For some NFL teams, we will draft as many as eight or nine players from their roster in fantasy football drafts. For others, we may only see a couple of their players get selected.
From top to bottom in the AFC, there is plenty of fantasy value. In particular, the AFC South has four names to keep an eye on.
That will be today’s focus — who is the best fantasy football asset on each team in the AFC South?
Who Are the Best Fantasy Football Picks for AFC South Teams in 2024?
Houston Texans: RB Joe Mixon
The best value isn’t necessarily the cheapest fantasy-relevant option. Mixon always goes before Tank Dell and occasionally goes ahead of Stefon Diggs. Yet, Mixon is the player on this team I want the most.
There’s value in being a running back who can handle a heavy workload. That’s been Mixon every year of his career. He’s not going to blow anyone away with efficiency, but he’s incredibly reliable.
Mixon’s career yards per carry is 4.1; last year, he was at 4.0 and saw a solid 10.8% target share. His 15.7 fantasy ppg is right in line with what he’s done his entire career.
Now, he joins an offense led by C.J. Stroud with no shortage of weapons. They are going to score a lot. If Mixon is simply the same guy we saw last year, he will go down as a tremendous value at his fourth-round price tag.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Whether Michael Pittman Jr. qualifies as the best value on the Colts really depends on your draft room. There’s nearly a 10-positional spot disparity between Pittman’s PPR and half-PPR ADP. I’m just not sure where the negativity stems from.
As the clear WR1 with minimal target competition, Pittman commanded an elite 30.5% target share, fourth in the league. His 2.08 yards per route run was good for 23rd in the NFL. All of this led to him catching 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 15.6 fantasy ppg.
Despite the Colts drafting WR Adonai Mitchell, I see no threats to Pittman’s target share. He should be around 30% once again. Sure, the overall volume will be down. However, Anthony Richardson should make up for that by providing the Colts with an overall better offensive environment.
Most importantly, I bet Pittman scores more than four touchdowns. Based on his volume last season, he should’ve had around seven. Pittman is a great value beginning in the second half of the third round.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Christian Kirk
Two years ago, Christian Kirk got his “Christian Kirk money” and was the clear WR1 on the Jaguars. He averaged a career-high 14.2 fantasy ppg.
Last year, Kirk regressed a bit, largely due to poor quarterback play and the presence of Calvin Ridley.
His quarterback is still Trevor Lawrence, which is obviously less than ideal, but Ridley is now gone. Kirk’s competition for targets is Evan Engram, who is formidable, but then it’s Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis. Kirk could easily reach a 25% target share this season. He’s one of my favorite picks in the fifth or sixth round of fantasy drafts.
Tennessee Titans: RB Tyjae Spears
Initially, this was going to be DeAndre Hopkins. Unfortunately, a knee sprain that will sideline him for anywhere from 4-6 weeks forced me to reconsider. As much as I still believe in Hopkins, a 32-year-old WR entering the season injured is not a profile we want to invest in. That brings me to Tyjae Spears.
I am a big fan of Spears and have him ever so slightly ahead of Tony Pollard. Titans coaches themselves have said that both backs have similar skill sets (which is true) and neither has a defined role. They are both going to play. So, why is Spears going two full rounds after Pollard?
The bet here is that these are similar fantasy assets. Since Spears goes later, he’s the better value.
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