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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.