It’s September. The air is getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to change colors. High schools across the nation are gearing up for their annual Homecoming celebrations. As part of these festivities, students nominate fellow peers to be part of a Homecoming Court. Being nominated to this court is an esteemed honor. The students who make up the court typically possess school spirit, are involved in school activities and represent the school’s values overall.
Simultaneously, this September, we are now two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and that got me thinking. What if we had an NFL Homecoming Court? Is there a group of football players we can say represent the 2024 season?
Though we only have a two-week sample size, a few players stand out to me already. Here are my nominees for a 2024 NFL Homecoming Court.
2024 NFL Homecoming Court
Let Baker Bake
Baker Mayfield is proving once again this year that he is an elite quarterback. Finishing the 2023 season as the fantasy football QB10, with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 284 fantasy points, Mayfield is back at it. Just two weeks in, he is the fantasy QB1. With 474 passing yards, six total touchdowns and 48.5 fantasy points across two games, Mayfield is tracking to have an even better 2024 season.
Despite last year’s success, experts ranked Mayfield low in their projections coming into this season, claiming there was bound to be regression for Mayfield. Sitting at 2-0 currently, Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a strong chance at winning the NFC South again. He’s been underrated for years despite dominating last year. With proven leadership and unwavering determination, Mayfield earns his place on this NFL Homecoming Court.
The Backup Rising Up
Coming into the season, NFL fans from all over were excited to watch San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey show once again why he’s the best above the rest. Finishing as fantasy RB1 in the 2023 season with 1,459 rushing yards, 564 receiving yards and a total of 21 touchdowns, McCaffrey’s talent was undeniable. Yet, to everyone’s dismay, McCaffrey was ruled out for Week 1, then out for Week 2 and consequently placed on Injured Reserve (IR) due to a calf and Achilles injury.
What do the 49ers do now? They look to the next man up: Jordan Mason.
The Georgia Tech product has been on the 49ers roster since 2022. In Weeks 1 and 2 being the starter, Mason rushed for a total of 247 yards and an average of 5.1 Yards Per Carry (YPC). He also had a rushing touchdown in each of the games. Mason scored 22 Points Per Reception (PPR) fantasy points in Week 1 and 17.4 in Week 2. This is an elite running back and surefire starter in fantasy leagues. Currently ranked as the RB7, Mason is finding himself right at home with noted veterans. He’s getting the job done for the 49ers and belongs on this 2024 NFL Homecoming Court.
Versatility Is Key
Coming into this season, no one thought much of the New Orleans Saints. From 2021-2023, this team has been a losing team. Now, as the 2024 season starts, they are currently 2-0. They demolished the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, winning 47-10. Maybe it was just because the Panthers are so bad? But then, Week 2 happened, and the Saints whomped the Dallas Cowboys, winning 44-19. OK then. This Saints team isn’t a joke. We all know the talent that is Alvin Kamara, who just wiped the floor of fantasy leagues with his 44 PPR points in Week 2. But this nomination isn’t for him. It’s for the WR7 of the season so far: Rashid Shaheed.
Drafted in the middle rounds of drafts leading up to this season, Shaheed was someone fantasy managers considered as a deep flex option but nothing more. With 16.3 PPR fantasy points in Week 1 and 20.9 in Week 2, Shaheed is showing consistency and reliability. He garnered a receiving touchdown in each game, along with playing a significant role on returns. With an impressive 47-yard punt return in Week 1, Shaheed showed he’s a powerful weapon on the team with the versatility to fill multiple roles. Isn’t that what the NFL spirit is all about?
In a press conference before the season Shaheed said, “Coach Kub is going to be counting on me to make a lot of plays for this team, and I’m super excited for that role. I feel like I’m ready for it.” Shaheed certainly has a place on this NFL Homecoming Court.
He Is Him
The Miami Dolphins’ backfield was crowded as the 2024 season began. Early-round fantasy draft pick De’Von Achane had touchdown monster Raheem Mostert to compete with on carries, along with rookie Jaylen Wright wanting in on the action, too. Unfortunately, my most-drafted Mostert has been out with injury, leaving the backfield for Achane to own. And own it, he has. With 120 rushing yards, 145 receiving yards and both a rushing and receiving touchdown, Achane is asserting his prominence as the Dolphins featured running back. Knocking out a total of 52.5 PPR fantasy points thus far, Achane – in just his second NFL season – is lining up right next to the veterans.
With what he’s accomplished so far with the backfield on his own, there’s no reason for it not to belong to Achane. He took the opportunity in front of him and capitalized on it. Being that he is a dual threat in both the rushing and receiving game also adds to his upside. There’s no reason for coach Mike McDaniel not to fully utilize all of Achane’s talent. He is “Him.” This is the year of Achane, and for that he deserves a place on this Homecoming Court.
Always Counted Out
As NFL quarterbacks go, there have been plenty who have been underestimated throughout the years. When it comes to veteran Sam Darnold, he’s been more than just underestimated; he’s been completely counted out. Signed to the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract, he appeared to be seen as a bridge quarterback as the organization drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in preseason, so the field became all Darnold’s.
Now, with the Vikings, Darnold is on the fourth NFL team of his career. I wasn’t thrilled at the signing of Darnold to my home team, believing we would be doomed at the hands of a bad quarterback. Bouncing from team to team didn’t look promising to me. Alas, I admit I was wrong. Darnold proved all of us wrong. In these first two weeks, he helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to their first 2-0 start of a season since 2016. Passing for 208 yards against the New York Giants in Week 1 and then 268 passing yards against the tough San Francisco 49ers, Darnold rose to the occasion.
In a press conference after the 23-17 win over the 49ers, Coach Kevin O’Connell said, “The amount of work that goes into that position on your quarterback journey when everybody decides that you cannot play. We always believed in him, and it felt awesome to watch him go do that thing. I’m really proud of Sam Darnold.”
From always being counted out, Darnold kept grinding; now is his time to shine. He most definitely is worthy of a place on this Homecoming Court.
My 2024 NFL Homecoming Court
Though we are only two weeks into this 2024 season, the five players above stand out to me as strong representatives of what this season is and should be about. Baker Mayfield, Jordan Mason, Rashid Shaheed, De’Von Achane, and Sam Darnold are this year’s royalty.
These players put in the hard work, rose to the occasion and are willing to fulfill any role. They capitalized on the opportunity and absolutely refused to be counted out. With strong leadership and the spirit of what it means to be an NFL player, these five are my nominees for a 2024 NFL Homecoming Court.
Are there any players missing from this list of nominees? Who has stood out to you this season so far?
Thanks for reading my 2024 NFL Homecoming Court! Follow me on Twitter @tootsiepop6 for more fantasy football, sports betting and entertainment content!
*Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker – USA TODAY Sports*