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Mike Fanelli provides his first dynasty fantasy football rookie mock draft of the year. Where should the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft land and who should dynasty players consider picking up for their teams?
With free agency starting to wind down, the offseason focus will shift back to the upcoming NFL Draft. Unfortunately, we still have several weeks until the massive three-day event in Detroit.
Fantasy football players love the NFL Draft. Not only is the event exciting for their favorite team, but it also provides fresh blood for fantasy leagues. Redraft fantasy players don’t have much to worry about with the NFL Draft. However, some dynasty fantasy players will spend countless hours doing homework in the draft class.
While dynasty rookie drafts won’t happen until late April or early May, now is the time to start preparing. Let’s dive into my four-round, 12-team, half-point PPR, Superflex dynasty rookie mock draft.
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ROUND 1
- 1.01 – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
- 1.02 – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
- 1.03 – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- 1.04 – Drake Maye, QB, UNC
- 1.05 – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
- 1.06 – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
- 1.07 – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
- 1.08 – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
- 1.09 – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
- 1.10 – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
- 1.11 – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
- 1.12 – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
While everyone wants to talk about the elite quarterback class in this draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. has been the guy fantasy players have desired for the past two years. The Ohio State star should be the first non-quarterback in every Superflex dynasty rookie draft, regardless of scoring format. Despite having C.J. Stroud leave for the NFL, Harrison had back-to-back seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns to end his college career.
J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Draft stock has been heading in the right direction since Michigan won the national title. Early on, he was a borderline first-round NFL Draft pick, making him a second-round dynasty rookie selection. However, McCarthy is now a lock to get drafted inside the top-10 picks on April 25. Reportedly, many around the league believe he will be one of four quarterbacks selected with a top-six pick during the NFL Draft.
The “STRONG EXPECTATION” in the league right now is that 4 of the first 6 picks will be quarterbacks. Per NFL Network
• Caleb Williams
• Jayden Daniels
• Drake Maye
• J.J. McCarthy pic.twitter.com/CZsw2Cd3Mg— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 16, 2024
Many dynasty rookie mock drafts only have four first-round quarterbacks. Given how talented and deep the wide receiver class is this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michael Penix Jr. sneak into the late first round in some dynasty rookie drafts. The former Washington star’s NFL Draft stock is improving, as he could be a late Day 1 selection come April. If he lands in a situation that allows him to start as a rookie, Penix could be a top-10 pick during dynasty rookie drafts this year.
ROUND 2
- 2.01 – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
- 2.02 – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
- 2.03 – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
- 2.04 – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
- 2.05 – Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
- 2.06 – Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
- 2.07 – Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
- 2.08 – Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
- 2.09 – Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
- 2.10 – Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
- 2.11 – Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
- 2.12 – Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
While the top three wide receivers in this draft could be top-15 guys as rookies, several others have star potential. However, the one guy who doesn’t get enough credit is Ladd McConkey. The former Georgia star ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a faster time than many expected. Yet, his game is all about route running and separation. McConkey could end up being the steal of rookie drafts if he makes it to the middle part of the second round.
Unfortunately, the 2024 NFL Draft class lacks an elite running back prospect. Fantasy players got spoiled the past two years with Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs. However, Jonathon Brooks would be the clear-cut top running back this year if not for a torn ACL he suffered last season. The former Longhorn has impressive speed and pass-catching abilities. Brooks should jump into the first round of dynasty rookie drafts if he lands with the Dallas Cowboys.
Blake Corum is one of the more polarizing running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He nearly declared last year but returned to Michigan, totaling over 1,200 rushing yards and 27 scores. Some love his college production and ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Meanwhile, others are worried about his size and lack of top-end speed. However, everyone will want Corum on their dynasty team if he lands with Jim Harbaugh, as many expect to happen.
“With the 5th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select Blake Corum, RB, Michigan”
Jim Harbaugh:
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) March 15, 2024
ROUND 3
- 3.01 – Devontez Walker, WR, UNC
- 3.02 – Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC
- 3.03 – Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
- 3.04 – Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
- 3.05 – Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
- 3.06 – Javon Baker, WR, UCF
- 3.07 – Brenden Rice, WR, USC
- 3.08 – Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
- 3.09 – Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
- 3.10 – Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
- 3.11 – Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
- 3.12 – Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
Last year’s draft class had several impressive tight end prospects for fantasy players. Unfortunately, that isn’t the class this year. However, Ja'Tavion Sanders is an appealing option for fantasy players who want to draft a tight end. The former Longhorn didn’t have the flashiest numbers in college, totaling 682 receiving yards in 2023 while playing alongside two elite wide receiver prospects. Yet, Sanders is a playmaker with the ball in his hand and could start as a rookie.
The top-six quarterbacks should be top-40 NFL Draft picks and top-15 dynasty rookie draft selections. While those six quarterbacks are considered potential starters in the NFL, don’t discount Spencer Rattler, especially if he gets drafted on Day 2. The former South Carolina star has fans in the NFL world, with some liking him more than Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. If he lands in the right situation, Rattler could be a steal as a third-round dynasty rookie draft pick.
A long-time NFL exec that spoke to @AlbertBreer said:
“My hot take is that Spencer Rattler is better than Bo Nix and Michael Penix. And I know other people feel the same way.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/3Lbe36U4wx
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 26, 2024
ROUND 4
- 4.01 – Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
- 4.02 – Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
- 4.03 – Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
- 4.04 – Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
- 4.05 – Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
- 4.06 – Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
- 4.07 – Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia
- 4.08 – Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
- 4.09 – Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
- 4.10 – Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee
- 4.11 – Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
- 4.12 – Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
Some dynasty rookie drafts will only see two tight ends selected this year -- Brock Bowers and Ja'Tavion Sanders. However, I like Theo Johnson as a late-round dart throw-type pick. The former Penn State tight end had a career-high seven receiving scores in his final season in college. More importantly, he shined at the NFL Combine, running a 4.57 40-yard dash at 259 pounds. If Johnson sneaks into Day 2 of the NFL Draft, he should get picked in every dynasty rookie draft.
There are two schools of thought when looking for a quarterback on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Some will take the guy who can stick around as a high-end backup. Others select the prospect with massive potential who also comes with a significant of busting.
We see fantasy players take a shot on a prospect with raw traits and massive upside all the time. This year, that guy is Joe Milton III. While he will need plenty of time to develop, the former Tennessee star could be a diamond in the rough.
Joe Milton threw this 80 yards. That’s absolutely ridiculous. And then he casually added a backflip. (🎥: Steve Clarkson/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/mRXHyrM8EU
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) May 27, 2023
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