Fantasy soccer rookies 2024: Greatest rookie vast receivers and sleeper WRs to draft

I by no means thought I’d begin a fantasy soccer dialogue with the 4 phrases under, however right here goes.

As soon as upon a time, it was a rarity in fantasy soccer for rookie vast receivers to be worthy of an early or middle-round draft choose. Certain, there was Randy Moss in 1988 (1,300 yards, 17 TDs) and Anquan Boldin in 2003 (101 catches, 1,377 yards), however these monster seasons had been exceptions. Twenty or so years in the past, the adjustment from the faculty recreation to the professionals was extra substantial, and NFL groups didn’t throw as a lot, or make use of as many three and four-WR units. Again within the day, it was widespread to venture vast receiver breakouts in Yr 3. Fantasy managers had been conscious of this and drafted accordingly.

Oh, how occasions have modified. Beginning with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Mike Evans in 2014, and culminating with Puka Nacua final season, it’s turn into commonplace for not less than one rookie WR to supply high-end WR2 and even WR1 finishes, and past that, for a number of rookie receivers to be fantasy-viable. The school recreation has developed to look extra like the professional recreation, the professional recreation has turn into far more pass-heavy and provides roles to a wider vary of receiver varieties, and the athletes are coming in with higher readiness to begin and contribute immediately. Throughout the final 5 NFL drafts, 28 receivers have heard their names known as within the first spherical, and we could by no means once more see one other draft that isn’t thought of robust on the place.

Rookie receivers have actually made their mark on this decade. In 2020, Justin Jefferson was the WR4 from Week 3 by way of Week 17. A 12 months later, his faculty teammate Ja’Marr Chase burst on the scene and completed because the WR4, whereas Jaylen Waddle set the report for receptions by a rookie (104) and Amon-Ra St. Brown, a fourth-round choose, was the WR2 over the ultimate 5 weeks of the fantasy season. In 2022, OSU teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave each turned in WR2 seasons regardless of sub-par QB play, and Christian Watson had a mid-season stretch the place he was the WR2 over a handful of weeks.

After which there was final season. Offense was down, and quite a lot of vast receivers underperformed. Apparently no person informed the rookies, who collectively had been as robust as any group of freshmen I can keep in mind. Fifth-round choose Puka Nacua led the way in which and broke Waddle’s rookie catch report whereas additionally setting the report for receiving yardage by a rookie with nearly 1,500 yards. Third-round choose Tank Dell was the WR10, at 14.2 fantasy factors per recreation (FPPG) by way of Week 12, when his season ended with an damage. Past these two big surprises, a number of rookie WRs taken within the first two rounds of the 2023 draft (Rashee Rice, Jayden Reed, Jordan Addison, and Zay Flowers) had been viable choices for fantasy managers and all completed the season within the high 27 WRs on a FPPG foundation.

It’s straightforward to get excited over a bunch of shiny new toys, however as current historical past exhibits, the thrill is warranted and rookie WRs may be difference-making contributors in your fantasy group. However they gained’t all produce, both this 12 months or ever. Determining which of them would possibly pop this season is simpler stated than completed. Since a rookie has no NFL historical past for us to go on, the vary of doable outcomes is wider than for veteran receivers. Which of those consecutively ranked gamers would you relatively roster this season: Malik Nabers or DeVonta Smith? These are the varieties of selections that fantasy managers might face a number of occasions after they’re on the clock.

Seven receivers had been chosen within the first spherical of the 2024 draft, which tied 2004 for essentially the most ever, and three extra went within the first 5 picks of Spherical 2. Three of these first rounders went within the high 10, a rarity. So you realize entering into that this can be a very, very promising and thrilling class of wideouts. Like I stated, lately we are able to anticipate just about each draft to be a treasure trove of potential stars on the place. A few of these 2024 rookies can have beginning roles in 2024, whereas others will likely be rotational gamers. Some would possibly get an enormous alternative on account of accidents, which is in fact unimaginable to foretell. I’ll attempt to inform you which rookies supply good worth at their present common draft place (ADP), and which don’t.

One very last thing—in the event you draft a number of of the rookies listed under, put together to be affected person. It may take them a couple of weeks to get going and/or to carve out a much bigger position, as was the case with Justin Jefferson in 2020. It may take longer than that. As Rashee Rice and Jayden Reed each confirmed final 12 months, rookie receiver manufacturing can typically be extra of a second half of the season phenomenon.

All rankings and scoring proven all through this column is for half-point PPR, and assumes redraft solely, with no keepers. In dynasty or keeper-league codecs, you’re rookies throughout all positions very otherwise.

Earlier than we dive in, right here’s a hyperlink to all of my preseason content material, together with sleepers, gamers to focus on and keep away from, and extra, over at sister SBNation web site Large Blue View’s Fantasy Soccer Hub.

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The Rookies:

Marvin Harrison, Jr. (ADP: 16). Right here’s what I wrote about Harrison in my Pink mild: gamers to keep away from column: I get the hype, however as a common rule, I’ve a tough time taking a rookie WR wherever within the first spherical and a half. Harrison is essentially the most touted rookie WR since Ja’Marr Chase in 2021, and the state of affairs he’s strolling into in Arizona is a good one. However I do surprise if Harrison’s ADP can be decrease (by as a lot as a spherical) if he wasn’t named Marvin Harrison. With an ADP of 16 it’s going to be very onerous for him to return honest worth, in my view. There are different rookie WRs that I feel will supply a greater return on funding this season.

Rattling, that’s good writing. I’ve nothing so as to add. VERDICT: PASS, at ADP. Subsequent?

Malik Nabers (ADP: 51). For those who don’t thoughts, I’ll plagiarize myself once more. Don’t fear, after this you’re getting all new copy. I wrote this about Nabers in my Inexperienced mild: Gamers to focus on column: There’s an previous adage in fantasy about avoiding receivers with dangerous QBs, and it’s a proven fact that Daniel Jones has by no means supported a WR1, a lot much less a WR2, in fantasy. He’s additionally by no means had a expertise like Nabers. Phrase out of camp is that Nabers has been uncoverable, and he’s flashed within the preseason video games. Head coach Brian Daboll and OC Mike Kafka will determine methods to get Nabers the ball the place he can do harm, and he’s going to be the centerpiece of the passing offense. I gained’t be shocked if he leads all rookies in targets. I don’t assume he has OBJ’s rookie 12 months in him due to the QB state of affairs, but it surely could possibly be shut if Jones can keep wholesome and the road holds up. It’s dangerous taking a rookie WR on a shaky offense this excessive, however I really feel loads higher utilizing a fourth-round choose on Nabers than a second-rounder on Marvin Harrison, Jr.

As soon as once more, no notes! Nabers is coming off a monster 12 months at LSU and I consider within the explosive expertise. Getting again to the dilemma I famous within the intro, would I take Nabers over DeVonta Smith? Sure, but it surely’s shut and I gained’t attain for Nabers. VERDICT: BUY, at ADP.

Rome Odunze (ADP: 94). The Bears had been thrilled to have Odunze fall into their laps at choose 9, after they already grabbed their franchise QB. There was a transparent “elite 3” WRs within the 2024 class and Chicago sat tight and copped the final one. For fantasy, do you actually need a rookie WR who’s catching passes from a rookie QB? Usually, I’d say no (C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell however), and particularly since Odunze will doubtless begin the season because the third WR, with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen seeing extra snaps and operating extra routes. An damage would open the door, and with Allen on a one-year deal and Odunze being the long run, perhaps he takes over throughout the second half of the season. Nonetheless, there are a number of WRs who I like higher on this WR-rich vary of the draft, together with the following man listed. VERDICT: PASS, at ADP, but when he falls a spherical or extra previous ADP, he’s an intriguing stash choose.

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Xavier Worthy (ADP: 95). Worthy is a participant I really like in greatest ball, however I’m additionally a purchaser in redraft. He ran the quickest 40 ever on the mix (4.21 seconds) and caught 26 TD passes in three years at Texas. Combining his monitor pace with the large arm and play-extending capability of Patrick Mahomes is tantalizing. Worthy could not see a ton of quantity because the third or fourth choice within the Okay.C. passing recreation and he could possibly be a little bit of a increase or bust choice this 12 months. There will likely be weeks the place you’ll solely want one huge play for him to be a worthwhile begin. Mahomes had the bottom air yards per try of his profession final season and Worthy’s presence ought to assist him to reverse that. It’s trying much less doubtless that Rashee Rice will face a suspension, Hollywood Brown is battling an damage in camp, and Travis Kelce is a 12 months older and possibly will once more be saved some for the post-season. None of that helps clear up what sort of snap share and goal quantity Worthy would possibly see, however of all of the rookies on this class he may need essentially the most upside relative to his draft value. If you will get him within the eighth or ninth spherical, I feel it’s an incredible gamble. VERDICT: BUY, at or earlier than ADP.

Ladd McConkey (ADP: 105). I don’t perceive this ADP, or why it’s a full 45 slots earlier than teammate Joshua Palmer. McConkey didn’t produce huge numbers at Georgia and whereas I get that the Chargers’ high 4 pass-catchers of the previous couple of seasons are all gone, I don’t love the state of affairs, with the Chargers more likely to be fairly run-heavy and Justin Herbert battling a regarding damage to his plant foot. If I’m investing on this passing recreation, I’d relatively take Palmer a couple of rounds later and particularly since Rounds 8-10 supply quite a lot of good WR worth. VERDICT: Cross, at ADP.

Keon Coleman (ADP: 111). Like McConkey, Coleman joins a group that noticed its high two receivers depart this previous offseason. Greater than 200 targets walked out the door when Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis moved on. Additionally like McConkey, Coleman acquired drafted by a group with a strong-armed and prolific QB. Coleman was a polarizing prospect, with issues over his pace being balanced in opposition to his measurement (6’3, 210 kilos) and power. He ran a barely disappointing 4.61 40 on the Mix, however reached the quickest pace of any WR within the gauntlet drill. I’m bullish on Coleman, and assume he’ll have a right away beginning position in an offense that is likely to be chasing factors greater than previously. I do assume you’ll must be affected person as his recreation wants some refinement. He’s a pleasant bench stash/WR4 within the 10^th spherical. VERDICT: Purchase, at or slightly earlier than ADP.

Brian Thomas, Jr. (ADP: 123). Guess who had essentially the most TD receptions in faculty soccer final season? Harrison? Nabers? Odunze? Nope, nope, and nope. It was Thomas, operating alongside Nabers at LSU, with 17. He’s a harmful vertical menace and the principle query for him in Jacksonville is how alternatives will likely be divided between returning goal hogs Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, newcomer Gabe Davis (who can be a vertical menace) and the rookie Thomas, who Jacksonville chosen with the twenty third general choose. Trevor Lawrence struggled at occasions final season and will likely be trying to proper the ship, and Jacksonville is one other group that might discover itself in some enjoyable shootouts. Thomas is flying below the radar and profiles as upside play who gained’t harm you an excessive amount of by way of alternative value if he misses. He made my sleepers column so you realize the place I stand on him. VERDICT: Purchase, at or slightly earlier than ADP.

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Late-round dart throws (with ADPs):

Xavier Legette (153)
Adonai Mitchell (164)
Ricky Pearsall (171)
Ja’Lynn Polk (177)

All of those rookies have an ADP within the 13-16 spherical vary, so that they’re extraordinarily low-cost long-shots. If Aiyuk doesn’t return, Pearsall can be a strong low cost, and have some enchantment as bench depth. At this late stage of the draft I often choose to hammer backup operating backs, so I don’t see myself rostering this group a lot. However when you’ve got a hunch on one among these guys, go for it.

Waiver wire watch checklist (with ADPs):

Troy Franklin (211)
Jermaine Burton (214)
Roman Wilson (236)
Devontez Walker (258)
Malachi Corley (266)
Luke McCaffrey (268)
Jalen McMillan (276)
Javon Baker (280)

Is there a Puka Nacua or Amon-Ra St. Brown flying approach down under the radar on this class? Uncertain—there often isn’t. These rookies all had been taken within the third spherical of the NFL draft or later, and largely gained’t get drafted in customary redraft leagues. Just a few of them have a clearer path to a bigger position or will likely be working in a greater offense with a strong QB, however actually this can be a crapshoot. Watch their utilization and manufacturing within the early going and don’t be afraid to drag the set off if it appears to be like like several of them are beginning to present one thing sudden. At the least two or three of those guys ultimately will likely be price a roster spot for certain. If I needed to guess, I’d say McMillan and Burton can have essentially the most fantasy worth from this group this season. Or Franklin. Or McCaffrey. Or….

That’s a wrap! Good luck together with your drafts and maintain it right here for extra of my preseason and in-season fantasy content material.