The latest Fantasy Football Happy Hour dives deep into undervalued running backs and wide receivers with big upside as the season nears. Chase Brown’s Bengals workload looms large after stepping in as starter late last year, and Chip Kelly’s offensive approach has many projecting a heavy usage arc for Ashton Genty and fellow backs who can catch the ball. The crew also leans into Nico Collins as a unicorn-type centerpiece for Houston, and Drake London as a high-volume target in a more passing-forward Falcons attack.

On the quarterback side, Justin Fields is discussed as a top-10 fantasy option thanks to rushing upside and maturation, while Dak Prescott is viewed as a bounce-back candidate with a skilled-cast around him and a potentially improved line. Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase anchor the offense conversation, with DaK Prescott and George Pickens highlighted for explosive target shares. The show also teases upside for Travis Etienne in Jacksonville and a shaping of the AFC North race, with Dr. Kingsbury-esque speculation around RBs who could shape early-season drafts.

Whether you’re chasing RB handcuffs with clear lead roles or hunting WRs who can deliver big weeks, the episode stresses two themes: opportunity and efficiency. Players with proven talent but question marks on usage (Chase Brown, Nico Collins) are deemed buy-low bets, while those who could overachieve relative to an inflated ADP (James Cook, DK Metcalf) get caution flags. The discussion also weaves in divisional dynamics and the potential for big weeks when defenses tilt the field, giving fantasy managers a road map for early-season decisions and bold rostering moves.

Two weeks remain before kickoff as fantasy managers scramble to lock in value. Jaylen Warren’s strong UDFA arc in Pittsburgh makes him a clear mid-round pulse with per-opportunity excellence that could push him into steadier workload territory if Naji Harris remains volatile. Ken Walker’s ADP downside is tempered by health risk but still holds ceiling if Seattle’s run game stays efficient. Nico Collins rises as a reliable, volume-driven target in Houston’s aerial attack, while Puka Nacua flashes unicorn potential in Los Angeles thanks to yak and route-win ability. George Pickens looks like a consistent ceiling play in Pittsburgh’s passing game, while Chase Brown joins a crowded Cincinnati backfield with upside in a dynamic offense. Christian McCaffrey anchors the unicorn-back narrative for 49ers, complemented by Nico Collins and Nico’s Texans teammates with a high-pass-volume profile.

Across the board, the episode emphasizes chasing high-volume pass-catchers and backfields with clear opportunity paths, while recognizing the risk of multi-back committees in several offenses. The consensus threads: target players with proven per-target impact, monitor backfield splits as preseason notes mature, and leverage late-round value on players who can carve out a reliable weekly floor in PPR formats. Draft boards should balance floor safety with ceiling bets, especially at WR in Houston, LA, and Pittsburgh, and RBs in Seattle and Cincinnati who can soak up both receptions and goal-line looks when volume trends align.

Daniel Jones won the Indianapolis Colts quarterback competition, but Anthony Richardson’s raw talent keeps the door ajar for a dramatic arc in 2024. Jones brings a safe floor, while Richardson’s ceiling could redefine the offense if development pace holds. The chatter around Brian Robinson’s trade highlights the RB market’s volatility as teams seek depth ahead of Week 1.

Vikings depth at WR is back in focus with Jordan Addison suspended for three games and Justin Jefferson expected to return in Week 1. Minnesota is quietly exploring veteran options to bridge the early-season gap, a potential landmine for Addison’s early targets but a boon for Dalvin and Hawkinson when Jefferson returns. In Cincinnati, Trey Hendrickson’s contract talks loom large as the defense anchors a championship-minded push, with fans bracing for how a holdout could ripple through the unit.

Meanwhile, Terry McLaurin’s situation in Washington adds a layer of drama as the team balances targets and extensions, while the Steelers rally around Cam Hayward’s future and the defense’s longevity. Across the AFC North, these storylines collide with the broader near-season noise, shaping early-season fantasy value at quarterback, wide receiver, and backfield.

Bucky Irving anchors Tampa Bay’s backfield with a bruising, high-workload profile, showing yards after contact and strong run-structure in the second half of last season. He’s viewed as capable of handling a heavy workload, with reports that Rashad White is banged up and the o-line is navigating injury. This sky-high workload potential elevates his fantasy floor, especially as the Buccaneers project to be a scoring-friendly unit in 2024.

The conversation also highlights Amarian Hampton with eye-popping receiving ability, projected as a versatile back who could handle third-down duties and potentially 35–40 receptions for the Chargers, depending on how Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris timing returns and how Greg Roman’s offense distributes targets and carries.

Chase Brown in Cincinnati is drawn as an early-down answer on a high-powered offense, following a late-season surge that produced multiple 17+ carry games and a six-game stretch of meaningful workload. Acknowledgment of the Bengals’ surrounding talent (Chase, Burrow, and Burrow’s pass-catch options) suggests a realistic path to steady fantasy production if he seizes the lead back role.

Najee Harris’s timetable looms large for fantasy rosters—his absence or limited snaps would thrust Amarian Hampton into more action, while Cincinnati’s backfield contends with top-end offense production. The episode ties these threads to draft strategy and weekly matchup play throughout late summer planning.