tallying a career-best 13 touchdowns. But I could see a slight increase in his reception totals (25 receptions in 2023, the second-lowest total of his career) to make his stats meet somewhere in the middle and deliver a low-end RB1 season.

Position Ranking (Half PPR): RB19
Projected Finish (Half PPR): RB13

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

We haven't seen an excellent fantasy wide receiver with the Giants since Odell Beckham Jr.'s heyday in his first three seasons in the league from 2014 to 2016.

Well, Nabers is the best receiver they've had since then, and this may sound wild, but he might be better than OBJ. So why is Nabers ranked as the WR25 in early June? Look, I get it, and we all know why - Daniel Jones.

I don't want to sound too bullish; there's no good way to say it. Just go check the Giants' depth chart. They're going to be down every game. Nabers is going to be Mr. Garbage Time. I'm calling for at least 130 targets in Nabers's rookie season.

Turning our attention to Nabers, he's a unique talent for the Giants. He's still developing as a route runner, but his quickness, burst, suddenness, and aggression make him a versatile player. When he has the ball, his run-after-catch talents are a sight to behold.

However, we can't ignore the potential challenges. The Giants' pass-catchers haven't had more than 80 targets since 2020. But they need to recognize the potential in this young man, who's only 20 and will turn 21 before the season. Nabers will be a game-changer.

Position Ranking (Half PPR): WR25
Projected Finish (Half PPR): WR14

Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Everyone has Dak Prescott as a top eight fantasy quarterback, yet according to their player rankings, nobody has someone besides CeeDee Lamb generating much production in the Cowboys' offense. 

We haven't seen much out of Brandin Cooks these last few years. Jalen Tolbert caught 22 passes for two scores last year, hardly much to get excited about there either.

Ezekiel Elliott might be the starting running back. Oof. I like Deuce Vaughn as a sleeper, but he doesn't seem to be a huge part of the passing attack.

Ferguson and his position mate Luke Schoonmaker might be the surprise TE duo to monitor this season and not the alliterative superheroes from Las Vegas: Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. 

While much attention has been given to Sam LaPorta, Trey McBride and Dalton Kincaid in this new wave of budding tight end talent, Ferguson is a touch under the radar as a low-end TE1.

He logged 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns on 102 targets. That target total will likely increase in 2024, and the towering 6'5 young man will only go further if Prescott gets Ferguson more involved in the red zone.

Position Ranking (Half PPR): TE10
Projected Finish (Half PPR): TE5