With the 2024 NFL Draft nearly here, you’ve likely read all you can on every prospect… well, except for what it all means for fantasy football. This is my yearly look at rookies with a fantasy football lens. Here are my top rookie rankings — of sorts – for the 2024 NFL Draft.
NOTES!
- Each “profile” is focused on giving an idea of the expected fantasy production. Many of the comps will go hand-in-hand with the player’s profile, but not every single one will be flawless. So, don’t get overly hung up on a rookie-pro comparison if it isn’t “perfect” — it’s more about the fantasy numbers.
- Additionally, not every comparison means you should expect that production 100% or quickly. The comparisons give an idea of what is possible, and many include a downside that might still be a bit positive.
- Tiers have players listed alphabetically… aka, a player in the same tier ahead of another doesn’t mean I necessarily like that player better. The landing spot is going to affect everyone drafted. Which is why you should…
Tune in during the first two NFL draft nights for live fantasy football impact updates of the draft picks, and Day 3 updated breakdowns throughout the day. After that, my 2024 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings and rookie-only ranks will drop, as will my updated 2024 Fantasy Football Overall Ranks.
2024 NFL DRAFT ROOKIE RANKINGS
QUARTERBACKS
TIER 1
Caleb Williams, USC — Great ability, arm, runner… pretty much everything — tries to “win” plays a bit too much and can be reckless.
Fantasy potential: Josh Allen potential, Sam Howell risk.
TIER 2
Jayden Daniels, LSU — Terrific arm and legs, great deep ball — questionable throws, placement and pressure avoidance.
Fantasy potential: The best of Justin Fields, and… the worst of Justin Fields.
Drake Maye, UNC — NFL-level arm and then some, great pocket passer with escapability — doesn’t innovate (additional reads or freelance run) with the best.
Fantasy potential: Better-passing Sam Howell, Baker Mayfield down years concerns.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan — Good arm and placement, strong under pressure — needs to improve anticipation/lead throws.
Fantasy potential: Trevor Lawrence (NFL version) on good end, but Jake Locker on the bad.
Michael Penix, Washington — Can squeeze throws into extremely tight windows, terrific arm and velocity — accuracy and anticipation need improvement. Not much of a rusher, extensive injury history.
Fantasy potential: Matthew Stafford’s later years for upside and Derek Carr’s 2017 season as the concern.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina — Top-end passing strength, big throws — careless passes and inconsistent.
Fantasy potential: Geno Smith/Ryan Tannehill… or maybe both… Geno Tannehill.
TIER 3
Joe Milton, Tennessee — Enormous/elite arm — extremely reckless thrower, strong runner.
Fantasy potential: Dak Prescott at his best, with career backup possibility.
Bo Nix, Oregon — Great arm, improved through his career, good pre-snap recognition — poor post-snap recognition, almost a third of his throws were behind LOS, concern of offense boosting him.
Fantasy potential: Russell Wilson’s best seasons or Russell Wilson 2022.
Michael Pratt, Tulane — Good all-around ability and touch — bit “too patient” and can miss windows, inaccurate at times, injury history concerns.
Fantasy potential: Kenny Pickett in college (well, not that many TD throws) and Kenny Pickett in the NFL.
Jordan Travis, Florida State — Nice arm, good rushing ability, nice placement and ability to extend plays — injury to end his season, struggles to innovate pre and post-snap.
Fantasy potential: Kyler Murray upside, with never starting in the NFL risk.
If you want next-level insight on every potential drafted player, do NOT miss Dan Bruglar’s The Beast, coming April 10 (link added once it drops)!
RUNNING BACKS
TIER 1
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin — Great speed and smoothness for his size, stays balanced through contact — limited lateral movement and passing game work.
Fantasy potential: Derrick Henry at his best, some AJ Dillon and Latavius Murray risk.
Trey Benson, Florida State — One-cut type, good gap burst, tackle breaker — not overly creative or patient.
Fantasy potential: Nick Chubb upside (and not just because of similar career injuries), Gus Edwards middle potential, and timeshare piece downside.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas — Hits top speed quickly, nice moves — okay receiver, not a ton of power, injury risk.
Fantasy potential: Could be what everyone wants Jaylen Warren to be, or just Jaylen Warren or, at worst, a Justice Hill type.
MarShawn Lloyd, USC — Slippery, great speed, good receiver, good power — limited college work (injuries a factor), receiving game more projection than production.
Fantasy potential: The best of James Conner, the worst of James Conner (injury wise), or Alexander Mattison-like timeshare RB.
TIER 2
Blake Corum, Michigan — Good between the tackles, good pass blocker — mid-level athleticism and explosiveness, solid all around.
Fantasy potential: Zack Moss without injury upside but more likely a timeshare lead with Tyler Allgeier numbers.
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State — Smooth, cut-and-go type — lacking elite speed and has questions in passing-game ability.
Fantasy potential: Could put up Dalvin Cook-like numbers or be a Jaylen Warren split piece.
Ray Davis, Kentucky — Patient and smart runner — lacks great speed and receiving ability but solid pass blocker.
Fantasy potential: Jamaal Williams — likely a time-share back but, on the right team, could be an RB2.
Audric Estime, Notre Dame — Great power, especially between the tackles… “north/south runner” — limited in moves, lateral agility and receiving.
Fantasy potential: Khalil Herbert with more power — RB2 as a lead, RB3/4 as back-half split.
Frank Gore, Southern Mississippi — Good feel for the position with vision, cuts, receiving and more — lacks top power, speed to hit the outside regularly.
Fantasy potential: His dad? No. Really. Gore could be his dad with the volume but the concern is more of a 40-50% touch RB.
Isaac Guerendo, Louisville — Speed for someone smaller (6-foot, 221 pounds — 4.33 40), hits the gaps/edge, good power — can slow in/out of cuts, not the most elusive.
Fantasy potential: Range runs from Joe Mixon to D’Onta Foreman.
Bucky Irving, Oregon — Great receiver, good speed, nice moves and elusiveness — size lacking, gets move-happy.
Fantasy potential: Likely a Jerick McKinnon, Antonio Gibson, Michael Carter type.
Will Shipley, Clemson — Another good all-around player with questions about pass-blocking.
Fantasy potential: Deon Jackson type.
Kimani Vidal, Troy — Compact, tight, strong runner with good footwork — creativity concerns and lacks elite skills.
Fantasy potential: AJ Dillon feels, maybe some Jamaal Williams at best.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee — Nice vision and pop in his step, great speed — can go down easy at times given middling power and balance.
Fantasy potential: Travis Etienne good, James Cook (lesser split-work version) bad.
TIER 3
Rasheen Ali, Marshall — Gets up to his good speed quickly, cut-and-go — limited power, elusiveness and receiving.
Fantasy potential: Mike Anderson at his best and worst — likely needs the Shanahan system of rushing offense.
Emani Bailey, TCU — Good vision, burst, receiver — lacking moves, decision-quickness, balance.
Fantasy potential: Last season’s Austin Ekeler, so a bit better Justice Hill.
Daijun Edwards, Georgia — One of the better receiving backs, good vision and moves — can overthink and hesitate, speed more up the middle than outside, which he’s better suited for.
Fantasy potential: Has James Cook feel with lesser speed, so likely falls into “Tajae Spears 2023” type seasons.
Deshaun Fenwick, Oregon State — Decisively hits holes with cut-and-go — middling athleticism, speed and strength.
Fantasy potential: Tyler Allgeier potential with the right offense (zone blocking).
Dillon Johnson, Washington — Tough runner with good speed, turning into a bowling ball — takes a lot of contact with low elusiveness.
Fantasy potential: Rico Dowdle type — likely second half of timeshare.
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville — Has good burst, moves, and slices through defense — size concern, gets knocked off balance (again, lacking size… lower half too).
Fantasy potential: Another Gibson/McKinnon/etc. type.
Marcus Knight, Tennessee Tech — Nice athleticism with burst, balance and footwork — limited showing as a receiver, will press/push instead of letting lanes develop.
Fantasy potential: Jerome Ford type with some RB2 upside if leading, but likely the backup plan for a team.
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire — Wideout-like routes and receiving ability, nice after the catch — lacks great power, speed and elusiveness.
Fantasy potential: J.D. McKissic role.
Kendall Milton, Georgia — Decisive, explodes out of breaks, pushes for extra yards after contact — doesn’t evade enough tackles, passing game limited (blocking too).
Fantasy potential: Brian Robinson if everything clicks, RB4 backup option if not.
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth — Great speed, quickness and vision — hesitates, lacks power breaking tackles and pushing for more.
Fantasy potential: Could surprise with Alvin Kamara ceiling (without high-volume touchdowns) or be an RB3 in change-of-pace and receiving role.
Tyrone Tracy, Purdue — Transitioning receiver, YAC speed, fast and decisive in return game — first contact takes him down too often, great YAC with speed but not moves.
Fantasy potential: Another Antonio Gibson but also some Tutu Atwell-ness.
WIDE RECEIVERS
TIER 1
Marvin Harrison, Ohio State — Dangerous everywhere, some of the best hands ever, easily makes big plays and gets downfield — can clean up routes (soft at times), lacks strength against physical corners/press and breaking tackles.
Fantasy potential: Top 10 — should be in WR1 discussion immediately with DJ Moore numbers.
Malik Nabers, LSU — Top-end speed, big plays, deep threat, separates with ease — slight route cleanup, initial burst from footwork can improve too.
Fantasy potential: Top 20 with rookie WR1 value possible — Tyreek Hill ceiling and floor might be Brandin Cooks.
Rome Odunze, Washington — NFL-ready receiver winning contested balls, getting separation, terrific hands — could find more gaps in zone, lacking elite speed (nitpicking here).
Fantasy potential: Bigger Garrett Wilson, which carries Top 20 upside.
TIER 2
Keon Coleman, Florida State — Contested/jump/50-50 balls are regularly won, good speed and smoothness for size, great hands — routes are unrefined, lacks top speed and separation.
Fantasy potential: Good Kenny Golladay with a better floor — Courtland Sutton past two years with 4-6 touchdowns.
Troy Franklin, Oregon — Terrific speed, regularly beating defenders deep, nice routes and separation — struggles with contested catches with lean frame/lower strength.
Fantasy potential: DeVonta Smith but closer to Torrey Smith production in WR3/4 range.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia — Elusive like a running back, great YAC, top-notch routes — struggles to free himself of strong and handsy corners, doesn’t have a great high-point.
Fantasy potential: Diontae Lockett — yes, a combo of Diontae Johnson and Tyler Lockett, which would be Top 20 but risk of being an inconsistent WR4.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas — Glides extremely well for his size, good speed and aggressiveness — could use more strength to deal with tougher defenders and contested catches.
Fantasy potential: Christian Kirk numbers but not a guarantee to hit — could end up Cedrick Wilson.
Brian Thomas, LSU — Terrific athleticism and good speed for his size, some of the best hands, tracks and moves well — needs to clean up his routes but more with technique and footwork, lets defenders get into his space.
Fantasy potential: Like most of Tier 2, there is Top 25 upside and would have Tier 1 possibilities other years — Nico Collins ceiling.
Xavier Worthy, Texas — Top-end speed, great routes, fast twitch and quickness — inconsistency (drops), light frame and struggles versus press man.
Fantasy potential: DeSean Jackson, including early-career kick returning potential.
TIER 3
Javon Baker, UCF — Good separation, great tracking and movement to the ball, nice routes — defenders stick to him often, speed inconsistent.
Fantasy potential: Mix of Jerry Jeudy and Darius Slayton.
Jermaine Burton, Alabama — Gets off line and deep with ease, great routes, finds space — not much YAC, can struggle with awareness to field placement.
Fantasy potential: Chris Godwin peak, Romeo Doubs’ first two seasons on the lower end.
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky — Looks like a running back (especially with YAC), good burst and great hands — needs development in routes and handling strong corners.
Fantasy potential: Curtis Samuel if team has him in that role, with best-case being the top Julian Edelman years.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina — Great speed for size, strong and wins balls regularly, dangerous YAC — routes can get sloppy, particularly with footwork, separates as he gets downfield (want to see him get quicker release).
Fantasy potential: Bit smaller DK Metcalf with risk of being bigger Rashid Shaheed.
Ricky Pearsall, Florida — Great downfield option, great hands and adjustment, stacks corners and fakes them easily — can struggle with tough coverage (strength), short-to-middle and zone game not strong.
Fantasy potential: Darius Slayton but more likely to hit the 700+ yard seasons than the down years.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington — Tracking and deep-field ability first thing you notice, good YAC and body placement — routes and finding pockets in coverage need improvement, okay speed.
Fantasy potential: Tyler Boyd numbers.
Devontez Walker, UNC — Great speed and gets going quick, can hit edge/outside and run by corners, nice hands — routes need work, improve through contact (press, at LOS, in routes).
Fantasy potential: Will Fuller — all the upside and all the downside.
Roman Wilson, Michigan — Good routes, short area quickness, hands and finding space — size could limit him, doesn’t show YAC you’d expect from his style.
Fantasy potential: Later career Emmanuel Sanders.
TIER 4
Jacob Cowing, Arizona — Great speed and burst, elusive with that speed, cuts through defense — going to struggle due to size, small window, YAC with speed but not power (struggles to break tackles).
Fantasy potential: Even thinner Wan’Dale Robinson.
Cornelius Johnson, Michigan — Strong receiver, high-points, wins contested catches, contact doesn’t faze him — routes messy, good straight line speed but not as much short space/quick.
Fantasy potential: JuJu Smith-Schuster big-slot type.
Luke McCaffrey, Rice — Transitioned from QB, great routes, precise cuts, nice YAC — press/strong man will stymie him, doesn’t vary speed much (could burst out of breaks more).
Fantasy potential: Many make the Julian Edelman comparison (because previously a QB), but also Doubs-like on the downside.
Jalen McMillan, Washington — Above-average routes, initial speed, awareness — doesn’t have much of a second gear, contested catches are a concern.
Fantasy potential: Sterling Shepard numbers and concerns.
Brenden Rice, USC — Good size and strength, uses it well, works coverage and with his QB — not the most elusive or quick, doesn’t free from quicker coverage consistently.
Fantasy potential: The 2023 version of DeAndre Hopkins upside with 2023 Jeudy concern.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia — Some of the best hand/eye coordination, high-points well, finds space in zone — lacking top speed and explosion out of cuts, press coverage is a struggle.
Fantasy potential: Mid-range Allen Robinson (not peak or basement versions).
Ainias Smith, Texas A&M — Nice elusiveness seen with YAC and in routes, ability for backfield carries and kick returns, smart player — size and strength are obvious concerns, not the best deep speed or route precision.
Fantasy potential: Short Trey Palmer but could end up with 600-700 total yards.
Jamari Thrash, Louisville — Adjusts well to QB and in routes, great success in short-to-intermediate game and middle of field — smaller and limits separation, okay speed and quickness.
Fantasy potential: John Metchie, as an NFL team’s No. 3 receiver.
Johnny Wilson, Florida State — Terrific size (6-foot-6, 231 pounds), good speed and routes for his size, strong (obviously) — doesn’t attack the target consistently, struggles to gear back up when slowing (versus coverage or some breaks).
Fantasy potential: Best case Mike Evans but more likely numbers like George Pickens’ rookie season.
OTHERS: LIKELY DEVELOPMENTAL DEPTH
(MORE COVERAGE IF SURPRISING DRAFT SPOT OR OPPORTUNITY)
- Jalen Coker, Holy Cross — Big slot with short-area speed and ability to exploit zone. Lacking downfield speed.
- Anthony Gould, Oregon State — Smaller receiver with sure hands, kick return potential but questionable speed.
- Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane — Terrific speed and route breaks, gets separation, but lacks strength to win in contested situations.
- Bub Means, Pittsburgh — Chain-mover with size, body positioning to win contested situations, but doesn’t get a ton of separation.
- Malik Washington, UVA — Good burst and elusive in his routes (precise too), but lacking in size and speed.
- Tahj Washington, USC — Some Wan’Dale Robinson to his game with explosiveness and ability to play outside a bit.
- Xavier Weaver, Colorado — Nice speed and quick burst to separate with YAC upside, but can improve field awareness and strength.
- Jordan Whittington, Texas — Converted RB with good routes and potential YAC — inconsist and lets defenders knock him off routes and take him down after the catch.
- Isaiah Williams, Illinois — Very quick and elusive, gets downfield well, but likely a slot and return guy.
TIGHT ENDS
TIER 1
Brock Bowers, Georgia — Elite. Can line up anywhere, runs great routes, easily finds space, YAC maker — route breaking can be more precise, strength only non-terrific attribute.
Fantasy potential: Top 5 is possible as a rookie. Could be the next Mark Andrews or what we expected of Kyle Pitts. Feels like worst-case would be Dallas Goedert.
TIER 2
Erick All, Iowa — Terrific routes, great receiver/hands, good blocker — lacking big-play upside, separation mainly from technique and not speed.
Fantasy potential: Tyler Higbee.
Jaheim Bell, Florida State — Great receiver, good athleticism and separation ability — unrefined routes at times, not a great blocker, more speed than strength.
Fantasy potential: David Njoku, but the limited strength and blocking could limit Bell to reduced snaps and Jared Cook-ness.
Dallin Holker, Colorado State — Nice YAC for a tight end, big window for QB, good blocker — on the lower end in terms of quickness, speed, athleticism.
Fantasy potential: Pat Freiermuth, but also potentially no more than Anthony Firkser.
Theo Johnson, Penn State — Can separate and find space regularly, great receiver, good blocking — inconsistent routes, doesn’t have quick burst/acceleration.
Fantasy potential: Jason Witten type.
Trey Knox, South Carolina — Converted wide receiver, speed/quickness/athleticism among best — limited routes, should have better YAC given his ability.
Fantasy potential: Could turn into David Njoku, with Ricky Seals-Jones downside.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas — Great hands, definition of QB safety blanket, good speed — struggles as a blocker, particularly with speed rushers, can get stronger in contact and routes.
Fantasy potential: George Kittle upside.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State — Good speed for the position (played fullback), great hands and positioning — routes lack precision, allows defenders back into his space before the catch.
Fantasy potential: Could be Jake Ferguson — Darren Waller dream ceiling.
Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota — Size and speed matchup problem, great hands — weak routes, should use his power more in creating space.
Fantasy potential: T.J. Hockenson if he addresses strength and routes issues, with Dawson Knox “downside.”
Cade Stover, Ohio State — Tight/clean routes, good hands and YAC — not enough speed to hold off corners/safeties, blocking is lacking.
Fantasy potential: The range is from Dallas Goedert to Noah Fant.
Jared Wiley, TCU — Athletic and strong, good attacking the ball and after the catch — not smoothest going from reception to runner, needs to adjust to passer and coverage more.
Fantasy potential: Could be Greg Olsen, could be Will Dissly.
(Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images, Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
