2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Consensus Second 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.
ROUND ONE
Make sure you check out the write-up for round one. This is how it turned out.
TIER ONE
1.01 = Marvin Harrison Jr WR ARI
1.02 = Malik Nabers, WR NYG
1.03 = Rome Odunze, WR CHI
TIER TWO
1.04 = Brian Thomas, WR JAX
1.05 = Brock Bowers, TE LV
1.06 = Xavier Worthy, WR KC
1.07 = Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR
TIER THREE
1.08 = Ladd McConkey, WR LAC
1.09 = Keon Coleman, WR BUF
1.10 = Caleb Williams, QB CHI
1.11 = Trey Benson, RB ARI
1.12 = Ricky Pearsall, WR SF
Tier Three (Continued)
Again, 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. 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. We started with McConkey and now we continue with round two.
2.01 = Jayden Daniels, QB WAS
The Commanders decided to make Daniels the face of the franchise and took him with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Much like Anthony Richardson last year, Daniels has a ridiculously high ceiling and a crazy low floor. The numbers are ridiculous – he threw for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions, adding 1,134 rushing yards and ten more scores on the ground last year. Oh yeah, and that was in the SEC. However, there are still questions about him as a prospect. Some still believe he’s a better runner than thrower and was also blessed with weapons at LSU like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., who clearly made his life a whole lot easier. We’ve also seen players from the SEC who put up insane numbers and see limited success in the NFL. He’s a massive boom-or-bust prospect but he’s going to be cheaper than Caleb Williams. Armed now with weapons like Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Jamison Crowder, he should have a road to success (though ironically that group may be worse than the one he had in college). While he’ll be a top-2 pick in Superflex leagues, Daniels belongs right here around the turn in conventional formats as a boom or bust quarterback.
2.02 = Adonai Mitchell, WR IND
Mitchell’s stats at Texas aren’t going to blow anyone out of the water. Though his 11 touchdowns are impressive, the 55 catches and 845 receiving yards don’t exactly jump off the page. However, dynasty managers need to look a lot deeper than that. He was overshadowed by fellow Longhorn Xavier Worthy and his NFL Draft Combine performance was simply electric as he posted an 11’4″ broad jump, a 39.5″ vertical and 4.35 40 yard dash. He lasted a little longer in the NFL Draft than most expected based on some apparent character questions (the Colts seem to be supportive) but landed on his feet when he was taken by Indianapolis with the 52nd overall pick. He’ll compete with players like Josh Downs and Alec Pierce for targets behind Michael Pittman. Ultimately, his dynasty value is going to hinge on the health and development of Anthony Richardson. His fall, along with some uncertainty about his place in the offense is likely going to push him down into this range but he makes for a pretty solid pick at #14.
TIER FOUR
The “sure things” are gone at this point and you’re left with a number of players with more question marks. The first four receivers in this tier could really go in just about any order.
2.03 = Xavier Legette, WR CAR
Legette ran a 4.39 40, posted 40 inches in the vertical, and recorded a 10-6 in the broad jump at 221 pounds at the NFL Draft Combine, which is more than impressive. He also posted a monster senior season with a 71/1,255/7 line at South Carolina this past year. On the downside, he’s a bit of a one-year wonder and people question if he’s a late bloomer or possibly a flash in the pan. This receiver class is stacked but Legette could be a big-time steal in round two of a rookie draft. The Carolina Panthers moved up and secured the final pick of round one to draft him 32nd overall. It’s a tricky landing spot for his value as he’ll have an immediate chance for playing time but also a project being paired with a quarterback who has a whole lot of question marks moving forward. Legette looks like a boom or bust rookie draft pick but one who clearly belongs here at the top of round two.
2.04 = Roman Wilson, WR PIT
Wilson may have been the victim of a more traditional offense that held him back during his time at Michigan because he some athletic traits you have to admire. While he didn’t tear up the pre-draft process as many expected and dropped a little in the NFL Draft, he still looks plenty fast and strong enough to be effective at the next level. His 12 touchdowns last year at Michigan show he has a nose for the end zone and he’s one of the rare players who looks like they play faster in real game action. He was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in round three as the 14th wide receiver taken overall. However, the Steelers have historically done very well with receivers taken in the middle rounds and Wilson fits the mold of a player with upside who could blossom in the right environment. With George Pickens the only real certainty on the depth chart, Wilson makes for a solid “high ceiling and low floor” type of rookie pick.
2.05 = Ja’Lynn Polk, WR NE
Polk teamed up with Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan to form the nation’s best wide receiver trio last season at the University of Washington. Together with Michael Penix, Jr., they set the standard for passing offenses last season and Polk did his part by catching 69 passes for 1,159 yards with nine touchdowns. While the numbers are solid, there are questions about Polk and his true ability to separate. While he’s been very productive, his quickness and speed are very much in question. Polk was drafted right in the middle of a big receiver run in the NFL Draft, going to the Patriots early in round two. He was the tenth receiver taken but amazingly the 37th overall pick, which just shows the depth of this draft. He lands in a desirable spot as the Patriots depth chart at receiver is a mess. He’ll need to grow together with Drake Maye but some patience could be rewarded here and Polk looks like a pretty solid pick in round two.
2.06 = Malachi Corley, WR NYJ
A dynamic small-school playmaker, Corley enters the league with a lot of upside. After posting 180 catches, over 2,000 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns the past two years, we’ve seen the production. However, there are serious questions about his level of competition as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers don’t exactly play the same schedule as Alabama. He’s going to need to learn a more advanced route tree and refine his skills a bit. However, this a player with serious run after the catch ability that should translate to the next level. Corley was taken early in round three by the New York Jets and should slot in nicely behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, being allowed the luxury to come along rather slowly. He’s a bit of a project but his ceiling is tantalizing. Aaron Rodgers has been notoriously tough on rookie receivers, so some patience may need to be used here. However, Corley still has some pretty impressive tape out there and could be a steal in the end – perfect for a second round rookie pick.
2.07 = Jaylen Wright, RB MIA
Wright is a he’s a freak of an athlete which seems to fit perfectly with Miami’s philosophy. He was also extremely productive at Tennessee this past season, rushing for just over 1,000 yards on more than seven yards per carry. The only real knock on him is his lean frame as he comes in at 5’11” and 210 pounds – that’s a significant issue as durability could be a problem. Dynasty managers were clearly hoping Wright would land in a place like Dallas where he had a chance to start but alas, it didn’t happen. Unfortunately for Wright, he’s going to be a gadget player early in his career as he’s buried behind Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. Still, he has some long-term potential as a player who is extremely explosive. The landing spot is a challenge and the early returns may not be good, pushing Wright down a little further than most people would have expected prior to the NFL Draft.
2.08 = Drake Maye, QB NE
While Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams may have the highest ceiling in the class, Maye seemingly has the highest floor. The question with him is simple – how much of a difference maker can he really be in terms of fantasy value? Maye’s first full season as a starter yielded 4,321 passing yards with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions while this last season produced just a 3,608/24/9 line at North Carolina. The stats don’t necessarily tell the story with Maye, though. He can make any throw on the football field and many scouts simply deem him as the safest quarterback prospect we’ve seen in some time. The Patriots have hit the reset button and Maye should have a solid chance to take over as the starter immediately and given every opportunity to succeed. However, there are concerns here as Maye will not exactly be given a roster full of elite talent. Maye is in danger of some really serious adversity early in his career and may need to work through it. Regardless, Maye looks like a solid Superflex pick and a second rounder in conventional formats.
TIER FIVE
At this point, you’re looking for upside but also looking at patience. Players in this tier have some real talent but owners are going to need to be patient moving forward.
2.09 = Blake Corum, RB LAR
Corum was surprisingly drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the NFL Draft. Never afraid to take a shot on a runner, Sean McVay has struck again, this time with the uber-productive Michigan product who rushed for over 2,700 yards and 45 touchdowns the past two seasons alone at Michigan. Unfortunately for dynasty managers, the Rams also have a very talented player in Kyren Williams at the top of the depth chart. Corum is going to be difficult to value in rookie drafts this Spring because he could be one injury away from major value or spend a long time on the bench watching Williams. In the end, he’s likely going to be a short-yardage player who is a serious thorn in the side of Williams managers. There are also some durability concerns with him and he doesn’t look like a true home run hitter, especially after posting a poor performance in the speed metrics at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, Corum looks like a safe running back prospect who may not be a total workhorse but a player who could thrive if given the right opportunity. While he may never be a truly dominant fantasy performer, it’s hard to look at him and think he couldn’t be a solid roster player in a dynasty league for a long time. As such, he looks like a second round pick in a dynasty league, despite landing on a loaded depth chart.
2.10 = MarShawn Lloyd, RB GB
Lloyd really helped himself at this year’s NFL Draft Scouting Combine with a 4.46 40 and top-10 finishes in both the vertical leap and bench press. Unfortunately, he was taken in the third round by the Green Bay Packers, a bit of a surprise pick considering the fact they added Josh Jacobs this off-season and re-signed AJ Dillon as well. His size (5’9″ and 210 pounds) is a question mark but Lloyd has always been productive (he averaged more than seven yards per carry last season). He also has less than 300 carries in college and while he hasn’t shown much as a receiver at South Carolina or USC, the ability seems to be there. On the plus side, he has a lot of tread left on his tires and could be a bit of a late bloomer. At this point, Lloyd looks to be a second or third rounder in rookie drafts and patience will need to be exhibited here based on his landing spot.
2.11 = Jermaine Burton, WR CIN
Burton was a high profile receiving prospect who started his career at Georgia, then moved on to Alabama in the hopes of really emerging. Despite some solid athletic traits, he just never really turned into the player many thought he would. While his 39/798/8 line last year is solid, there are still questions about his true ceiling. He needs some more coaching to refine his skill set but there’s a lot to like here. While he’s currently buried on the depth chart, there’s a chance he can grow into real relevance if Tee Higgins eventually gets moved. Burton is a project but one with a pretty solid landing spot as he’s now paired with Joe Burrow. Alabama receivers obviously have a solid track record in the NFL and Burton was once a highly though of prospect. Perhaps we have a diamond in the rough here with a late second round rookie pick.
2.12 = JJ McCarthy, QB MIN
Much like Drake Maye, McCarthy seems to be a high floor, low ceiling type of prospect. His 44:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio at Michigan over the past two years is crazy impressive and while he doesn’t offer elite-level upside as a runner, he looks like a player who should be able to start sooner than most and that’s what the Vikings are banking on. There was a lot of smoke about McCarthy being taken in the top five of the NFL Draft but he ended up falling to tenth pick instead. However, the fact he was even considered in the top five shows how highly the league thinks of him. The Vikings will likely hold an open competition between McCarthy and Sam Darnold but it certainly looks like McCarthy has been pegged as the future for the franchise. His upside is debatable in dynasty leagues as McCarthy may not be the most dynamic player in the draft but he does seem like one of the safer options. Still, the last pick in the second round seems like a pretty safe spot to take him on your dynasty team.
2024 Rookie Rankings
2024 Rookie Draft Guide
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
