Now that the dust has settled and the NFL Draft is over, teams are scrambling to the waiver wire like we all get to do each week in fantasy. First come, first served means teams need to act fast with prospects they like. This can also show us what players are valued more than others, and what players are good enough for some teams to take a chance on. In some cases, that’s more than enough to get me curious about a player. So here are my top 12 UDFA players from the 2024 class ranked in a draft format with some of my analysis about each.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: UDFA Signings
Let’s dive into a fantasy football mock draft for the top UDFA rookies signed following the 2024 NFL Draft.
1.01: Frank Gore Jr. (RB – BUF)
The name is one of the most familiar of all of the UDFAs in this class. This is thanks to his very talented father, Frank Gore Sr. Unlike his father, Frank Gore Jr. didn’t get drafted, but he went to a team in need of rushing help. The Bills could lean on incumbent RB James Cook or fourth-round pick Ray Davis.
Still, there is a chance that Gore wins the backup job and becomes fantasy-relevant early in the season. That’s why he’s my 1.01 pick for this draft.
1.02: Kedon Slovis (QB – IND)
The Colts QB room went from pretty bare to very crowded in the span of a few months. Starting QB Anthony Richardson should be back and healthy for 2024 and backup QB Sam Ehlinger is still around. The team also signed QB Joe Flacco for a veteran presence. So why am I excited about Kedom Slovis? I like his talent and I think he’s got potential for a starting job somewhere in the NFL at some point. In superflex leagues, I’m fine drafting bench QBs and holding until I need to drop them.
1.03: Jalen Coker (WR – CAR)
Jalen Coker shined at the NFL Combine but still not bright enough to get drafted in April. The fact that he ended up signing with the Panthers is the only reason he wasn’t an earlier pick for me. Carolina’s offense is looking rough as we head into 2024. Bryce Young needs to take a step forward, and the team drafted two other pass-catching options in WR Xavier Legette and TE Ja’Tavion Sanders. Fine by me. I’ll take the discount on Coker who could see valuable targets in this offense sooner rather than later.
1.04: Sam Hartman (QB – WAS)
Much like I said for Slovis, I love taking fliers on QBs in superflex leagues, and Sam Hartman is the perfect flier for me. Not only was he good on a team in the national spotlight at Notre Dame, but he seems to be teachable, even at his older age of 24. All he has to do to win the backup job is beat out Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel. Sounds easy enough. If Jayden Daniels slips at all, or heaven forbid he gets hurt, Hartman could see some playing time. I want him on my bench when that happens.
1.05: Nathaniel Peat (RB – DAL)
The Cowboys were probably the team at the top of the list in terms of needing a running back, yet they left the draft without one at all. They did re-sign RB Ezekiel Elliott, so that’s something, but they also signed UDFA Nathaniel Peat out of Missouri. RB Rico Dowdle is the likely RB2, but Peat could win the RB3 job over Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman, making him fantasy-relevant for dynasty leagues. At the 1.05, that feels like great value.
1.06: Carson Steele (RB – KC)
The Chiefs RB room is packed right now, so picking an UDFA option feels risky, no doubt. That said, I liked what I saw of Steele in college and think he could shine in training camp enough to rise in value prior to the season. I’m not saying with 100% certainty that he will beat out RBs Isaih Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire or any of the other RBs on the roster, but he could. I’m drafting him on that chance alone and am fine cutting him if I see someone else flash in July practices.
1.07: Xavier Johnson (WR – BUF)
With the departure of WR Stefon Diggs, everyone expected the Bills to attack the WR position in the draft. They did select WR Keon Coleman after trading back into the second round, but other than that, they were pretty quiet. Their roster will definitely need some sort of spark, and I’m willing to take a shot at that spark being Xavier Johnson. He has an uphill battle to make the roster, but I’m fine taking that risk at the 1.07 in this UDFA draft.
1.08: Kendall Milton (RB – PHI)
I liked Kendall Milton heading into the NFL Draft, but after going undrafted, I like him a little less. That said, going to the Eagles is probably not a bad landing spot, so my hopes have risen some. The team signed RB Saquon Barkley in free agency and drafted RB Will Shipley in the draft. They also have RB Kenneth Gainwell returning. Milton has a very tough road to make their roster.
Still, Philadelphia tends to do well evaluating the RB position. While I don’t think Milton makes the Eagles squad, I think he can learn from them and land elsewhere once he’s cut. At least that’s what I’m telling myself where I have rosters deep enough to take the shot.
1.09: Terique Owens (WR – SF)
It feels like we have heard this phrase before: “Owens goes to the 49ers.” This is not a dream; this is indeed Terrell Owens’ son taking his talents to NorCal. Owens didn’t stand out too much during the draft process, but the narrative alone is worth adding him on the outside chance that he makes a splash. There’s also a lot of competition on the 49ers, but maybe he can make enough waves to either make their roster or find a home elsewhere, keeping his dynasty value alive a little longer at the same time.
1.10: Jacob Kibodi (RB – NO)
RBs Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller all return for another season in New Orleans. Jacob Kibodi now joins former UDFA RB James Robinson in the Saints RB room. Maybe he can learn how to navigate things from some of the best RBs in the league. If he can, Kibodi might be worth holding onto and seeing if he can find a spot somewhere. For now, at the 1.10 in this draft, I’m fine going with increased risk.
1.11: Austin Jones (RB – WAS)
Austin Jones wasn’t a household name this offseason but this landing spot intrigues me. The Commanders are looking for any signs of life they can find. This new front office is already making its mark on the franchise by selecting some outstanding rookies in the draft. I’m not saying Jones will earn touches, but if the front office wanted him, they might decide to use him in the preseason. All he needs is one highlight in August to rise up boards. I’ll take the shot here at 1.11 and see how it plays out.
1.12: Emory Jones (QB – BAL)
The last pick of this draft goes to a backup QB, but hear me out. The Ravens are a very different team without starting QB Lamar Jackson. Their backup is Josh Johnson, who hasn’t looked too outstanding. The team also drafted Devin Leary in the sixth round.
So, why am I taking Emory Jones here? Well, for one thing, I’m a Cincinnati alum, so it’s a little bit of a homer pick. While I admit that, I do like what I’ve seen from Jones, and I think the Ravens will too. Worst case scenario, one of the other QB-needy teams sees enough to sign him after he’s cut. In superflex leagues, that’s just part of the game. I love stacking my bench with QBs and RBs on the off chance they find playing time at some point.
Dynasty Draft Advice
- Fitz’s Dynasty Draft Primers
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
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Andrew Hall is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his profile and follow him @AndrewHallFF.
