Caleb Harris
During draft season, it’s easy to get caught up in the potential of the incoming class and expect big things from future first-year players as they begin their careers, especially from a fantasy perspective. And while the 2024 class doesn’t have ideal dynasty options after being a somewhat poor draft for offensive skill players, it still has talent to be excited about, including some key rookie contributors.
Three of the six rookie quarterbacks selected in the first round are expected to start Week 1 (Williams, Daniels, and Nix) and could be quality rookies, but are unlikely to be valuable outside of two-quarterback leagues. But these five rookies have a great chance to be rookies worth drafting into fantasy leagues this year.
Carolina traded up to secure the top running back in the 2024 draft in Jonathon Brooks. Once he returns to 100% for training camp, it likely won’t be long before he emerges as a starter for the team. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, while productive at times in their careers, don’t come close to Brooks’ talent.
Brooks is a bit below Bijan Robinson as a prospect, with less size and interior running power but better perimeter running ability and natural feel as a pass catcher. Brooks may need a few weeks to get up to speed, but despite the injury that caused him to fall out of the draft, there’s a good chance that, barring injuries elsewhere, Brooks will be the first rookie running back to be a team’s primary weapon. .
James Conner was the Cardinals’ leading rusher the past three seasons, but when they missed games last season, the team relied on Emari Demarcado, Michael Carter and Damien Williams to fill the void. But none of them have the same high-level, explosive talent that Benson possesses.
With Conner in the final year of his contract and just 29 years old, Benson, while likely to begin the season as a “backup,” will likely begin to receive the bulk of the carries midway through the season and emerge as the leading running back. until the end of the season.
Benson’s explosiveness and balance through contact will make him an efficient RB3 to start the season, but there’s a good chance he’ll be starting on fantasy playoff teams when the fantasy playoffs begin.
The last time a Giants receiver finished with 800 yards in a season: 2018, with Odell Beckham finishing with 1,052 yards and Eli Manning throwing the ball to him. The Giants are desperate for a new No. 1 receiver, trying to sign free agents like Kenny Golladay and first-round picks like Kadarius Toney.
But Nabers appears to be their best chance to truly resolve their half-decade disaster at receiver. He is immensely talented, both as a route runner and post-catch playmaker, but also as a downfield threat with elite speed and separation ability. Daniel Jones has never had a receiver close to his talent, and a playmaker like Nabers with future WR1 ability could make the entire receiver room better with his presence. But as a rookie, Nabers has a great chance to be a playmaker with 75 receptions, over 1,000 yards and over eight touchdowns as a rookie thanks to the opportunities he will have.
Last season, as a third-round rookie, Michael Wilson finished just 9 yards shy of leading Cardinals receivers in yards behind the now-deceased Marquise Brown. If Arizona could find ways to utilize Wilson last year as a rookie, the potential for Harrison, arguably the most pro-ready receiver in recent draft history.
The last time Kyler Murray played a full season was 2020 and DeAndre Hopkins finished with 115 receptions, 1,407 yards and six TDs, just 79 yards shy of Puka Nacua’s rookie record at the position. While breaking Nacua’s incredible record isn’t a realistic goal to aim for, if Kyler Murray can stay healthy and return to form, Harrison has the talent and every opportunity to be a breakout receiver quickly in the NFL in Arizona.
Last season, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis combined for 152 receptions, 1,929 yards and 15 touchdowns, about 45% of the team’s total receiving production. With both gone and no clear receivers brought in via free agency, that leaves rookie Keon Coleman with an incredibly large role to fill.
In addition to being a fantastic and fun personality so far in Buffalo, Coleman is a perfect fit for the Bills offense and for Josh Allen. Coleman is a smooth perimeter receiver with natural transition speed and late route separation feel, and can attack vertically with control and finishing ability, two traits that Diggs and Davis shared.
But most importantly, he is able to finish outside of his frame and off balance, which allows him to finish catches when Josh Allen needs to improvise and can’t position the ball perfectly. Good chance Coleman will challenge the rookie leader in receiving yards.
