The hype for the shiny new toys in Fantasy Football rises after the NFL Draft each year. Fantasy football managers are eager to see how the next wave of talent will impact Fantasy Football. Some rookies take off their first year in the NFL and have major Fantasy Football impacts. Other rookies take time to develop before translating to Fantasy Football. Some rookies simply… bust. Therefore, it is important to analyze who can do what for Fantast Football for Redraft Fantasy Football purposes following the NFL Draft.
In 2023, some rookies had heavy Fantasy Football impacts with very solid Fantasy points per game (PPG) scored. For example: Puka Nacua scored 17.6 PPG (#6 for wide receivers), CJ Stroud 18.7 PPG (#7 for quarterbacks), and Sam LaPoprta scored 14.1 Fantasy PPG (#3 for tight ends). On the other hand, some rookies did not live up to expectations such as Quentin Johnston, who scored 5.5 Fantasy PPG (#84 for wide receivers)
This 2024 NFL Draft Class is exciting, to say the least. A lot of talent mixed with a lot of opportunity. I want to break down this class strictly for Fantasy Football purposes in 2024. I will separate the class by different categories, and let you know what we can expect for 2024. This article can be vital for your drafts this coming season.
2024 Rookie Class Analysis for Redraft Fantasy Football
Quarterbacks with Top 12 Upside
Caleb Williams, Bears QB
- Produced over 10,082 passing yards, 92 passing touchdowns, 986 rushing yards, and 27 rushing touchdowns. Former Heisman Trophy winner out of USC.
- Ability to play under pressure, escape, extend plays, and break off runs, has an elite arm at all three levels, high IQ, downfield vision, and throws on the run/off-balance.
Amazing landing spot in Chicago w/ the first overall pick. Gets an amazing trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze at wide receiver along with Cole Kmet at tight end and playmaking running back D’Andre Swift. Skillset plus weapons make Caleb an instant Fantasy Football producer with a high passing ceiling paired with/ decent mobility. Think CJ Stroud last season but in a better system and a better prospect.
Jayden Daniels, Commanders QB
- 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner produced 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 1,134 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns in his final LSU season.
- Highly productive as BOTH a passer and runner. A combination of speed, agility, + arm strength, and deep ball accuracy makes Daniels an amazing playmaker.
Daniels gets paired with highly consistent wide receiver Terry McLaurin, hopeful former 1st round selection Jahan Dotson, and one of the league’s best pass-catching RBs in Austin Ekeler. Zach Ertz is a veteran presence with fellow promising rookie Ben Sinnott at tight end. Daniels can rush for 500+ yards which would nearly guarantee him to be a Top 12 QB if he pairs that with just decent passing production.
Instant Fantasy Football Star
Marvin Harrison Jr, Cardinals WR
- 1,263 (2022) and (1,211) receiving yards in back-to-back seasons make MHJ the first player in Ohio State history to record over 1,000 in two seasons. 31 career receiving touchdowns.
- DNA of an ALPHA wide receiver: effective route-running, elite hands, flexibility in playing inside/outside, deep threat upside, size, high IQ.
MHJ likely is a lock for 120+ targets from Kyler Murray as a rookie, creating a solid 1-2 combo with tight end Trey McBride. Kyler threw the ball over 540x in his opening two seasons in the NFL, so that volume should return. MHJ is the next Justin Jefferson / Ja’Marr Chase as a highly drafted, instant Fantasy superstar.
Instant Fantasy Football Starters
Malik Nabers, Giants WR
- Finished his LSU career as the school leader in receptions and receiving yards. 1,017 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022 climbed to 1,569 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.
- Explosive route-runner, plus acceleration, high leaping ability, deep ball-tracking, yards-after-catch beast.
Think Garrett Wilson the last two seasons: maybe not the ideal situation but HEAVY target volume as the best pass-catcher by far in the wide receiver room. Expect Nabers to earn 120+ targets and display these playmaking skills, but be slightly limited on the ceiling MHJ may have.
Brock Bowers, Raiders TE
- Georgia has been 42-2 across the last three seasons and Bowers has been THE GUY in the passing game for them. 2,538 receiving yards, 26 rec touchdowns, 193 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns through 40 games.
- High volume profile, consistent production, solid long speed, athletic build and traits, high motor and energy, yards-after-catch upside, creative and physical, elite ball skills, great hands Bowers profiles as maybe the best TE prospect of all-time.
Davante Adams should earn the heaviest of targets in Las Vegas, but Bowers could fight to be the #2 target. LV can use Bowers creatively, and make him a weekly part of their gameplan. Top 5-7 upside but the quarterback situation is what is the question.
Wide Receivers with FLEX-Worthy Opportunity: BIG Potential
Brian Thomas Jr, Jaguars WR
- 1,177 receiving yards and a nation-leading 17 receiving touchdowns in his 2023 breakout season.
- Vertical threat, tracks the ball downfield well, uses size to his advantage to make big plays, and has major touchdown upside.
Calvin Ridley vacates 136 targets. Christian Kirk is now healthy, and Evan Engram is coming off of a big year. Gabe Davis was brought in. None of those guys have WR1 DNA in my opinion, and BTJ can grow into that. BTJ can have big play and touchdown upside, connected to Trevor Lawrence, that can be great use for Fantasy Football. Not sure if the volume will be sticky each week but the upside potential will be.
Ladd McConkey, Chargers WR
– 1,687 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns produced out of Georgia.
– A 4.39 40-yard dash means the speed to get vertical as a slot WR, great hands, competent making the required plays, and a stud at simply getting open.
Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Gerald Everett are all OUT of LA. Justin Herbert averaged 25.1 passing attempts last season. Ladd is competing with a very average WR room and instantly can be the #1 target out of the slot. Maybe not the highest of upsides but he could have one of the safest floors in the class
Keon Coleman, Bills WR
- 1,506 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns produced through 34 college games.
- Size and hands to get up and make the difficult catches (basketball roots), attacks the ball, works hard to make plays.
Stefon Diggs vacates 160 targets, which means heavy volume up for grabs for Coleman, Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir. A tie to Josh Allen is one of the best to have for Fantasy purposes. Touchdown upside could be very possible for Coleman, and the new WR1 for Allen is up for grabs here.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Patriots WR
- 1,159 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in final college season WITH Rome Odunze on the field.
- Size and body control to get up and make contested catches, committed to routes and finishing deep plays, puts in effort blocking Patriots WR room is wide open, and the only WR that can profile as a true WR1 to me is Polk.
After drafting Drake Maye, the next move for the Patriots was to grab Polk, which says a lot to me. Weekly volume paired with the upside we saw out of Polk in his final college season can mean more than people are talking about.
Wide Receivers with FLEX-Worthy Opportunity: Dart Throws
Adonai Mitchell, Colts WR
- Finished 6 games in 2023 with 17+ yards per catch. 845 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his final Texas season.
- Quickness with feet and changing direction, catch radius, ball tracking skills along with 4.34 speed make him a deep threat.
Michael Pittman Jr. will operate as the Colts’ WR1, but AD can fight Josh Downs for the WR2 role for target share. Anthony Richardson does have a plus arm to make downfield plays happen (consistent or not), and AD profiles as a guy who can make a few splash plays a week.
Jermaine Burton, Colts WR
- Caught a touchdown on every 5.7 catches through his career. 2,376 receiving yards and 23 receiving touchdowns through 50 games.
- Solid build and plays even bigger, tracks the deep ball well, flips into the second gear quickly.
Tyler Boyd vacates a very consistent role as the WR3, that Burton can take on behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Joe Burrow averaged 36.5 passing attempts per game in 2023 and threw 610 times the year prior.
Troy Franklin, Broncos WR
- Arguably the best-ever Oregon WR. Coming off of a 1,383 receiving yards and a 14-touchdown season
- Downfield separation, quick route-running, keeps speed while separating, yards-after-catch abilities.
Franklin will compete with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. for a big role in 2024. This is a weak wide receiver room, and Franklin unites with his college QB in Bo Nix in Denver which is not talked about enough.
Patience Plays / Second Half of the Year Plays
Rome Odunze, Bears WR
- Led the FBS in receiving yards in 2023 with 1,640 paired with 13 touchdowns. 1,145 and seven the year prior.
- Attacks the ball, makes acrobatic catches, plus catch radius, deep threat, a physical wide receiver with yards-after-catch ability.
The long-term connection to Caleb Williams is extremely appealing. Competing weekly for targets with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Cole Kmet is the biggest question here. Great talent, great long-term landing spot but heavy competition for targets. I love the talent but Rome may take time to grow into his true role.
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers RB
- Breakout season in 2023 post Bijan Robinson / Roschon Johnson departures: 1,139 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 25 catches, 286 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in 2023.
- Great acceleration, smooth runner, quality agility, good footwork, finishes runs, good hands. Brooks looks like a complete running back.
Brooks is coming off of an ACL tear but is the future RB1 of a young Panthers core. I doubt he is rushed into heavy volume. Carolina could easily lean on Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders while easing Brooks into some touches through his recovery. The second half of the season or towards the Fantasy playoffs is when Brooks may earn the work to be Fantasy relevant. Love Brooks for Dynasty.
Ben Sinnott, Commanders TE
- 1,138 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his career. Statistically took leaps forward each season.
- Highly athletic, runs routes at all 3 levels, tough contesting catches, yards-after-catch upside.
Zach Ertz likely will start the season as the TE1 for Washington. Dynasty-wise you have to love the pairing of Sinnott with Jayden Daniels. This could be the case where Sinnott earns the TE1 role via injury (knock on wood everyone stays healthy) or just through Washington wanting him to progress as the future TE1 as the season moves on.
Xavier Worthy, Chiefs WR
- Freshman breakout at Texas. Produced 2,755 receiving yards and 26 rec touchdowns at Texas.
- Fastest 40-yard dash EVER. Elite speed paired with high energy. Deep threat specialist.
I am not sure how to look at Worthy’s year 1 role. Travis Kelce should continue to be heavily targeted. Rashee Rice had a great rookie season. Hollywood Brown could be the WR1 at the end of the day. Worthy has a lot of potential, just not sure how sticky his usage is every week rookie season. Being attached to Patrick Mahomes is always a great thing for Dynasty.
Priority Running Back Handcuffs
1. Blake Corum, Rams
Extremely productive profile. I would not be shocked if he created a committee with Kyren Williams. We know the power of being a feature in the Rams offense.
2. Trey Benson, Cardinals
Build and athleticism of a true RB1. I think Arizona runs James Conner into the ground, but we know his injury history. Benson is the future of the Arizona backfield.
3. Marshawn Lloyd, Packers
Super efficient numbers and all-around usage potential. I believe Lloyd beats out AJ Dillon for the RB2 role behind Josh Jacobs. Could earn touches as a compliment back.
4. Braelon Allen, Jets
Very productive resume as a young running back. Great build. Breece Hall’s handcuff in a Jets offense that can take a big step forward.
Deeper Running Backs to Toss a Dart at Weekly Touches
1. Ray Davis, Bills
Davis Can take on the red zone and short-yardage work as a pairing to James Cook. The new Latavius Murray. Buffalo is not committed to James Cook being a 20-touch guy weekly.
2. Kimani Vidal, Chargers
JK Dobbins’ true percent health is a mystery. Gus Edwards may be banged up but also is a better RB2. The closest chance at a “James Robinson” of this class.