After months of speculation surrounding the NFL Draft, we can now start months of speculation about how the 2024 fantasy football season will play out. As always in the shadow of the draft there are reasons to be hopeful for some rookies and less so for others. This list will highlight the best landing spots for rookies in fantasy football.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
- NFL Draft Grades: Day 1 | Day 2
NFL Draft Best Landing Spots
WR Brian Thomas Jr. to the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been scrambling ever since free agency to find a replacement for Calvin Ridley after assuming he was returning to Duval County, only to be usurped by the Titans who swooped in with a massive offer. Reports suggested Jacksonville had conversations during the draft with the 49ers about a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade but nothing came of it. Brian Thomas Jr. slid slightly further down draft boards than some might have expected, with reports about some teams being mixed on his health, due to a torn labrum. Many medical experts suggest Thomas Jr. can play through that injury and should be fine for the 2024 season.
Ridley left behind 136 targets. While some may argue targets are earned rather than designated, it’s undeniable there is a large gap and a role for Thomas Jr. to fill. He shined at LSU, winning with both size and speed as he put up 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns in his final campaign. The Jaguars badly need a dominant wide receiver to round out their group and Thomas Jr. can be that guy. The AFC South looks like a feisty division in 2024. Hopefully, that brings with it plenty of shootouts and fantasy points.
WR Xavier Legette to the Carolina Panthers
Nobody expects the Carolina Panthers to turn into the 2023 Houston Texans but the Panthers have already made massive upgrades to a barren wide receiver room by adding Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette. Bryce Young had zero help in 2023 outside of Adam Thielen, who faded fast after averaging 21.1 points per game over the first six weeks, averaging 10.1 points over the rest of the season.
Legette will have to earn his role against more established veterans, but he has the opportunity and draft capital invested to assure us he’ll have a chance. Legette wasn’t the most polished player coming out of college after five seasons, but he put up 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season. Only Adam Thielen had over 480 receiving yards. Legette might not be an every-week starter in redraft, but he’s worth a pick in dynasty leagues and a speculative stack in best ball.
WR Ladd McConkey to the L.A Chargers
The Chargers were desperate for wide receiver help with no pass-catcher being drafted within the first 11 rounds of early best ball, reflecting the lack of faith in Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer and the drastic need for the Chargers to find some help. Ladd McConkey received excellent draft capital with the Chargers trading up several spots to secure him with the second pick of the second round.
McConkey never truly broke out at Georgia with Brock Bowers being the constant focus of the passing game, but that shouldn’t make us overlook a player who has excellent hands, a quick twitch with the ball in his hands and the ability to play inside and out. McConkey should be the clear No. 1 WR within a few weeks of the start of the season. McConkey’s ADP may get out of hand, finishing the best ball pre-draft process at 116, but as long as he’s outside the top 70 he’s a value.
More Fantasy Football Draft Advice
- Erickson’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Fitz’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- DBro’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Hoppen’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
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