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In the early days of fantasy football, relying on first-year players was the equivalent of eating spaghetti with ketchup and mustard. You just don’t do it. Today, it’s more common to see rookies provide instant fantasy results, and some gamers expect them to do so (See Marvin Harrison Jr.’s current FFPC ADP).
While we’ve seen many rookies make an immediate impact, others need time to get their feet wet/get acclimated to the NFL before they start producing later in the season. These players can be the shot of adrenaline an owner needs to take down a fantasy football title. So which rookies could emerge as quality options down the home stretch of the 2024 season? Let’s take some time and examine a few names.
Make sure to follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are three rookies with late-season value in 2024 fantasy football leagues.
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Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina selected Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was widely seen as the top rusher in this year’s class. Unfortunately, Brooks tore his ACL late in his final collegiate season and will start the year on the PUP list. Despite the injury, Brooks is a highly talented player who can be a real asset to any team.
Jonathon Brooks' 29 yard TD ties it at 27-27 in the 4th!
JB came into this one 3rd in the nation in rushing - he's got 119 big yards on 19 carries - and one massive TD. #HookEm #RedRiverRivalry pic.twitter.com/3lsbtiDD6x— Dennis de la Pena (@dennisonfox7) October 7, 2023
Brooks reportedly won’t be activated until Week 3 or Week 4. Even then, the Panthers will likely limit his touches upon his immediate return. However, as the season progresses, it’s logical to assume Brooks will see an uptick in volume.
This means Brooks would take on a full starter’s workload as we get closer to the end of the season. Carolina also has RotoBaller’s second easiest projected strength of schedule for running backs, which also bodes well for Brooks’ outlook once he returns.
Panthers coach Dave Canales was committed to running the football last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He utilized running back Rachaad White in a bell cow role. It would be logical to assume Canales will do the same with Brooks once he’s healthy.
He is a more talented player than White, so it’s exciting to see what Brooks can do with a similar workload. He could wind up as the league-winning running back who gets hot down the stretch run. Brooks is an ideal target for managers who take a zero RB approach as a player to draft and stash for the second half of the year.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Worthy brings a speed element to Kansas City’s offense that has been missing since they traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins.
Quinn Ewers to Xavier Worthy. 44 yards. Touchdown Texas.
Dot. pic.twitter.com/JlgAKKrnSa
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 10, 2023
After watching Kansas City bring Rashee Rice along slowly last year, it would be wise for fantasy gamers to exhibit patience with Worthy. However, with Marquise Brown set to miss time with a shoulder injury, Worthy may not face the same kind of ramp-up period that Rice had as a rookie. He might contribute even sooner than expected.
Worthy has been quick to learn the offense and could find himself in a meaningful role even when Brown returns. If that’s not the case, then we can expect a trajectory similar to what we saw from Rice last year.
Either way, we should expect Worthy to carve out a role in the offense and be a contributor at some point this season. The Chiefs traded up to draft him, and you can be sure they’ve got a plan for him. Hopefully, that plan helps lead fantasy owners to a championship.
Jermaine Burton, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Burton was seen in some circles as the next-best receiver in this past draft class behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers. Character concerns caused him to slip into the third round where the Bengals decided to take a shot on him. Make no mistake though, Burton is an uber-talented prospect.
Jermaine Burton with his first NFL touchdown! pic.twitter.com/YV2YfwFSlW
— Sidelines - Bama (@SSN_Alabama) August 11, 2024
As things currently stand, Burton is behind fellow receiver Andrei Iosivas for the WR3 role. Burton is the more talented player, and he will only continue to grow as the season progresses. He should find himself with more playing time down the stretch.
If he can eventually wrestle away the WR3 role, he would immediately carry value as a flex play in deeper leagues with the potential for more.
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