7 Rookie Sleepers YOU MUST KNOW Before the 2024 NFL Draft

by Seth Diewold · NFL Draft
Rookie sleepers

PlayerProfiler is home to award winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. Below, Seth profiles seven Sleepers you must know before the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Malik Washington

Malik Washington is a 5-9, 191-pound wide receiver who played his college football at Northwestern and the University of Virginia. He’s going to be an older prospect – at 23 years old when he is drafted – but Washington put up some impressive metrics. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and his Burst Score ranks him in the 97th-percentile. Washington also put up back-to-back productive seasons at Northwestern before transferring to Virginia, where he racked up 110 catches for 1,426 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

On tape, Washington displayed the ability to get open and is really good after the catch. Virginia involved him in the screen game and even asked him to throw a pass a time or two. Washington mostly lined up in the slot, but displayed the ability to stretch the field as well. At times, he struggled against press coverage, but there is no doubt he is an extremely talented player who fits the mold of a modern-day NFL wide receiver with his size and YAC ability. 

Tyrone Tracy

Tyrone Tracy is one of the more interesting running back prospects in this NFL Draft. He started his college career at Iowa as a wide receiver, then eventually made the switch to running back when he transferred to Purdue. In his final season with the Boilermakers, Tracy ran for 716 yards on 113 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, and caught 19 passes for 132 yards, scoring eight total touchdowns. 

Tracy’s workout metrics are also very good. He ran an impressive 4.48 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 209-pounds. Additionally, his Burst Score and Agility Score are both in the 90th-percentile. At 24 years old, Tracy is an older prospect, but he could be just the type of running back that makes the most of his opportunity in the NFL, given his skill set as a pass catcher. There’s a lot to like about Tracy’s game. 

Kimani Vidal

Kimani Vidal proved that he was a tough, physical running back at Troy. In back-to-back seasons, Vidal put up 1,000 yards rushing. In his final season at Troy, Vidal ran for 1,661 yards on 297 carries and caught 18 passes for 201 yards, scoring 15 total touchdowns. Athletically, Vidal answered a lot of questions. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. At his size – 5-8 and 213-pounds – that is an impressive number. Additionally, his Burst and Agility Scores are well above average.

On tape, Vidal is a great runner with good size and speed. He is also good as a pass catcher, and should be able to develop in pass protection. Vidal also displayed good contact balance running between the tackles. He isn’t perfect, but Vidal is a lot better than some people give him credit for. 

Rasheen Ali

Rasheen Ali is a running back that was super productive in his sophomore year at Marshall at the age of 20. In that season, Ali rushed for 1,401 yards on 250 carries, and caught 46 passes for 342 receiving yards and scored a total of 24 touchdowns! That’s insane production. Ali was mostly absent the next season, only playing in three games, citing mental, physical, and emotional health problems. However, in 2023, Ali returned to form, rushing for 1,135 yards and catching 28 passes for 213 yards, scoring 16 touchdowns.

It is Ali’s pass catching ability that strikes me as the most fantasy relevant skill in Ali’s arsenal. It is also his ability to find the end zone so often that makes him such an intriguing prospect. On tape, Ali is a solid runner who would be great in a one-cut, stretch run scheme. Ali doesn’t have top-end speed, but he is fast enough to be productive at the NFL level.

Dylan Laube

Some people might scoff at a prospect from the University of New Hampshire, but that would be a mistake. In the only opportunity Dylan Laube received to play up in class – against Central Michigan – he caught 12 passes for 295 yards and scored a total of three touchdowns. Those are video game-like stats. In his final season at New Hampshire, Laube caught 68 passes for 699 yards and scored a total of 16 touchdowns. He also saw some work as a returner. This will help him get on the field in Year 1, especially given the new kickoff rules.

On tape, Laube displays the skills to be an effective player at the NFL level. He is a new age running back in the sense that he excels as a pass catcher. However, there are some other skills Laube has as well. He displayed the ability to run both inside and outside the tackles effectively, and he has great hands and the ability to run multiple routes as a receiver. His 4.54 40-yard dash time isn’t great, but it’s not the end of the world either. At the end of the day, Laube proved he is athletic enough to belong on an NFL field. 

Jaheim Bell

In a rookie class devoid of talent at the tight end position, Jaheim Bell is an interesting prospect, to say the least. Bell was productive as early as his sophomore season at South Carolina. In that season, Bell caught 30 passes for 497 yards and scored five touchdowns. That’s solid production early in his college career. His production dipped in 2022, but after transferring to Florida State, Bell went right back to producing in his senior season with Florida State, catching 39 passes for 503 yards, scoring two touchdowns.

The one concern for Bell is his size. He’s only 6-2, which is small for a tight end, but he makes up for it with his athleticism, especially in the receiving game. On tape, Bell showed the ability to adjust to the football and make difficult catches and is really good after the catch with the ball in his hands. He struggled as a blocker, but overall there is a lot to like about Bell as an offensive weapon at the next level. 

Spencer Rattler

This is a superflex league’s only sleeper, but Spencer Rattler deserves some attention. Draft capital and situation are going to be key, but Rattler proved to be effective enough as a college quarterback to earn a closer look as we draw closer to the NFL Draft. Looking back on his time at Oklahoma, it is easy to see why he lost his job to Caleb Williams. Williams turned out to be a much better prospect than Rattler. It’s fair to say that many, many other college quarterbacks would have lost their starting jobs to Williams.

In his time at South Carolina, Rattler performed adequately. Sure, he didn’t blow anybody away, but it was time for him to reset and reassess. Rattler was consistent at South Carolina. In back-to-back seasons he passes for over 3,000 yards and threw over 18 touchdowns. My guess is some NFL team is going to draft him much higher than people expect, given the fact some teams are desperate for a developmental quarterback prospect.

Read Seth Diewold’s overrated rookies in the NFL Draft: Bust Candidates | Six Overrated Rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft