This is where the dreaming really begins. While your focus should be on not losing the draft in the first round, once we hit the third round it’s time to shoot for the stars.
After all, most third-round picks and later in dynasty rookie drafts simply don’t make an impact. Like any at all. Consensus rankings don’t mean much as we’re splitting hairs between players unlikely to be useful and other players unlikely to be useful.
Even this mock you can take with a grain of salt really. It’s just to highlight some upside plays you can make now that we’re busy throwing darts. If you’d like to know more prudent selections, you can look back at the first round and second round of this mock draft.
Otherwise, buckle up. We’re about to reach for the rocket fuel.
2024 Dynasty Football Rookie Mock Draft Round 3
3.01 – Jaylen Wright, RB, MIA
Yes, De’Von Achane absolutely exploded last year and became the biggest regret for every dynasty manager. He averaged an unheard-of 7.8 yards per carry as he raced to the end zone time and again.
But his 5’9″ 188 lb. frame was only good for 103 carries last year through 11 games. Meanwhile, Raheem Mostert turned 32 last month, making him ancient by running back standards.
Wright will be another speedster for the Dolphins as he claims he hit 23 MPH on a GPS. His one-cut-and-go style fits Miami’s offense perfectly. Yes, this is a crowded room. But it wouldn’t be that surprising to see Wright as the best bet for touches come Week 17.
3.02 – Troy Franklin, WR, DEN
For as much as the Broncos’ new quarterback Bo Nix went well before most pundits had him pegged, Franklin had the opposite sort of night. While he was projected to go in the second, even potentially the first round, Franklin instead fell right through the third round into the fourth.
He’s definitely more than a bit undersized at 176 lbs. His route-running is also questionable as he lacks smoothness in his cuts. But there’s just so much good on tape and you have to love him being reunited with Nix.
Courtland Sutton is the present in Denver, but Sutton only has $2M guaranteed left on his contract. Franklin is the incumbent for resident deep threat and his time is coming. Take the upside here and hope Nix’s big arm continues delivering to Franklin deep downfield.
3.03 – Roman Wilson, WR, PIT
Another undersized receiver, Wilson broke out in a big way last year, dominating receptions, yards, and touchdowns for Michigan. He continued this dominance at the Senior Bowl where it was widely reported that his draft stock soared.
His route-running process portends a good translation to the next level and, working out of the slot, Wilson should complement George Pickens well.
With Diontae Johnson gone, there will be plenty of targets available. And Russell Wilson should, big emphasis on the word “should,” provide more passing production than they experienced in 2023.
And if something were to happen with Pickens given his issues on the sideline, it could mean a really big opportunity for Wilson.
3.04 – Jermaine Burton, WR, CIN
Much like George Pickens, character concerns dropped Jermaine Burton farther than he would’ve been expected to go based on talent. And much like Pickens, that represents an opportunity for both NFL teams and dynasty managers to capitalize.
Burton is a highly talented wide receiver with strong measurables and was productive on a per-route basis. The overall production was lacking however, having operated a number of years behind the likes of an undeveloped Stetson Bennett, and last year with Jalen Milroe.
Tee Higgins appears here to stay in Cincinnati for now, but who’s to say how the Bengals’ unwillingness to lock him up affects his decision-making in free agency next year. Joe Burrow has a ton of volume to spread around either way, so Burton is a good bet for value as a third-round receiver both for the Bengals and your team.
3.05 – Ray Davis, RB, BUF
Buffalo has officially drafted some thunder to go with the lightning that is James Cook. Davis isn’t particularly fast at 5’8″ but he stands stout at over 200 lbs. and features strong contact balance.
That should immediately earn him the goal-line role in Buffalo. That’s not worth a whole, whole lot given that he’ll have to split these opportunities with Josh Allen. But his general rushing prowess should give him an edge on early downs as opposed to Cook.
And given the durability concerns evaluators had with Cook’s frame, Davis will be a higher-value handcuff for a high-scoring team.
3.06 – Ben Sinnott, TE, WAS
While the early parts of this round were about cleaning up any remaining potential breakout receivers, the rest of the third round will be dedicated to upside shots. That means we’re largely moving on from wide receiver as it’s an easier position to evaluate.
Being easier to evaluate means there’s less of a theoretical range of outcomes. That means that if you’re looking for volatility, you have to look elsewhere. We start the real dart throws with Sinnott.
Having been drafted in the second round Sinnott will have plenty of opportunity. And given the propensity for rushing quarterbacks to target tight ends as their outlets, Sinnott is in a good spot with Jayden Daniels. After all, if Daniels rolls out, he can’t quite hit someone across the field or in the same direction he’s running.
Often this forces a situation in which the QB either draws the defender and gets his TE open, or they rush themselves. Either way, it’s good for the offense and good for Sinnott’s future.
3.07 – Braelon Allen, RB, NYJ
Allen broke onto the college scene as a 17-year-old, dominating touches and logging extreme efficiency with 6.8 yards per carry and 1,258 yards on the ground.
That was unfortunately his peak and he now finds himself backing up Breece Hall, the 2nd most valuable running back in dynasty football right now. That said, the Jets have a successful rushing scheme as evidenced by the success of lesser backs in the role. With Aaron Rodgers firmly in his statue phase, take the bruising potential handcuff.
3.08 – Audric Estime, RB, DEN
As a 5th round pick, we’re really staring down the barrel of questionable value. But that’s just how it is as we close out the third round. Estime has size and vision, but is lacking in receiving production or potential.
Ultimately, his value comes down to the competition in front of him. Javonte Williams has been a disappointment and his contract runs out at the end of the season. This may be an open job in 2025.
3.09 – Luke McCaffery, WR, WAS
Let’s all be honest about why we want Luke McCaffery on our team. It’s the name. You want a McCaffery. You want the bloodlines.
His catch radius is awful and there’s no evidence from a production standpoint that McCaffery should be on your radar. But he was transitioning from trying his hand at quarterback. There’s a possibility that the hands that define that NFL family are waiting to be developed.
At this stage in the third round, why not take a shot?
3.10 – Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG
Is it any surprise that we’re going to pick on Devin Singletary? The depth chart in New York is depleted after the loss of Saquon Barkley and the Giants didn’t do much to address it.
That’s definitely the prudent move in the NFL as the position can often be filled by later-round picks. Enter Tracy Jr. who has the receiving chops and vision to excel.
While he wasn’t highly touted due to a career 146 rushing attempts and 113 receptions, the film shows a back with good size who makes defenders miss. Take a chance on this translating at the next level.
3.11 – Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF
After running a 4.33 40 and getting drafted to the San Francisco 49ers, Guerendo has to be on dynasty radars. There’s not much else to say about him, but hey, there wasn’t much to say about Elijah Mitchell either.
When it comes to the 49ers, draft capital just doesn’t really matter. It’s about whether you can cut and run, something that Trey Sermon never figured out. It’s always good to bet on the upside of the best offense to own running backs in.
3.12 – Spencer Rattler, QB, NO
We close our three-round dynasty rookie mock draft with one last quarterback. Given the Superflex format, the biggest upside on any player will always be at this position.
While late-round quarterbacks don’t often deliver, Sam Howell was an afterthought in many dynasty rookie drafts just a couple of years ago. While he’s also an afterthought now, there was certainly a lot of opportunity to trade him for good value this past year.
Derek Carr is simply not that intimidating of a starter. If Rattler gets a chance, I wouldn’t count on him making the most of it. But there could be a peak time to trade him for a better pick in a future draft.