Seven rounds later in Detroit and the NFL draft seeded teams with rookies. Rosters are relatively set, other than a few free agents that have yet to land. How did this draft compare to previous seasons?
Quarterbacks
An NFL-record six quarterbacks were selected over the first twelve picks and then none until the 5.15 pick for another record gap. The fury over picking signal callers suggests this may be a challenger to the famous 1983 class. But 2021 saw five taken in the first 15 selections and three years later, only Trevor Lawrence is still a starter from that entire draft class. This set of quarterbacks are expected to remake the landscape of the NFL within a few years. Or just become 2021 all over again.
Running Backs
Fantasy football loves rookie running backs. That’s about the end of affection for the position that continues to be devalued despite their contributions each season. A new NFL record was set when only Jonathon Brooks was drafted from the position over the first two rounds. And he’s fresh off a torn ACL six months ago. This was considered a weak class and the NFL treated it as if they were just adding special teamers instead of every-down contributors.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers carries the only realistic fantasy hopes for a rookie tight end to matter. Only two tight ends were selected until the fourth round as a sign that the position carried minimal importance for 2024 outside of Bowers. He is the Sam LaPorta in this draft.
Wide Receivers
There was plenty of interest in wide receivers for the pass-happy NFL. The seven taken in Round 1 tied the record set in 2004. Three wideouts went over the first nine picks and there’s a lot of optimism about the first dozen selected. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Keon Coleman landed in spots where there is an immediate opening to become the No. 1 wideout.
Overall, the draft was weak for rushing but infused a ton of talented youth into the passing game.
Top 10 fantasy rookies
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Arizona Cardinals 1.04, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.35 est. 40-time
Oddly, the top fantasy rookie is usually a running back but that changes this year. Harrison brings the complete elite package to Arizona where the next best wideout is Michael Wilson. The rookie has minimal competition for targets and a quarterback in Kyler Murray who is capable of a 4,000-yard season. The top wideout lands in perhaps the most advantageous situation of any receiver. - RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Carolina Panthers 2.14, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.45 est. 40-time
Fantasy loves rookie rushers and for good reasons. Brooks was the only back taken in the first two rounds. He was a first-round grade but comes off a torn ACL last November. He’s expected to be healthy for training camp and joins a rebuilding Panthers as their clear primary back. - WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Buffalo Bills 6-3, 213 pounds 4.61 40-time
The ex-Seminole was only the eighth wideout drafted but like Harrison, lands in an ideal spot with the Bills remaking their receivers and should turn into their No. 1 wideout soon if not immediately. Bills just lost 241 receptions from last year with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone. Not a burner, but Coleman should become the immediate possession receiver and a friend in the end zone. - WR Brian Thomas, LSU
Jacksonville Jaguars 1.23, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.33 40-time
The Jaguars needed to replace previous No. 1 wideout Calvin Ridley and turn to the speedy Fighting Tiger that led the nation with 17 receiving scores last year. He’ll slide into the No. 2 behind Christian Kirk and carry the expectation of being the No. 1 sooner than later. Paired with a healthy Trevor Lawrence should produce fantasy starter stats. - RB Trey Benson, Florida State
Arizona Cardinals 3.02, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.39 40-time
While Benson is not the immediate starter, he joins an improving Cardinals team that has relied on James Conner for three seasons with mostly moderate results. Conner is in his final contract year and Benson brings a much-needed speed element to the backfield. Conner is a 233-pound power back who always misses a few games. Benson will contribute from Day 1, fill in when Conner is hurt again, and angle to be the primary by 2025 at the latest. - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
New York Giants 1.06, 6-0, 200 pounds, 4.35 40-time
There is no argument that Nabers is an elite talent that any team would benefit from using. That said, five years of Daniel Jones has produced ZERO 1,000-yard wideouts. Nabers drew the short straw and suffered the pain of being so good, that he was available to the worst teams. Nabers will improve the Giants, probably, but he’s landed in what has historically been the NFL Siberia for wide receivers. - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Washington Commanders, 6-3, 210 pounds, 4.35 40-time
C.J. Stroud was the rare rookie quarterback that became a fantasy starter. And Caleb Williams was the 1.01 pick with the standard ridiculous skills and proven production. But Daniels lands in Washington, where the offense was upgraded and Daniels was the premier running quarterback in this draft. That looms huge as a rookie who will otherwise have to learn to read NFL defenses and synch up with his receivers. Or just run the ball as he did at LSU, where he gained 1,134 yards and ten touchdowns as a rusher last year. - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Las Vegas Raiders 1.13, 6-3, 243 pounds, 4.5 est. 40-time
Not many analysts saw the Raiders grabbing Bowers, but he fell to the 1.13 despite being one of the best prospects at the position for many years. Bowers was the top receiver in Georgia for all three seasons. He just flattened Michael Mayer‘s career arc, but should offer fantasy startability for a Raiders’ offense that sports a weak backfield and only Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as weapons when they pass. - WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Kansas City Chiefs 1.28, 5-11, 165 pounds, 4.21 40-time
The chance that Xavier Worthy will be overvalued in fantasy drafts is right at 100%. Even faster than Tyreek Hill, Worthy will have fantasy value in Year 1, and may surprise matched up with Patrick Mahomes. But he becomes just another option for an offense that also has Travis Kelce, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice (maybe) and Kadarius Toney (for the two games that he lasts). Worthy is smallish for any heavy workload and will need time to reach his potential. But have to think there are a handful of very deep scores waiting to happen. - WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Los Angeles Chargers 4.13, 6-0, 186 pounds, 4.39 40-time
Many other rookies could end up this good, but McConkey gets the advantage of landing with the Chargers where they stripped out their starting wideouts and McConkey could easily carve out a starting spot if not end up as the No. 1 receiver this year. But the wet blanket here is new HC Jim Harbaugh importing a run-heavy approach that threatens to significantly blunt the passing offense.
Top 10 dynasty rookies
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)
- RB Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
- QB Jayden Daniels (WAS)
- WR Keon Coleman (BUF)
- QB Caleb Williams (CHI)
- WR Brian Thomas (JAX)
- WR Malik Nabers (NYG)
- WR Rome Odunze (CHI)
- RB Trey Benson (ARI)
- WR Xavier Worthy (KC)