10 NFL Rookies You Should Know For 2024 Fantasy Football

September 1, 2024

Hayden Epinette analyzes 10 NFL rookies from the 2024 NFL Draft that will make an immediate impact in fantasy football with scouting, predictions, and analysis.

Every spring, the NFL Draft marks the beginning of hundreds of players' careers in the NFL. While many of these careers end up being short, it is still a time of such hope for young prospects as they embark on their professional journeys. Now, the time has nearly come for this year's rookies to begin their regular season campaigns.

It can be difficult to know how well these rookies will fare. Some, like Chargers WR Quentin Johnston, have high expectations but sputter throughout the season. Others, like Rams receiver Puka Nacua, come out of nowhere to smash records. One thing is for certain, though: some of these rookies will be decisive factors in your fantasy leagues.

With the 2024 season just around the corner, it is time to get up to speed on this year's rookies if you have not already. This article will familiarize you with 10 of the biggest names out of this year's draft class. Knowing these players and their values will be crucial for your fantasy drafts. Let's get started with the 2023 Heisman winner.

Jayden Daniels - QB, Washington Commanders

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): QB11

After Sam Howell's 2023 season where he led the NFL in interceptions, the Washington Commanders decided to use the second-overall pick in this year's draft to select quarterback Jayden Daniels out of LSU. Daniels was the second QB taken, but his dual-threat nature makes him the best rookie QB fantasy option for 2024.

Daniels broke out in Baton Rouge last season, emerging as a dominant offensive force. He threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions, and he also earned 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. These elite numbers won Daniels the Heisman Trophy and quickly shot him up draft boards.

JAYDEN DANIELS, WOW 😤 pic.twitter.com/9UcGy5H5K6

— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2023

Now in the nation's capital, Daniels will have to adjust to NFL defenses. While the Commanders do not have the deepest stable of weapons, Daniels will have quality receiver Terry McLaurin to lean on. Fellow rookies like WR Luke McCaffrey and TE Ben Sinnott will also provide support, as will RBs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr.

Daniels will not be replicating his 2023 passing efficiency (13.6 adjusted yards per attempt), but his rushing ability will give him both a high floor and a decent ceiling in fantasy football. Given that he is officially starting for Washington in Week 1, Daniels should be valued as a low-end QB1 for this season.

Caleb Williams - QB, Chicago Bears

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): QB13

With an assist from Carolina, the Chicago Bears managed to win the Caleb Williams sweepstakes a season ago. By taking the former USC quarterback first overall, the Bears secured a player who has widely been described as a generational prospect. Williams immediately became the team's starting QB for the upcoming season.

During his two seasons with the Trojans, Williams excelled. Like Daniels, Williams is a former Heisman winner, having earned the award in 2022. That season, he threw for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns and ran for 10 more scores. His 2023 numbers did not disappoint either, cementing his status atop the draft class.

The Bears have done a lot to aid Williams from the get-go. They traded for the ceaselessly productive Keenan Allen this offseason and they spent their other first-rounder on receiver Rome Odunze. WR DJ Moore returns for another season in Chicago, as does starting tight end Cole Kmet. Williams will have no shortage of options.

Williams is renowned for his ability to make plays when improvising, a trait which should help him as he acclimates to the NFL. His stellar arm talent, supporting cast, and general artistry will make him valuable in fantasy football. He is currently valued as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.

Jonathon Brooks - RB, Carolina Panthers

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): RB34

Dissatisfied by the performances of running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders a year ago, the Panthers opted to address the position in this year's draft. With a second-round pick, Carolina claimed former Texas RB Jonathon Brooks as part of an offensive overhaul to aid quarterback Bryce Young.

Brooks stepped up last season for the Longhorns in his only year as the team's starter. In 11 games, he totaled 1,425 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Sadly, Brooks tore his ACL versus TCU in November, which has landed him on the NFI list to begin the 2024 season. He will miss at least four games as a result.

The best back in the NFL Draft.

Here's every Jonathon Brooks TD 🍿@2brookss x @Panthers pic.twitter.com/mBLnrDRzQf

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2024

Once Brooks is up to speed, he should be able to take over the backfield from Hubbard to become Carolina's RB1. "Smooth" was a common descriptor of his running style in scouting reports pre-draft, and his agility has also been praised. When healthy, Brooks should be a solid NFL starter.

Given his injury status, Brooks does unfortunately need to be dropped a bit in fantasy football draft rankings. While Carolina's offense was pitiful last year, it has been significantly retooled, and Brooks will have a large role once activated. He should be considered an RB3/4 in drafts due to his late-season upside.

Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR8

Thus far, Marvin Harrison Jr. has done a great job living up to his father's legacy. His NFL career began with the Cardinals making him the first receiver taken in this year's draft. Harrison will seek to meet lofty expectations in year one as quarterback Kyler Murray's new top target.

Harrison's Ohio State career began in 2021, but it really took off in 2022. That year, he was unanimously named an All-American after making 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last season, he was again a unanimous All-American, but he also won the Biletnikoff Award and was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

With all of these accolades, it is no surprise Arizona acquired him with the fourth overall pick. He had a 95th-percentile College Dominator Rating, and his high production should continue in the pros. Arizona's other WR options are headlined by Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch, neither of whom should challenge Harrison for targets.

Considering Harrison is the clear WR1 in what should be a solid offense led by a dynamic quarterback, he is an elite fantasy option as a rookie. While it is important not to get too carried away with him in fantasy drafts, Harrison certainly fits into the top-ten wide receivers for 2024. He can be taken as a WR1 with confidence.

Malik Nabers - WR, New York Giants

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR22

In most draft classes, Malik Nabers would have been the first wide receiver off the board. The Giants had a dire need at WR, so they were thankful when Nabers was available at the sixth pick. His selection should give quarterback Daniel Jones a true WR1, a crutch he has lacked for his entire career.

Nabers made an instant impact at LSU, as he caught 28 passes as a freshman. A year later, he became a true standout, catching 72 balls for 1,107 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers reached his final collegiate form last season; he made 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 scores and earned a unanimous All-American nod.

You can't be serious @whyguard13

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/Fz9jiq3iNH

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 16, 2023

Nabers's 31.9-percent target share in 2023 sets him up well for his role in New York's offense. His main competition in the receiving room consists of Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, both of whom will take a back seat to Nabers. The volume will make the rookie a trustworthy fantasy option on a weekly basis.

Nabers has elite athleticism. His Burst Score ranked at the 98th percentile, and his 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day demonstrated his speed. Nabers should be expected to have the combination of talent and target volume necessary to be a WR2/3 for fantasy managers across formats this season.

Rome Odunze - WR, Chicago Bears

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR44

With the ninth pick of this year's NFL Draft, the Bears opted to give new quarterback Caleb Williams another toy to play with. Rome Odunze joins the team after already building a rapport with Williams during the draft process. Time will tell if the two can translate that into immediate fantasy production.

Did we just become best friends? @CALEBcsw 🤝 @RomeOdunze pic.twitter.com/TskbpiqYiX

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 26, 2024

Odunze had a great season in 2022 with the Washington Huskies, as he caught 75 passes for 1,145 yards and 7 TDs. His 92 grabs for 1,640 yards and 13 scores last year were what made him a top choice in the draft, though. Odunze led the entire nation in receiving yards and paced the Pac-12 in receptions.

The 6-foot-3 Odunze is a big-bodied receiver with a 97th-percentile catch radius, but he is more than a mere possession receiver. He ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, giving him a 94th-percentile Speed Score. Odunze also does not have the same struggles with separation that some past prospects were sunk by.

Odunze will have to contend with both DJ Moore and Keenan Allen for targets, which is a big ask for a rookie. This limits his outlook and prevents him from being on the same tier as Nabers for 2024. However, even as Chicago's current WR3, his skill level places him near the top-40 WRs nonetheless.

Xavier Worthy - WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR42

The Chiefs suffered from inconsistency from their receivers last year. They had 44 passes dropped last season, giving them the highest total in the league. Thus, it makes sense that the team traded up to the 28th pick in the draft to take former Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy this offseason.

Worthy is best known for his blazing speed. The ex-Longhorn ran a 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, setting an all-time record. Worthy is light at 165 pounds, but he was able to use his speed, acceleration, and agility to great success in Austin. He had 981 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, after all.

The Chiefs have added Worthy to a group of weapons that also includes star tight end Travis Kelce and fellow WRs Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. It is unclear how many targets Worthy can count on, but Kelce is nearly 35 and Brown is dealing with a shoulder injury. There is an opportunity here for a larger target share than expected.

Despite the tantalizing speed and landing spot, counting on Worthy to be a fantasy starter would be misguided. However, should he find himself in a large role with megastar Patrick Mahomes slinging him the ball, he can hit on some immense upside. Worthy is an intriguing fantasy option for 2024.

Keon Coleman - WR, Buffalo Bills

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR46

The Buffalo Bills dealt Stefon Diggs to the Texans in a big trade this offseason. Their WR2 from last year, Gabe Davis, also left the team by signing with Jacksonville in free agency. Buffalo decided to address these departures by drafting wideout Keon Coleman with this first pick of the second round in this year's draft.

Coleman spent his final collegiate season with Florida State last year. There, he made 50 catches, 11 of which went for touchdowns. Coleman is 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, making him a big target on the outside for quarterbacks. He also should be able to leverage his physicality into success in the red zone.

Keon Coleman's third TD of the night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9c809EX1lM

— ESPN (@espn) September 4, 2023

The Bills will need Coleman to deliver as a rookie as he, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel figure to be the team's top three WRs, with young tight end Dalton Kincaid also being crucial to the passing attack. With Josh Allen at the helm of the offense, there should be plenty of fantasy points to go around for these players.

Coleman's spot in the pecking order is not clear and it could take time for him to make up for Shakir's experience with Allen. The idea of Coleman becoming Allen's top option is of course enticing, though. Coleman has a fairly wide range of outcomes for 2024, but that makes him an upside option as a WR4/5.

Ladd McConkey - WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR49

Like the Bills, the Chargers experienced a lot of turnover in their receiver room this offseason. Los Angeles shipped Keenan Allen off to Chicago, and Mike Williams signed with the Jets. Options at other positions, like RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett, are also gone. In to claim some vacated targets is Ladd McConkey.

McConkey went just one pick after Coleman in the second round. McConkey's production at Georgia never stood out, partially due to injuries, but his skills impressed scouts. McConkey's route running is superb, and he has the speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) to beat cornerbacks as well.

Among McConkey's receiver peers on the Chargers are Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark, and Brenden Rice. The Chargers are hoping one can emerge to be Justin Herbert's go-to target. That could well be McConkey, as he has the separation ability to become a reliable option.

McConkey's ranking is similar to Coleman's, and for good reason. He is also a talented rookie receiver on a team with an unsettled receiving corps and a strong-armed quarterback who can pick up yards in bunches. It's tough to take McConkey as a top-40 WR given the uncertainty in his projection, but he does offer great upside after that range.

Brian Thomas Jr. - WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Current RotoBaller Rankings (Half-PPR): WR45

In a year with so much fresh receiver talent entering the league, it can be easy to overlook Brian Thomas Jr. Don't make that mistake. The Jaguars made Thomas the fourth wideout off the board in this year's draft for a reason. That reason is that Thomas is an excellent athlete and football player.

Thomas put up some serious numbers as a junior at LSU last year. He ranked fourth in the SEC in both receptions (68) and receiving yards (1,177), and he led the entire NCAA with 17 receiving touchdowns. Thomas also wowed at the Scouting Combine, running a 4.33 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds.

Combining his height with his 32-inch arms and 38.5-inch vertical jump gives Thomas a large catch radius for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to target. Thomas should be a major asset to the Jaguars, although the team does return Christian Kirk and Evan Engram as quality options.

Trevor Lawrence finds the rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for the big gain!

📺: #JAXvsATL on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/a5pBYAIFoc

— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2024

With Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones having departed, there are targets up for grabs in Jacksonville. Gabe Davis has come over from Buffalo, though, to compete with Thomas for these. Kirk and Engram will get large shares as well. Still, Thomas's profile is intriguing enough to put him in the same tier as Coleman and McConkey.

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