Clay: The 192 players who should be rostered in 12-team leagues (2024)

We're closing in on the start of the 2024 NFL regular season, which means it's time for "The 192" for fantasy football.

What is "The 192"? Fantasy leagues come in all shapes in sizes, but many have settled into the vicinity of 12 teams and 16 roster spots. "The 192" is a list of the 192 players who should be drafted (and thus rostered) in a 12-team, 16-round, PPR league with relatively standard scoring and lineup settings. The players are technically listed in the order they should be drafted, though it's important to remember drafts are fluid and your decisions should be altered based on what's left on the board and your previous selections.

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What if you're in an eight-team league? Or a 16-teamer? The 192 can still help you win, but you'll certainly need to make tweaks in the middle to late rounds. For example, in a deeper league, you should identify cutoff points at certain positions to ensure you land a viable starter (perhaps you want to ensure you get one of the top 11 quarterbacks, or one of the top eight tight ends, or you want two of the top 22 running backs). In a shallower league, you may want to wait even longer at quarterback or tight end if you're comfortable with eight to 10 starters at that position.

The 192 should serve as a simple guide to help you maximize the value of your starting lineup while making the best possible decision in each round.

For a deeper look, check out Cheat Sheet Central.

1. Christian McCaffrey, SF, RB1

Should we be worried about McCaffrey at age 28 and coming off his fourth season of 300-plus touches in his career? Perhaps. But he's shown no sign of decline and remains the key cog in the 49ers' high-scoring offense. He may not outscore RB2 by 100.8 points again, but there's no better option at the top of your draft.

2. Breece Hall, NYJ, RB2
3. Bijan Robinson, ATL, RB3
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL, WR1
5. Tyreek Hill, MIA, WR2
6. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN, WR3
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET, WR4
8. Justin Jefferson, MIN, WR5

Wide receivers are taking over the early rounds of fantasy drafts, but there are still a few aces at running back worth your attention in the first round. Hall and Robinson are the top candidates to unseat McCaffrey and should be off the board early in the first round. Lamb, Hill, Chase, St. Brown and Jefferson are this year's elite wideout options.

9. Jonathan Taylor, IND, RB4
10. Saquon Barkley, PHI, RB5
11. A.J. Brown, PHI, WR6
12. Puka Nacua, LAR, WR7
13. Garrett Wilson, NYJ, WR8
14. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET, RB6
15. Kyren Williams, LAR, RB7

It's hard to go wrong at the Round 1-2 turn. Taylor, Barkley, Gibbs and Williams are well positioned for high volume and big production. Brown, Nacua and Wilson (welcome back, Aaron Rodgers) are strong midrange WR1 options.

16. Isiah Pacheco, KC, RB8
17. Travis Etienne Jr., JAC, RB9
18. Chris Olave, NO, WR9
19. Davante Adams, LV, WR10
20. Michael Pittman Jr., IND, WR11
21. Mike Evans, TB, WR12
22. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI, WR13
23. Drake London, ATL, WR14
24. Derrick Henry, BAL, RB10
25. Rachaad White, TB, RB11

Round 2 is an interesting area of the draft. I like Pacheco and Etienne atop this tier, as RB really begins to dry up soon. Also, there's a bit of a dip after WR8 and we're now left with a ton of players at that position with similar outlooks for quite a while (you could put the next 20 to 25 wide receivers in the same tier and I wouldn't argue with you). Some of these wideouts feel riskier than they probably are, including Adams and Evans (both age 31) and Harrison (a rookie), but there's no doubt all three will be heavily targeted and are likely finish in this range. Henry is a risky investment as an age-30 running back, but he's a strong candidate for double-digit touchdowns in Baltimore.

26. Nico Collins, HOU, WR15
27. DK Metcalf, SEA, WR16
28. Alvin Kamara, NO, RB12
29. James Cook, BUF, RB13
30. Joe Mixon, HOU, RB14
31. Brandon Aiyuk, SF, WR17
32. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF, WR18
33. DJ Moore, CHI, WR19
34. Stefon Diggs, HOU, WR20

Round 3 delivers plenty of solid starting options at the running back and wide receiver positions. Kamara (29) and Mixon (28) are nearing the end, but remain well positioned for substantial offensive roles. Moore and Diggs are trending down with substantially more target competition in their respective offenses. Could Aiyuk be traded sometime this year? If so, his value figures to take a slight-to-moderate hit, whereas rookie Ricky Pearsall would get a big boost.

35. Josh Allen, BUF, QB1
36. Sam LaPorta, DET, TE1
37. Travis Kelce, KC, TE2
38. Jalen Hurts, PHI, QB2

The Round 3-4 turn is where we begin to look at quarterbacks and tight ends. Because he runs so well, Allen remains the top QB play despite the departure of Diggs and Gabe Davis. It's a similar story for Hurts, who lost center Jason Kelce and could defer some goal-line work to Barkley but still has elite rushing upside. Tight end is deeper than ever, which is why top options LaPorta and Kelce aren't worth your attention until this range.

39. Josh Jacobs, GB, RB15
40. Kenneth Walker III, SEA, RB16
41. De'Von Achane, MIA, RB17
42. DeVonta Smith, PHI, WR21
43. Jaylen Waddle, MIA, WR22
44. Cooper Kupp, LAR, WR23
45. Zay Flowers, BAL, WR24
46. Calvin Ridley, TEN, WR25
47. Malik Nabers, NYG, WR26
48. Tee Higgins, CIN, WR27

The running back dead zone is approaching, so safe (relatively speaking) options like Jacobs and Walker have appeal here (same for the explosive Achane). This is also an excellent area to grab a wide receiver, as guys like Waddle and Smith have proven to be reliable lineup locks, whereas Kupp and Nabers have a high ceiling.

49. Lamar Jackson, BAL, QB3
50. Patrick Mahomes, KC, QB4
51. Mark Andrews, BAL, TE3
52. George Pickens, PIT, WR28
53. Chris Godwin, TB, WR29
54. Tank Dell, HOU, WR30
55. Amari Cooper, CLE, WR31

Mahomes (who figures to attack downfield more this season with upgrades at wide receiver) and Jackson remain strong QB1 options and, with all the tight end hype this season, don't overlook the always-reliable Andrews. Pickens' upside (even in Arthur Smith's offense) has him atop this tier of wide receivers. Is there enough volume in Houston for Dell to join Collins and Diggs as top-30 scorers? I think so.

56. Trey McBride, ARI, TE4
57. Evan Engram, JAC, TE5
58. Anthony Richardson, IND, QB5
59. C.J. Stroud, HOU, QB6
60. Joe Burrow, CIN, QB7
61. Dak Prescott, DAL, QB8

The fifth round brings us back to the QB and TE market. McBride's 2023 breakout has him on the ascent, but don't forget about Engram, who was fourth in the entire NFL in receptions last season and can generally be had a round or two after McBride, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts and George Kittle. Richardson's legs and Stroud's arm/supporting cast have these second-year QBs on the rise. Burrow and Prescott may be the most underrated QBs in fantasy this season, as both have top-five upside and are available in the middle rounds.

62. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE, RB18
63. D'Andre Swift, CHI, RB19
64. James Conner, ARI, RB20
65. Aaron Jones, MIN, RB21
66. Zamir White, LV, RB22
67. Diontae Johnson, CAR, WR32
68. Keenan Allen, CHI, WR33
69. Rashee Rice, KC, WR34
70. Christian Kirk, JAC, WR35
71. DeAndre Hopkins, TEN, WR36
72. Terry McLaurin, WAS, WR37
73. George Kittle, SF, TE6
74. Dalton Kincaid, BUF, TE7
75. Kyle Pitts, ATL, TE8

This tier delivers most of our remaining RB2 and WR3 options, as well as a nice group of upside tight ends in Kittle, Kincaid and Pitts. Rice would be a couple of tiers higher if not for the risk of suspension due to legal issues, but it's possible that discipline doesn't drop until 2025. Swift, Jones, Johnson and Allen all have added risk as they join new teams this season.

76. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS, RB23
77. Jonathon Brooks, CAR, RB24
78. Najee Harris, PIT, RB25
79. David Montgomery, DET, RB26
80. Jaylen Warren, PIT, RB27
81. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA, WR38
82. Jordan Addison, MIN, WR39
83. Courtland Sutton, DEN, WR40
84. Christian Watson, GB, WR41
85. Jayden Reed, GB, WR42
86. Marquise Brown, KC, WR43
87. Javonte Williams, DEN, RB28
88. Tyjae Spears, TEN, RB29
89. Tony Pollard, TEN, RB30
90. Austin Ekeler, WAS, RB31
91. Kyler Murray, ARI, QB9
92. Jordan Love, GB, QB10
93. Brock Purdy, SF, QB11

It's time to go flex shopping. There are a bunch of household names we know we can rely on for solid production even if the ceiling is low (Harris, Warren, Montgomery, Sutton), but also several youngsters with big upside (Brooks, Smith-Njigba, Watson, Reed, Williams, Spears). If you waited at quarterback, you'll be just fine "settling" on Murray, Love or Purdy.

94. Rome Odunze, CHI, WR44
95. Xavier Worthy, KC, WR45
96. Ladd McConkey, LAC, WR46
97. Keon Coleman, BUF, WR47
98. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC, WR48
99. Jayden Daniels, WAS, QB12

It's time to get a bit more aggressive with upside shopping. This tier includes five rookie wide receivers, as well as second overall pick Daniels, whose rushing ability provides him with an elite ceiling. You can sort the wide receivers however you want, but landing one of the five (all of whom were selected in the first two rounds) is a smart move. McConkey and Coleman have the easiest path to targets, but Worthy could rise as high as No. 1 on the Chiefs' depth chart. While Odunze has the most target competition, he's also the most talented of the bunch.

100. David Njoku, CLE, TE9
101. Jake Ferguson, DAL, TE10
102. Devin Singletary, NYG, RB32
103. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL, RB33
104. Raheem Mostert, MIA, RB34
105. Zack Moss, CIN, RB35
106. Chase Brown, CIN, RB36
107. Jakobi Meyers, LV, WR49
108. Mike Williams, NYJ, WR50
109. Tyler Lockett, SEA, WR51

We're into the triple digits, but there are still potential starters available. Njoku and Ferguson round out our top 10 tight ends, and both are solid, underrated starting options. Singletary, Elliott, Mostert and either Moss or Brown will be Week 1 starters. Meyers, Williams and Lockett headline this year's class of "boring, midround veterans WRs who will likely outperform their ADP."

110. Dallas Goedert, PHI, TE11
111. Brock Bowers, LV, TE12
112. T.J. Hockenson, MIN, TE13
113. J.K. Dobbins, LAC, RB37
114. Gus Edwards, LAC, RB38
115. Nick Chubb, CLE, RB39
116. Jerome Ford, CLE, RB40
117. Chuba Hubbard, CAR, RB41
118. Aaron Rodgers, NYJ, QB13
119. Justin Herbert, LAC, QB14
120. Kirk Cousins, ATL, QB15
121. Zach Charbonnet, SEA, RB42
122. Tyler Allgeier, ATL, RB43
123. Ty Chandler, MIN, RB44
124. Trey Benson, ARI, RB45
125. Darnell Mooney, ATL, WR52
126. Jerry Jeudy, CLE, WR53
127. Gabe Davis, JAC, WR54
128. Adam Thielen, CAR, WR55
129. Curtis Samuel, BUF, WR56
130. Jameson Williams, DET, WR57
131. Rashid Shaheed, NO, WR58

We're getting into the late stages of your draft. This tier is a mix of solid flex options and upside dart throws. Hockenson (ACL) figures to miss the start of the season, but is a top-five tight end when healthy. Ford and Hubbard are likely to open the season as starters as Chubb and Brooks, respectively, work their way back from knee injuries. Charbonnet, Allgeier and Benson are among this season's crop of elite insurance RBs. At wide receiver, Mooney and Jeudy are sneaky veteran targets, whereas the explosive Williams and Shaheed are positioned for a volume boost.

132. Caleb Williams, CHI, QB16
133. Deshaun Watson, CLE, QB17
134. Trevor Lawrence, JAC, QB18
135. Pat Freiermuth, PIT, TE14
136. Cole Kmet, CHI, TE15
137. Dalton Schultz, HOU, TE16
138. DeMario Douglas, NE, WR59
139. Khalil Shakir, BUF, WR60
140. Ja'Lynn Polk, NE, WR61
141. Adonai Mitchell, IND, WR62
142. Antonio Gibson, NE, RB46
143. Blake Corum, LAR, RB47
144. Kendre Miller, NO, RB48
145. MarShawn Lloyd, GB, RB49
146. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN, RB50
147. Xavier Legette, CAR, WR63
148. Joshua Palmer, LAC, WR64
149. Kendrick Bourne, NE, WR65
150. Marvin Mims Jr., DEN, WR66
151. Romeo Doubs, GB, WR67
152. Dontayvion Wicks, GB, WR68
153. Miles Sanders, CAR, RB51
154. Khalil Herbert, CHI, RB52
155. Ray Davis, BUF, RB53
156. Jaylen Wright, MIA, RB54
157. Alexander Mattison, LV, RB55
158. Elijah Mitchell, SF, RB56
159. Rico Dowdle, DAL, RB57
160. Brandin Cooks, DAL, WR69
161. Josh Downs, IND, WR70
162. Ricky Pearsall, SF, WR71
163. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA, QB19
164. Jared Goff, DET, QB20
165. Tyler Conklin, NYJ, TE17
166. Taysom Hill, NO, TE18
167. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN, TE19
168. Hunter Henry, NE, TE20

This tier rounds out the remaining non-kickers and defenses you should be selecting on draft day. This list includes quite a few rookies who could be league winners if they prove to be the real deal. That list includes QB Williams, WRs Polk, Mitchell, Legette and Pearsall and RBs Corum, Lloyd, Davis and Wright.

169. Browns D/ST, CLE, DST1
170. Cowboys D/ST, DAL, DST2
171. Jets D/ST, NYJ, DST3
172. Ravens D/ST, BAL, DST4
173. 49ers D/ST, SF, DST5
174. Steelers D/ST, PIT, DST6
175. Dolphins D/ST, MIA, DST7
176. Jaguars D/ST, JAC, DST8
177. Saints D/ST, NO, DST9
178. Bengals D/ST, CIN, DST10
179. Chiefs D/ST, KC, DST11
180. Lions D/ST, DET, DST12
181. Harrison Butker, KC, K1
182. Brandon Aubrey, DAL, K2
183. Justin Tucker, BAL, K3
184. Jake Elliott, PHI, K4
185. Greg Zuerlein, NYJ, K5
186. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU, K6
187. Evan McPherson, CIN, K7
188. Jake Moody, SF, K8
189. Cameron Dicker, LAC, K9
190. Cairo Santos, CHI, K10
191. Younghoe Koo, ATL, K11
192. Jake Bates, DET, K12

Wait until your final two selections to select your kicker and defense.