If you entered 2023 with a dart throw placed on Jaleel McLaughlin, congratulations! You are a mind reader.
Jaleel McLaughlin burst onto the scene in a backfield with fantasy football assets to offer. A year later, we must analyze whether McLaughlin is a league-winning sleeper pick at his average draft position (ADP) of 166.
Can this undrafted rookie help you win your fantasy league? Let’s examine McLaughlin’s fantasy outlook for 2024.
Jaleel McLaughlin Fantasy Profile for the 2024 Season
They always say you should let people have their flowers while they can still smell them. Well, McLaughlin deserves a plethora of flowers after his performance last season.
According to TruMedia, McLaughlin produced top-10 running back numbers in six different categories.
McLaughlin tied Christian McCaffrey for first overall in the NFL with 5.4 yards per rushing attempt. He finished fourth in third-down rush conversion percentage (3RnCv%), producing at a 75.0% clip in 2023.
Additionally, McLaughlin was third-best in the NFL in yards before contact per rush (YBCt/Rsh) at 2.01 and sixth overall for yards after contact per rush (YPCt/Rsh).
McLaughlin also became a top performer in the passing game. In 2023, he produced a reception per target 86.1% of the time. McLaughlin also recorded 9.4 yards after catch per reception (YAC/Rc), the fourth-best standing among all running backs in 2023.
What do all these stats mean for the Denver Broncos and McLaughlin in 2024? They must find a way to get him on the field more often, as he becomes a playmaker whenever he has the ball in his hands.
McLaughlin provides explosive play ability on a down-by-down basis, and he can help elevate a Broncos offense looking to revamp in 2024.
When discussing offensive development in Denver, we must focus on Sean Payton’s tendency to involve pass-catching running backs. From his days in New Orleans, Payton has facilitated his attack with a pass-catching back.
After last season’s showing, Payton should have faith in this undrafted second-year running back.
Is McLaughlin a Good Fantasy Pick?
McLaughlin is the perfect late-round draft pick for your fantasy team. The back end of a draft is a good place to take running backs with upside who can take over a backfield. With the questions around Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and rookie Audric Estime, McLaughlin fits this definition perfectly.
The biggest issue with McLaughlin’s fantasy outlook is that his bye week comes in the dreaded Week 14, a point where the Broncos will join five other teams at a crucial point in our fantasy journey.
However, when you draft someone at 166th overall, you take that one negative with all the positives that he can provide your team on a weekly basis.
McLaughlin could be a league winner in 2024.