2024 NFL Draft: First Round Rookie Draft Dynasty Superflex Rankings
If you have been knocked out of your dynasty league’s playoffs, then it is time to turn to rookie draft prep. The class is already starting to take shape with the college regular season over and declarations going out to the media. Par for the course of today’s NFL, this looks like an absolute monster wide receiver group with the potential for eight to go in the top 50 picks of the draft.
The quarterback class has also developed nicely with three top options and some potential sneaky superflex quarterbacks to take later in your rookie drafts. There is an elite tight end (though not much behind him). Running back is a rough spot, but plenty of potential if the right players declare. We won’t have a year like 2023 with two RBs taken in the top half of the first round of the NFL Draft, but day two could be littered with talent that needs the right situation. Overall, it should be a solid group if everyone declares.
Here is my first round of superflex rookie drafts right now assuming the full class declares.
1.01 – Caleb Williams, QB USC
The problem with extreme hype is that you can never meet it. Similar to Trevor Lawrence in 2021, Williams is going to get picked apart by fantasy analysts over the draft process. But, make no mistake, he has elite fantasy potential. A great arm that can hit anywhere on the field – even off-platform – is needed in today’s NFL. Add in athleticism that could provide some rushing upside in the right scheme, and Williams is easily the 1.01 in superflex.
1.02 – Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio State
It’s rare to have a WR over potential top-five picks at QB, but Harrison Jr is built differently. He checks every box.
Elite athletic ability? Check. Insane production? Check. NFL-ready footwork and technique? Check. Coming from a WR factory college? Check. Hall of Fame bloodlines from his Dad? Check.
He goes into an AJ Green/Julio Jones category of instant production that could last a decade as a fantasy WR1. Even if Harrison ends up in a bad situation, he has such a high floor to return on investment for your dynasty team.
1.03 – Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
There is likely to be some talk about Maye pushing to be the top quarterback off the board. He comes in at a massive 6’4, 230 pounds and has more rushing yards than Caleb Williams in his career (1,209 vs. 959). There are some fundamental reading issues that need to be cleaned up, but the toolset from Maye leaves him with a high ceiling to be a Justin Herbert-type contributor in fantasy.
1.04 – Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
It would have been insane to have Daniels this high going into the college season, but the future Heisman winner delivers the ultimate Konami Code QB potential. With 1,134 yards rushing this season combined with 3,812 passing and 40 touchdowns, Daniels broke college football statistically speaking. He is reminiscent of a more polished Lamar Jackson coming out. Daniels has the ability to dominate a defense with his legs, but his arm and accuracy were incredible this year. The top ten seems likely for him in the NFL Draft, combining for top-tier fantasy value.
1.05 – Malik Nabers, WR LSU
Daniels’ biggest weapon led the country with 128.8 yards per game receiving this season. Nabers was a high recruit who flashed his potential last season, but brought it up to a whole other level. With big hands and great body control, he is an elite contested catcher with the speed to separate in his routes too. Nabers could step on the field as a team’s best WR right off the bat. He may be closer to Harrison Jr than to the third WR of the class.
1.06 – Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
Back in September of 2022, I tweeted “Brock Bowers is going to be what Kyle Pitts was supposed to be”. I stand by this as Bowers is a more dynamic weapon who can take handoffs, run a full route tree, and block enough to stay on the field. Dynasty owners who invested an early pick in Dalton Kincaid have had him pay off, and Bowers could be used as a slot weapon similarly. With a very poor TE class behind him, Bowers will be highly coveted.
1.07 – Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Similar to former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Egbuka battled injuries after coming in with high expectations. A former 5* recruit, Egbuka has the athleticism and has shown it both in the slot and out wide. He could be a reliable target monster in a passing offense, but may not have the ceiling of some of the other receivers in this article. We could absolutely see a Tee Higgins situation of Egbuka falling a bit in the draft and paying off to those who invest in rookie drafts.
1.08 – Troy Franklin, WR Oregon
Franklin is flying a bit under the radar despite excellent production. With long legs that can jettison down the field quickly, Franklin profiles as a deep threat at the next level. If he bulks up and holds that athleticism, the upside to be a franchise WR is there. Add in his dangerous ability after the catch within the Oregon offense, and there may be a multifaceted talent that is intriguing.
1.09 – Rome Odunze, WR Washington
Odunze is a tad lower on my list than current consensus, but he certainly has the production in Washington’s offense the last two years. With over 2,500 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns in just two years, Odunze knows how to use his frame and speed to get open and become an easy target. His outside play also gives him some potential as an X receiver at the pro level. The big question is if Odunze is more Jalin Hyatt or Chris Olave in terms of NFL production. Will he merely be a big deep threat? Can he put together a complete route tree to be highly targeted?
1.10 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
The only RB in the first round shows how weak this group could be. Henderson was a 5* recruit and when he is 100% healthy, Henderson is dynamic as an outside runner and receiver. The homerun ability and smooth footwork could allow Henderson to be a Travis Etienne type of runner in the NFL. The major issue has been Henderson’s health. Last year, he played through a torn ligament and broken bone in his left foot. He also missed time this year with multiple injuries. It will be interesting to see how high he goes in the NFL Draft.
1.11 – Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
Worthy is higher on my list than many current projections, but the reason is speed. He had the fastest GPS time in all of college football this year hitting 22.7 mph. Fantasy owners are going to be scared off by his 172-pound frame. With the success of slim WRs like Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith, however, it could end up being a mistake. Worthy can go step for step with any NFL corner down the field and offers the speed and fluidity to be more than just a deep threat. The fit with the team that drafts him will be very important.
1.12 – Keon Coleman, WR Florida State
Coleman is being a bit overrated at this point in the process. The former devy darling transferred from Michigan State to Florida State and had some instant success. The first game of the year against LSU was a national breakout with nine receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns. But, things fell off a bit after that. Coleman only compiled 658 yards for the entire season. His size (6’4, 215 pounds) and athleticism might make fantasy owners salivate, but there could be some major downside for Coleman as well.
Keep an eye on our 2024 rookie rankings as the offseason goes on and more variables are added to determine the best players for your 2024 rookie drafts.
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Dynasty Rookies In The Top 100 - April 14, 2024
- Post-Combine Superflex Rookie Rankings: Round Three - March 8, 2024
- Post-Combine Superflex Rookie Rankings: Round Two - March 7, 2024
