Every year, there are a few players who become the “faces” of the NFL season — the ones who change the trajectory of fantasy leagues at large, for better or for worse. Here are six players that analyst Sal Vetri expects to make their mark on your 2024 fantasy football season.

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Lamar Jackson was selected in the fourth round of fantasy drafts this summer. But there is a chance that Daniels is the stripped down version of Lamar, who was selected five to six rounds later in the drafts. Daniels has a chance to make a difference this fantasy season as THE Quarterback in the later rounds who wins fantasy leagues.

Daniels won the Heisman Award in college last year after completing over 72% of his passes and rushing for 95 yards per game, as well as throwing 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He’s now paired with playmaker Kliff Kingsbury, who coached mobile QB Kyler Murray in his first four NFL seasons.

During that time, Kyler averaged a QB6 completion and nearly 40 rushing yards per game in fantasy. There’s a chance Daniels can top that performance in his freshman year, and if he can do that, he’ll certainly be a player who makes his mark on the 2024 fantasy season.

RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Achane finished his rookie season last year as the RB4 in fantasy points per game. Now he goes from a late league pick last year to a second-round pick in fantasy drafts this year. Achane’s ability to break games open with explosive plays justifies his higher price tag. But it will all come down to whether Achane can stay healthy.

If he can play more than 11 games this season, he will be on many fantasy championship teams. He is The good. Achane averaged 7.7 yards per touch last year and led the NFL in explosive run rate.

He has reportedly added size this season, which will help him take hits from bigger linebackers. In short, Achane will be a player who will make an impact this fantasy season if he can stay on the field.

WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants

The last time an LSU receiver was selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft and in the fourth to fifth round of a fantasy draft was Ja’Marr Chase in 2021. Chase rushed for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs that season and eventually became the WR5 in the fantasy draft as a rookie.

I won’t predict the same numbers for Nabers, who doesn’t have the benefit of playing with Joe Burrow this year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Malik finishes in the top 10. Nabers is arguably the most explosive receiver to enter the NFL since Chase. Last season at LSU, Nabers posted 1,569 yards and 14 TDs.

He now comes into the NFL as the only true playmaker on the Giants offense. We saw that in the preseason when Nabers received nearly 40% target share from Daniel Jones in the one game they played together. It’s safe to assume that Nabers will be working toward a 150+ target season as a rookie. If he can do that, he’ll be a player who shapes the 2024 fantasy season.

TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

Kincaid was the less popular option among all the elite tight ends in this summer’s fantasy drafts. Kincaid was often selected in the 5th round, while the other elite TEs like Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce and Trey McBride were selected in the first three to four rounds of the draft.

As a rookie, Kincaid completed 91 passes and ranked 14th among TEs in points per game despite scoring just two touchdowns. Starting in Week 6 last year, Kincaid’s role expanded as Dawson Knox was out with an injury and the Bills changed offensive coordinators.

During that time, Kincaid averaged 11.2 points per game on 6.7 targets per game. That performance would have put him in the top 10 among TEs, and his 6.7 targets per game would be sixth among TEs. Now, in 2024, the Bills have the second-most vacated targets in the league with Stefon Diggs and Gave Davis gone.

If Kincaid can accomplish some of those goals, he has the best chance to finish as a TE1 overall and really make his mark on the 2024 fantasy season at the tight end position.

WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

This offseason has been a mini-saga for Rashee Rice. His two off-the-field issues caused him to fall three to four rounds in fantasy drafts. But as of week 1, there are currently no signs of Rice being locked up early in the year. This sets Rice up to move up quickly in drafts, all the way to round 3 or 4. If Rice can build on his rookie season where he was targeted over 100 times, he will make his mark on fantasy seasons as he has created value for so many managers who were able to draft him in round 7 or 8 this offseason.

It won’t be easy, though, as the Chiefs have competition from rookie Xavier Worthy and veteran WR Marquise Brown, players who will likely be better at getting targets than Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson will be in 2023.

However, if Rice gets over 120 face-offs (and sees even more of those face-offs further down the field), he should be on the rosters of many championship contenders for managers who were able to sign him as a midfielder earlier this summer.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

When talking about cheat codes in fantasy, must Let’s mention Anthony Richardson. His mobility at his size (244 pounds) and big arm are the ultimate cheat codes for fantasy quarterbacks. Richardson was on pace to finish his rookie season as a top-5 quarterback. He finished QB4 and QB2 in his two completed starts, and in his first three games he averaged 12.3 points as a runner alone.

His small sample size in 2023 was appealing, but what’s most appealing is his situation. New head coach Shane Steichen proved last year that he can coach and call an offense simultaneously. Steichen was able to change the Colts’ offense on the fly to accommodate QB Gardner Minshew after Richardson went down with an injury. Steichen has successfully maneuvered this team into a playoff contender.

Now imagine what Steichen will do with a player as talented as Richardson at quarterback. Not to mention, Richardson’s supporting cast is also good. Michael Pittman signed his contract extension this offseason, Josh Downs proved he can play in his rookie year, and now second-round rookie Adonai Mitchell is showing up in training camp in the final weeks.

If Richardson stays healthy, he has a good chance of finishing as QB1 overall.