Fantasy Football relevant rookies post-2024 NFL Draft

Focusing in on fantasy
QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
WR Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
WR Malachi Corley, New York Jets
RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
WR Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Focusing in on fantasy

There's still time for fantasy football players to get their draft boards in order, but the completion of the NFL Draft gives us a chance to highlight which rookies could make a difference in that realm in the 2024 season. Certain players might be fantasy sleepers, while others' upside might be a little more obvious.

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Williams told NBC Sports Chicago that he isn't worried about the Bears' tumultuous history with quarterbacks, and that might be with good reason. The franchise has taken many strides to ensure that the number one overall NFL Draft pick has weapons to work with in year one. Williams may just have to get the ball into his playmakers' hands, which could return fantasy value for him at QB.

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Yahoo Sports quoted ESPN analyst Louis Riddick's analysis of Daniels, who said that he was small, but an electric playmaker. Washington is hoping that elusiveness outside the pocket will show up early and often, and fantasy managers might want to bet on that athleticism as well. If he doesn't take too much of a beating, he could be a weapon on the ground in fantasy and in real life.

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WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

SNY called Harrison an instant number one wide receiver for most offenses, and that includes the offense he'll actually play for in Arizona. Fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry often says that fantasy football value is derived from talent and opportunity, both of which Harrison has or will have in spades during the 2024 season.

WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Nabers may be a bit of a dart throw in fantasy football in 2024, but the upside is hard to deny. Yahoo Sports said that Nabers has blazing speed, which the Giants badly need in their offense. The question is how the rookie wideout will be utilized in the offense, and whether quarterback Daniel Jones can effectively maximize Nabers' skill set.

TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Bowers was tabbed as the best tight end in the NFL Draft by a mile, and his career will start with the Raiders. Bleacher Report quoted an NFL scout who said this about Bowers, “I see him as a really good starter. I think he's going to be in the slot as more of an F-tight end. “Evan Engram is a good comparison.” He may not be a tight end one right away in fantasy, but he should be on the radar.

WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

It's anyone's guess as to how the legal situation with Rashee Rice will play out, which will put the NFL and the Chiefs in a difficult position in 2024. ESPN's Adam Schefter believes that Rice will receive some sort of suspension next season, which will catapult players like Worthy on to the field. Given the early opportunity, he could make a name for himself if he plays well immediately.

WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

There's been a lot of smoke surrounding the 49ers' desire to trade either Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, as Bleacher Report has written about. It feels like they might pull the trigger at any moment, which made the Pearsall selection intriguing. If San Francisco does move either player, Pearsall would be in line for a sizeable rookie workload.

WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers fought mightily on offense, and needed help just about everywhere on the unit. ESPN believes that Carolina gave young quarterback Bryce Young the help he so desperately needed around him, and that started with Legette's selection at the end of the first round. He doesn't have much competition around him at wide receiver, although Diontae Johnson may absorb targets.

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WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo parted ways with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis this offseason, so it was something close to a sure thing that the franchise would take a wide receiver early in the 2024 Draft. Coleman steps into a massive void left by the departed pair, and into a prime opportunity to click with Josh Allen. Coleman's fantasy stock could skyrocket as we creep closer to the season.

WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers had a similar exodus of talent as the Bills did this offseason. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are no longer pacing Los Angeles' wide receiver unit, which should open up a chance for McConkey to start in three-wide sets. In The Athletic's mock draft, McConkey was called a pure slot player, but someone who is fast and sudden.

WR Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots

Patriots fans are hoping that the team's offense plays with a lot more life in 2024, and Polk could be instrumental in that dream. Explosive plays were not something New England generated a ton of in recent years, but The Sports Hub believes that the team reached for Polk in order to change that narrative. Polk may be fantasy relevant as a late-round or waiver-wire addition.

RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

Brooks was on track to potentially be a first round pick in the NFL Draft, but he tore his ACL last November. The Panthers probably won't rush him back to action before he's completely ready, but he's a nice flyer to have as the season progresses. The same evaluation holds true in fantasy football, as Brooks may be a league-winner down the stretch if he can stay on the field.

WR Malachi Corley, New York Jets

The fantasy value of nearly every Jets offensive player hinges on the status of Aaron Rodgers. If the future Hall of Famer is able to play a full season, Corley may benefit. He'll have his work cut out for him trying to get in Rodgers' good graces, but he could find his way into a rotational role as veteran Mike Williams returns from an ACL injury.

RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

He may not have an every down role right away, but Benson could be one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football this season. The Arizona Republic have the Cardinals' selection of Benson to a B grade, and also pointed out that veteran runner James Conner is in the final year of his contract.

WR Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

GiveMeSport highlighted the strong track record that the Steelers have had developing wide receivers. Wilson may not jump off the radar as a third round pick, but he's in an excellent position to enhance his skill set at the next level. The Steelers' passing offense figures to be improved from a year ago, which could give Wilson sporadic fantasy appeal in 2024.

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