Before the 2024 NFL Draft kicked off in the Motor City, I released an article titled How to Value Rookies Pre-Draft (2024 Fantasy Football) to provide some insight into the approach for rookies in dynasty and pre-draft best ball fantasy football formats.
The first-year talent that has entered the league the past few seasons warrants excitement because guys are hitting the ground running for fantasy football. The list is impressive: C.J. Stroud, Zay Flowers, Sam LaPorta, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Drake London, Christian Watson, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jonathan Taylor, Kyle Pitts, Jaylen Waddle, Najee Harris, Javonte Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Let’s look at fantasy football rookie wide receiver and tight values ahead of your fantasy football drafts.
- How to Value Fantasy Football Rookies
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
- Dynasty Startup Draft Primers
- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Rookies
Javon Baker (NE)
Baker’s my favorite, as I think he could ascend to No. 1 WR status on the Patriots.
After being drafted, he broke the internet with this quote: “I make people in wheelchairs stand up.” New head coach Jerod Mayo described him as “all ball.”
So even though the Patriots drafted Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk two rounds ahead of Javon Baker, I believe the 4th-rounder offers a much higher ceiling as a potential alpha in New England’s passing game. Baker ended the 2023 college season fifth in yards per route run among the 2024 WR draft class (3.21). He also finished fourth in targets and third in receptions of 20-plus air yards in 2023. The only other WRs in the class to do so (Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers) were selected in Round 1. New England has desperately needed to add a WR with an edge to his game, and the former UCF product brings that immediately.
Troy Franklin (DEN)
Franklin’s fall into Day 3 isn’t ideal, but his age-adjusted production profile is hard to beat.
In another year where WR wasn’t as deep, he likely would have gone earlier. Other teams were scared off due to his poor combine showing, slight frame and lack of play strength. But more importantly, he lands on a relatively weak WR depth chart where his 4th-round pedigree won’t hinder his playing time.
Payton had come out and said that he envisions Franklin in the “Z” role, which Jerry Jeudy occupied last season.
And if you are Bo Nix, it seems likely you’ll lean on your teammate with whom you’ve built chemistry over the past several years rather than a second-year Marvin Mims who struggled to earn playing time/targets as a rookie.
But with both players, you need to acknowledge they are attached to rookie quarterbacks, who are notorious for limiting WR fantasy production.
Malik Washington (MIA)
Malik Washington, Jacob Cowing, and Ainias Smith are all attached to great quarterbacks but will likely need an injury (or two) to force their way onto the field.
All those WRs are at least 23 years old, so they have the experience to hit the ground running. If I had to bet on one hitting, I’d push my chips in Washington.
As a YAC machine, he’s a perfect fit in the Dolphins’ offense, which desperately needs another WR playmaker behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. And unlike Baker/Franklin, Washington has a quarterback who can fuel fantasy production—which needs to be considered when looking at a Day 3 WR to smash through expectations. They need opportunity AND a quarterback.
Mike McDaniel is extremely high on Washington. He was bugging his general manager to draft him several rounds earlier.
Here’s what else he said about the sixth-round draft pick from Virginia.
During the draft call with Malik Washington, Grier said McDaniel had been bugging him to draft Malik for multiple rounds. My guess is when they took Mo Kamara, Mike was banging the table for Malik but Kamara was such good value they couldn’t pass him up🤷🏻♂️
Mike also says “Your… pic.twitter.com/cKHBAeX3fM
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) April 28, 2024
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