Ultimate Fantasy Rookie Performances to Follow: Week 0 Preseason 2024

I’m still here, happily highlighting the best rookies of the week for every week of the regular season. I realize this is a little too late this season to help for fantasy draft purposes. This season snuck up on me. Having a toddler really makes the time fly! We’ll use this as a primer for the season and something to refer to for the accountability sheet after the season.

Any who, here are the rookies we’re looking at to start the season! (with their average fantasy draft position beside them)

Quarterbacks

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Jayden Daniels	112
Caleb Williams	118
Bo Nix	198
Drake Maye	221
Michael Penix Jr	229
JJ McCarthy	–

There were a lot of first round rookie QB picks this year but there are only going to be three real contenders for the rookie QB of the year. Chicago drafted Caleb Williams first overall in the draft. The Bears have done everything possible to make a young QB successful (two stud wide receivers, a first round rookie wide receiver, a good offensive line) and he has had a good preseason. Personally, I have a nagging suspicion that I can’t quite put my finger on that he will not be good. I don’t know why… Jayden Daniels went second overall in the draft but is being drafted ahead of Williams in fantasy. A quarterback who runs is always a huge bonus in fantasy and Daniels has that ability in spades. Last year, Daniels had 1134 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns. That would be a whopping 173 points without ever throwing the ball! Finally, at least initially, is Bo Nix. Bo has had a lot of experience and is plenty accurate, which should thrive in Sean Payton’s offense in Denver. Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr may see some playing time, but it’ll take an injury or some horrible games by Jacoby Brissett and Kirk Cousins.

Wide Receiver

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Marvin Harrison Jr	22
Malik Nabers	53
Xavier Worthy	109
Keon Coleman	110
Rome Odunze	114
Ladd McConkey	116
Brian Thomas Junior	136
Xavier Legette	168
Adonai Mitchell	173
Ja’Lynn Polk	213
Ricky Pearsall	230
Luke McCaffrey	235
Malachi Corley	–
Jermaine Burton	–
Roman Wilson	–
Troy Franklin	–
Javon Baker	–
Devontez Walker	–
Brendan Rice	–

Fantasy Managers are EXCITED about this group of wide receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr. is incredible to watch with his body control and his routes, while Malik Nabers is extremely fast and great at route running in his own right. I’m personally being cautious here. Don’t get me wrong. Marvin Harrison is the real deal. However, is he going to be better than Deebo Samuel, Davante Adams and Chris Olave? Personally, I cannot get enough shares of Xavier Worthy. Worthy was the fastest player to ever test at the combine AND he has Patrick Mahomes as QB? I am stoked to have him on my dynasty team. For the record, I’m also pretty down on Keon Coleman. I know the opportunity is there for him to be WR1 in Buffalo, but he’s not particularly fast or strong. I love his take on shopping for jackets though. If you want a sleeper from this group it’s Devontez Walker. I think he could easily take over Rashod Bateman in Baltimore to be the WR2 there. Troy Franklin also has a chance to continue his college magic from his buddy Bo Nix.

Running Back

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Jonathon Brooks	78
Blake Corum	123
Trey Benson	129
MarShawn Lloyd	161
Jaylen Wright	191
Bucky Irving	–
Will Shipley	–
Ray Davis	–

The only starter from this group isn’t even starting for the first four weeks of the season. Jonathan Brooks was the best RB to come out of the draft and is going to the Panthers who 1) need to help Bryce Young in any and all ways and 2) upgraded their offensive line over the offseason. He is coming off an ACL tear but modern medicine seems, to have fixed the performance dip previously seen after players healed. As a fan of the Panthers, I’m praying this works out. Blake Corum, Trey Benson, and Marshawn Lloyd could all get some play but they do not currently command fantasy attention other than being a handcuff. Of the three, I like Lloyd’s talent the most.

Tight End

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Brock Bowers	105
Ben Sinnott	233
Tip Reiman	–
Ja’Tavion Sanders	–

There hasn’t been a tight end prospect as exciting as Brock Bowers since… Kyle Pitts in 2020. Historically tight ends struggle coming into the league (Sam LaPorta is very much an outlier, not the rule). Plus, Las Vegas drafted Michael Mayer 35th overall in the prior draft. I’m not trying to say Bowers won’t be a good player. I just think it’ll take some time and I’m skeptical he puts up numbers this year. Ben Sinnott and Ja’Tavion Sanders are both lottery tickets that have the chance to be the starters for their teams.

Kicker

Currently, and I could be wrong, but sadly I don’t think we have any young legs to watch. I hope either I’m wrong or this gets rectified early in the season.

My Rankings

I’m going to be honest here, I didn’t get to soak in as much football content as I usually do in the offseason. Being a stay at home toddler dad was busy and exhausting. This top 20 list is totally just vibes this year.

20	Trey Benson
19	Luke McCaffrey
18	Keon Coleman
17	Xavier Legette
16	Blake Corum
15	MarShawn Lloyd
14	Troy Franklin
13	Devontez Walker
12	Rome Odunze
11	Brock Bowers
10	Ladd McConkey
9	Jonathon Brooks
8	Brian Thomas Jr
7	Adonai Mitchell
6	Bo Nix
5	Marvin Harrison
4	Malik Nabers
3	Xavier Worthy
2	Caleb Williams
1	Jayden Daniels

Every year it’s a treat to see how the rookies weave into the league we know and love. This year is especially exciting for me because I truly have no idea what’s going to happen. Also, I know I said I was down on Caleb but when I made the list it was hard to find people worth putting over him. QBs just tend to get a lot of points. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Good luck this year!

@MeLlamoMoron

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