Monday Mocks: Final 2024 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

Ryan McDowell Posted On January 6, 2025

Welcome to Monday Mocks, where I’ll bring you…you guessed it, a new mock draft every Monday during the off-season. In my opinion, drafting is the best part of fantasy football, so I do as much of that as I can. This series will be filled with all types of mocks. We’ll draft startups, rookies, devys, and more.

The 2024 NFL regular season is now officially over, which feels like an ideal time to put a bow on this year’s rookie class. When dynasty managers hold their rookie drafts during the offseason, there is an innate understanding that the annual first-rounds will be comprised of major hits and disappointing busts once we actually see these players on an NFL field. That means player value, especially early in their respective careers, is always changing. The 2024 rookie crop was a massive hit with players, at least during points of the regular season, being considered strong options to hold the overall dynasty QB1, WR1, and TE1 spots.

Here’s my final 2024 rookie mock draft, based on superflex league settings. Just for reference, I’ve also included each player’s preseason rookie ADP.

ROUND ONE:

1.01 – Jayden Daniels, QB WAS (Preseason ADP = 1.03)

Last off-season, Daniels was widely considered the QB2 and carried a ton of value into his first season, thanks in large part to his perceived upside as a ball carrier. That perception is now reality as Daniels wowed all season, leading the Commanders to a surprise playoff spot and locking in what will certainly be a Rookie of the Year win for himself. Daniels averaged nearly 21 fantasy points per game, finishing as the QB5 on the season. He’s up to the QB4 in our latest dynasty ADP. He was second in the league among quarterbacks with 891 rushing yards and accounted for 31 total touchdowns. He’ll be a high first-round pick in off-season superflex startups, perhaps even the top overall selection.

1.02 – Malik Nabers, WR NYG (1.04)

Like Daniels, Giants wideout Nabers was also a highly regarded rookie last off-season, stuck behind a player viewed as a sure thing at his position. More on that guy later. Nabers proved to be an elite dynasty asset from the jump, finishing as a top-six fantasy scorer in three of his first four games. Nabers set the franchise record with his 109 receptions, which is also the most all-time for a rookie wideout. Nabers finished with a 109/1,204/7 line for the year, good enough to make him the WR6 on the season. He’s also the dynasty WR3 and third overall in our latest 1QB ADP data. And he did all of this with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito at quarterback. The Giants will have a new starter in 2025 and he will undoubtedly serve as an upgrade for Nabers and the G-Men.

1.03 – Brock Bowers, TE LV (1.07)

In most leagues, even those with tight end premium scoring, Bowers typically fell to the middle of the first round last off-season. This had more to do with the elite options ahead of him rather than any concern about Bowers’ talent. Landing with the hapless Raiders didn’t necessarily help his value but it did ultimately offer the rookie a chance to be the go-to option for much of the season. I know personally, I simply valued the players at other positions over the tight end. That was a mistake. Bowers broke Mike Ditka’s decades-old record for receiving by a rookie tight end and set a new mark for most receptions by any rookie with 112. Bowers is the runaway dynasty TE1 and that won’t change anytime soon. He should be a first-round pick in 1QB startup drafts this off-season.

1.04 – Brian Thomas, WR JAX (1.11)

If you simply invested your rookie picks in former LSU Tigers, you probably did well. The third for Bayou Bengal among the top four is Thomas. He was a bit of a one-year wonder, leading the nation in touchdown reception in his final college season in 2023. That, and a landing spot in Jacksonville, was enough to push Thomas down to the latter part of the first round of rookie drafts. Thomas was the Jags’ top option almost immediately and finished the season as the WR4 despite playing without his quarterback Trevor Lawrence for much of the season. Thomas is a locked-in dynasty WR1 and will even be a first-round pick in 1QB startups.

1.05 – Marvin Harrison Jr, WR ARI (1.02)

Arizona’s first-rounder, Harrison was immediately valued as a dynasty WR1 even before officially entering the league. Harrison was a lock to be the 1.01 in 1QB drafts and often challenged Williams even in the superflex format. Like Nabers and Thomas, Harrison had the opportunity to serve as the top option for his team but that simply wasn’t enough to satisfy dynasty managers. Harrison did flash some upside, finishing as the overall WR1 back in Week Two, but consistency and effort were the key issues for the legacy wideout. Although Harrison has certainly lost value in recent months, he’s still being considered a dynasty WR1. If there’s any type of discount or panic in your league with the Harrison manager, pounce on a buy-low opportunity.

1.06 – Caleb Williams, QB CHI (1.01)

In many ways, Williams is simply the quarterback version of Harrison. With five QB1 games on the year, he flashed enough upside to avoid the “bust” label, but surely didn’t live up to his 1.01 ADP in this stacked rookie class. Essentially all of the things Williams had going for him entering this season, including his athleticism and supporting cast, will still be around next year. The terrible coaching staff will not. I will gladly buy low on Williams if possible this off-season. He’s the QB10 in our latest dynasty ADP.

1.07 – Drake Maye, QB NE (1.05)

Viewed as a significant step down from Daniels and Williams last off-season, Maye started the season on the sidelines with the Patriots starting Jacoby Brissett. The former Tar Heel got the full-time job in Week Six and quickly reeled off a pair of QB1 games. Since that time, Maye has been the QB18, averaging 17 fantasy points per game. The Pats have a clear need for offensive firepower and despite giving away the top overall pick in the season finale, they’ll still be in position to add multiple offensive playmakers through the draft.

1.08 – Bo Nix, QB DEN (1.12)

There was a lot to like about Nix last off-season. He had ideal draft capital and landed with a “quarterback whisperer” on a team with a clear path to the starting job. Despite that, he still fell to the late first round and often even beyond in rookie drafts. Nix was not viewed as a high-upside prospect, yet he finished the year as the QB7 and produced nine QB1 games. The supporting cast is not exciting for Nix, but that is perhaps another reason for hope and increased expectations moving forward. Nix enters the off-season as a nice value, currently the QB14 in our most recent dynasty ADP.

1.09 – Rome Odunze, WR CHI (1.06)

Just like his quarterback teammate, Odunze has lost value this season as a result of unrealized expectations. Odunze has been fine this year, finishing as a top-24 weekly scorer three times. Much of the limited production was due to his competition in the passing game, with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet all vying for targets. That was expected, as was an up and down season from the overall offense. Odunze is still the WR16 based on our latest ADP so I’m not sure the boy-low opportunity will really be there. He’ll likely be a better value in startup drafts than via trade in established leagues.

1.10 – Ladd McConkey, WR LAC (2.01)

Honestly, McConkey might be undervalued on this list. That wouldn’t be anything new for the undersized wideout. McConkey was a riser throughout the pre-draft process in both NFL circles and in the dynasty world. That resulted in him landing in the early second round in both. He was the odds-on favorite to be the Chargers’ top pass-catcher and he did that on his way to a WR12 season. At his current ADP of WR12, I view McConkey as a sell-high. I view him as a player that could repeat this type of production but I still have concerns about his limited upside and injury history.

1.11 – Bucky Irving, RB TB (3.09)

The first big riser on the list is Buccaneers running back Irving. Early in the pre-draft process, Irving was in the rookie RB1 mix but his perceived value faded after a poor Combine showing. Irving’s fourth-round draft capital and landing spot in Tampa Bay didn’t help his value, though they should’ve in hindsight. Irving finished the season as the RB13 despite sharing the backfield all season and starting the season slowly. Irving finished the year with a dozen top-24 fantasy performances. The Bucs are almost certain to ride with Irving and Rachaad White again next season, which is good news for both players.

1.12 – JJ McCarthy, QB MIN (1.08)

It is always a challenge to correctly value injured players in dynasty leagues. In McCarthy’s case, that becomes even more difficult with the play of veteran Sam Darnold this season. Darnold finished as the QB9 on the season but will now enter free agency, unless the Vikes tag him as their Franchise Player. There is much to be decided this off-season that will impact the value of McCarthy, but he remains a highly-valued young quarterback, likely to be paired with one of the best receivers in the league.

ROUND TWO:

2.01 – Michael Penix, QB ATL (2.04)

2.02 – Xavier Worthy, WR KC (1.10)

2.03 – Trey Benson, RB ARI (2.03)

2.04 – Tyrone Tracy Jr, RB NYG (3.12)

2.05 – Jalen McMillan, WR TB (4.02)

2.06 – Ricky Pearsall, WR SF (2.05)

2.07 – Xavier Legette, WR CAR (2.06)

2.08 – Keon Coleman, WR BUF (2.02)

2.09 – Jaylen Wright, RB MIA (2.10)

2.10 – Braelon Allen, RB NYJ (4.04)

2.11 – Blake Corum, RB LAR (2.07)

2.12 – Ray Davis, RB BUF (3.07)

The second round includes a half-dozen players who were also round-two choices last off-season. The risers and fallers make the group intriguing. Tyrone Tracy quickly ascended to the top of the Giants’ depth chart, resulting in eight top-24 fantasy performances on the year. Jalen McMillan flourished down the stretch and could cause the Bucs to wave goodbye to veteran Chris Godwin. McMillan has been the WR8 over the past five weeks, averaging nearly 20 fantasy points per game. Backup runners Braelon Allen and Ray Davis impressed when given the chance and gained value as a result.

ROUND THREE:

3.01 – Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR (1.09)

3.02 – Kimani Vidal, RB LAC (3.05)

3.03 – Audric Estime, RB DEN (4.01)

3.04 – MarShawn Lloyd, RB GB (2.09)

3.05 – Adonai Mitchell, WR IND (2.08)

3.06 – Troy Franklin, WR DEN (3.03)

3.07 – Theo Johnson, TE NYG (4.05)

3.08 – Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE CAR (3.06)

3.09 – Jalen Coker, WR CAR (7.07)

3.10 – Isaac Guerendo, RB SF (4.07)

3.11 – Isaiah Davis, RB NY (6.11)

3.12 – Ja’Lynn Polk, WR NE (2.12)

The name that stands out in the third round is the same one that starts it. Brooks was the rookie RB1 despite coming off an ACL injury to end his college career. The Texas product vowed he’d be healthy for training camp and dynasty managers bought the hype. Not only did it take more than half the season for him to hit the field, but he sadly reinjured his knee. His career and certainly his value are now in doubt. Jalen Coker and Isaiah Davis went from afterthoughts to dynasty stashes, at least, with their play this season.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.