Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings After 2024 NFL Draft

After months of workouts, speculation, anticipation and mock drafts, the 2024 NFL draft has come and gone. From the Chicago Bears taking USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall to the New York Jets taking Alabama safety Jaylen Key with the 257th and final pick, this year's class of incoming rookies now know where their NFL careers will begin.

It's unlikely that Key will make much of a dent, although San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has showed over the past two years that "Mr. Irrelevant" can be anything but. Meanwhile, much is expected of Williams in the Windy City, both by Bears fans and fantasy football managers.

With the draft in the books, fantasy managers in dynasty formats will soon be firing up this year's rookie drafts. While talent is the primary consideration when valuing players, situation matters—a lot.

Now that we know where this year's top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends will play, we have a more complete picture of how to compare and rank them.

Not that it will stop us from being wrong, mind you. But more information is always a good thing.

Let's take a look at some position-by-position rankings for the rookie class of 2024, including some info on players who landed in favorable (or unfavorable) situations, a "sleeper" pick at each spot and this year's top 50 rookies overall.

The worst-kept secret of this year's draft was that the Chicago Bears would take USC signal-caller Caleb Williams first overall on Thursday night. The question was how many more quarterbacks would go right after him.

Many expected four QBs to be drafted in the top 10, and more than a few draftniks believed that the 2024 draft could tie the historic 1983 edition, when a record half-dozen signal-callers were selected in Round 1.

Please. In 2024, six went inside the top 12.

Many of those quarterbacks landed in places where they could start early on, including LSU's Jayden Daniels at No. 2 to the Washington Commanders, North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 3 to the New England Patriots, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 10 and Bo Nix of Oregon to the Denver Broncos at No. 12.

The question for fantasy managers is whether Williams will emerge as the No. 1 long-term fantasy option from this loaded class. After all, it's not like C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans was the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.

Favorable Spots

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Not to start this off with an appearance by Captain Obvious, but Williams is stepping into a far different situation than the Bears had when they drafted Justin Fields in Round 1 a few years ago.

In wide receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze as well as tight end Cole Kmet and running back D'Andre Swift, Williams has no shortage of offensive weaponry at his disposal. There's also no reason to think Williams won't be the team's Week 1 starter.

Could he be Chicago's first-ever 4,000-yard passer?

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Daniels may not have Williams' upside or supporting cast, but he isn't that far off. The lanky 6'4", 210-pounder is the best running quarterback in the class (a big deal in fantasy leagues), and Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Austin Ekeler as passing-game targets in a Kliff Kingsbury offense ain't cat food.

Add in a bad Washington defense that could force Daniels to try to win shootouts, and it wouldn't be a huge upset if he's the highest-scoring first-year signal-caller in 2024.

Unfavorable Spots

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

This isn't a bad pick for the Patriots. Maye was Bleacher Report's highest-ranked quarterback in the class. But from a fantasy perspective, whomever landed in New England was facing an uphill battle given the Patriots' lack of passing-game weapons.

Maye is also a realistic candidate to sit behind veteran stopgap Jacoby Brissett at first. Fantasy managers may need to be patient with the 6'4", 223-pounder in 2024.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

After signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, the Falcons used their first draft pick on...his replacement? A 24-year-old quarterback with a fairly lengthy injury history?

From an NFL perspective, it's baffling. From a fantasy perspective, it's a worst-case scenario. Barring injury, Penix isn't going to see the field anytime soon if Cousins is ready for Week 1. And waiting two years for a player to see the field isn't ideal, even in dynasty.

SLEEPER

Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

To be clear, Rattler isn't going to see the field any time soon for the Saints, barring a Derek Carr injury. Carr is under contract with the Saints through 2026, and it doesn't make financial sense to part ways with him until after 2025 at the earliest.

With that said, Rattler is easily the best remaining quarterback in this class after the six first-round quarterbacks. There was a time when he was being talked up as a Heisman candidate and potential first-round pick.

Rookie Quarterback Rankings

1. Caleb Williams, CHI

2. Jayden Daniels, WAS

3. Drake Maye, NE

4. J.J. McCarthy, MIN

5. Bo Nix, DEN

6. Michael Penix, Jr., ATL

7. Spencer Rattler, NO

8. Jordan Travis, NYJ

9. Michael Pratt, GB

10. Devin Leary, BAL

The running back position remains incredibly valuable in fantasy football. But running backs have become devalued in today's NFL, and in a class lacking an elite talent like Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley, the belief was that no running back would be selected in Round 1.

Sure enough, that's just what happened.

However, just because this class lacks a clear No. 1 option doesn't make it bereft of talent. Between the three-down ability of Florida State's Trey Benson, the power of Notre Dame's Audric Estimé or the ridiculous production of Michigan's Blake Corum, a number of talented running backs got drafted this weekend.

Not only were no running backs selected on Day 1, but only one went in Round 2—Texas' Jonathon Brooks to the Carolina Panthers at No. 46. Just four running backs were off the board when Day 2 came to a close.

While there may not be a surefire superstar among them, there will be fantasy-relevant backs from this class both this year and beyond.

Favorable Spots

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

There are admittedly concerns with Brooks, especially in the short term. The 6'0" 216-pounder is coming of an ACL tear last year at Texas, and the Panthers didn't see many positive game scripts in 2023.

But the Miles Sanders signing appears to have been a fiasco, and while Chuba Hubbard has had his moments here and there, he doesn't project as a long-term lead back. A healthy Brooks is easily the most talented running back on the team, and he should see a solid workload right out of the gate if healthy.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Irving admittedly isn't an elite talent—he's neither exceptionally elusive or particularly fast. On Saturday's draft telecast on NFL Network, Charles Davis singled out Devin Singletary of the New York Giants as a comp for the 5'9", 192-pounder.

But Singletary has quietly averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his career and topped 1,000 total yards in each of the last three years. Last season in Tampa, Rachaad White averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and was arguably the least efficient lead back in the NFL on a per-touch basis.

Unfavorable Spots

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen said of the 6'0", 216-pounder: "Benson isn't a perfect back, but he's a tough, explosive runner who continues to improve his vision and has useful pass-catching traits. That's a recipe for success at the NFL level."

The problem for dynasty managers in win-now mode is that Benson landed on a team with a clear-cut lead back. James Conner is in a contract year and has a substantial injury history, but Benson could be a complementary back in 2024 if Conner stays healthy.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Corum has been the consummate professional for the past two seasons at Michigan. What he lacks in elite physical traits, he more than made up for with productivity and an uncanny nose for the end zone.

However, there were already legitimate concerns about Corum's lack of elite power, speed or athleticism. Now that he's in Los Angeles with 2023 breakout star Kyren Williams, those concerns have been doubled for dynasty managers.

Sleeper

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of the teams that fantasy managers were watching closely in this draft. The Bolts acquired Gus Edwards in free agency, but given new head coach Jim Harbaugh's propensity for running the ball, L.A. appeared to be a solid spot for a rookie back.

The Chargers waited until Round 6 to draft a small-school standout in Vidal, who was a two-year starter at Troy. The 5'8", 213-pounder is a hard-running, compact back with excellent speed and burst. There's a real path to at least complementary snaps for Vidal out of the gate, and he's an Edwards injury away from being a breakout candidate.

Rookie Running Back Rankings

1. Jonathon Brooks, CAR

2. Trey Benson, ARI

3. Blake Corum, LAR

4. Jaylen Wright, MIA

5. Marshawn Lloyd, GB

6. Bucky Irving, TB

7. Audric Estimé, DEN

8. Ray Davis, BUF

9. Rasheen Ali, BAL

10. Kimani Vidal, LAC

11. Will Shipley, PHI

12. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG

13. Braelon Allen, NYJ

14. Isaac Guerendo, SF

15. Dylan Laube, LV

16. Keilan Robinson, JAX

17. Isaiah Davis, NYJ

18. Jawhar Jordan, HOU

19. Jase McClellan, ATL

Perhaps even more so than at quarterback, this was a good year to need a wide receiver. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze are all widely viewed as can't-miss difference-makers out of the gate. None made it out of the top 10 in the draft.

There was some dissent as to whether Harrison or Nabers was the alpha of this pack, but there was no argument that this class was loaded. There was speculation that the 2024 draft could tie the 2004 iteration for the most wideouts drafted in the first round (seven).

Indeed it did, with Harrison leading things off at No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers trading into Round 1 for South Carolina's Xavier Leggette.

However, NFL teams that didn't take a wide receiver in Day 1 need not fret. There were Day 2 picks with excellent potential like Adonai Mitchell of Texas, and there could even be a Day 3 guy who goes on to surprise a la Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions, who was just made the highest-paid player at his position in the league (for a day or so, at least).

If your fantasy team needs wide receiver help, finding it in 2024 shouldn't be too hard.

Favorable Spots

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

OK, so maybe this is just a chance to plug B/R's highest-ranked overall player in the 2024 draft. But Harrison was Bleacher Report's No. 1 player for a reason. There's nothing that the 6'3", 209-pounder doesn't do at an elite level.

His landing on a Cardinals team that has a stable quarterback situation and badly needs an alpha wideout is just icing on the cake. Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams set a new NFL rookie record with 1,483 receiving yards last year. That record may last all of one year.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

That the fastest person in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine landed with Patrick Mahomes almost feels unfair. In 2023, the Chiefs won a second consecutive Super Bowl without the ability to take the top off a defense.

Between Worthy (who is more than just a 40 time on tape) and free-agent addition Marquise Brown, that script has now officially flipped. Brown is on a one-year deal, too. You know, if you were looking past 2024 for whatever reason.

Unfavorable Spots

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams was undoubtedly doing cartwheels when he heard that the Bears were adding the wildly talented 6'3", 212-pound Odunze to a passing game that already included wide receivers Keenan Allen and DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet.

But Allen and Moore are high-end proven veterans, so target share could be an issue for Odunze, at least in 2024. That's not enough to drop him lower than WR3, though, and he could be a blessing in disguise for dynasty rebuilds that are still a year from contending.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

It wasn't too surprising to see the Panthers trade back into Round 1 to grab a wide receiver. Even after adding Diontae Johnson via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, they still needed to improve Bryce Young's passing-game weapons.

With that said, jumping up for Legette was a bit surprising. The 6'1", 221-pounder was Bleacher Report's 13th-ranked wide receiver and 71st-ranked player overall. That potentially overdrafted wideout will now be the No. 3 option (at best) for the NFL's worst passing offense from last season.

Sleeper

Devontez Walker, Baltimore Ravens

After Walker blew up the track at Lucas Oil Stadium with a 4.36-second 40-yard-dash at the combine at 6'2" and 193 pounds, B/R's Derrik Klassen called him the "premier speed threat in this year's draft class."

To be fair, Walker has some "project" in him. As is the case with many young receivers, Walker's route-running remains a work in progress. But the Ravens depth chart at wide receiver isn't exactly loaded behind Zay Flowers. He could be a path to early playing time.

Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI

2. Malik Nabers, NYG

3. Rome Odunze, CHI

4. Xavier Worthy, KC

5. Keon Coleman, BUF

6. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX

7. Adonai Mitchell, IND

8. Ladd McConkey, LAC

9. Ricky Pearsall, SF

10. Malachi Corley, NYJ

11. Jermaine Burton, CIN

12. Roman Wilson, PIT

13. Troy Franklin, DEN

14. Ja'Lynn Polk, NE

15. Xavier Legette, CAR

16. Jalen McMillan, TB

17. Luke McCaffrey, WAS

18. Devontez Walker, BAL

19. Jamari Thrash, CLE

20. Javon Baker, NE

21. Malik Washington, MIA

22. Casey Washington, ATL

23. Jacob Cowing, SF

24. Anthony Gould, IND

25. Tejhaun Palmer, ARI

26. Jordan Whittington, LAR

27. Bub Means, NO

28. Ryan Flournoy, DAL

29. Brendan Rice, LAC

30. Jha'Quan Jackson, TEN

It's unusual for a tight end to make a huge fantasy dent as a rookie. But after watching Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions finish last year as the No. 1 fantasy tight end in many scoring systems, managers want production from the position, and they want it now.

If you're looking to add a tight end who's likely to make an immediate fantasy impact in 2024, the list contains one name, and you might need a top-five pick in your rookie draft to get him.

At just 243 pounds, Georgia's Brock Bowers is either undersized for his position or is a really big wide receiver. But that's the thing: The Bulldogs star runs routes and catches the ball like a wide receiver. He's a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties.

Bowers isn't the only tight end in this year's draft class who could go on to become a weekly fantasy starter. But he's a tier unto himself and then some.

Favorable Spots

Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders

Sinnott was the B/R Scouting Department's seventh-ranked tight end this year. The 6'4", 250-pounder is a ferocious blocker and versatile player, but he doesn't have the field-stretching ability of some tight ends in this class.

However, Sinnott has sneaky appeal as a sort of TE/FB hybrid, and the Commanders have little on the roster at the position outside an aging Zach Ertz. There's a relatively clear path to early playing time here, and new quarterback Jayden Daniels can use as many safety valves as he can get.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

A 6'4", 245-pound oversized wideout of a tight end, Sanders was widely regarded as a Day 2 prospect. But the former Texas standout fell to the first pick of Day 3 before Carolina took him.

That draft-day slide may have cost Sanders some money, but it's an excellent fantasy landing spot for him. The Panthers badly need passing-game weapons, and Sanders has a real chance to open the season as Carolina's No. 1 tight end.

Unfavorable Spots

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Bowers falling to pick No. 13 may have been a gift for Vegas—he's a dynamic player who offers the Raiders a formidable array of passing-game weapons alongside wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

But there were potential landing spots with clearer opportunities to targets and significantly fewer questions at quarterback. He's still easily the No. 1 tight end in this year's class and a top-five rookie pick overall. But don't be surprised if there's grousing when he comes out of the gate slowly.

Tip Reiman, Arizona Cardinals

Reiman is perhaps best known for not believing that birds are natural (no, really), but he is a 6'5", 271-pound mauler of a blocker who is a much better athlete and pass-catcher than his collegiate production would suggest.

Although the Cardinals selected him with the 84th overall pick, Reiman might not have a clear path to making a fantasy dent. Arizona has one of the league's best young tight ends in Trey McBride ahead of him on the depth chart.

Sleeper

Theo Johnson, New York Giants

At 6'6" and 259 pounds, Johnson has size. He can also stretch the field, as evidenced by the impressive 4.57-second 40-yard dash that he ran at this year's NFL Scouting Combine.

At first glance, New York appears to be an advantageous landing spot for him. Even after selecting Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick on Thursday, the G-Men need passing-game weapons. But if veteran tight end Darren Waller decides to play in 2024, Johnson's role and target share as a rookie could be severely limited.

Rookie Tight End Rankings

1. Brock Bowers, LV

2. Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR

3. Ben Sinnott, WAS

4. Theo Johnson, NYG

5. Cade Stover, HOU

6. Tanner McLachlan, CIN

7. Jared Wiley, KC

8. Jaheim Bell, NE

9. AJ Barner, SEA

10. Erick All, CIN

Before we get to the top 50 overall rookies for dynasty leagues in 2024, a few notes.

First, these rankings assume only one quarterback starts each week. If you play in a two-QB or superflex league, then the quarterbacks with a real shot at starting this year should rocket up the board. The first round of your rookie draft could look a lot like the early part of Round 1 on Thursday—heavy on signal-callers.

Also, this isn't a "draft by numbers" type of list, especially in dynasty formats. Team needs have to be taken into consideration, too.

Teams picking at the very top are more likely than not to need better players. But if you're sitting at 1.08 and are set at wide receiver but have a sizable hole at running back, then passing on a wideout for a ball-carrier a bit farther down the board makes sense. Provided you can't trade down, that is.

And if you want a player on your team because your gut says "take that player"? Take him.

Finally, this is a great time of year in fantasy football. We will flow from dynasty rookie drafts and startups right into the Scott Fish Bowl and then redraft season. It's a time of hope and excitement for all fantasy managers. Enjoy it.

Do well drafting young players, and you'll get to keep smiling well into the fall.

Top 50 Rookies Overall

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI

2. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG

3. Caleb Williams, QB, CHI

4. Rome Odunze, WR, CHI

5. Brock Bowers, TE, LV

6. Jayden Daniels, QB, WAS

7. Xavier Worthy, WR, KC

8. Keon Coleman, WR, BUF

9. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAX

10. Adonai Mitchell, WR, IND

11. Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR

12. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC

13. Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF

14. Trey Benson, RB, ARI

15. Drake Maye, QB, NE

16. Malachi Corley, WR, NYJ

17. J.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN

18. Jermaine Burton, WR, CIN

19. Blake Corum, RB, LAR

20. Roman Wilson, WR, PIT

21. Jaylen Wright, RB, MIA

22. Troy Franklin, WR, DEN

23. Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, NE

24. Marshawn Lloyd, RB, GB

25. Xavier Legette, WR, CAR

26. Bucky Irving, RB, TB

27. Audric Estime, RB, DEN

28. Jalen McMillan, WR, TB

29. Ray Davis, RB, BUF

30. Bo Nix, QB, DEN

31. Luke McCaffrey, WR, WAS

32. Rasheen Ali, RB, BAL

33. Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, CAR

34. Kimani Vidal, RB. LAC

35. Devontez Walker, WR, BAL

36. Will Shipley, RB, PHI

37. Tyrone Tracy, Jr., RB, NYG

38. Jamari Thrash, WR, CLE

39. Braelen Allen, RB, NYJ

40. Javon Baker, WR, NE

41. Malik Washington, WR, MIA

42. Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF

43. Casey Washington, WR, ATL

44. Jacob Cowing, WR, SF

45. Dylan Laube, RB, LV

46. Anthony Gould, WR, IND

47. Keilan Robinson, RB, JAX

48. Tejhaun Palmer, WR, ARI

49. Jordan Whittington, WR, LAR

50. Ben Sinnott, TE, WAS

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Yell at him about these rankings on Twitter/X at @IDPSharks