2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Consensus First Round
Editor’s Note: These 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings are a starting point for your dynasty rookie draft. Make sure you’re ready for your draft by checking out our 2024 Rookie Draft Guide, which is now fully updated with post-draft profiles for all your favorite prospects, our current Dynasty Rookie Rankings and our convenient Rookie Draft Cheat Sheets coming soon. Looking to move or acquire some of those picks? Make sure you take a look at our Dynasty Trade Analyzer and import your leagues to get maximum value. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football draft preparation.
Every draft has its own uniqueness. This year’s version promised a deep class for both wide receivers and quarterbacks and boy, did it deliver quickly! As always, there are going to be some tough choices in dynasty drafts and we’ll be here all off-season to help you make the best moves possible. Let’s dig into these early 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings and start breaking them down.
TIER ONE
The tiers and commentary I’ll make on this post are my own, comprised of my own opinions. The rankings are based on our consensus rookie rankings. To me, tier one still consists of three receivers, all of whom could end up being the top overall dynasty asset in this year’s draft.
1.01 = Marvin Harrison Jr WR ARI
Harrison is blessed with great hands, incredible ball skills and has a frame at 6’4″ that’s three inches taller than his Hall of Fame father’s. Widely regarded as a “can’t miss” prospect in the mold of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, or CeeDee Lamb, Harrison certainly looks the part like few ever have. If you’re looking for a true WR1 for your dynasty team, this is the safest bet we’ve seen in years. The Cardinals decided to stand pat in the draft and took Harrison with the fourth overall selection and he should immediately take over as the top option for Kyler Murray in the desert. Simply put, Harrison has the talent, pedigree and skill set to be an immediate WR1 and should be the top overall position player taken in rookie drafts this off-season. While Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are both going to make dynasty managers think long and hard about which receiver to take first, Harrison is going to be the answer in just about every draft out there. He’s just too good to pass up.
1.02 = Malik Nabers, WR NYG
The Giants reportedly flirted with many options in the draft (including maneuvering for a quarterback) but ended up grabbing Nabers with the sixth overall pick. It was a bit of a surprise considering quarterbacks like JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr and Bo Nix were all on the board when they drafted. Still, it’s hard to blame them as Nabers could honestly be the best receiver in this class. While Daniel Jones‘ health and overall play is still in question, Nabers should enter the season as the top pass catcher for the Giants and makes for an easy top-three pick in conventional dynasty rookie drafts this off-season, most likely the second overall selection. His 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns for LSU stand out as elite and he has superb acceleration, strength, and explosiveness combined with solid route-running and after-the-catch ability. In short, Nabers, much like Harrison, looks like a can’t miss prospect at wideout and could easily be the 1.01 in a different draft class.
1.03 = Rome Odunze, WR CHI
A ton of mock drafts had put Odunze at #9 to Chicago and that’s exactly where he ended up to team with Caleb Williams for the new-age Chicago offense. His dynasty prospects are going to be a little cloudy early as he attempts to navigate his way to targets with the likes of Keenan Allen and DJ Moore early in his career but he has the chops to be a dominant dynasty performer in time. His career arc should match that of Williams (for better or worse) and while the early returns could be hit and miss he still looks like a top three wide receiver (and top three rookie pick) this off-season. His 92/1,640/13 season at 6’3″ and 215 pounds answered all the questions last year and Odunze has a fantastic size/strength/speed ratio. He’s right in the mix with Nabers to be the second position player taken. The only thing really keeping him out of the mix with the other two is the fact he’s not going to be the teams WR1 on day one.
TIER TWO
This tier consists of four players – two more receivers, as well as the top option at both tight end and running back.
1.04 = Brian Thomas, WR JAX
Thomas teamed up with Jayden Daniels at LSU last season to create one of the nation’s greatest quarterback and receiver duos. On the year, he posted a line of 68 catches for 1,177 yards playing against the nation’s best in the SEC. Even better, he led all of college football with a whopping 17 receiving touchdowns. After a top-five performance at the NFL Draft Scouting Combine, Thomas solidified his spot as one of the elite options in this year’s draft and the Jaguars were quick to jump on him when he fell in their laps. A true burner with documented 4.33 speed, he could be a bit of a “one trick pony.” However, if he can refine his skills, he could be a Pro Bowl-level player in the NFL. He should have every opportunity to replace Calvin Ridley quickly in the Jaguars offense and is a candidate to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year based on his talent and opportunity. This was a solid development for his value and Thomas should have his spot as a top-5 player in rookie drafts solidified as a result, likely battling the likes of Brock Bowers for the fourth overall selection. Trevor Lawrence needs to take another step forward and he should be a big help.
1.05 = Brock Bowers, TE LV
Few tight ends have ever come into the league with as much hype as Bowers. At 6’4′ and 240 pounds, he’s a beast to defend. Add in the fact he can run, catch, separate and win any 50/50 ball and you have a prospect who NFL Scouts drooled over. With comparisons to Travis Kelce, TJ Hockenson and other elite tight ends being thrown around with relative ease, it’s easy to get excited about Bowers. The question is going to be just how much to invest. With the recent failures of top tight ends like Eric Ebron and Kyle Pitts (to a lesser extent), dynasty managers may be hesitant in taking a tight end early in the first round of rookie draft. However, that’s what it’s going to take to get the elite Georgia prospect If you hit on it, you have your tight end for the next ten seasons. Bowers slipped a little in the NFL Draft as teams maneuvered around to secure quarterbacks. In the end, he ended up being taken 13th overall to the Raiders. It’s an odd fit as Las Vegas invested in Michael Mayer last season but Bowers should still have a solid chance to contribute early and often. Having a clearer path to being a true TE1 on his team would have likely solidified his spot as a top four rookie pick but this could drop him down just a smidge. Still, he has as much talent as anyone we’ve ever seen at the position and should have a floor that makes him very desirable in round one of rookie drafts.
1.06 = Xavier Worthy, WR KC
Worthy was being pushed by a lot of receivers in the pre-draft process (including his own teammate in Adonai Mitchell). However, a record-breaking combine and a season featuring a 75/1,014/5 line have him squarely where he should be – a first round rookie wide receiver with massive upside after being taken by the Kansas City Chiefs in what can only be described as a dream situation. Worthy broke the combine record with an unbelievable 4.21 40 and that’s going to fit right in with Patrick Mahomes. However, he looks like a player who has a lot more to give than just top-end speed. If he can refine his route running and become a complete player, he’s going to be a dynasty staple for a long time. A true playmaker with major league speed to burn, Worthy will likely be asked to perform quickly with a possible suspension coming for Rashee Rice. He’s a candidate to be overdrafted a touch as the Chiefs are no longer forced to throw as much as they used to with a much better defense now being featured but looks locked in as a pick in the top half of round one despite expectations needing to be realistic.
1.07 = Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR
It seems like every year brings us a blue chip running back from Texas and Wisconsin and the Carolina Panthers traded up into the middle of the second round to grab Brooks, this year’s edition from the Longhorns. He rushed for 1,139 yards and ten touchdowns on just 187 carries this past season after taking over for the departed Bijan Robinson, showing great agility and vision in the process. He’s going to need to prove he’s more than a one-hit wonder and get healthy from an ACL tear but he’s shown an element of fluidity, strong balance, good hands and the ability to break tackles consistently at the college level. He’s also solid at selling play-action and looks the part of a true three-down back. Much like Trey Benson, he also should have a lot of room to grow and punishment to take at the next level based on his limited action in college. It’s a good landing spot as he looks like a player who has a skillset of a premier running back in the NFL. Again, he’ll need to get healthy but the Panthers are likely playing the long game here. With Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders not doing much to impress, it’s hard to see Brooks not grabbing the top spot on the depth chart as soon as his knee will cooperate. Dynasty managers are also going to need to exhibit some patience here with Brooks as well but he still looks like a late first round rookie pick. It’s rare to get the RB1 this late in a rookie draft, so he could be a steal.
TIER THREE
And now the fun begins. The third tier looks to be pretty wide open with a number of different players being options, depending on exactly what your team may need.
1.08 = Ladd McConkey, WR LAC
McConkey entered the NFL Draft Scouting Combine as a player to watch but left as one of (if not THE) biggest risers coming out of Indianapolis. After posting a 4.39 40 and looking dominant in just about every drill, McConkey starting drawing comparisons to Puka Nacua as a receiver who was a little unheralded only to emerge late. While that needs to be taken with a grain of salt, McConkey is a fast riser who was successful in the SEC and the Chargers are obviously big believers in his ability, taking him at the top of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft. A precise route runner with serious quickness, McConkey is going to be thrown into action early and often this season. The meteoric rise after the NFL Draft Combine coupled with a great landing spot should keep him right around the turn of rounds one and two in rookie drafts, maybe even higher. Justin Herbert is in dire need of targets and McConkey could conceivably be the WR1 on a team with a solid quarterback. Check, please.
1.09 = Keon Coleman, WR BUF
In some drafts, Coleman would be good enough to be the top receiver taken. Unfortunately for him, he was in a loaded receiver class the likes we haven’t seen in some time. Dynasty managers won’t be too empathetic as he could be an absolute steal late in round one of rookie drafts, especially after being taken by Buffalo. The numbers aren’t going to blow you away (50/658/11) but the potential really should. He’s 6’4″ and 215 pounds but moves like a smaller slot receiver. Coleman impresses with his ability to win at the contested catch point and make people miss even with a massive frame. He has the potential to be a star at the next level should he make good on his elite-level ability. Much like Worthy, this is a dream scenario for Coleman, who lands with an elite quarterback in dire need of new weapons after losing so many this off-season. He has work to do for sure but his landing spot is going to place him in the first round or early second of virtually every rookie draft.
1.10 = Caleb Williams, QB CHI
Williams was solid last year at USC with 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding another 136 yards and a whopping 11 touchdowns on the ground. However, this was down from his dominant 4,537/42/5 year in 2023 (where he also added ten rushing scores). Williams’ talent is undeniable and he clearly looks like an elite-level prospect. However, he may not be a transcendent-level game-changer. The biggest concern is actually the potential landing spot in Chicago. The Bears are rebuilding and this is a franchise that traditionally fails to produce elite-level play at quarterback and much of that honestly has to do with the weather they deal with each season. He’s still at the top of most lists but the price is going to be high based on perceived potential and that’s going to be baked into his off-season value. The likes of Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Odunze and D’Andre Swift should be enough to keep his dynasty value high even as he learns the position, though. Williams should be immediately installed as a low-end QB1, and makes an easy pick at the top of a Superflex league rookie draft and a likely top-10 pick in conventional formats.
1.11 = Trey Benson, RB ARI
There will be great debate as to who the top running back will be this season but Benson could be on the top of many lists based on his upside. There are injury concerns with him but he’s an explosive athlete who boasts solid long speed, serious burst and legitimate explosiveness. Again, the question is going to be durability as he only had 310 carries in his college career. On the plus side, there should also be a lot of tread on his tires and hsi 23 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons show he has dynamic ability in the open field. He needs to get stronger and become a better pass blocker. He also needs to refine his pass catching ability but there is a lot to like here and he looks like a player who would be worth first round consideration. Arizona is a solid landing spot for the former Seminole who will presumably pair with James Conner in a new-look backfield in the desert. However, Conner’s injury history and age is going to likely pave a quick path to a true starting job for Benson sooner rather than later. While he may not reach his potential for a year or two, Benson looks like a very solid pick right around the round 1/2 turn in rookie drafts.
1.12 = Ricky Pearsall, WR SF
Pearsall transferred from Arizona State to Florida in the hopes of developing his game and getting more exposure. It seems to have worked on both fronts as he improved each year, culminating in a 65/965/4 season in 2023. A slot prospect who had surprising good measureables, Pearsall seems like a player who simply gets open. A major pre-draft riser, Pearsall ended up going late in round one to the San Francisco 49ers. It ends a crazy period where his workouts and a final review of his tape truly put Pearsall on the map. This is a great landing spot for him as well as it looks like the futures of both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk could be in question. While some patience may be needed here, Pearsall will be used creatively in the offense and his draft stock should rise all the way up to the end of round one as a result.
2024 Rookie Rankings
2024 Rookie Draft Guide
Dynasty Trade Analyzer
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
