The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. While the real NFL draft is over, the fantasy football drafts are just beginning! That’s especially true when it comes to dynasty rookie drafts. NFL Draft landing spots allow us to start to zero in on fantasy football and dynasty rookie draft pick values. Let’s dive into our dynasty rookie draft outlook and advice for a few rookies.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
Fantasy Football Rookie Draft Outlook
Here’s what Fitz expects for a few rookies selected during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dolphins Draft Jaylen Wright
The Miami Dolphins have added one of the most intriguing running backs in the 2024 draft class to a crowded RB room, selecting Tennessee’s Jaylen Wright with the 20th pick of the fourth round.
Wright is a big-play runner with explosive 4.38 speed. He reached a speed of 22.2 mph on one of his runs last season — the fastest top speed for any college running back in 2024. Wright averaged 7.4 yards per carry in his final college season in Knoxville, carrying 137 times for 1,013 yards. With his explosiveness, Wright is flat-out lethal when he gets into open space. He’s terrific at making cuts without decelerating.
At 5-10½, 210 pounds, Wright is no mere passing-down scatback. He averaged 4.35 yards after contact per attempt last season and ran for 10 or more yards on more than a quarter of his rushing attempts. Although he’s known for big plays in the running game, Wright is a surprisingly proficient pass blocker.
Since Wright is a Tennessee running back with breakaway speed and considerable big-play ability, comparisons to Alvin Kamara are inevitable. And like Kamara, Wright was used somewhat lightly at Tennessee, averaging 11.3 carries and 12.3 touches over his final two college seasons. But Kamara was a much more accomplished college pass catcher than Wright, who had only 24 receptions the last two seasons.
It can be hard to evaluate skill players who come out of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s gimmicky but effective spread offense, and Wright got to run against more than his fair share of light boxes. Wright doesn’t always run with good vision, and he can be too quick to bounce runs outside.
Wright could end up being a victim of the Dolphins’ speed addiction. Miami is an undeniably disappointing landing spot for Wright. The Dolphins got one of the best rookie running backs in last year’s draft class, De’Von Achane, who’s even faster than Wright. The Dolphins also have productive 32-year-old veteran Raheem Mostert and jack-of-all-trades veteran Jeff Wilson. It’s going to be tough for Wright to get on the field as a rookie, and there’s no clear path for Wright to become a lead back in a year or two.
Wright’s predraft FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking in half-point PPR redraft leagues was RB50, with an Underdog best-ball ADP of RB52. Given the bleak outlook for Wright to earn significant playing time as a rookie, I have him ranked RB60 for redraft
Expect Wright to be a late second-round pick in 1QB dynasty rookie drafts. He’ll come off the board somewhere in the back half of the third round in most superflex rookie drafts. I tentatively have Wright ranked RB7 among rookies, with an overall dynasty ranking of RB42.
Check out his full dynasty rookie draft profile
Buccaneers Draft Bucky Irving
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Oregon’s Bucky Irving with the 25th pick of the fourth round. Irving profiles as a passing-down back who doesn’t have the size or speed to be a heavy contributor on early downs.
After launching his college career at the University of Minnesota, Irving transferred to Oregon before his sophomore year. He turned in a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Ducks before declaring himself eligible for the draft following his junior year.
While Irving was a productive runner for Oregon, with 17 TD runs and an average of 6.5 yards per carry over the last two seasons, it’s his pass-catching ability that stands out. Irving had 87 receptions over the last two years, and he had 56 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns in his final college season.
The 5-9, 192-pound Irving is quick and slippery, with a bagful of moves and above-average contact balance. He has reliable hands and can be a weapon in the passing game because of how well he operates in space.
Irving’s small frame will probably prevent him from being an effective inside runner in the NFL. He’s going to have to make his living as a passing-down back for the Buccaneers, and while Irving is a fine pass catcher, he’s a poor pass blocker. As shifty as Irving is, he doesn’t have great speed. At the combine, he clocked a 4.55 at 192, giving him a 27th percentile speed score, according to PlayerProfiler.com.
It’s hard to envision Irving getting substantial playing time as a rookie since Bucs RB Rachaad White is a good pass-catcher who served as a true three-down workhorse last season. On the bright side, the middle of the fourth round is satisfying draft capital for Irving, whom some analysts projected to fall into the fifth round or beyond because of his disappointing 40-yard dash at the combine.
For dynasty, I have Irving ranked RB11 in this class and RB49 overall. His pass-catching ability makes him rosterable in all dynasty leagues, but his lack of size and athleticism limit his top-end potential.
For redraft, Irving had a predraft FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking of RB68 in half-point PPR redraft leagues and an Underdog best-ball ADP of RB47.
Check out his full dynasty rookie draft profile
Eagles Draft Will Shipley
The Philadelphia Eagles have selected Will Shipley of Clemson with the 27th pick of the fourth round.
The 5-11, 206-pound Shipley is a fine athlete who ran a 4.45 at his pro day and posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.58. He’s an accomplished pass catcher who had 69 receptions in his final two seasons at Clemson.
Shipley had 1,182 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022, but his third and final season with the Tigers was a bit of a letdown, as he finished with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games and ceded carries to teammate Phil Mafah.
A resourceful runner who leverages his above-average athleticism, Shipley should be a lock for a roster spot thanks to his pass-catching ability and versatility. But Shipley’s NFL potential could be limited. He’s not exceptional in any area, and while he’s a capable pass catcher, he’s a liability as a pass blocker.
Philadelphia isn’t an ideal landing spot for Shipley from a fantasy perspective. The Eagles added Saquon Barkley in the offseason and presumably will give him a heavy workload. The Eagles also have the very capable Kenneth Gainwell as a backup. Shipley isn’t likely to see much action as a rookie, barring injury.
For redraft, Shipley had a predraft FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking of RB75 in half-point PPR redraft leagues and an Underdog best-ball ADP of RB62.
For dynasty, I have Shipley ranked RB9 in this class and RB48 overall.
Check out his full dynasty rookie draft profile
Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings
Our analysts provide their latest rookie draft rankings below. And also check out our expert consensus dynasty rookie draft rankings!
More Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
- DBro’s Top 50 Rankings & Player Notes
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