X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Five 2024 Rookies To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

Michael Penix Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Rookies are an essential part of building a consistent contender in dynasty football leagues. They are one of the best ways to replace aging talent on your roster.

Unfortunately, some rookie picks don’t quite work out and that can set your team back a bit. While this does happen often in dynasty football, it’s important to correctly identify which rookies you should buy after a disappointing debut season. Just because a player doesn’t immediately meet lofty expectations, we shouldn't always give up on them. As the great Charles Xavier once said: “Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.”

Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five 2024 rookies that you should buy in your dynasty fantasy football leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:

 

Rome Odunze - WR, Chicago Bears

Many analysts are ready to write Odunze off as a bust due to poor advanced metrics and per-route data. However, Chicago’s offense was so bad in 2024 that it’s not really fair to judge anyone based on what we saw.

Odunze’s rookie year is a case where we must take all that data and flush it down the toilet as it’s not a fair representation of his play. This is still a highly talented receiver who knows how to get open against NFL defenders.

If anyone in your league is buying into the narrative that Odunze is a bust, now is the time to act. The Odunze manager may feel let down seeing so many other rookie receivers post better numbers. Exploit this and get him on your roster now. With Ben Johnson taking over Chicago’s offense, Odunze’s stock will only go up.

 

Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals

After a disappointing rookie year, people are already claiming Harrison was overhyped and not a generational prospect. This feels very reactionary after just one season. No, he did not live up to the ridiculously high expectations placed on him as a rookie, but that doesn’t mean he stinks.

Dynasty players have been spoiled in recent years with the amount of rookie receivers putting up big Year 1 numbers. Sometimes, it takes a few seasons for a player to come into their own. CeeDee Lamb is one recent example and had his breakthrough season in Year 4.

Harrison does have some areas of his game that need refinement, but he’s still very talented.

He also was not deployed in the most ideal way for fantasy football success. Among 133 wide receivers with at least 50 targets, Harrison ran the 13th most routes out wide per Fantasy Points Data Suite. He was used mostly as a pure X receiver, and Arizona was not very creative in how they targeted him. This kind of usage can make a player more boom/bust for fantasy than we’d ideally like to see.

With Drew Petzing returning as offensive coordinator, Harrison’s usage might not be much different in 2025. However, situations can quickly change in the NFL. If an inexperienced manager in your league is panicking on Harrison, now is the time to act. He’s still very talented, and you shouldn’t be discouraged by his rookie year. Just know he might be more of a slow burn, and you may have to wait a year or two before getting those gaudy numbers.

 

Jaylen Wright - RB, Miami Dolphins

Wright’s rookie season left a lot to be desired. He only carried the football 68 times for 249 rushing yards and averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Wright also failed to score a touchdown in his rookie year.

What makes him a good buy candidate is the fact he could be serving as Miami’s RB2 in 2025. Raheem Mostert struggled to stay healthy last year and didn't play well when he was on the field. Mostert averaged a career-worst 3.27 yards per carry and looked like a player in decline.

Miami can cut Mostert this offseason and only incur a $1M dead cap hit. Given his play last year, the team might decide to move on without him. That would put Wright in a position to capitalize and become the handcuff to De’Von Achane. Wright could also carve out a role in the offense and offer some standalone value.

The sophomore back is more of an afterthought in dynasty leagues right now. The cost of acquisition will be low. Don’t expect him to challenge Achane for RB1 duties, but he could be a nice asset should Achane ever get injured. You could then keep Wright and ride the hot hand or flip him for more than what you paid.

Miami may add another back from the talented incoming rookie class, but Wright would likely have the inside track to RB2 duties given his experience in Miami’s system. A third-round pick might be enough to lock up Wright, and he’s a great throw-in target as part of a bigger deal.

 

J. J. McCarthy - QB, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy missed his entire rookie year after tearing his meniscus in training camp.

Following McCarthy’s injury, Sam Darnold became Minnesota’s defacto QB1 and had an incredible 2024. He threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns but came crashing down to earth in the season’s final two games.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell all but confirmed Darnold will not be with the team in 2025 following Minnesota’s Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That means McCarthy is set to take over as the starter.

There is some uncertainty surrounding McCarthy in the dynasty community since he missed his entire rookie season. However, this is still a quarterback with top-10 draft capital who is tied to a strong offensive coach and is surrounded by an abundance of talent. This is as good of a situation that a first-time starting quarterback can enter.

It’s likely the McCarthy owner in your league won’t move him for a discount if they waited out all of 2024, but there might be a manager who sees him as an expendable asset. If you need a quarterback, it’s certainly worth kicking the tires on a McCarthy trade. He is currently the QB22 in RotoBaller’s dynasty rankings. If his 2025 is anything close to Darnold’s 2024, then this could be the ideal time to acquire last year’s 10th overall pick.

 

Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Atlanta Falcons

Penix took over as the Falcons' starter late in the season when Kirk Cousins began to struggle. He only went 1-2 in three starts and threw three touchdown passes against three interceptions. While the stats don’t blow you away, there are reasons to be encouraged for the future.

Penix also showcased a big arm and stepped up late in a game against the Washington Commanders with Atlanta’s season on the line.

Atlanta will now have an entire offseason to craft an offense catered to his skill set. It will also give Penix time to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Atlanta's other skill players.

This situation is not quite as good as McCarthy’s, but things are set up well for Penix. He is an ideal trade target if you’re looking to tier down off someone like Kyler Murray or C.J. Stroud.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Lowry56 mins ago

Sits Out Practice
Eric Gordon1 hour ago

To See Specialist With Wrist Injury
Alexander Canario1 hour ago

Could Contend For Spot On Opening Day Roster
Justin Edwards1 hour ago

Injures Ankle In Practice
Kevin Alcántara1 hour ago

Kevin Alcantara Could Be No. 2 Option In Center Field
Myles Turner1 hour ago

On Track To Return Thursday
Gabe Vincent1 hour ago

Returns To Lakers Lineup Wednesday
Drey Jameson1 hour ago

Faces Live Hitters
Dorian Finney-Smith2 hours ago

Good To Go Wednesday
Corbin Burnes2 hours ago

Starting In First Spring Game
Nick Yorke2 hours ago

Could Shift To First Base
Jaxson Hayes2 hours ago

Available Wednesday
David Bednar2 hours ago

Will Open The Season As Closer
Brendan Rodgers10 hours ago

Astros Sign Infielder Brendan Rodgers To Minor-League Deal
Las Vegas Raiders10 hours ago

Raiders Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Tre'von Moehrig
MLB10 hours ago

Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System To Be Used During Some Spring Games
Jesús Sánchez11 hours ago

Jesus Sanchez Will Get Reps In Center Field This Spring
Bryan Reynolds11 hours ago

Expected To Play Right Field; No Plans To Play First Base
Tyrese Maxey11 hours ago

A Full Participant In Tuesday's Practice
Oakland Athletics11 hours ago

Athletics Set To Play In Las Vegas In 2028
Joel Embiid11 hours ago

Practices On Tuesday
Luka Dončić11 hours ago

Luka Doncic On A Minutes Restriction Versus Charlotte
Indianapolis Colts11 hours ago

Colts Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Dayo Odeyingbo
Philadelphia Eagles12 hours ago

Eagles Release Nick Gates
12 hours ago

Lonnie Walker IV Signing With 76ers
Elfrid Payton12 hours ago

Signs Second 10-Day Contract
San Francisco 49ers12 hours ago

49ers Release Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Michael Thorbjornsen12 hours ago

Looks To Get Things Going In The Right Direction At Mexico Open
Cam Reddish12 hours ago

Cleared For Wednesday
Nyheim Hines12 hours ago

Browns Release Nyheim Hines
LeBron James12 hours ago

Might Miss Wednesday's Game
Chris Godwin12 hours ago

Void Date On Contract Is Extended
Moussa Diabaté12 hours ago

Moussa Diabate Ready To Play On Wednesday
Kyle Philips13 hours ago

Raiders Sign Kyle Philips
Davis Riley13 hours ago

An Unlikely Candidate For Success At Mexico Open
Minnesota Vikings13 hours ago

Byron Murphy Cannot Receive Franchise Tag
Mark Williams13 hours ago

Expected To Play On Wednesday
Baltimore Ravens13 hours ago

Ravens Have Had "Zero Tolerance" For Sexual-Misconduct Situations
LaMelo Ball13 hours ago

Tagged As Probable For Wednesday
Denver Broncos13 hours ago

Broncos Could Try To Sign Zack Baun In Free Agency
Taysom Hill13 hours ago

Broncos Could Target Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill
Luke List13 hours ago

A Risky Play With Upside At Mexican Open
Trey Sweeney13 hours ago

Makes "Minor" Swing Adjustments
Carson Young14 hours ago

A Volatile Option At Mexican Open
Gleyber Torres14 hours ago

Expected To Hit In The Top Half Of The Lineup
Donovan Solano14 hours ago

Dealing With Visa Issues
Ryan Fox14 hours ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Play At Mexican Open
Luke Little14 hours ago

Will Ramp Up Slowly During Spring Training
Robert Garcia14 hours ago

Completes Side Session
Alex Smalley14 hours ago

A Solid Play At Mexican Open
MJ Melendez14 hours ago

Revamps Swing
Kevin Yu14 hours ago

A Risky Play With Upside At Mexican Open
Jameson Taillon15 hours ago

Hoping To Regain Some Velocity
Justin Turner15 hours ago

Cubs Could Pair Justin Turner, Michael Busch At First Base
Will Smith15 hours ago

Won't Play Until Next Week
Joe Ross16 hours ago

Being Built Up As A Starter
Taylor Moore16 hours ago

An Intriguing Option At Mexican Open
Rasmus Hojgaard16 hours ago

Eyeing A Major Bounce-Back At Mexican Open
Michael Kim17 hours ago

Looks To Keep Momentum Going At Mexican Open
Kansas City Chiefs17 hours ago

Transition Tag More Plausible For Trey Smith
Sam Stevens17 hours ago

Continues His Excellent 2025 Season At Genesis Invitational
Patrick Rodgers17 hours ago

Finishes Tied For Third At Genesis Invitational
Thorbjorn Olesen17 hours ago

Makes First PGA Tour Start In 2025 At Mexico Open
Justin Lower17 hours ago

Playing Well Heading To Mexico Open
Kurt Kitayama17 hours ago

Returns To Mexico Open
Harry Hall17 hours ago

Stumbles At WM Phoenix Open, Looks Ahead To Mexico Open
PGA17 hours ago

Chris Gotterup Searching For Consistency Heading To Mexico Open
Akshay Bhatia17 hours ago

Highlights Field For Mexico Open
Aaron Rai17 hours ago

Looks To Get Back On Track At Mexican Open
Aaron Rodgers17 hours ago

Could Jump At The Chance To Play For Rams
Sam Darnold17 hours ago

Vikings In No Rush To Place Franchise Tag On Sam Darnold
Andy Dalton17 hours ago

Panthers Agree On Two-Year Deal
Cincinnati Bengals17 hours ago

Bengals Trying To Land Extensions For Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson
Ryan Palmer18 hours ago

Avoid Ryan Palmer Like The Plague At Mexico Open
Matteo Manassero18 hours ago

In For A Long Week In Mexico
Daniel Jones19 hours ago

A Potential Target For Colts
Adam Thielen19 hours ago

Panthers To Give Adam Thielen A Pay Raise?
Washington Commanders20 hours ago

Jesse Madden Joins Commanders Coaching Staff
New Orleans Saints20 hours ago

Scott Tolzien Joining Saints Offensive Staff
Stefon Diggs22 hours ago

Texans Won't Use Franchise Tag On Stefon Diggs
Nathan MacKinnon2 days ago

Pots Two Goals In Monday's Win
Sam Reinhart2 days ago

Dishes Out Three Assists Against Finland
Lucas Raymond2 days ago

Tries To Extend Point Streak Against USA
William Byron2 days ago

Trusts His Instinct To Win Second Straight Daytona 500
Jake Guentzel2 days ago

Looks To Extend Multi-Point Streak Monday
Jimmie Johnson2 days ago

Has Unexpected Emotions After Podium Finish At Daytona 500
Jake Oettinger2 days ago

Starts Against Sweden
John Hunter Nemechek2 days ago

Gets First Career Top-Five Finish At Daytona 500
Jake Sanderson2 days ago

Slots Into Team USA Lineup
Matthew Tkachuk2 days ago

Ruled Out Monday
Gregory Rodrigues2 days ago

Gets TKO'd At UFC Vegas 102
Jared Cannonier2 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Nazim Sadykhov2 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Ismael Bonfim2 days ago

Suffers Fifth Career Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Rodolfo Vieira2 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 102
Andre Petroski2 days ago

Extends His Win Streak
Stephen Curry2 days ago

Named All-Star Game MVP
Ryan Blaney2 days ago

Strong Daytona 500 Performance Falls Short Of Victory
Kyle Larson2 days ago

Continues To Struggle At Daytona After Underwhelming Result
Chase Briscoe2 days ago

Scores First Top-Five Finish With Joe Gibbs Racing At Daytona 500
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Quietly Finishes The Daytona 500 As The Runner-Up
Ross Chastain2 days ago

Daytona 500 Effort Ends In An Early Crash
Adam Wilsby2 days ago

Signs Two-Year Extension With Nashville
Filip Gustavsson2 days ago

Feeling Better, Expected To Be Available On Monday
Kevin Lankinen2 days ago

Starting On Monday
Cale Makar2 days ago

Viewed As Game-Time Call
Matthew Tkachuk2 days ago

Being Evaluated
Connor Matthews2 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 102
Jose Delgado2 days ago

Gets Quick Win In Debut At UFC Vegas 102
Dylan Budka2 days ago

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Edmen Shahbazyan2 days ago

Gets Knockout Win At UFC Vegas 102
Calvin Kattar2 days ago

Suffers Fourth Straight Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Youssef Zalal2 days ago

Gets Decision Win At UFC Vegas 102
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Fights For The Win But Gets Eliminated In Last-Lap Crash
Austin Cindric2 days ago

Has Best Run At Daytona 500 Until Last-Lap Crash
Justin Allgaier2 days ago

Earns First Top-10 Finish Since 2015
Martin Truex Jr2 days ago

.'s Sour Luck Continues With Early Daytona 500 Crash
Helio Castroneves2 days ago

Eliminated From Daytona 500 In Crash With Teammate
Tyler Herro3 days ago

Wins Three-Point Contest
Donovan Mitchell3 days ago

Evan Mobley Win Skills Challenge
Mac McClung3 days ago

Wins Slam Dunk Contest
Joey Logano3 days ago

May Be A Favorite To Find The Front At Daytona, But What About For DFS?
Denny Hamlin3 days ago

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering For Daytona Lineups?
Chase Elliott3 days ago

Could Chase Elliott Be Worth Rostering At Daytona This Week?
Ryan Blaney3 days ago

Should DFS Players Trust Ryan Blaney This Week At Daytona?
Alex Bowman3 days ago

Will Be One Of The Best DFS Plays Of The Week For Daytona
Brad Keselowski3 days ago

Is A DFS Lock For Daytona Lineups
Ross Chastain3 days ago

Has A Real Shot Of Winning But Should Be Avoided For DFS
Chris Buescher3 days ago

Undervalued For The Win At Daytona
Patrik Laine4 days ago

Collects Two Assists Saturday
Mikael Granlund4 days ago

Pots Overtime Winner Against Sweden
Filip Gustavsson4 days ago

Battling An Illness
Jordan Binnington4 days ago

Earns Another Start For Team Canada
Connor Hellebuyck4 days ago

Remains In Team USA Crease Saturday
Sam Bennett4 days ago

Enters Canada's Lineup On Saturday
Cale Makar4 days ago

A Game-Time Call Saturday
Sam Steel4 days ago

Signs Two-Year Extension
Thomas Harley4 days ago

Joining Team Canada
Gregory Rodrigues5 days ago

Searching For Fourth Consecutive UFC Win On Saturday
Jared Cannonier5 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Nazim Sadykhov5 days ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ismael Bonfim5 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 102
Rodolfo Vieira5 days ago

Seeking Victory In Eighth UFC Appearance
Andre Petroski5 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Connor Matthews6 days ago

Opens Up UFC Vegas 102 Main Card
Jose Delgado6 days ago

Makes Debut At UFC Vegas 102
Dylan Budka6 days ago

Searching For First UFC Win On Saturday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Kyren Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Avoids - Players To Trade Away and Fade in Dynasty Start-Up Drafts

There are always players that are overvalued in Dynasty fantasy football, and if you happen to take them in a start-up draft, you can be in big trouble. It's not always easy to predict how players' careers will go, though. They can seemingly rise and fall in drafts without much warning. And owning a player […]


Caleb Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Early 2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers and Draft Targets - Quarterbacks

The Super Bowl has come and gone which means there is officially a wrap on the 2024 NFL season. All that means is that the 2025 fantasy football season has essentially begun. It is never too early to evaluate who we may be targeting during this fall's drafts. Quarterback has been an interesting position to […]


Tyler Warren - College Football Rankings - NCAA CFB DFS Lineup Picks - NFL Draft

2025 Fantasy Football TE Rookie Rankings (Pre-NFL Draft) - Tyler Warren, Elijah Arroyo, Harold Fannin Jr., and more

The positional strengths of certain positions cycle every year. Last year, the quarterback and wide receiver classes were strong. This season, they give way to the running back and tight end positions. As prospects prepare to hear their names called at the NFL Draft, fantasy managers look to gain the upper hand on their competition […]


Travis Kelce - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL DFS Picks, Injury News

The Tight End Age Cliff: When Should You Fade Aging Fantasy Football Veterans?

In professional football, the "age cliff" of a player is the age at which their production takes a sharp downturn and never recovers. While plenty of players have down seasons and others suffer career-ending or career-altering injuries, these are different than simple declines due to their bodies not being able to handle NFL punishment or […]


Kenneth Walker III - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFC Players To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

When it comes to dynasty fantasy football leagues, the work is never finished. The market fluctuates daily based on the slightest bit of news. This can create some great buying opportunities for savvy gamers. This is a slower time of year for most dynasty leagues. However, now is the perfect time for owners to acquire […]


Kirk Cousins - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Backup Quarterbacks To Buy In Superflex Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

Superflex dynasty fantasy football leagues have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many gamers prefer them as they believe the importance of quarterbacks is on par with that of the NFL. While that holds, this means it’s important to roster several backup quarterbacks as well. Signal-callers go down every year, and you don’t want to […]


Rashid Shaheed - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Values: Later-Round Targets For Dynasty Start-Up Drafts

The most important part of every Dynasty fantasy football league is the startup draft. There's nothing more impactful that you can do to boost your team in the short term than nail your picks in the drafts. But as the rounds wear on, less and less obvious picks are present. By the late rounds, it […]


Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Top AFC West Players To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

While the 2024 fantasy football season is in the rearview mirror, the grind never stops for dynasty players. However, now is the perfect time for fantasy players to look into trade options in their dynasty leagues. Let’s look at eight players from the AFC West that fantasy players should explore trading for this offseason.Be sure […]


Travis Hunter - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Draft Prospects, NFL Rookies

2025 Fantasy Football IDP Rookie Rankings (Pre-NFL Draft) -Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, and more

We are only a few days removed from the Super Bowl, but rookie drafts are already underway, and the fantasy football landscape is, once again, being reshaped. As we get closer to the NFL Draft in Green Bay, understand that the market will change several times. It'll change after the combine, during free agency, and […]


Derrick Henry - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

The Running Back Age Cliff: When Should You Fade Aging Fantasy Football Veterans?

The NFL and other professional sports leagues are all centered around collecting the most genetically gifted and physically talented athletes and having them compete against each other. The mental aspect of the game is important as well, but without the raw physical ability, one simply cannot compete in the big leagues. For running backs, toughness, […]


Isiah Pacheco - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Sells - Players To Trade Away (AFC Edition)

While knowing which players to buy in dynasty fantasy football leagues is essential to success, it’s equally important to know which players to sell. You never want to get stuck “holding the bag” on players who seem to be heading down the wrong path. Surprisingly, many dynasty gamers stubbornly refuse to move off their prior […]


Tre Harris - College Football Rankings, NCAA CFB DFS Lineup Picks, NFL Draft

Rookies to Target in Early 2025 Fantasy Football Best Ball Drafts

Best ball fantasy football formats are all about hunting for as much upside as possible. Drafting players who can produce explosive scoring games, like those in the 20 PPR point range or more, is massively important, especially in the later rounds. The uncertainty surrounding most NFL rookies and the constant whiffs by consensus opinions of […]


Rashee Rice - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL wr, Draft Sleepers

AFC Players To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

The offseason is the most important time for dynasty fantasy football managers to improve their teams. This could mean acquiring a star player who might be coming off a down year or trading away a top dynasty asset for multiple first-round picks. Many of those decisions will come down to how your team is currently […]