2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings | Post NFL Draft – Along with Projections and Fantastic Fantasy Freshmen

by John Laub · Featured

Publishing the post-draft Fantastic Fantasy Freshman ends nine months of research and analysis on the Class of 2024. Since February, I have profiled the top prospects for those who play fantasy football. In addition, I participated in six Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts. After learning the landing spots, the order and utility of prospects have changed, and the most valuable players are highlighted for readers. Also, an updated version of my 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings is available here as well.  

Three factors impact the post-draft 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: team landing spot, opportunity for touches in the offensive scheme, and a players’ athletic/football skills. I rank the players in tiers—Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude—to provide flexibility based on a league’s scoring format, roster construction, and starting-lineup requirements.

The wide receivers are clearly the strength of the 2024 Class. There is so much potential value and fantasy upside among the foremost wide outs based on talent and landing spot. In Dynasty drafts, six playmakers rank among the top rookies available after learning the franchise and quarterback in which the pass catcher kicks off their career. I do not want to miss out on the nice floor and high ceiling that the elite receivers provide in Dynasty leagues.

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A Perceived Weakness

Despite a perceived weak running back group, there are two ball carriers who should be considered as first-round selections. After the top prospects are off the board, astute fantasy owners will scoop up the top runners. Learning where the signal callers landed, the rankings have been rearranged and some readers might be surprised where the quarterbacks now stand in Superflex drafts. At tight end, Brock Bowers is the only worthwhile one being plucked early in fantasy drafts. 

It is appropriate to provide fantasy footballers with projected rookie statistics in 2024. Please whet your appetite by examining the tiers and projections incorporating the aforementioned standards.

Enjoy my fellow footballers!

Smash link below for Post-Draft 2024 Dynasty Rookie Rankings

Scholar’s 2024 Rookie Dynasty Rankings

Summa Cum Laude

WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants

It is imperative that Dynasty owners balance long-term upside against short-term outlook. Some Dynasty players may be wary of the landing spot for Malik Nabers in New York. However, Dynasty gamers shouldn’t over think it. If Daniel Jones fails to jump start the passing attack, the Giants move on in 2025 and bring in a new quarterback to lead the offense. Jones has never played with a receiver as dynamic as the former LSU home run hitter. His job depends on getting the ball into Nabers’ hands. It would be quarterbacking malfeasance not to pepper Nabers with over 120 targets in 2024. Additionally, the speedster will easily turn those targets into fantasy production as a rookie.

Notebook: “Coach (Brian) Daboll has a great personality; he makes people laugh in the room. He’s going to compete with you for sure, he has high standards for his athletes. (We had) great meetings. So, I am hoping he has high standards for me, and I live up to those,” Nabers responded when asked about joining the Giants (cbsnews.com). 

2024 Projections: 75 receptions for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns

WR Marvin Harrison, Jr., Arizona Cardinals

Over the past two seasons, the Cardinals have won only eight of 32 games and desperately need an “X” receiver to command the boundary. Marquise Brown paced the receiver corps in receptions with 208 targets for 118 catches in the last two campaigns. However, he has moved onto Kansas City as a free agent. Marvin Harrison, Jr. steps into a near idyllic landing spot with a veteran quarterback. At 6-3 and 205 pounds, the former Ohio State playmaker should earn over 120 targets as a rookie and should immediately become a fantasy star.

Notebook: “Kyler (Murray) is awesome, man. You look at his record from high school, he’s always won and that’s the kind of guy I want to play with. He’s just so dynamic as a quarterback and I just want to go in there and make his job easier as much as I can,” Harrison stated after joining Murray in Arizona (azcentral.com).

2024 Projections: 80 receptions for 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

After 45 years watching the NFL Draft and quarterbacks transiting to the league, it is crystal clear that the landing spot and coaching staff are as significant as a players’ talent. The league has an atrocious “success rate” identifying college quarterbacks who will be professional field generals and placing the athlete in a position to excel. Luckily, it appears that the Bears’ front office has learned from the Justin Fields debacle of a few years ago.

Chicago has dropped Caleb Williams, the first pick overall, into a tailor-made offense with playmakers everywhere: WR D.J. Moore, WR Keenan Allen, WR Rome Odunze, TE Cole Kmet and RB D’Andre Swift. The Bears’ offense is far more dynamic than the one Fields joined in 2021. Williams is skillful enough to get the ball into the hands of his weapons. An original franchise in 1920, the team has never employed a 4,000-yard passer. Can Williams surpass the mark as a rookie? I do not doubt that it is possible with the offensive personnel on the roster.

Notebook: “I’m always going to have scrutiny. I do things like paint my nails. I wear funky clothes. I’m always going to have scrutiny over things like that. I just have to do my job on the football field and win games. If I win a bunch of games here, I’ll make a lot of people, the majority, happy,” Williams stated at a news conference after the Draft (apnews.com).

2024 Projections: 3,750 passing yards, 400 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Last August, I identified Jayden Daniels to win the Heisman Trophy in the FSGA Prop Bet contest on SiriusXM Radio. Needless to say, it turned into a winning ticket in December. At the time, many college footballers and draftniks ignored my prognostication. Eight months later, the Heisman winner was the second-overall selection in the NFL Draft.

Washington qualified for the playoffs only once under former coach Ron Rivera and brought in Dan Quinn to take over the franchise. Quinn hired Kliff Kingsbury to call the offensive plays and mentor the Commanders’ new quarterback at the next level. While in Arizona as head coach, Kingsbury guided rookie QB Kyler Murray. Under Kingsbury, Murray finished among the top 10 fantasy QBs for three straight seasons (2019 to 2021). Kingsbury was hired to replicate his success with Daniels. A dual-threat quarterback, the Heisman winner scampered for over 1,100 yards and 10 scores last year at LSU. 

The coaching staff’s tenure depends on Daniels’ transition to the NFL and have provided the rookie with playmakers to make his job easier. The Commanders drafted WR Luke McCaffrey and TE Ben Sinnott to team with veteran receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Fantasy fans can look forward to a highly productive rookie quarterback, who possibly finishes among the top 10 at the position in 2024.

Notebook: “Daniels has been through the fire, he’s been through adversity, and he’s come out as well as you can come out. He earned everything he’s got,” Commanders’ general manager Adam Peters said (apnews.com).

2024 Projections: 3,000 passing yards, 750 rushing yards and 27 total touchdowns

Magna Cum Laude 

QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Similar to Chicago with Williams, J.J. McCarthy joins a ready-made offensive unit that has many pieces to assist a quarterback beginning his professional career. Last year, coach Kevin O’Connell orchestrated a passing game that lost veteran Kirk Cousins after eight games and started three other journeymen (Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs and Jaren Hall) behind center. The Vikings also lost superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson for seven games due to injury. Still, Minnesota passed for 4,700 yards and 30 touchdowns despite all of the turmoil. 

Without any reservation, McCarthy is an improvement over the three backups last year. At Michigan, he was very efficient with the football. McCarthy threw only 11 interceptions in 713 attempts. He will not be asked to carry the offense. McCarthy must be a smart, efficient passer and allow his playmakers to win games. The former Wolverines’ quarterback will be successful under the guidance and tutelage of O’Connell and the offensive staff in 2024.

Notebook: “First, the organization’s outstanding, and then you have the players and pieces that are around it and the coaches. It was just a perfect fit for me. I talked with a lot of quarterbacks throughout this process, and it was the perfect fit for them, too. Obviously, it’s a huge honor, and I hope to just prove them right,” McCarthy proclaimed after being selected with the tenth pick overall in the Draft (startribune.com).

2024 Projections: 3,200 passing yards, 250 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns 

WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

It is still shocking that Buffalo traded down with their arch-rival, who knocked the Bills out of the playoffs three times in the past four seasons. Essentially, Buffalo traded the No. 29 selection for the 32nd pick and swapped upwards from picks 133 to 95 and 248 to 221, gaining a little draft capital in the process. Why give your nemesis any assistance in team building?

Kansas City gladly took the opportunity to draft speedster Xavier Worthy to provide a much-needed vertical threat in the aerial assault. At the NFL Combine, the former Longhorn broke the record in the 40-yard dash, sprinting the distance in a blazing 4.21 seconds. In the past, coach Andy Reid drafted speedsters DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia) and Tyreek Hill (Kansas City) and schemed an offense around their ankle-breaking abilities. Worthy is clearly the successor to Jackson and Hill in Reid’s passing game. With QB Patrick Mahomes and Reid, Worthy is in a smash position to score fantasy points immediately as a rookie and in the future.

Notebook: “(Fans) cannot underestimate the impact of pairing Worthy with Hollywood Brown. The pairing’s speed alone will force conservative approaches from defensive coordinators and more two-high defensive looks. That set will also open the short-to-intermediate game further for Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, while Isiah Pacheco will punish lighter boxes,” wrote Jacob Milham (arrowheadaddict.com).

2024 Projections: 60 receptions for 850 yards and seven touchdowns

WR Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

In 2023, the Seahawks’ first-round receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba did not garner the number of targets (93) that some fantasy footballers envisioned. He remained behind veterans DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in the receiver corps in Seattle. In Chicago, is Rome Odunze in the same position as Smith-Njigba was with Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore on the roster? A Dynasty manager’s answer to the question will elucidate Odunze’s fantasy value.

While there are some parallels between the two playmakers, Odunze’s path to long-term fantasy target magnet appears shorter than Smith-Njigba’s. Allen is in the final year of his current contract and not likely on the Bears in 2025. As a sophomore, the 6-3 and 212-pound rookie is in a prime position to be a fantasy star who is tethered to the growth of his rookie teammate at quarterback. Odunze might not earn over 100 targets as a freshman. Nonetheless, he is on track to exceed the century mark in 2025.

Notebook: “I’m excited to attack (in Chicago). It really reminds me of all the key pieces that we had in college (Washington) and the pieces coming together for the incredible seasons that we had. It really has that same feeling, having so many weapons on offense, bringing in a guy like Caleb at the helm of it all allows us to do so many different things. I’m super excited for the attacking mindset that we’ll have on offense,” Odunze proclaimed after the Draft (chicagobears.com).

2024 Projections: 50 receptions for 700 yards and five touchdowns

TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

It appears that some people in the Dynasty community are not enthralled with the Raiders acquiring Brock Bowers and seem concerned about fantasy production in Las Vegas. Last year, the Raiders selected TE Michael Mayer in the second round of the NFL Draft. By acquiring Bowers, the Raiders have arguably the best tandem of young tight ends in the league. 

Dynasty managers must be aware that the two players are vastly different and likely play specific roles in the offense. Mayers is more of a classic in-line competitor. Bowers is the chess piece who will be pass catcher in 12 personnel (1 RB and 2 TEs). While quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell might not enthrall Dynasty competitors, the team passed for 20 touchdowns in 2023 and the two signal callers are proficient enough throwers to get the ball into Bowers’ hands. My prediction is the rookie tight end logs between 75-85 targets in 2024.

Notebook: “I feel like I can be used in a multitude of ways. At Georgia, I was moved all around. They put me in the backfield sometimes, tight end, slot and outside receiver. I feel like versatility is a big part of my game, and I’m just excited to see what’s in store for this next year,” Bowers said (raiders.com).

2024 Projections: 60 receptions for 700 yards and six touchdowns

RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

It is very important to understand the difference between a prospect and a player. Prospect grades are based on film study and college production. After the NFL Draft, ranking a rookie in fantasy football must factor other data inputs into the analysis. Hence, while I did not like Benson in the pre-draft process (my No. 4 RB), the long-term opportunity for touches based on draft capital invested by Arizona cannot be overlooked. The Cardinals selected the former Florida State ball carrier in the third round with the 66th pick.

Very quietly, the Cardinals are building an impressive offensive unit in the desert. With QB Kyler Murray and TE Trey McBride already on the team, the organization added WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Benson to the unit in the NFL Draft. Veteran James Conner stands atop the depth chart when camp opens in July. Nevertheless, he is 29-years old and has missed eight games over the past two campaigns. At 6-2 and 216-pounds, Benson packs a punch with size and speed, and he will see carries in 2024.

Notebook: “(Benson) is a big man who runs really fast. When I look at it, could he break tackles? Yeah. Can he make people miss in space? Yeah. Can he hit home runs? Yes,” – Cardinals’ coach Jonathan Gannon remarked after selecting Benson (azcardinals.com).

2024 Projections: 775 rushing yards, 125 receiving yards and six touchdowns

Cum Laude 

WR Brian Thomas, Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

During the offseason, the Jaguars lost veteran WR Calvin Ridley via free agency. On Tuesday after the Draft, the team released veteran receiver Zay Jones. Ridley and Jones combined for 200 targets and 110 receptions, which opens snaps and opportunities for first-round selection Brian Thomas. QB Trevor Lawrence has not lived up to expectations coming out of Clemson as the first pick overall, according to many Dynasty players. Yet, in the past two seasons, he has tossed 46 touchdowns and exceeded 4,000 yards passing each year. Lawrence is not as bad as the narrative would suggest.

The AFC South hosts exciting young quarterbacks with C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, and Lawrence. There is a very good chance that the Jaguars and Lawrence find themselves in shootouts against division opponents. Thomas is a different playmaker than the departed Ridley and Jones. He provides an elite vertical threat to complement Christian Kirk and Evan Engram. Both Kirk and Engram thrive on the underneath and middle of the field routes. The former LSU product seems to be overlooked despite a huge ceiling as a playmaker and being attached to a very good young quarterback.

Notebook: “We’re looking for ideal fits, and Thomas is an ideal fit. It was certainly something that we targeted within the system. We feel we need to expand offensively. He did all of it, and a culture fit. We talk about bringing in the type of guys who fit into this locker room, fit into this community and he checked all of the boxes,” Jaguars’ general manager Trent Baalke stated (jaguars.com). 

2024 Projections: 60 receptions for 850 yards and five touchdowns

RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

The Dynasty buzz around Jonathon Brooks escalated when he became the first runner selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Longhorn was my second-rated running back beforehand and begins his professional career in an enticing situation. In 2023, new Panthers coach Dave Canales fed RB Rachaad White with 272 carries and 70 targets for the Buccaneers. White concluded the campaign as the No. 4 Fantasy RB.

Immediately, Dynasty managers celebrated Brooks’ landing spot. In Carolina, only Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders are ahead of the rookie runner on the depth chart. Yet is Brooks fully healthy after enduring an ACL injury last November? In regard to his knee, it is still months away from training camp before more details are learned. If he is 100% recovered, he could make an impact this season on fantasy rosters. If not, Brooks will be a hot fantasy commodity in 2025.

Notebook: “Brooks is a natural runner, he’s got great instincts running the ball, has a really good feel for making people miss in the open field and has exceptional contact balance. I think he’s a three-down back who can play on first and second down. He is also reliable in pass protection and has very good hands out of the backfield. I can’t wait to watch him in the NFL,” former coach Steve Sarkisian uttered after the Draft (burntoorangenation.com).

2024 Projections: 800 rushing yards, 250 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns

WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

While I may have been perplexed by the organization’s decision to twice trade down and out of the first round, it is clear a couple of days later that the Bills coveted Keon Coleman. There is no denying the tantalizing package of size and athleticism that the former Florida State gamebreaker presents as a prospect. Even so, I had concerns about his ability to separate on tape and his hands as a pass catcher. I believed that Coleman would be better employed as a “Z” or inside receiver. However, it appears that general manager Brandon Beane expects him to play the “X” position for Buffalo.

After losing receivers Gabe Davis via free agency and trading Stefon Diggs, the Bills’ roster lacked a deep threat, and Coleman has home run hitting ability. Well, if Buffalo feels good in regard to selecting the former Seminole, I must be open-minded to the team’s evaluation and conclusion. While there are no sure outcomes in the NFL, it is a good option to acquire highly drafted wide receivers attached to elite quarterbacks. Coleman likely becomes Josh Allen‘s target magnet quickly based on Beane’s assessment.

Notebook: General manager Beane provided a scouting recap on Coleman: He is “big and physical with size and he plays above the rim. He really drops his weight (at the) top of a route, and gets separation. Some guys, due to their stiffness, struggle to separate from the defensive backs.” (buffalorumblings.com)

2024 Projections: 55 receptions for 750 receiving yards and seven touchdowns

WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

Many Dynasty owners projected, and hoped, that the Chargers would select a receiver, possibly Malik Nabers, with the fifth pick. Coach Jim Harbaugh decided to strengthen the offensive line instead and grabbed OT Joe Alt. In the second round, Los Angeles acquired a playmaker at receiver, drafting Ladd McConkey, who has risen up rankings throughout the pre-draft process.

Over four seasons as an NFL coach, Harbugh posted a 44-19 record with the 49ers and led the team to Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens. In order to assess McConkey’s potential ceiling in the offense, I took a look back at the 2011-2014 seasons in which Harbaugh coached at San Francisco. It is good news for Dynasty owners. Michael Crabtree led the 49ers in receiving in 2011 (72 catches for 875 yards and 4 TDs) and 2012 (85 catches for 1,105 yards and 9 TDs). Anquan Boldin paced the receivers in 2013 (85 catches for 1,179 yards and 7 TDs) and 2014 (83 catches for 1,062 yards and 5 TDs). If McConkey becomes QB Justin Herbert‘s prime pass catcher, the former Bulldog can be a top 20 fantasy receiver in Harbaugh’s system.

Notebook: “I really like this player (McConkey). Some people question his size and his durability because he’s had some injury problems, but the quickness, the burst, the acceleration. When you beat someone out of the break and you can accelerate out of a break like he can, he’s going to create his own space and be a great slot guy,” former Alabama coach Nick Saban stated on a recent broadcast (247Sports.com).

2024 Projections: 60 receptions for 760 receiving yards and six touchdowns

QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

In SuperFlex leagues, Bo Nix will be a polarizing prospect. Many draftniks did not like his game tape or the offensive scheme at Oregon and questioned his ability to perform at the next level. Others believe that with 61 career games and impressive production under his belt, Nix is ready mentally to lead an offense. 

While the Broncos do not have the firepower that Chicago and Minnesota employs, the team does have Sean Payton, a Super Bowl winning coach in New Orleans, who knows how to develop quarterbacks. As long as Payton devises an aerial assault around Nix’s skill set, the former Duck should be able to take flight in Denver. The latest Broncos’ signal caller warrants a second-round selection in Superflex rookie drafts this summer.

Notebook: “It was a challenge (meeting with coach Payton). He wanted to see me as late as possible, so it was kind of a quick turnaround. But I feel like I played in many different systems and offenses. It is really piecing things together and memorization at that point. And once you memorize it, you begin to learn it and it kind of becomes second nature. I’m excited to get even more in-depth with what I’ve already been able to learn,” Nix reflected (milehighreport.com).

2024 Projections: 3,100 passing yards, 200 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns

For more from PlayerProfiler, check out this article – 2024 NFL Draft Day 2 and 3 Recap: Dynasty and Redraft Takeaways