2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Drafts: A View from the 1.05

Drake Maye | Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Willette Posted On April 19, 2024

For many dynasty players, the highlight of the off-season is the annual rookie draft, and we are now mere days away from many of those drafts kicking off. Once our respective dynasty teams are eliminated from contention (and sometimes even before), we tend to turn our attention to the incoming rookie class, and delusions of grandeur take over. In fact, dynasty players spend nearly the entire off-season preparing for how they will use their draft picks or if they will use them at all.

In this twelve-part series, our team will use the latest data available here at Dynasty League Football, namely our April Superflex Rookie ADP and the Dynasty Trade Finder, to ensure you are as prepared as possible when your draft begins. Based on our most recent ADP data, we’ll suggest the player you could soon be adding to your team, and if you don’t like that, we’ll also include a potential pivot option. In addition, we’ll include options based on the updated 1QB rookie ADP for those who play in that format. Finally, using the Dynasty Trade Finder, we’ll examine some recent trades that have taken place with each specific draft pick.

We all know the first round of rookie drafts includes the players we’ve been hearing about for months, if not years, but difference-makers can be found in the second round and beyond, as well. Because of that, we’ll also address the other picks that accompany each respective first-round draft slot.

Rookie Selection 1.05

The Pick: Drake Maye, QB

In many other years on the Gregorian calendar, Maye would be a strong contender to go at the 1.01 in both the NFL and rookie drafts. He is dripping with physical tools and has tape littered with big-time throws.

Of course, we are in 2024, and the rookie class is overrun with top talent. It provides a unique opportunity to add a premier player in the middle of the first round. The 1.05 is going to be a carousel of different players this year, though Maye currently rests at the spot in ADP.

Maye is a lab-made quarterback, at 6’4” and 223 pounds with a loose and easy throwing motion. His arm talent helps him challenge every blade of grass on the field; there is simply no throw he cannot make. He is starting from a higher raw talent baseline than most quarterbacks who enter the league.

The criticisms of his game are fair. Consistency is an issue, and he can leave throws on the field. His decision-making can be puzzling, and his throwing platform can become off-kilter, resulting in inaccurate throws and turnovers. In some ways, he had to play hero ball in similar ways to Caleb Williams; the supporting cast left much to be desired.

Ultimately, I am firmly in the camp of Maye’s flaws being ironed out with time and coaching. The upside is immense and by all accounts, he is a coachable prospect with excellent work habits. I would be thrilled to land Maye with the 1.05 in superflex drafts.

Trade Value

1.05/1.11 for 1.02
1.05/3.05 for Nico Collins

Possible Pivots

1QB Options

Brian Thomas

Rookie Selection 2.05

The Pick: Blake Corum, RB

Corum leaves Michigan as one of college football’s most accomplished runners. He racked up an incredible 59 touchdowns over the past three seasons and leaves Ann Arbor as the fifth all-time leading rusher for a storied program. In many circles, he is already a star.

More importantly, he is a quality running back prospect. The 5’8” and 205-pound frame is far from ideal, but it helps him stay small in the hole and his compact build is something he utilizes well as he finishes runs with panache and displays excellent contact balance. He understands his limitations and runs north-south without wasting much motion. Every team can use a high-character back who can do a bit of everything, and Corum fits the bill and then some.

I do not feel Corum walks right into a starting job, and it is possible he tops out as a high-end backup. However, his game should endear him to coaching staffs. Team needs start to come into play in round two of rookie drafts, but with probable day two draft capital, it is where Corum fits in, even if his fantasy ceiling is capped.

Trade Value

2.05 for Aaron Rodgers

1.05/2.05/Tua Tagovailoa/2025 first for Josh Allen/Jayden Reed/Noah Fant

Possible Pivots

1QB Options

Braelon Allen

Rookie Selection 3.05

The Pick: Ja’Lynn Polk

With Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan as established stars, the Washington Huskies did not really need a third elite receiver, yet nobody told Ja’Lynn Polk. The former Texas Tech Red Raider took a big step in his redshirt junior season, posting 69 receptions and nine scores and proving a perfect match with big-play hunter Michael Penix. He entered the draft consciousness after being off the radar prior to 2023.

Polk is at his best with the football in the air. He is big, aggressive, and shows the body control to make difficult catches at the catch point. His NFL body helps him play big and his competitiveness is on display in all phases of the game.

He has work to do on the technical side of the game, as he can be a bit sluggish in his routes and can rest on his ability to win a jump ball a bit too much. In his defense, the Washington offense often asked him to do what he does best and did not demand he have a well-rounded skillset. I ultimately expect Polk to be a complementary receiver at the NFL level, either an elite WR3 or a capable WR2. With a cozy landing spot, it is a skillset that can make a fantasy impact, and the middle of round three is thievery for a player who could very well hear his name called in round two.

Trade Value