And Here. We. Go. The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded and the final threshold between dynasty managers and drafting rookies has been crossed.
It’s Dynasty Football Christmas, and we’re all due multiple rounds of presents. Many leagues will be kicking off their rookie drafts this weekend, but we’ll provide some extra food for thought next week for those leagues that are a bit less twitchy.
For now, let’s take a look at landing spots with an updated rookie mock draft. Without further ado, here’s your first round.
2024 Dynasty Football Rookie Mock Draft
1.01 – Caleb Williams, QB, CHI
This is a tough one. The consensus for a long time last year was Bryce Young as the No. 1 overall pick in rookie mock drafts. It wasn’t until Anthony Richardson went fourth overall that there was a changing of the guard.
Suddenly, it was all about the rushing upside of Richardson vs. the reliability of Bryce Young. With both quarterbacks serving as referendums for what can go wrong for either side, it’s tough to measure any lesson.
But Williams is a special prospect and has been for a long time. Even though his personality screams flash, on the field, he’s as pure as it gets. Watching Caleb Williams in a clean pocket is a calming sight. His ability when things are good is how he hit big plays consistently and avoided turnovers.
Will he be pressured more with the Chicago Bears than at USC? Given the noted struggles of both offensive lines, it’ll be hard to say. But sharing the weight will be D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and now Rome Odunze. Caleb Williams has to be one in this rookie mock draft.
1.02 – Jayden Daniels, QB, WAS
While Daniels has been a mainstay in this slot, I’ll be honest and say I didn’t expect him to go second overall to the Washington Commanders. There was certainly a lot of hype coming up before the draft for this possibility, but it didn’t crystallize until the last couple of weeks.
Though it’s just one team’s evaluation that makes the difference between Daniels going no. 2 and no. 3, this is still additional information. It suggests that it’s possible many teams felt the same way and aren’t as concerned with Daniels’ arm in the long run.
It’s for these reasons that Daniels has to be considered for the no. 1 overall slot in rookie mock drafts. Outside this vacuum, dynasty managers should consider the position of their team.
Daniels’ upside as a rusher is much higher than Williams’. If you’re one QB away from contending this year, you have to consider the quicker return and upside of the new Commanders’ QB when making your selection.
1.03 – Drake Maye, QB, NE
In spite of rumors, there was no draft day slide for Maye. He comfortably slots in New England as the quarterback of the future in the post-Brady, post-Belichick era.
While that history has no bearing on his performance, what will be rough in the early going is what he’s been left behind. The cupboard is bare for the Patriots’ offense.
Now it’s possible that the recent draft additions bolster this corps. New England invested in two new receivers in Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Both project to be good route runners which is a nice change of pace from the traits monsters New England has previously targeted.
They also added a new tackle, guard, and tight end. Only time will tell if any of these picks pan out. But they’re certainly offering Drake Maye more immediate new tools to work with than Mac Jones ever got.
1.04 -Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARZ
Once we’re past the quarterbacks, there’s really no room for debate. Marvin Harrison Jr. is king. There’s not much to say when the tape and pedigree is so definitive.
Seriously, watch a reel and it’s impossible to assume anything other than double-digit touchdowns in Harrison Jr.’s immediate future.
In Arizona, we’ll be monitoring how Kyler Murray does with a full year under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. But considering how well Murray did with a healthy DeAndre Hopkins, there shouldn’t be any limits to what the dynamic WR can do with Murray.
1.05 – Malik Nabers, WR, NYG
The last of the slam dunk picks in this rookie mock draft, Nabers has less certainty under center than Marvin Harrison Jr. He also has less certainty under center than if he had gone to the L.A. Chargers where he was often mocked.
It’s confusing why the Chargers decided against giving Herbert such a powerful weapon after letting Keenan Allen go. But Joe Alt is hardly a bad alternate other option.
At the very least, there is no competition for targets in New York. Darius Slayton is the next man up and he does not inspire confidence. Certainly, the Giants will eventually find someone to take pressure off Nabers. But for now, Malik is going to eat.
1.06 – Rome Odunze, WR, CHI
While we chug along in the same order of the NFL Draft, this was the hardest selection to keep that trend going. Though there were other strong options on the board, we can’t ignore the alpha upside of Odunze.
Not only is he an accomplished route runner, but he does so with prototypical size coming in at 6’3″ and 216 lbs. Tag on a 4.45 40 speed and you have yourself the no.1 receiver in many other draft classes.
Though he will be blocked in the early going, there just isn’t much tread left on Keenan Allen’s tires. Expect him to ascend as early as next season, possibly past D.J. Moore on the depth chart. Moore is then a free agent in 2026.
1.07 – J.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN
Honestly, J.J. isn’t my favorite prospect. Among his peers selected in the top 12, McCarthy doesn’t have any traits that you would call best in class.
Certainly, he can attack the middle and work play action as he did for Michigan time and again. But his production outside the numbers leaves a lot to be desired. A 27.1% uncatchable throw rate when going toward the sideline left him in the middle of the pack among FBS quarterbacks.
But this is Superflex. McCarthy is young, the undisputed starter in Minnesota, and has weapons in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Stefanski is as good of an offensive coach running a system that’s tailored to McCarthy’s strengths. Ultimately, you have to take the long-term upside.
1.08 – Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR
At some point, even with so much talent at other positions, someone is going to need a running back. Brooks might not be the best value left on the board, but for this rookie mock draft, let’s consider what will actually happen.
There is someone in your league who absolutely needs a running back. And with all of the must-have options on the board gone, this is going to be a big spot for that.
Miles Sanders has been a disaster for the Panthers. That means Brooks enters Carolina as the likely starter for an absolute statue at quarterback. With three-down potential, he was the best running back to take before the NFL Draft and remains so in a strong landing spot.
1.09 – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
That collective groan you heard on draft night was the sound of exasperated managers lamenting the constant disaster that is the tight end position.
Kyle Pitts was enough of a tease, giving us a 1,000-yard season with tight-end enthusiast Matt Ryan at quarterback, then transitioning to garbage production with two of the least accurate quarterbacks in the NFL in Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder.
Now, Bowers faces a situation with no quarterback and competition for targets at tight end from Michael Mayer. The talent is real though, so expect him to emerge at some point. It just might be better to buy Bowers at the end of this year after his value has cratered.
1.10 – Brian Thomas Jr, WR, JAX
With all the hype Trevor Lawrence generated before he was drafted, it’s understandable why people grade him on a curve. He was a generational prospect so people expect generational production.
Lawrence has fallen a bit short of that, but his play was still quite good, his PFF grade among quarterbacks falling at 15th overall, just two ranks shy of current darling C.J. Stroud.
This was done with Calvin Ridley and a host of average receivers making up his room. Enter Brian Thomas Jr. as the first true deep threat Lawrence will enjoy throwing to.
While Christian Kirk is in town, Thomas Jr. profiles much more as an X to Kirk’s Y. That gives him tremendous upside to take advantage of Lawrence’s big arm.
1.11 – Bo Nix, QB, DEN
At a certain point, it doesn’t matter what the name is or who the prospect is. It’s a quarterback taken in the top 12 of the NFL Draft. His only current competition is Zach Wilson.
That said, Nix isn’t too shabby himself. He was fantastic under pressure and delivered consistently on third and fourth down.
The fantasy traits are questionable, but he may have a future as a long-term NFL quarterback. That alone has value.
1.12 – Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC
After passing on Nabers in the first round, the L.A. Chargers traded up for McConkey to serve as Justin Herbert’s new favorite toy.
As sure-handed as they come, that will be an important trait as Ladd looks to soak up the targets vacated by Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler. With only Joshua Palmer and the disappointing Quentin Johnston in the room, as it stands, McConkey is in a good spot.
That opportunity alone is plenty to sneak in as the last pick in the first round of this rookie mock draft.