Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Marvin Harrison Jr and Braelon Allen

Each week throughout the 2024 NFL season, I’ll cover two rookies in the Rookie Report Card and will generally write about the most prominent performers from that particular week. I’ll discuss how well he’s lived up to expectations at the NFL level and then grade the player in three categories: performance to date, rookie season potential, and long-term upside.

Marvin Harrison Jr, WR ARI

Week 2 stats: Four receptions on eight targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns; WR1 overall in Week 2.

Week 1 panic quickly turned into Week 2 elation when one of the most-hyped wide receiver prospects in recent memory scored two touchdowns before the first quarter ended. Harrison put the concerns to rest quickly in his second career game and performed like the WR1 we knew he would become. His route-running and athleticism were on display on the second of his two scores. Harrison leaped from the five-yard line, put a hand on the ground to keep himself from being ruled down, and stretched the ball over the goal line. He could have had a massive performance, but the Cardinals were up big so early that they took their foot off the gas to secure a win against their division rivals.

Harrison played a limited role during his freshman season at Ohio State. As it turns out, it’s challenging to get on the field when Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are your team’s top three passing game weapons. He did step up in the Rose Bowl that season, posting six receptions for 71 yards and three touchdowns – an omen of things to come. In his sophomore and junior seasons, he eclipsed 1,200 receiving yards and hauled in 14 touchdowns in each season.

Harrison didn’t need to do anything in the predraft process. He had already demonstrated his elite route running ability and athleticism on the field. Measuring in at 6’4 205, combined with what he put on film, was plenty to secure his place as the top pass-catching prospect in the 2024 draft class.

From a dynasty standpoint, he has little room to grow his value. Since February (before he was drafted into the NFL), Harrison has fallen no farther than WR8 and has never fallen out of the first round of startup mocks.

In our most recent ADP data, he is ranked as the WR5 (sixth overall). He already costs multiple first-round rookie picks, and I expect him to eventually become the dynasty WR1 overall.

Performance to Date: A

We have two data points – one dud and one WR1 overall finish.

Rookie Season Potential: A+

Harrison can finish as a top-12 option at the position. His only real competition for targets plays another position on the team.

Long-Term Upside: A+

With his skill set and Hall of Fame pedigree, it feels like a lock that he will become the WR1 and the first overall pick in one-quarterback leagues sooner rather than later.

Braelon Allen, RB NYJ

Week 2 stats: Seven carries for 33 yards and one touchdown, two receptions on four targets for 23 yards and one touchdown; RB6 overall in Week 2

With limited opportunities and playing behind one of the best running backs in the NFL, Allen put together a performance in Week 2 that made fantasy managers take notice. On only 20 snaps (35.1% to Breece Hall’s 71.9%), Allen turned in an RB6 overall finish on the week. Perhaps the most promising part of his performance was his usage in the passing game. There were tons of questions about his receiving ability during the predraft process from yours truly, but he turned four targets into two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown, so clearly, there’s some ability there if the Jets choose to use him that way. It remains to be seen if Allen has any standalone production value, but if something unforeseen happens to Hall, Allen could genuinely earn the “league winner” moniker that is often overused.

In Week 3 on Thursday Night Football. Allen impressed once again. He led the team in rushing with 55 yards on 11 carries (31.5% snap share) and caught all three targets for 13 yards. Breece Hall rushed 16 times. This was likely a game where the Jets wanted to spell Hall a bit more after playing three games in 11 days, but it’s clear that Allen will continue to be involved as the locked-in RB2 for the Jets.

As a 17-year-old freshman at Wisconsin, Allen rushed 186 times for 1268 yards and 12 touchdowns—an incredible feat for a young player, playing against fully formed collegiate athletes. As a sophomore, he followed that up with 230 for 1242 and 11 touchdowns. His rushing numbers dipped under the 1,000-yard mark in his final season, but he remained a monster touchdown scorer, crossing the goalline 12 more times as a junior. His receiving production also spiked to 28 receptions for 132 yards in his final season, indicating it was a point of concern in his profile. Despite collegiate success, Allen fell in the NFL draft to the Jets in the fourth round as the 134th overall selection.

Allen’s greatest asset is his size and physicality. At nearly 240 pounds, he thrives as an inside runner who can wear down defenses and consistently fall forward for extra yards. His contact balance and tackle absorption abilities make him a difficult player to bring down, especially for those who don’t wrap him up. Good luck arm-tackling him. His vision is solid, especially in power and inside zone schemes. Allen will never be mistaken for a shifty player, which can make defenders miss consistently. He needs to lower his shoulder more to run through defenders rather than turn them, which can create a loss of power at the contact point. This was one of my biggest concerns in the predraft process and made someone as big as Allen seem like he played small.

Allen’s dynasty value tanked after the NFL draft. Falling to the fourth round was bad enough, but landing behind a superstar created a muddy situation where it seemed like he would be competing for touches behind Hall with 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda.

His average draft position rose steadily throughout training camp and the preseason, but he still hasn’t regained his pre-NFL draft valuation. I’d probably wait another week or two to go shopping. Paying up after a big game for players with his profile is never advisable, but if he remains a 30% snap player, I would be a buyer after a few down weeks.

Performance to Date: B+

Allen’s snaps doubled in Week 2. We’ll have to see how the usage breaks down going forward if he can continue to carve out a small role behind Breece Hall.

Rookie Season Potential: B

Without an Injury to Hall, it’s difficult to see him being a difference-maker in fantasy. If he can secure a role at the goal line, it’s possible he could get there just as a touchdown scorer. If Hall were to miss time, Allen would immediately have an RB1 ceiling.

Long-Term Upside: B

I’m hedging a bit here because this is really going to depend on whether the Jets decide to bring back Breece Hall after his rookie contract expires after the 2025 season. If they choose not to, Allen could be a future dynasty RB1.