2024 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Tyrone Tracy Jr

Tyrone Tracy Jr | © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rob Willette Posted On July 1, 2024

The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty managers we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In our Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profiles and where they fit. The basis of the rookie profile involves the usage of STORM analysis, focusing on five key components: Situation, Talent, Opportunity, Risk, and Market.

Situation

Name: Tyrone Tracy Jr

Position: Running Back

Pro Team: New York Giants

College Team: Purdue (transferred from Iowa)

Draft Status: Round 5; Pick 166

Tracy Jr had a fascinating two-stop tour through the Big Ten. Originally a receiver at Iowa, he had a strong redshirt freshman season, posting a 36-589-3 line to finish as the team’s second-leading receiver. For whatever reason, it did not click after the 2019 campaign, resulting in Tracy transferring to Purdue following the 2021 season.

With the Boilermakers, Tracy operated in a versatile role in 2022 before making a permanent switch to running back in 2023 and showcasing big-time skills in his new role. Despite limited experience, he rumbled for 716 yards and eight scores on the ground as he became one of the conference’s best playmakers. Showcasing natural running skills and complementing it with his background as a receiver, he became a serious draft prospect after entering the year as an afterthought.

Talent

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 209
Arm: 31 3/4”
Hand: 9 1/8”
40-Yard Dash: 4.48
10-Yard Split: 1.53
Vertical Jump: 40”
Broad Jump: 10’4”

Tracy is a tremendous athlete, with testing numbers backing up what we saw on the field. He is well above average across the board with the only negative being a narrower frame which is unlikely to add too much bulk given he will turn 25 during the 2024 season.

He has solid straight-line speed and excellent agility, allowing him to weave through defenses effortlessly. Had he converted to running back earlier in his career, it is entirely plausible he would have gone much higher in the draft given what he showed us in his short time at the position.

Opportunity

Courtesy of 4for4 Depth Charts.

The Giants have one of the thinnest running back depth charts in football. Veteran Devin Singletary sits atop the depth chart and is the heavy favorite to lead this backfield in touches in 2024. He is not, however, the type of talent you build around at the position and the Giants should be aggressive in adding talent to their backfield. It is important to note we were also excited about Eric Gray at this time last year, coincidentally a fifth-round pick himself. Football can come at you fast.

Tracy is not ready to lead a backfield in year one, but his explosive tools provide an opportunity to spell Singletary early as he provides much-needed juice as a complementary skill. With big play ability and plus receiving skills, Tracy can push for touches this fall as he establishes himself as a long-term piece for the Giants.

Risk

It is easy to be seduced by Tracy’s skills, especially when you consider his breakout was fueled by a switch to what may be a more natural position for him. He is the type of draft pick that is fun to make; hit on a rookie in the second half of rookie drafts after you have shouted his name from the rooftops, and you can gloat to league mates for generations.

The upside scenario is always the most fun to explore. A more grounded view would identify Tracy as a player who broke out at an old age and was not selected until we were well into round five. His profile does not hit often. It is fun to dream of what Tracy could do in this backfield, but his biggest appeal at this juncture is cost. Get too carried away with the notion you need to land him and the risk becomes unpalatable.

Market

The sheer depth of this rookie class is keeping Tracy’s ADP in check. He is going right around the day three backs people are getting excited about, immediately behind Bucky Irving as he holds steady ahead of Audric Estime, Braelon Allen, Will Shipley, and Isaac Guerendo.

Unlike most years, the latter parts of round three and early parts of round four in rookie drafts are picks that carry value to most. I would not be enthused if Tracy was the type of day-three back who gets pushed near the second round in rookie drafts; I would be thrilled to land him at RB9 and 36th overall. A strong class is keeping the market favorable, a strong point in Tracy’s favor.

There are some notable names popping up when you search Tracy’s name in the Trade Analyzer. Rookie fever can still be a serious affliction even during the summer months, but there is a good deal of respect for Tracy as a talent; the appetite to move him may depend on where a dynasty roster is at (rebuild versus contender or anything in-between).

With a reasonable ADP, excellent athleticism, and a receiving background, Tracy makes for a solid target in the latter portion of rookie drafts. He is one of the few day-three rookies who has a clear path to touches in year one given our general view of the state of the Giants’ backfield.