5 Bounce-Back Candidates for 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

Every fantasy football season brings surprises, and among the most rewarding are those players who bounce back from disappointing performances to deliver outstanding results. Identifying these bounce-back candidates can give you a significant edge in your drafts and waiver wire strategies. As we look ahead to the 2024 season, several players stand out as prime candidates to rebound and exceed expectations.

Top 5 Bounce-Back Candidates for 2024 Fantasy Football Leagues

In this article, we’ll highlight five players who, due to injuries, poor team performance, or other setbacks, underperformed in 2023 but are poised for a strong comeback. We’ll delve into their past performances, current circumstances, and potential upside to help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re drafting in a redraft league or strategizing for dynasty formats, these bounce-back candidates could be key to your fantasy success in 2024.

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

After missing time in training camp due to a calf injury, Burrow’s 2023 never really got on track. His season ended after he suffered a wrist injury in a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He posted his worst marks in QBR, completion percentage, and touchdown rate since his 2020 rookie season. Despite all that, Burrow enters 2024 fully healthy, and he still has ample talent surrounding him at the receiver position, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins set to return. The team lost Tyler Boyd in free agency but added talented rookie Jermaine Burton in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The loss of offensive coordinator Brian Callahan is a potential issue, but Burrow has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league since his 2020 debut. Despite some of his raw stats declining, Burrow’s advanced metrics were still strong. Among 30 quarterbacks with 300 dropbacks, Burrow finished ninth in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) Adjusted Completion Percentage (ADJ %) and sixth in Fantasy Points Data Suite‘s Catchable Throw Percentage (CATCH %).

Burrow is primed for a bounce-back campaign. However, durability is becoming a concern. Fantasy managers may want to invest in an additional quarterback in drafts just to hedge their bets.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ signal caller was a disappointment relative to where he was selected in 2023 fantasy drafts. He finished the season as the overall QB8 and only the QB12 in fantasy points per game (PPG) per FantasyPros. With Mahomes coming off a disappointing year, early drafters are getting a nice discount on him in 2024 drafts. He currently has an Underdog ADP of 49.3 overall. Now is the perfect time to buy. It’s not often you get a discount on a quarterback with Mahomes’ upside. His receiving room was upgraded this offseason after the club signed Marquise Brown in free agency and drafted speedy rookie Xavier Worthy in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. With these upgrades, it’s easy to envision Mahomes returning a top-three finish at the position. Fantasy managers should act now and buy the dip. The odds are good he will be going higher in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

2023 was not Stevenson’s year. He struggled to get going and eventually suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss New England’s final five games. Even before the injury, Stevenson’s advanced metrics were down across the board compared to his breakout 2022. Here are his ranks in several advanced metrics over the last two years:

2022 (Among 48 Running Backs with 90+ Attempts)

9th in Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Above Expectation (RYOE)
10th in Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Over Expectation Per Attempt (RYOE/ATT)
4th in Fantasy Points Data Suite’s Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (MTF/ATT)
6th in PFF Elusive Rating

2023 (Among 49 Running Backs with 90+ Attempts)

31st in RYOE
29th RYOE/ATT
28th in MTF/ATT
25th in Elusive Rating

It’s possible that 2023 was just a bad year, but the decline in his metrics is something to monitor. The Patriots do not seem overly concerned as they recently signed Stevenson to a four-year, $36 million contract extension. His new deal makes him the sixth highest-paid running back in terms of average annual value (AAV). Remember, this is no small change for a running back in today’s NFL.

Despite last year’s struggles, the Patriots are clearly very committed to Stevenson, and he should remain the team’s lead running back. Don’t let the club’s signing of Antonio Gibson scare you off. Stevenson’s new contract indicates he will be a key cog in this offense. With an FFPC ADP of 73rd overall, Stevenson is a great draft target, particularly for those who prefer a zero RB approach.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers

After five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers during the offseason. Johnson has always been a target hog, and he remains one of the game’s most underrated route runners.

Diontae Johnson is a very good route runner. Sells his stems well before snapping at the break point.

pic.twitter.com/U1uYih82B5

— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) December 7, 2020

It’s been a tough few years for him since he finished as the WR8 in 2021 in PPR leagues. Johnson now gets a fresh start in Carolina and slides in as Bryce Young’s WR1. Based on Young’s play as a rookie, it’s fair to wonder if this situation is much of an improvement compared to what Johnson had in Pittsburgh. However, new Panthers Coach Dave Canales brings hope that he can fix the issues that plagued Young as a rookie. Canales crafted offenses that helped guide Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield to career seasons. He could very well do the same for Young. If that happens, Johnson would be the main beneficiary.

Entering the season as the team’s clear-cut WR1, Johnson should again soak up targets. With an FFPC price tag of WR37, he is still being drafted closer to his floor rather than his ceiling. If Young makes strides in Year 2, Johnson will make his current ADP look laughable. He makes for a fantastic pick as a WR3 or flex play, particularly in full PPR leagues.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

After Freiermuth finished as the TE8 finish in 2022, fantasy managers were hoping for a repeat performance in 2023. Ultimately, they were let down. Freiermuth was plagued by a nagging hamstring injury and only played in 12 games as a result. His production was also hurt by overall lousy quarterback play. It all culminated with an embarrassing TE30 finish.

Despite last year’s disappointment, there’s reason for optimism in 2024. Russell Wilson takes over as the team’s new QB1. While he isn’t the same player he once was, Wilson is a massive improvement compared to what Freiermuth endured last season. Some are concerned that the hiring of former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith spells doom for the Steelers offense. This may not be the case for Freiermuth. Smith’s Falcons teams finished with the third and fifth most tight end targets in 2023 and 2021, per FantasyPros. Freiermuth could be in line for a nice target share. There is some concern that Freiermuth could suffer the same fate as Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts in Smith’s offense. However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin does not seem like the type to sit idly by and allow Smith to scheme up plays for backup players over starters.

Recent reports from Steelers’ OTAs suggest that Freiermuth and Wilson have already developed a strong rapport. With Pittsburgh lacking a clear number two option behind George Pickens, the fourth-year tight end has a strong chance to return a TE1 finish. All things considered, Freiermuth is a good late-round target for drafters who adhere to the “late or great” tight end strategy.

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