2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Draft: Veteran Trade Edition, Round Three

With rookie drafts now underway, I came up with an idea I wanted to explore. Over the years, we’ve had tons of questions (literally tons if I was to print them all and weigh them) in regards to draft pick trade value. In fact, we got so many we decided to create the Dynasty Trade Analyzer to help you out. However, this still remains a relevant topic and I was curious about one thing myself this year – what would a rookie draft look like if every pick was traded for a veteran player? In other words, no rookies could actually be taken and every pick would have to be traded for an established player based on its perceived value.

With that in mind, I used our Dynasty Trade Analyzer to determine just what these draft picks may be worth and to give you an idea of what kind of veteran player you could expect to get with each pick. If you have one of these rookie picks, this is extremely valuable information to know as you can evaluate your risk tolerance and prepare accurately for your draft. With that in mind, here’s round one of our “Veteran Trade Edition Rookie Draft” designed to give you a clearer look at just what you may be able to get with each of the rookie picks you may have.

If you missed out on round one, make sure you catch it here. Round two can also be found right here.

3.01 = Austin Ekeler. RB WAS
Rookie options: Troy Franklin, Devontez Walker, Bo Nix
Other option: Jahan Dotson

Boy, how the mighty have fallen. Once one of the most feared players in all of fantasy football, Ekeler could likely be landed for a pick in this range. Dotson would also be a decent get if you wanted to get a player who is younger with some upside as well. If you want to roll with a rookie, you’re likely looking at players like Franklin, Walker or Nix. Clearly, none of these players are sure things and each have serious question marks. However, there’s some potential in that group as well. Again, you’ll need to assess your team needs here and act appropriately.

3.02 = Luke Musgrave, TE GB
Rookie options: Devontez Walker, Bo Nix, Jalen McMillan
Other option: Tyler Lockett

Much like with the 3.01, you could have a choice in trading this pick for a veteran (Lockett) or a young player with a long runway (Musgrave). Walker, Nix and possibly Jalen McMillan could be available in this range if you want to go with a youth movement. Personally, I love the consistency of Lockett here. However, if you’re picking this highly, you probably don’t have a contending team. If you can’t trade this pick for a future second, I really do like the upside with Walker if you go young.

3.03 = Courtland Sutton, WR DEN
Rookie options: Bo Nix, Jalen McMillan, Ray Davis
Other option: Jake Ferguson

Do you want the veteran Broncos wide receiver or the rookie Broncos quarterback? Our exercise indicates that could be a question you need to answer as Sutton’s value has dropped down to this range after yet another up and down season. The hit rate on third round picks isn’t good and that could be a safe bet. However, if you feel lucky, you’re looking at a group that could include Nix, McMillan and someone like Ray Davis, who is one of the easiest players in this class to root for.

3.04 = Quentin Johnston”>Quentin Johnston, WR LAC
Rookie options: Jalen McMillan, Ray Davis, Ja’Tavion Sanders
Other option: Pat Freiermuth

Talk about a drop in value. Johnston’s rookie season was a disappointment as he posted a 38/431/2 line for the Chargers as a rookie. With Ladd McConkey added into the fold, his value isn’t going to rise any time soon, either. While it may be tough to get him for a third round pick right now (you have to figure the team that drafted him used a precious first rounder on him and wouldn’t just give him up quite yet), that’s what his value really is at the moment. Personally, that seems like a logical direction to go in with this pick but you could also address tight end via trade for someone like Freiermuth or by using your pick on someone like Sanders.

3.05 = Romeo Doubs, WR GB
Rookie options: Ray Davis, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Bucky Irving
Other option: Cole Kmet

Once one of the hottest young prospects in dynasty leagues, Doubs disappointed last season with a 59/674/8 year. The touchdowns helped his value but he didn’t take the second year leap many had hoped for. However, a mid-third for a player of his caliber seems like a decent bargain. If not, you’re looking at some TE2 prospects like Kmet or Ja’Tavion Sanders or could even take a crack at a running back prospect like Davis or Bucky Irving.

3.06 = Deshaun Watson, QB CLE
Rookie options: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Bucky Irving, Ben Sinnott
Other option: Jerome Ford

If you’re looking for a quarterback and don’t want to take a chance on Nix (who could be available) or Michael Penix (who should be available), Watson could be a really intriguing option as a trade target with a pick here. His value has completely tanked after his trade to Cleveland and while he’s far from a sure thing, you’re looking at rookie dart throws at this point, too.

3.07 = DeAndre Hopkins, WR TEN
Rookie options: Bucky Irving, Ben Sinnott, Audric Estime
Other option: Gabe Davis

I love these late third round picks because a lot of bottom feeders could trade some good short-term veterans for picks to improve their team in the long-term and tank it in the short-term. All of this brings us to Hopkins, who may have just one or two good seasons left in him. If you’re a piece or two away, this is certainly someone to consider. If not, you could be looking at some running back shots like Irving or Estime.

3.08 = Devin Singletary, RB NYG
Rookie options: Ben Sinnott, Audric Estime, Isaac Guerendo
Other option: Mike Williams

Singletary’s value is likely going to rise a little post-draft, so this could be a bit of a stretch. However, he’s never really been a dominant performer and it’s fair to wonder just what he can do behind that porous line in New York. Williams could be another veteran option and he’s intriguing if Aaron Rodgers can round back into form. Regardless, these are the types of veterans you may be able to snag with this pick and it’s certainly worth thinking about. If not, this is likely the range where the upstart rookie Isaac Guerendo starts to be in consideration.

3.09 = Michael Wilson, WR ARI
Rookie options: Audric Estime, Isaac Guerendo, Will Shipley
Other option: Rashid Shaheed

Wilson is another receiver who may be a little forgotten but that’s really because of the presence of Marvin Harrison Jr. Is it enough to push his trade value all the way down to a late third round pick? Our data says yes but there should be some real thought put into this, too. His 38/565/3 season may not move the needle on paper but he looked the part and Kyler Murray could be good enough to sustain two different receivers. If you’re not a believer, you could look at some rookie running back options or even someone like Shaheed.

3.10 = Josh Palmer, WR LAC
Rookie options: Isaac Guerendo, Will Shipley, Javon Baker
Other option: Isaiah Likely

Here’s another receiver whose value had dipped based on the drafting of a rookie. Sure, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey are in the fold but we’ve seen some serious flashes from Palmer in the past and he has a solid opportunity with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both out of the mix. Unless you really love one of the rookies, getting a player like Palmer or even Isaiah Likely could be very enticing.

3.11 = Jaleel McLaughlin, RB DEN
Rookie options: Will Shipley, Javon Baker, Braelon Allen
Other option: Jonathan Mingo

While a lot of attention in the Denver backfield is going to go to rookie Audric Estime, McLaughlin was very impressive last season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. While some of that needs to be taken with a grain of salt because it was a limited sample size, we know McLaughlin can play. Mingo has been a disappointment thus far and the rookies you can get look a little buried on the depth chart. If you have the 11th pick in the round, you can take a chance as a likely contender, so choose your favorite player and go for it.

3.12 = Jalin Hyatt, WR NYG
Rookie options: Javon Baker, Braelon Allen, Michael Penix, Jr
Other option: Dameon Pierce

Hyatt’s 23/373/3 line was a massive letdown last season but should he really be all the way down in this range? Again, our data says yes, so you’re going to need to decide for yourself. Clearly, the addition of Nabers is going to move hin down a slot on the depth chart. Still, it seems a lot of people have given up on him pretty quickly. If you’re not sold, you could likely play the long game with Penix or look at someone who dropped in the draft like Braelon Allen. Let’s face it – at this point in the draft, everything is a bit of a dart throw.

I hope you liked the series!