3 Undervalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target (2024 Fantasy Football)

Hitting on your rookie draft selections can be the difference between turning around your struggling dynasty team and spending another season in the toilet bowl. In leagues that aren’t as active with trades, rookie drafts are often the only avenue for adding talent to dynasty rosters.

Whether you’re a “film bro” or a “spreadsheet socialist,” most of us would agree there’s no exact science to evaluating incoming rookies. I’m somewhere in the middle of this ongoing battle between film vs. data, so I tend to merge the two in my process.

Ignoring data and analytics is just silly at this point, but I also think some have lost the plot a bit there. Spreadsheets shouldn’t be ignored but also shouldn’t be treated as the gospel. Don’t be afraid to watch some film, identify what translates and evaluate each prospect as individuals instead of data points.

With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, College Pro Days and plenty of data/film to still dig through, we’re still in the early stages of the evaluation process. However, here are three undervalued 2024 rookies to watch based on initial Sleeper average draft position (ADP).

Early Undervalued Rookies to Watch

Jonathon Brooks (RB – Texas)

With zero running backs currently ranked in the top 14 of Sleeper’s initial Superflex ADP, early drafters could soak up a ton of value at the position. As many of you already know, a running back’s success is more reliant on landing spot than most other positions.

That’s not to say talent doesn’t matter but landing in an ideal situation can be the difference between massive usage and never seeing the field. An ideal situation can mean many things but it’s usually a combination of team success, coaching success, scheme fit and the opportunity for early playing time.

With no consensus No. 1 running back at this point in the process, 2024 dynasty rookie rankings are in flux until free agency and rookie landing spots are known. For now, I’m penciling in Texas running back Jonathon Brooks as my RB1.

If it wasn’t for his mid-November ACL tear, I firmly believe we would have a consensus RB1 in this class, but I’m all for soaking up the value while you can. There’s a chance 2024 becomes a redshirt season for Brooks, which would obviously hurt his stock, but let’s bet on the talent and advances in modern surgeries.

Malik Washington (WR – Virginia)

If you’re looking for an exciting wide receiver prospect, look no further than Virginia’s Malik Washington. After a breakout 2023 season (110 receptions, 1,426 yards, nine touchdowns), Washington carried over that momentum into the 2023-2024 Shrine Bowl. By most accounts, Washington was the best player on the Shrine Bowl practice field, so much so that he didn’t even bother dressing for the actual Shrine Bowl game.

Washington’s size (5-foot-8, 192 pounds) could limit his upside and hurt his draft capital but he profiles as a starting slot receiver or WR4, at worst. Considering his ADP is 55 overall in early Superflex dynasty rookie drafts, drafting Washington is currently a zero-risk proposition. Buy him at this price while you can.

Ben Sinnott (TE – Kansas State)

Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott is a pass-catching tight end who is more comfortable in the slot than in-line blocking. Though lacking elite athleticism and strength to be a full-time tight end, Sinnott’s versatility and reliable hands should earn him a role on the next level.

At Kansas State, Sinnott excelled as both a downfield target and near the line of scrimmage on screens. The majority of Sinnott’s downfield targets were seam shots from the slot but he also lined up out wide at times. Sinnott’s versatility and underrated yards after the catch (YAC) ability will entice many across the league.

Currently the TE7, according to Sleeper ADP, Sinnott is undervalued in early 2024 dynasty rookie rankings. Sinnott is in the same tier as Penn State’s Theo Johnson and Ohio State’s Cade Stover. I also have him a tier above Michigan’s AJ Barner and Colorado State’s Dallin Holker.