10 Fantasy Football Rookies That Will Make An Instant Impact In 2024

August 26, 2024

Joey Pollizze breaks down the 10 fantasy football rookies who could make an immediate impact in 2024 and gauges whether they should be on your draft boards.

Every year, there are a handful of rookies who make an instant impact in fantasy football. In 2023, players like C.J. Stroud, Puka Nacua, Sam LaPorta, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs were just some of the rookies who made a fantasy impact right away. Stroud, Nacua, LaPorta, Robinson, and Gibbs all finished top 12 at their respective positions last season. 

However, they weren't the only rookies to contribute solid fantasy numbers throughout the year. Jordan Addison was a weekly WR2, Rashee Rice came on late in the season and scored double-digit fantasy points in the last six regular-season games, and De'Von Achane had five 20-plus point PPR fantasy days last season. 

Those big games from rookies won't stop in 2024, either. So, here are 10 rookies who are destined to have a solid year in fantasy and will make an instant impact this upcoming season. 

Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears 

Quarterbacks usually struggle in their first year in the league, which is why a top-10 fantasy finish doesn't happen too often. Only three quarterbacks since 2013 (Dak Prescott, Kyler Murray, and Justin Herbert) have finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in their rookie year. 

However, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams could surely join that club in 2024. He is arguably in one of the best situations as a rookie in NFL history. Having DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and D'Andre Swift catching passes from him should elevate his game in Chicago. Williams also has the talent to succeed as a rookie with a strong arm and the potential to score some touchdowns on the ground, too. 

Potential No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has already begun pre-draft training run by former NFL QB coach Rich Scangarello, whom he met years ago through @QBCollective. Getting ready to hit the ground running as a pro. pic.twitter.com/XOUVCEKvwA

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 15, 2024

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders 

If fantasy managers miss out on Williams in fantasy drafts, don't worry because Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels could also make his way to a top-10 fantasy finish. Daniels finds himself in a great situation on offense with weapons like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Austin Ekeler in the receiving game. 

What will make Daniels so valuable in fantasy is his legs. The former LSU product ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last college season in 2023, and he won't shy away from running in his first season with the Commanders. That alone should help him finish with great fantasy numbers in 2024. 

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers

Brooks might not be ready for the start of the season, and he likely will have to compete with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders for touches to begin his rookie campaign. As a result, he might fall in fantasy drafts.

Nonetheless, expect him to take over Carolina's backfield as the season progresses. He is clearly the most talented running back on the roster and should become a reliable fantasy option down the stretch. With the way new head coach Dave Canales is also talking about Brooks this offseason, there is reason to believe that the Panthers will be utilizing the rookie in different ways, especially in the passing game. That should help him make an immediate impact in 2024.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals 

There is no doubt that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will have a big role in his first season. Not only was he arguably the best prospect in the 2024 draft class, but he also landed in a great spot with the Cardinals. Harrison should immediately step in and be Kyler Murray's top option in the passing game as a rookie. 

The Cardinals just signed Marvin Harrison Jr. to a fully-guaranteed rookie contract that is worth $35.3M with a $22.5M signing bonus 💰✅ https://t.co/xNmkDYqidr pic.twitter.com/kx2jUc1Bqo

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 23, 2024

As a result, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Harrison top over 1,100 yards while seeing over 150 targets in 2024. He shouldn't face much competition for targets other than from tight end Trey McBride, and he has the talent to succeed right away in Arizona. A top-10 fantasy finish is certainly attainable for the rookie this season. 

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

When looking at New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, there are some mixed reactions from fantasy managers. Of course, Nabers has the skill set to be a top fantasy option in 2024. He was arguably the best college receiver last season while putting up 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

One thing that could hold Nabers back from a potential top-24 fantasy finish this year is his quarterback. Daniel Jones struggled through the air in 2023 before tearing his ACL in Week 9. The rookie's quarterback shouldn't matter too much for his fantasy value because he is the clear WR1 in New York's offense and should see more than 130 targets as a rookie. That volume should lead to some nice fantasy days.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars 

There is real potential for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to be heavily involved on offense right away. He has a solid quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and goes to a Jacksonville offense that lost both Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones this offseason. That means 110 catches and 1,337 receiving yards are vacated from that offense from a year ago. 

With Thomas expected to start on the outside -- opposite of Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk in the slot -- he could provide fantasy managers with some solid fantasy games. The rookie also caught a league-leading 17 touchdowns in college last season, so he could also emerge as a goal-line target for Lawrence. 

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

Whichever receiver the Buffalo Bills selected with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was going to have a ton of fantasy hype right away. That happened to be former Florida State wideout Keon Coleman. With Stefon Diggs being traded this offseason and Gabe Davis leaving in free agency, Coleman could have a huge role in 2024. 

Working on that connection. 🤩#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/8UvF2zJHU1

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 21, 2024

That makes him a potential late-round target in fantasy drafts this summer. He could start for the Bills immediately in Week 1 and could emerge as Josh Allen's favorite option in the passing game. If that's the case, don't be surprised if Coleman has a nice fantasy campaign in 2024. 

Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers went through a lot of changes this offseason, especially at the wide receiver position. The Chargers traded away Keenan Allen and cut veteran Mike Williams. While many analysts thought Los Angeles was going to select Nabers with the fifth overall pick, the team passed on him and instead took Ladd McConkey early in the second round. That landing spot for McConkey is the best-case scenario for him. 

He has the potential to be Justin Herbert's top target in 2024, and that should help him stay fantasy-relevant for most of the year. McConkey is usually the sixth rookie wide receiver selected in fantasy drafts this offseason, but he has the chance to finish top-40 overall at the position -- given his upside in an offense led by Herbert. 

Malachi Corley, WR, New York Jets

This one might be a little surprising to most. However, there is a chance that New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley will make an immediate impact in the NFL in 2024. The Jets fell in love with the Western Kentucky product in the draft process and did everything they could to select him. Even quarterback Aaron Rodgers went on the record recently and said Corley was "his favorite receiver" in the class. 

With that high praise from Rodgers this early in the offseason, look for Corley to be incorporated on offense right away. There is a good chance he starts in the slot for the Jets in Week 1. Even if he doesn't, there is reason to believe he will be more involved as the season goes on. Having a future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing him passes should also help his development as a rookie. 

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders 

There was some hesitation in putting Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers on this list. His landing spot in Las Vegas wasn't the best, and rookie tight ends don't usually deliver great fantasy seasons -- except for Sam LaPorta in 2023. However, there is some potential for Bowers in his first year. 

#Raiders OC Luke Getsy on Brock Bowers:

“Brock’s a unique guy… Everyone’s trying to find those dynamic differences and I think he’s just one of those elements that gives us an opportunity to do a bunch of different things.” pic.twitter.com/1lbe5b5Vzi

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) May 21, 2024

For starters, he is one of the best tight-end prospects to come out of the draft in recent years. He totaled 2,538 receiving yards in three college seasons at Georgia and even had 193 rush yards and five touchdowns on the ground. So, that gives the Raiders some flexibility in moving him around on offense. Bowers could also emerge as Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew II's second option on offense, behind only Davante Adams. The young tight end is certainly worth a shot in fantasy because of his upside as a rookie. 

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