• Day 3 running back implications: This list is not exhaustive, but players prefer things like: bucky irving and Kimani Vidal It's the perfect mesh with great tape and great landing spots.
• Third-round wide receiver slipping? ADP may catch up someday; Jermaine Burton and Luke McCaffrey They are now likely to be picked frequently in the third round of the rookie draft despite second-day draft capital and an immediate route to snaps.
• Check out PFF's fantasy football rankings. PFF's Fantasy Football Rankings include expert ranks, predictions, and strength of schedule metrics.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
For many fantasy football dynasty managers, afterthoughts and throw-in items, adding late-round rookie picks or undrafted waiver players can be essential to rebuilding a team or adding depth to a team.Sometimes you nail the pick like this puka nacua or Isaiah Pacheco Although they can provide a huge return on investment, these players often end up as roster fillers after a few years, only to be released.
So how do you identify these diamonds in the rough? It's easier said than done, but distinguishing between players requires consideration of situation, scheme fit, and draft capital. It often becomes. There are some differences from league to league and season to season, but even if the draft tends to be pretty nuanced, you can be sure there are still talented players on the board.
Here are 10 names to watch in the third round and beyond of the 2024 rookie draft.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round, Irving was one of the most dynamic players in college football last season. Oregon Despite the lack of desirable measurable and athletic abilities. Irving is more than just a check-down option as a receiver, and last season he had 55 catches for over 9.5 yards per reception. He forced a total of 94 missed tackles between the run and pass games, showing great feel for traffic and great footwork to chain cuts.
he lands backwards Ratchard White Considering White's breakthrough last season, it was a disappointing result for many managers. But Irving has little else to compete for snaps, and White wasn't very efficient last season, benefiting primarily from more volume and receiving work. Irving definitely has a role as a complementary first-year player, with an opportunity to increase his workload if his playing strength is not limited.
RB Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants
Running back again day 3, Tracy is really just facing Devin Singletary At present, as a touch competition, Eric Gray and Gary Brightwell At this point in their careers, they contribute more on special teams. Tracy, who converted to wide receiver, spent four seasons in the United States. iowa Flashing playmaking potential is almost an afterthought in the team's team situation. Ground-and-pound offensive philosophy and quarterback struggles.
This is the second season after the transfer. PurdueTracy transitioned to running back and displayed a fluid and intelligent running style beyond his years, forcing missed tackles on nearly every attempt and a class-leading 4.4 yards after contact per attempt. Recorded.
With a great feel for getting through traffic and an already established receiving skillset, Tracy feels like a player to be featured who could be taken in the fourth round of a fantasy draft or in the post-draft.
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Drafted by the Chargers in the sixth round, Vidal's fantasy stock has risen since draft day, and continues to rise even as he enters the second round of some rookie drafts.while putting him on running back. ray davis and bucky irving, It's hard to back a player drafted two rounds higher, or a second-day wideout, perhaps for a better situation, but getting him in the late third or early fourth spot is solid value. It feels like.
At 5-foot-8, Vidal is a compact runner who is difficult to beat on first contact and had 94 missed forced tackles on the ground in 2023. He also showed untapped potential as a receiver, catching all 18 catchable tackles. He hit the target and measured 214 yards after the catch.
Chargers acquire former Ravens Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins Presumably to handle backfield duties, Dobbins is recovering from a serious injury to his third leg, so it's fair to ask when and how much he'll contribute to the backfield.
RB Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
Likely to be available in the fourth round of the Rookie Fantasy Draft, Dylan Laube He was drafted by the Raiders in the sixth round and has a legitimate chance to play a role beyond his first year.Las Vegas seems willing to cooperate. zamir white Going back to 2024, alexander mattison and Ameer Abdullah Potentially rotate.
A true receiving threat, Laube has a skill set that few others can offer. Last season, Laube lined up in the slot or outside wide on 28 of his 88 targets, posting a receiving grade of 79.7 when lined up as a true receiver. Targeting is king for fantasy running backs, and Laube's receiving potential is something worth betting on at the end of the rookie draft or in the first wave of waiver wire runs.
WR Luke McCaffrey (Washington Commanders)
It's not often that a wide receiver with second-day draft capital is available in the third or fourth round of a dynasty's rookie draft, especially when there is little competition for playing time in an offensive system that prioritizes different skill sets. . Throughout his seasons, arizonanew Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury led the league in four-receiver sets by a wide margin and used three-receiver sets at a rate above league average, leaving him with more snaps. terry mcloughlin and Jahan Dotson.
Besides the above two options, diami brown, Dax Milne, Jamison Crowder and olamide zacaius He will be McCaffrey's only threat on key snaps. A savvy and intelligent separator, the former quarterback posted a 97.7 receiving grade against zone in 2023 and missed just three of his 127 targets. The third-rounder could be tapped to serve as a reliable chain mover to assist the rookie quarterback. jayden daniels'Development.
WR Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
Consensus is starting to catch up to Barton, with him sneaking into the second round of some rookie drafts. Still, he could be used in the third if his league mates are slow to adapt or don't pay attention to personality concerns.Barton had troubling issues off the field. alabama state that It's hard to pinpoint exactly how the NFL feels about him, and his average draft position could have been outside the top 24 pre-draft, but the Bengals are clearly looking to make up for him. I felt comfortable enough to nominate the second day. jammer chase (and tee higgins, if he sticks there).
A dynamic downfield threat, Barton averaged over 17.5 yards per reception through four seasons. georgia and alabama state And he only missed four 210 goals in his college career.Last year's draft candidates Andrei Iosivas and charlie jones Both flashed, but Barton has provided far more vitality and reliability from day one, and if the Bengals move him out of the league, it's possible he won't be an immediate contributor and could benefit greatly down the road. There is little reason to think that there is a sex. higgins.
WR Javon Baker, New England Patriots
The second receiving weapon the Patriots drafted after Jaylin Polk was taken 37th overall. baker 111 catches with at least 18 yards per reception over the past two seasons UCF. Baker, who often goes in the early to mid-third round in rookie drafts and sometimes drops to the fourth round, has more production, skill set, and landing potential than his net worth.
with a name like kendrick bourne, Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and KJ OsborneRounding out the Patriots' receiving corps, Baker's inside and outside versatility, body control at the catch point, and ability to stretch the field give him a solid chance to be a part of the Patriots. drake mayfavorite target of Sooner or later.
WR Malik Washington Miami Dolphins
A slightly luxurious choice miamiespecially after signing odell beckham jr. A few days after the draft ended, malik Washington It may take a year or two to pay off, but his natural separation skills and after-the-catch ability make him a perfect fit in Mike McDaniel's offense.
In the final season after the transfer, Virginia, Washington He was recorded as open on more than 84% of his targets and forced 35 missed tackles, which were the best among all Power Five receivers. This is a bit of a long game, but for fantasy managers willing to take advantage of late picks and sixth-round taxi spots, patience could be highly rewarded.
TE Jared Wiley, Kansas City Chiefs
Wiley has an impressive physique, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing over 250 pounds. Showing good instincts for zone coverage and good ball skills as a post-up threat, he brought in all 10 catchable targets and scored five touchdowns in the red zone. The finer points of his game need a bit of cleaning up, as he was primarily used as a dump-off threat in the flat and over the ball outside of the red zone, but there's no better tight end to learn those nuances. I wonder.position from travis kelsey?
Between Wiley's size, athletic testing, and great hands, there's certainly a ceiling that makes him worth taking a chance on.Consider the additional benefits of being attached patrick mahomes For the time being, Wylie outperforms the majority of late-round tight end options, followed by Brock BowersJatavion Sanders, Ben Synnott.
TE Eric Orr, Cincinnati Bengals
former michigan recruit, Eric Orr spent the last season in iowa, led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns despite appearing in only seven games. In 2023, he connected on eight of his 22 receptions for gains of 15 yards or more. His final two seasons in college were both cut short, so the injury concerns are considerable, but at this point in your fantasy draft, you'd be looking at: It's hard to find a player who doesn't have serious problems.
Everyone gets plugged into the back. mike gesicki and Drew Sample Initially, however, Gesicki is more of a big slot and Samples has little use as a receiver, giving Orr the opportunity to provide a solid middle grounder if he can stay healthy. There aren't many other matchups that make you feel good about a late-round tight end, but Orr's downfield receiving skill set, after-the-catch ability, and inline blocking floor make him worth a bet in the fourth round or after the draft.
