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Lance Fernandez dives into the rookie fantasy football outlooks for Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ladd McConkey, Jonathon Brooks, and Brock Bowers. Fantasy managers should consider drafting these first-year players.
Every year, almost 300 athletes get the opportunity to fulfill their NFL dreams. It’s the culmination of their hard work and dedication, which started in Pop Warner leagues and continued in college football. Whether they were drafted or directly signed, what matters most is the chance to showcase their talent on the big stage.
While some rookies will take a while to make an impact, others could dominate the opposition. The fast learners won’t take long before racking the necessary yards and touchdowns to help their team win. Likewise, these sensational rookies will be a blessing to the fantasy football owners who drafted them.
Here are five rookies who could heavily contribute to your fantasy squad from Week 1. Some are highly-touted prospects predicted to become NFL stars, while others don’t get much fanfare from football fans and the media.
Ladd McConkey - WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey's stats throughout three seasons at Georgia (119 receptions, 1,687 yards, 14 touchdowns) won’t turn heads because Georgia's offense prioritized the running game. McConkey also had to share the field with talented wideouts like George Pickens and Adonai Mitchell. However, the stars seem to be lining up for him to have a breakout rookie season for the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the Chargers selected him in the second round, McConkey could become Justin Herbert’s lead target in the 2024 NFL season. Veteran wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams signed with other teams, while Quentin Johnston has problems catching the ball during training camp.
#Chargers’ rookie WR Ladd McConkey is emerging as WR1 early into training camp.
"He's been off to a really good start. Really excellent route runner. We knew that and he's been really good, really dialed in from the beginning,” Jim Harbaugh said. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/lF7mwsi3bf
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) July 30, 2024
Conversely, McConkey’s early camp reports signify a brewing chemistry between him and Herbert. Therefore, playing with one of the better quarterbacks in the league will help the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy winner complete a fantastic fantasy football season. It also helps that the Chargers have the second-easiest strength of schedule this year based on their opponent’s winning percentage last season.
RotoBaller’s Nick Mariano projects McConkey will finish his rookie season with 64 receptions for 745 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers make him the 44th-best wideout in fantasy, with an average draft position of 91.5.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals
Living up to his father’s legacy will be a tall order for the former Ohio State standout. However, Harrison does have the attributes to rack up the stats and points for his fantasy football owners. The league will be in trouble if he can carry over his game.
While he is Arizona’s youngest wideout, the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner Harrison is on his way to becoming the Cardinals’ primary receiver. None of the other Cardinals receivers can threaten his spot as WR1, which could be a blessing or a curse.
MARVIN HARRISON JR 👀
(🎥 @Tdrake4sports)
pic.twitter.com/QojD78Jfsf— PFF (@PFF) July 30, 2024
If he plays like the player who deserves to be the first wideout selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cardinals are in for a treat. Conversely, the weight of expectations could crush him, especially if he and quarterback Kyler Murray don’t mesh.
However, even if the Cardinals have one of the toughest schedules in the upcoming season, Harrison will dazzle during his rookie year. RotoBaller’s projections have him finishing with 83 receptions for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s good for 13th in the wide receiver rankings for 2024 and an ADP of 17.
Jonathon Brooks - RB, Carolina Panthers
Brooks had a breakout season in his final year at Texas, finishing with 187 carries for 1,139 yards and ten touchdowns. Now that he will be playing for the Carolina Panthers, Brooks can surpass Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart when he returns to full health.
The Panthers have a decent receiving unit featuring Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, and Xavier Legette. If Brooks wins the starting role and the Panthers’ passing game clicks, the rookie running back will have bigger gaps to run through.
Jonathon Brooks has been a lot more active today! Good News for Panther Nation! #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/crnaPUrTsG
— For Panthers Fans Only (Podcast) (@FPFO_Podcast) August 3, 2024
Brooks was the first running back taken in 2024, so he has a shot at being one of the best rookies in fantasy football. A weak schedule and playing in a wide-open division could help him leave an indelible imprint in his first year as a pro. RotoBaller projects him to finish with 150 carries for 820 yards and six touchdowns, which translates into him being RB36 with an ADP of 84.
Brock Bowers - TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The two-time John Mackey Award winner can become the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting tight end by the end of training camp. But once he gets that spot, he must live up to the hype that made him the first tight end selected in the 2024 draft.
Bowers could be a nightmare for opposing offenses because he could be too quick for defensive linemen and linebackers and too strong for defensive backs. He showed impeccable skill as a pass-catching tight end for the Georgia Bulldogs, averaging 846 receiving yards and 14.5 yards per catch in three seasons.
#Raiders CB Nate Hobbs says Brock Bowers' speed can make the former Georgia star TE a matchup nightmare.
"I had no clue. Usually when I get on a tight end I could let off or jog a little bit. With him, you got to be locked in because he's different." pic.twitter.com/VVq8XUlhv0
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) July 29, 2024
The California native could become the Raiders’ second option in the passing game behind Davante Adams. His emergence might also deliver Las Vegas’ return to the AFC postseason picture.
Bowers could be a low-end TE1 with an ADP of 96.5. Likewise, he has a higher ranking than established tight ends Dalton Schultz, Cole Kmet, Pat Freiermuth, and T.J. Hockenson.
Caleb Williams - QB, Chicago Bears
Jayden Daniels’ speed and versatility might offer more scoring opportunities in fantasy football. However, it’s uncertain if he will be the Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback from Week 1. Dan Quinn could let Marcus Mariota start until he deems Daniels ready.
Conversely, it’s impossible to envision Williams not being the Chicago Bears starting quarterback. In addition to being the top overall pick in 2024, his talent is too much for Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, and Austin Reed to overcome. Therefore, the former USC standout should be Chicago’s starter from his first NFL game because the franchise hasn’t had a quarterback like him.
Rookie to the Vet. Caleb Williams to Keenan Allen. #DaBears
pic.twitter.com/W8nQs2kvUq— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) August 4, 2024
Williams has no excuse to fail, especially when he has solid contributors like D’Andre Swift, DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze around him. His accuracy and improvisation skills should help him connect with his wideouts downfield.
While the Bears haven’t had a 4,000-yard passer in franchise history, Williams could be the first if RotoBaller’s projections come true. Williams’ projected stats for 2024 are 4,340 yards and 27 touchdowns. He’s ranked the 13th-best quarterback in fantasy football, higher than Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence.
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