You can always spot the fantasy football novices. They’re the ones at your draft stocking up on thirtysomething players, assuming that yesterday’s heroes will relive their past glories and bring glorious victory.

They’re the worst … except for the fantasy mavens who refuse to even sniff at any player who had the misfortune of being born in the 20th century.

Smart shopping is required. You need to be able to discern the ageless classics from the rapidly-fading relics. Sticking to a rigid “Nobody over 27” policy would have cost you the chance to profit on these legendary seasons for the NFL elderly:

Priest Holmes (Chiefs 2002): This running back did very little in his career until after turning 27, and his age 29 season was an all-timer. He recorded 383 touches for 2,287 yards and a jaw-dropping 24 touchdowns. Holmes had scored only 21 TDs in the first five seasons of his NFL youth.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (31) picks up yardage as he is brought down by Denver Broncos’ Marcus Thomas (79) in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. The Broncos won 27-11. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Randy Moss (Patriots 2007): The Vikings thought their former all-pro had already peaked and was more trouble than he was worth. But he landed in New England for his 10th season at age 30. Tom Brady was plenty satisfied with Moss’ 98 receptions for 1,493 yards and 23 TDs. Turns out Handy Dandy Randy DID play when he wanted to play.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss, right, celebrates with teammate Cris Carter after Moss caught a Randall Cunningham pass for a 51-yard touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on Nov. 26, 1998. Moss caught three touchdown passes in the game and Carter added another as the Vikings rolled to a 46-36 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. (John Doman / Pioneer Press)

Jerry Rice (49ers 1995): The greatest receiver of all time waited until he was 33 to have his best season. How about 122 receptions for 1,848 yards, 15 touchdown catches and even one TD run. Flash 80 is Exhibit A on why the Age 27 Rule does not apply to obvious hall of famers.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) is chased by San Diego Chargers’ Darren Carrington (29) and Stanley Richard (24) on his way to a touchdown in Super Bowl XXIX at Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium, Jan. 29, 1995. (AP Photo/Andrew Innerarity)

And don’t even get us started on the quality and quantity of Tom Brady’s post-27 seasons.

Our pick for Graybeard of the Year for 2024 is new Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, who turns 31 by season’s end. Only Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a more obvious Future Hall of Famer.

Henry stands 36th all-time with 9,502 rushing yards despite facing stacked boxes for the past six years in Tennessee. His averages over that span are 1,378 yards and 13 TDs.

As a Raven, he’ll now be looking at stretched defensive fronts because of the threat of star QB Lamar Jackson. Baltimore ran for 2,661 yards (No. 1 in NFL) and 26 TDs (No. 4) last season, and Gus Edwards, Keaton Mitchel and Justice Hill have never been mistaken for King Henry.

So here’s our list of favorites for ‘24, where you’ll notice a number of seasoned standouts.

Our fave running backs

Josh Jacobs (Packers) — The new Green Bay rusher is one season removed from a 1,653-yard campaign (with 12 TDs) with the Raiders. Yet most experts are not even listing him among the NFL’s top 12 RBs. He’s a big upgrade for a Packers team that managed only 1,905 rushing yards last season.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) hands off to running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

David Montgomery (Lions) — He missed 3½ games due to injury and shared the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, yet Montgomery still tallied 1,015 yards and 13 TDs last season in Detroit. And with Gibbs dealing with a hamstring injury to start the season, Montgomery is a huge bargain you can find in the middle rounds of your draft.

David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Devin Singletary (Giants) — This guy will last until the eighth or ninth rounds, even though he’s an obvious No. 1 running back on a team with, at best, a challenging quarterback situation. Splitting time in a crowded Houston backfield last year, Singletary rushed for 898 yards and caught 30 passes. Saquon Barkley isn’t walking in that door to be the Giants’ goal-line back.

Devin Singletary #26 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans during the preseason game at NRG Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Chase Brown (Bengals) — This sophomore from Illinois had a mere 179 yards as a rookie, and he will start the year as the lesser half of a Cincinnati tandem with Zack Moss. But the latter has never been a No. 1 RB, and he has never been much of a pass catcher. So Brown will get an almost 50-percent share of backfield time and will prove to be a late-round steal.

Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 31, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Ty Chandler (Vikings) — Speaking of strong long-shot bets, Chandler is expected to see his largest role ever playing behind what may be a rapidly-aging Aaron Jones. This third-year back has run for only 481 yards as a pro, but he could prove to be the most pleasant surprise in Minnesota’s offense.

Ty Chandler #32 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a rushing touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Our fave receivers

Mike Evans (Buccaneers) — A graybeard at 30, Evans has already posted 10 consecutive seasons over 1,000 yards, and he had a dozen or more touchdowns in half of those years. He tallied 1,255 yards and 13 TDs working with a revitalized QB Baker Mayfield. Yet he’s slipping into the fourth round on some draft lists. As safe a bet as you will find.

Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on Jan. 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Cooper Kupp (Rams) — He’s all of 31 and coming off two injury-plagued seasons. But he’ll always have his dream 2021 season, with 145 catches, 1,947 yards, 16 touchdowns and a Super Bowl-winning score. He’ll be especially dangerous this year as defenses focus on Rams super sophomore Puca Nacua.

Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a touchdown catch over Eli Apple #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Tank Dell (Texans) — He started last year as The Loop’s Deepest Sleeper for Week 3. Seven touchdowns and 709 yards later, his season ended with a broken leg. But he’s back in fine fettle and will get a fair share of attention from QB C.J. Stroud, even with the presence of teammates Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs.

Tank Dell #3 of the Houston Texans scores on a 34 yard pass against Elandon Roberts #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half of a preseason game on Aug. 9, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Terry McLaurin (Commanders) — One of the most consistently underrated fantasy stars. McLaurin has averaged more than 1,000 yards over the past five seasons despite Washington’s glut of quarterbacking mediocrity. Enter Heisman Trophy winner Jaylen Daniels, who will make certain McLaurin turns into a sixth-round fantasy steal.

Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball during the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedExField on Dec. 31, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Keenan Allen (Bears) — He’s old (32). Bald (like The Loop). Overweight (allegedly 15-20 over his optimal poundage). Forgotten, despite 10,000 career yards and 59 TDs. The former Chargers standout will not challenge his career highs while sharing the field with D.J. Moore and rookie Rome Odunze. But rookie QB Caleb Williams will find him open enough.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen warms up during NFL football practice at the team’s minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Our fave quarterbacks

Kyler Murray (Cardinals) — The No. 1 pick of 2019 missed roughly one full season after blowing out his knee in 2022, but he’s healthy again. He has top-five QB talent, especially running the ball (11 rushing TDs in 2020). And he’ll be available in the latter half of drafts. His Cardinals offense will be much improved with the arrival of rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass over Derick Hall #58 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 07, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 21-20. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Joe Burrow (Bengals) — The newly blonde bombshell is back from his season-ending wrist injury. When healthy, Burrow was always a safe bet for around 4,500 yards and 35 TD passes. Like Murray, you can get Burrow later in the draft as other owners descend on shinier objects.

Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on after a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Aug. 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Sam Darnold (Vikings) — Looking for a last-round Hail Mary, while also showing your love for the home team? There was a time when Darnold was the cat’s pajamas, and he DID look better last year as a backup in San Francisco. As long as Justin Jefferson stays healthy, Darnold has a chance to top his career bests (3,024 yards, 19 TDs with 2019 Jets).

Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up during training camp on Aug. 02, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Our fave tight ends

Dalton Schultz (Texans) — We usually like tight ends surrounded by great receiving corps, because they are rarely surrounded by defenses. And they have an uncanny knack for getting wide open in the red zone. In Houston, this former Cowboy will likely top his four-year average of nearly six touchdowns per season.

Dalton Schultz #86 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a 37 yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium on Jan. 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Cole Kmet (Bears) — Rookie QB Caleb Williams has a star-studded receivers group in Chicago, but the former USC Trojan will often lean on this Notre Damer. Over the past two seasons, Kmet has 123 catches for 1, 263 yards and 13 scores. And like Schultz, you can get him in the final two rounds of your draft.

Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears stiff arms Greg Newsome II #0 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Coming Sunday: The spirit of Nipsey Russell will be with us all when we present the “Match Game” legend-inspired NFL preview.

(Screen grab from YouTube)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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