After taking in the NFL combine and studying the college tape, let's break down the top 2024 rookie prospects from a fantasy football perspective.
It's a loaded wide receiver class, with PPR upside, big-play juice and legit speed. There's some blazers in this class. We'll hit on the top quarterbacks too, plus the ball carriers and a tight end with pass-catching upside.
Here are the prospects to keep on your fantasy radar as we continue to roll through the pre-draft process, with pro day workouts up next.
Wide receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison isn't a straight-line burner, but he is exceptional in every other other phase of the position. At 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, he reminds me of DeAndre Hopkins, given his route traits, coverage awareness and ball skills. A volume target who can win at all three levels of the field, Harrison caught 14 touchdown passes last season and totaled 19 career red zone scoring grabs at Ohio State. I see him as an immediate impact player who can produce high-level numbers in both PPR and non-PPR formats as a rookie.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
McConkey's savvy route running and sudden movement skills put him in a position to uncover. And that shows up consistently on tape versus SEC competition. He will get up on the toes of corners and create the separation he needs. Plus, he just dropped a 4.39-second 40-yard dash time at the combine. McConkey can ,roll after the catch too, using his ball carrier vision and speed. At 6-foot, 186 pounds, McConkey is a prime PPR target who can work the middle of the field from the slot or play on the perimeter.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Mitchell showed out at the combine, positing big-time testing numbers with a 4.34 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump. He's an explosive mover with a 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame and has the big-play chops to produce early as a rookie. Watching the tape, Mitchell can stretch defenses at the third level, plus he has the quick change of direction ability to separate underneath. A route runner who will vary speeds to set up coverage, Mitchell also has the body control and catch radius to produce in scoring position. A former Georgia transfer, Mitchell had 55 receptions and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns in 2023.
Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers, who is expected to work out at LSU's pro day, can stretch defenses down the field on verticals or slot fades, plus he can get loose after the catch. That's where you see the rapid acceleration in space and the physical traits to push through tacklers. I really don't need a 40 time here on Nabers, as the game speed pops on the tape. He can roll at 6-foot, 200 pounds, with the playmaking skills to fit as an inside/outside target in a pro offense. Nabers averaged 17.63 yards per reception last season, and his 1,569 receiving yards ranked second in the nation. Expect Nabers to go early in fantasy drafts.
Rome Odunze, Washington
A contested-catch menace with elite ball skills, Odunze led the nation with 1,640 receiving yards, catching 92 passes for the Huskies while adding 13 touchdowns. Odunze has the physical demeanor and strength to play through contact at all three levels, with the 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame to overpower defenders at the point of attack. He fits as a boundary X receiver, with scoring upside, and the 4.45 speed to separate down the field. With his size and traits, Odunze could quickly develop in a pro offense as a matchup player who brings explosive plays and red zone potential to a fantasy lineup.
Others to watch ...
Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy's 4.21 40-yard dash set a record at the combine. And he also posted a 41-inch vertical. He's a legit burner, with vertical juice and open field speed. I would keep Worthy on your radar as a potential WR3 -- with more upside in non-PPR formats.
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Thomas' 17 touchdown receptions led the nation last season. He has the third-level separation ability (and 4.33 speed) to track the ball deep and the foot quickness to shake coverage at the underneath levels -- at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina
With a 6-foot-1, 221 pound frame, and 4.39 speed Legette has the straight-line burst to work down the field, plus he can deployed as a motion/movement player in an NFL offense. Physical player with the ball in his hands.
Keon Coleman, Florida State
Coleman's 4.61 40-yard dash time will raise some questions, but let's focus on the tape here. At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, Coleman has both boundary and slot potential, where he can play above the rim on 50/50 throws and create matchups. Plus, he will get you numbers after the catch.
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams, USC
A prospect with undeniable talent, Williams (6-foot-1, 214 pounds) has the arm strength and the mobility to fit in any pro system. With a springy release and the ability to drive the ball with location/accuracy from multiple platforms, Williams is a natural creator, one who can make special off-schedule plays. Yes, he will have to work more in-rhythm as a pocket thrower in the league, getting the ball out on time. So expect a developmental curve with Williams as he adapts to the NFL. But the skill set is there -- both as a thrower and runner -- to be a productive player in fantasy lineups during his rookie year. In his final two college seasons, Williams threw for 72 touchdowns at USC and added 21 rushing scores. A playmaker.
Jayden Daniels, LSU
The '23 Heisman winner, Daniels put up big numbers last season, throwing 40 touchdown passes while adding 1,134 yards rushing with another 10 scores on the ground. He's a dual-threat quarterback at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with excellent field vision and the anticipatory skills as a thrower to attack coverage. In the league, Daniels will use his running ability on scramble attempts and designed carries, plus he can escape and extend to produce as a passer. He's a high-ceiling fantasy prospect with pro-ready traits.
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Maye has the physical tools. The arm talent jumps, as he threw 62 touchdown passes over his final two seasons at UNC. He has the size at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds too. And Maye can produce as a runner, as he logged 1,209 rushing yards in college. Maye can throw with more precise location now, and I'd like to see him play with a better sense of accelerated vision to anticipate middle-of-the-field windows. In a pro system, however, that utilizes his traits, which includes designed runs, Maye has the upside of a future QB1 in fantasy.
Others to watch ...
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
A pocket thrower with the mobility to get to the edges/escape, McCarthy played in a pro system under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Read it out and take the throws that are available. Depending on his landing spot, McCarthy could be a prime target for 2QB superflex formats in his first season as he continues to develop his lower body mechanics.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
An accurate passer who can drive the ball vertically or throw with pace and touch, Penix should be on your radar. He would fit best in a timing and rhythm pass game, one that would feature his pocket traits, and he has the arm talent to push the ball down the field.
Running backs
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Brooks (6-foot, 216) tore an ACL in November, so his rehab process will be monitored throughout the draft process. The tape, however, tells us that Brooks has the traits to produce as a dual-threat back in the league. He's a smooth runner, with the foot quickness and vision to work through traffic, plus he can shift gears on the edges or in the open field. As a receiver, Brooks has the ability to be deployed on backfield release to stress defenses with the juice to create after the catch.
Trey Benson, Florida State
Benson has a pro-ready frame at 6-foot, 216 pounds. He can play downhill, in both zone and gap schemes, using his size and contact balance to bounce off defenders. Plus, Benson just checked in at the combine with a 4.39 40, which meshes with his home run ability on tape. Last season, Benson registered eight rushes of 20 or more yards. In the pass game, look for Benson to be utilized on screens and unders, which will add to his fantasy profile.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Wright ran a 4.38 40 at the combine and posted a 38-inch vertical and a 11-foot, 2-foot broad jump. He checked some boxes there. A big-play runner with receiving skills that can be magnified in a pro offense, Wright is a good fit for zone schemes that allow him to slash through daylight or attack the perimeter with his 5-foot-10, 210 pound frame. As a rookie, Wright can quickly work in a backfield rotation to find his way into fantasy lineups.
Others to watch...
MarShawn Lloyd, USC
With 4.45 speed and the pass-catching upside to be utilized much more as a receiver in the pros, Lloyd in a name to keep on the radar. There's PPR upside here.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
An old school runner at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, Allen can produce as a pro when he plays on a downhill track. He can fit as a rotational back and has scoring upside in the low red zone.
Tight end
Brock Bowers, Georgia
The best pass-catching tight end in this class, Bowers has the ability to produce early as a rookie, given his traits in the route tree. At 6-foot-3, 243 pounds with the play speed to stretch the seams, Bowers can also uncover to work the middle of the field and beat man coverage. Tough after the catch, Bowers can turn underneath throws into explosive gains. With the right fit and consistent target volume, look for Bowers to push the TE1 ranks as a rookie.