For fantasy managers and experts, it’s inevitable. Every year. Whether you like it or not, if you play in more than a few leagues, a list is compiled.

“My boys.”

Sometimes you have to pick from similar draft spots over and over again. Apparently it’s this writer’s destiny to pick ninth, because for the second time in three years, that’s the spot I’ve been “randomly” assigned 126 times. I draft from anywhere. But a little variety would be nice. Unfortunately, we play with the cards we’re dealt.

Sometimes the never-ending search for value that engulfs every manager each year also leads to targets – players the manager desperately hopes will come to them at or just before the ADP.

The fact that I’m mentioning the names of said players probably doesn’t help this to happen in my remaining drafts (and there are… several), but as I said, we play with the cards we’re dealt.

Whatever the case, this late in the summer, everyone has a list of their “boys.” Players they’ve either included on their roster on a regular basis or hope to. Whether those players will lead you to fantasy glory later on or crush dreams in disappointment is a question that won’t be answered until summer turns to fall and then winter.

If the latter is the case, that will be a sad panda come Christmas. But draft season is a time of hope, so all of these players will do the former – exceed expectations. Win championships in every single league they’re on the roster in.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Note: Here is my first preseason list “My Boys”

quarterback

Kyler Murray, ARI (ADP: QB9)

I’ve long been convinced that the best quarterbacks are in the back half of the top 12. That the “elite” options don’t offer enough upside over those quarterbacks to justify their price, especially when at least one of those so-called low-end starters is bound to crash the cool kids’ party.

The Cowboys’ Dak Prescott did it last year and could very well do it again (this team will be throwing the ball a lot in 2024), but Murray is an even more attractive option.

The last two years have admittedly not been great for Murray (well, his bank account has done pretty well), but in Murray’s last full season in 2021, he was a top-10 fantasy quarterback. The year before that, he gained over 800 yards on the ground and collected 11 rushing scores, finishing second at the position.

The upside in rushing. A new No. 1 wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. who has to play catch-up against a mediocre (at best) Cardinals team. The table is set for top-five numbers – available at a discounted price.

Run back

Rachaad White, TB (ADP: RB14)

Although White was a top-5 fantasy RB1 in PPR leagues last year, he seems to be the fantasy RB1 no one wants in 2024. They point to his 3.6 yards per carry last year, declare his success a fluke inflated by volume, and take someone else. White, for his part, told reporters he wears that volume like a badge of honor.

“Yes, you have to be able to do everything to be today’s every-down back, the so-called bell-cow back,” White said. “A lot of guys take pride in the fact that they don’t get taken off the field by the coach because they can’t do (something).”

Tampa spent a third-day pick on Bucky Irving, but that’s not exactly impressive for a franchise desperate to extend its lead. White had the second-most runs in the league last year and caught an incredible 91.4 percent of his 70 faceoff targets.

White is available in the second half of Round 3 on average. In an era where so many managers are using WR/WR in the first two rounds, White is just waiting to provide well over 300 touches and at least low RB1 numbers. Those who don’t do that do so at their own peril.

Devin Singletary, NYG (ADP: RB30)

It’s time to raise the flag. At their respective ADPs, Singletary will win more championships for fantasy managers than Miami’s De’Von Achane, who will be drafted as a fantasy RB1.

That’s right. I said it. Singletary is every zero-RB drafter’s dream come true, and I say that (I can look at this from the first person as much as I want. This is my party with my guys. So there you go.) as someone whose next zero-RB build will be his first.

I’m a dinosaur. Don’t judge me.

The fact that Singletary’s ADP has risen recently shows that some are seeing the light. An unquestionable leading running back with three consecutive seasons of over 1,000 total yards, who showed last year in Houston that he can fill that role. A running back who can catch the ball. Who can protect passes. Whose biggest competition for snaps is a banged up rookie.

The Giants may be a bad team (and by “maybe” I mean “they are”), but that doesn’t stop their running back from scoring fantasy points, as far as I know. Here (below) is a really good run from an underrated player who has averaged more yards per carry in his career than “Sacred” Saquon Barkley.

One of my favorite pieces of a #Giants The offensive player was Devin Singletary.
This run does not reach the 10 yards it reached in 2023.
This isn’t meant to be an attack on Barkley either. For most RBs, this run is less than 10 yards.
Singletary is a very nuanced runner. pic.twitter.com/85SJLVrlVx

— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) 18 August 2024

OK, maybe I just did that to rile up Barkley supporters. I’m practicing for this year’s Drops column.

Wide receiver

Mike Evans, TB (ADP: WR15)

That’s right, I’m fixated on the offensive power of the Baker Mayfield-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024.

Are things going wrong? It feels that way.

I really wish someone would explain to me why the Saints drafted Chris Olave ahead of Evans. Explain it to me like I’m five. Olave has finished where Evans is drafted as many times as I have. Evans has set an NFL record of 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He’s performed well with different quarterbacks. For different coaches. In different offenses. Every…single…year.

Of course, he looked kind of old last year when he set an NFL record with 13 touchdown receptions.

There is a reasonable possibility that fantasy managers willing to punt RB will use a pass-catching robot as their third Starter – and then later get Singletary as RB2. Or take Hero RB and Evans as WR2. Or party like it’s 1999, take RB/RB and still get a usable fantasy WR1.

Evans is a reliable builder. A win, no matter what strategy you pursue.

Giggity.

Amari Cooper, CLE (ADP: WR26)

Players like Evans and Cooper are the reason I keep building piles of rocks to worship the shining ball of heaven instead of joining in and throwing all the running backs into the Sarlacc Pit to be digested for a thousand years.

It’s not just that Cooper is an underrated wide receiver, at least by some. There’s a reason the 49ers wanted him in a Brandon Aiyuk trade – the drop-off in San Francisco’s offense would have been almost nonexistent. Cooper is one of the NFL’s best route runners. He just set a career record in receiving yards by a plethora of quarterbacks, culminating in Joe Flacco’s corpse.

If you’re into math, he went 72/1,250/5 in that disaster with a WR20 fantasy finish – one spot ahead of Seattle’s DK Metcalf.

Yes, Jerry Jeudy is now in Cleveland. But with Jeudy’s ADP somewhere in the “eh, whatever” range, fantasy draft players don’t seem to be expecting much from him this year. And yet, Cooper is now a WR3 available in Round 5.

You all daring I choose Breece Hall/Derrick Henry with my first two picks.

We hope Admiral Ackbar was wrong.

(These are two Return of the Jedi References. You know, if you’re interested in math.)

Tight End

Evan Engram, Jacksonville (ADP: TE8)

Of all my “guys,” Jaguars tight end Evan Engram is the most mysterious to me. His ADP has been bugging me all draft season. It’s giving me a headache. I’ve tried everything. Advil. Rumple mint. A retreat into the darkness. (OK, my power was turned off for a while. Total misunderstanding.)

Last year, Engram was the 12th best receiver in the NFL in terms of receiving yards – including wide receivers. Despite his tendency to drop the ball occasionally (What? Let’s be honest), Engram still had nearly 20 more catches than any other tight end in the league. Engram was the third best tight end in receiving yards and had more PPR points than that Kelce guy.

Yes, the Jaguars signed Gabe “Please God Only in Best-Ball” Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., but they also lost Calvin Ridley — he was second on the team in target numbers last year. Engram’s yards per catch and touchdowns last year were admittedly “meh,” but that fat target share isn’t going away.

The worst-case scenario for Engram would be 8th among tight ends (barring injuries). The best would be another top-3 season – the year people are paying for with Trey McBride in Arizona a round and a half earlier.

Gary Davenport has twice been named Football Writer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.

(Top photo of Rachaad White: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY)