Categorical Tiers 2024
Last Updated June 23, 2024
At Hail Mary Football, we do everything in our power to get you to think beyond traditional rankings, as linear rankings do not account for huge gaps in player talent from one ranking to the next, and they fail to adequately account for your team’s roster construction. On this site, we encourage your to think about players by placing them in certain buckets of similar players - what we call “categorical tiers.” What types of players will best help you fill out your roster? Do you want to make sure to get an elite starter at tight end? A rookie running back with a clear path to playing time? A slot wide receiver for safe PPR points? Keep this list with you when you draft so that you’ll know when the “run” is about to end on certain tiers. (For more in-depth analysis, click the “Draft Kit” link at the top left of this page.)
*Players in each category listed in HMF order of preference, but the categories themselves are not listed in any particular order. This page is NOT updated once the regular season starts.
QBS
QB Studs
Josh Allen
Jalen Hurts
Patrick Mahomes
Lamar Jackson
Kyler Murray
Joe Burrow
C.J. Stroud
Top 10 Potential
Anthony Richardson
Dak Prescott
Jordan Love
Trevor Lawrence
Unsexy But Reliable
Kirk Cousins
Matthew Stafford
Brock Purdy
Tua Tagovailoa
Justin Herbert
Rushing Upside (aka Konami Code)
Jayden Daniels
Caleb Williams
Drake Maye
Daniel Jones
Late Round Upside
Deshaun Watson
Bryce Young
Will Levis
J.J. McCarthy
Bo Nix
Fantasy Backups
Aaron Rodgers
Jared Goff
Russell Wilson
Derek Carr
Baker Mayfield
Nominal Starters
Geno Smith
Sam Darnold
Gardner Minshew
Draftable NFL Backups
Justin Fields
Michael Penix
Sam Howell
Jimmy Garoppolo
Jacoby Brissett
Aidan O’Connell
Spencer Rattler
Andy Dalton
Jarrett Stidham
Drew Lock
Mac Jones
Carson Wentz
Ryan Tannehill
RBS
True Studs
Christian McCaffrey
Bijan Robinson
Breece Hall
Jonathan Taylor
Jahmyr Gibbs
Top 12 Potential
De’Von Achane
Kyren Williams
Jonathon Brooks
Travis Etienne
Isiah Pacheco
James Cook
Reliable RB2
Kenneth Walker III
Rachaad White
Josh Jacobs
Joe Mixon
Najee Harris
D’Andre Swift
David Montgomery
Rhamondre Stevenson
Aging Stars
Derrick Henry
Saquon Barkley
Alvin Kamara
Austin Ekeler
Aaron Jones
James Conner
Volume> Talent
Javonte Williams
Devin Singletary
Ezekiel Elliott
Zamir White
Rookies
Blake Corum
Trey Benson
Jaylen Wright
Tyrone Tracy
Audric Estime
Marshawn Lloyd
Ray Davis
Bucky Irving
Braelon Allen
Kimani Vidal
Isaac Guerendo
Will Shipley
Dylan Laube
Rasheen Ali
Pass Catchers
Jaylen Warren
Antonio Gibson
Tony Pollard
Jaleel McLaughlin
Kenneth Gainwell
Evan Hull
Timeshare Leaders
Gus Edwards
Zack Moss
Jerome Ford
Raheem Mostert
Tyjae Spears
Back End of Timeshare
Brian Robinson
Zach Charbonnet
J.K. Dobbins
Chase Brown
Chuba Hubbard
Kendre Miller
Khalil Herbert
Ty Chandler
Rico Dowdle
Backups
Eli Mitchell
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Tyler Allgeier
Keaton Mitchell
Alex Mattison
Dameon Pierce
Miles Sanders
Roschon Johnson
Tank Bigsby
A.J. Dillon
Trey Sermon
Deuce Vaughn
Jamaal Williams
Eric Gray
WRS
Alpha Dogs
Justin Jefferson
Ja’Marr Chase
CeeDee Lamb
Tyreek Hill
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Puka Nacua
A.J. Brown
Top 12 Potential
Garrett Wilson
Drake London
Nico Collins
D.J. Moore
D.K. Metcalf
Brandon Aiyuk
Deebo Samuel
Davante Adams
Cooper Kupp
Jaylen Waddle
Slight Step Down
Tee Higgins
Chris Olave
Mike Evans
Amari Cooper
Stefon Diggs
Michael Pittman
Devonta Smith
Keenan Allen
Breakout Potential
Tank Dell
Christian Watson
Zay Flowers
George Pickens
Jordan Addison
Rashee Rice
Dontayvion Wicks
Jahan Dotson
Reliable WR3
Chris Godwin
Christian Kirk
Jayden Reed
Hollywood Brown
Terry McLaurin
DeAndre Hopkins
Courtland Sutton
Calvin Ridley
Diontae Johnson
Jakobi Meyers
Tyler Lockett
Deep Threats
Rashid Shaheed
Jameson Williams
Marvin Mims
Top Rookies
Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Malik Nabers
Rome Odunze
Brian Thomas, Jr.
Xavier Worthy
Xavier Legette
Ladd McConkey
Ricky Pearsall
Ja’Lynn Polk
Adonai Mitchell
Keon Coleman
Second Tier Rookies
Troy Franklin
Javon Baker
Malachi Corley
Roman Wilson
Jermaine Burton
Jalen McMillan
Luke McCaffrey
Tez Walker
Ainias Smith
Malik Washington
Slot Receivers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Wan’Dale Robinson
Josh Downs
Tyler Boyd
Elijah Moore
Demario Douglas
Khalil Shakir
More Name Than Game
Romeo Doubs
Adam Thielen
Rashod Bateman
Juju Smith-Schuster
Chase Claypool
Odell Beckham, Jr.
Fantasy Backups
Jerry Jeudy
Mike Williams
Josh Palmer
Brandin Cooks
Darius Slayton
Curtis Samuel
Quentin Johnston
Roster Fillers
Allen Lazard
Darnell Mooney
Jalin Hyatt
Rondale Moore
Zay Jones
Michael Wilson
TES
True Studs
Sam LaPorta
Travis Kelce
Mark Andrews
High End Starters
Dalton Kincaid
Kyle Pitts
George Kittle
Trey McBride
Evan Engram
”Fine” (Low End) Starters
Jake Ferguson
Dalton Schultz
Cole Kmet
David Njoku
Reliable but Uninspiring
Dallas Goedert
Hunter Henry
Zach Ertz
Cade Otton
Rookies
Ben Sinnott
J.T. Sanders
Cade Stover
Erick All
Theo Johnson
Breakout Potential
Brock Bowers
Pat Freiermuth
Luke Musgrave
Mike Gesicki
Noah Fant
Greg Dulcich
Jelani Woods
Backups
Chig Okonkwo
Jonnu Smith
Juwan Johnson
Tyler Conklin
Michael Mayer
Tucker Kraft
Dawson Knox
Hayden Hurst
Wild Cards
T.J. Hockenson
Taysom Hill
Hunter Henry
Colby Parkinson
Tyler Higbee
Isaiah Likely