2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Drafts: A View from the 1.08

Brock Bowers | Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Willette Posted On April 16, 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 be soon 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 1.08

The Pick: Brock Bowers, TE

Bowers has been a collegiate superstar since the moment he stepped onto campus. He posted 882 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first season, excelling at a position that is traditionally not featured, let alone for true freshmen. He bumped up to 942 receiving yards in his sophomore campaign and 714 in his final, injury-truncated campaign. As a bonus, he added the occasional goal-line carry, scoring five touchdowns on the ground during his career. He paced the Bulldogs in receiving each year and was the most indispensable weapon they had, helping them lift the national championship trophy during both of his first two seasons.

The entire profile has led to Bowers being the rare tight end to crack round one of rookie drafts. It is easy to dream of him being a player who routinely makes an impact on Sundays, a lineup mainstay a la Antonio Gates or Travis Kelce. He is more aptly described as an offensive weapon; he can line up all over the field and create nightmare scenarios for defenses with his size and speed. He can win downfield, after the catch, and understands soft spots within the zone. He is the total package, and it would be a fairly big upset if he were not a productive player at the next level.

In a superflex, Bowers is locked in right after the top three receivers and the four quarterbacks projected to go in the top ten. His draft capital will cement his rookie draft status and you can make a case for taking him a few slots higher if you believe he is a truly special player. He could have a rare impact at a position which we are constantly frustrated with.

Trade Value

1.08 for Saquon Barkley
1.08/2.08/Russell Wilson for Joe Burrow/Jake Browning

Possible Pivots

1QB Options

Troy Franklin

Rookie Selection 2.08

The Pick: Jaylen Wright, RB

Wright’s slow rise up rookie rankings became meteoric after he blazed the track in Indianapolis with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash time at 5’11” and change and 210 pounds. His explosive jumps supported his athleticism, and Wright left the Combine as one of its big winners.

The impressive performance had many going back to the tape, where Wright shines as a back who can rip off a long play on any given carry. He can get to the edge with ease and excels on stretch plays where he can use his track star speed to win. While not a bruiser, he shows enough physicality and competes to work for yardage between the tackles. His flair for the big play allowed him to run for 1,013 yards on only 137 carries, and he has shown flashes of being a true asset in the passing game.

The running back class has been roundly criticized as one of the worst in recent memory, though we can still expect several runners to go off the board on day two. I would expect Wright to be one of them, and his draft slot could continue to rise should he land in a situation with a long-term opportunity.

Trade Value

Tua Tagovailoa/Tony Pollard/2.08/2025 second for Josh Jacobs/Nico Collins
2.08/Jaleel McLaughlin for 2.03

Possible Pivots

1QB Options

Drake Maye

Rookie Selection 3.08

The Pick: Javon Baker, WR

We go from the thinnest position in this year’s draft to its most loaded. Baker is a strong bet to hear his name called on day two. In a standard receiver class, this would traditionally be enough to net round-two rookie draft ADP, unless he went into a dire situation. As is, you may be able to get a full round discount on a talented wideout.

Baker toiled for two years in Tuscaloosa before making the move to UCF for a bigger opportunity. The transfer proved sagacious, as Baker immediately became a focal point within the Knights offense.

The former four-star recruit for the Crimson Tide posted a 56-796-5 line in his first season in Orlando before following it up with 52-1,139-7 in his final year. Both receiving totals led the team. He showcased the tools to be a premier receiver at the collegiate level.

Baker can do a bit of everything for an NFL team. He has the size and physicality to be a factor in the intermediate game and uses his frame to create space in the vertical game, as evidenced by his 21.9 yards per reception. He competes as a blocker and is constantly working open for his quarterback. The tools make me believe Baker will stick in the league for a long time, though I do question his fantasy upside. However, getting a quality NFL receiver in the third round of rookie drafts is thievery. He should earn enough snaps to make a fantasy impact and he still has ample room to grow his game.

Trade Value