X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Which Fantasy Football Rookie WRs Can You Trust in 2024 Redraft Leagues?

Brian Thomas Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

The 2024 NFL Draft may go down in history as the best wide receiver class of all time, much like the 1983 draft for quarterbacks. Several players should make an immediate impact on their respective teams. These players also have the pedigree and the talent to challenge for the Hall of Fame someday.

In fantasy football, rookies are always exciting to follow and draft to your team. Since 2020, there have always been at least one and up to three rookie wide receivers who have produced top-24 numbers at the position.

Taking a shot on rookie wide receivers is never a bad thing in fantasy but you need to find the right players in the right situation. The NFL is a tough transition, even for the most talented wideouts. Let's take a look at rookie wide receivers you should consider for fantasy in 2024.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

The Truth About Rookie Wide Receivers In Fantasy

Over the past five seasons, seven rookie wide receivers have finished amongst the top 24 wide receivers in fantasy. Those individuals include Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Puka Nacua.

Over that same span, only Jefferson, Chase, Waddle, and Nacua finished amongst the top 24 in points per game. Tank Dell also finished in the top 24 in points per game in 2023 before his season was cut short due to injury.

What do most of these players have in common? Five out of eight of them were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Pedigree matters and first-round picks will be afforded opportunities to succeed early and often.

Despite the low instant success rate of many rookies, most of the players you might expect to be successful were successful. Jefferson, Lamb, Chase, Waddle, and Wilson were all highly regarded as the best if not one of the best, wide receivers in their respective drafts. Chase himself was considered one of the best wide receiver prospects in a generation.

They all lived up to the hype instantly. However, that leaves other first-round picks out of the equation. Let alone day two and three picks.

 

Solid First-Round Picks for Fantasy Football

The recent success of rookie wide receivers has elevated multiple high-pedigree players in fantasy in 2024. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers are both being drafted as top-24 options. Harrison, in particular, is being drafted as the WR9 because he is considered the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson.

Harrison is going to step in as the clear No. 1 option for Arizona and he may live up to his draft price. Even so, it is a steep price to pay for an unproven player. Nabers enters a shaky offensive situation, but he will be a target hog. His range of outcomes is wide and unknown.

Both players should be solid fantasy options but you may not get the consistency you want out of them at their draft price. If you want a rookie wide receiver on your team in 2024, then take a closer look at Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas was drafted with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His NCAA-leading 17 touchdowns in 2023 are an impressive stat. He has a chance to slot in as the No. 1 receiver immediately. He will at least have the chance to take the job by season's end.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy has a chance for a huge role in 2024. He is listed as the third wide receiver on the Chiefs depth chart, but that could change.

Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice are likely the picks for two wide receiver sets in the Chief's offense. However, Brown is nursing a shoulder injury, and Rice's legal and subsequent suspension status is up in the air. If Worthy impresses this preseason, then he will be a steal as the WR46 in fantasy drafts.

 

Solid Day-Two Options for Fantasy Football

Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman and Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey find themselves in similar situations. Both players are joining teams that have vacated targets from their former No. 1 overall wide receivers.

As long as each player is able to get on the field early and stay on the field throughout the season, then they should be supported by their respective elite quarterbacks.

Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley was a third-round pick in April's draft. If Corley were drafted in a different year then he likely would have found his way into the second-round. Corley is currently buried on the depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Xavier Gipson.

Williams is coming off a torn ACL, and Gipson is unproven. Corley is a very talented player who should see his opportunities rise as the season progresses.

Corley is not someone you will want to consider starting at the beginning of the season. However, if quarterback Aaron Rodgers can play anywhere close to his old self, then Corley may be a solid player during the second half of the season.

 

Day Three Fliers for Fantasy Football

Troy Franklin of the Denver Broncos is a popular day-three fantasy selection, but the Broncos' quarterback situation is uninspiring.

Malik Washington enters a packed Dolphins wide receiving room. In the Mike McDaniel era, the Dolphins have not typically supported three wide receivers. However, they have not generally had a solid wide receiver beyond Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Washington has the speed to thrive in McDaniel's system. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is also coming off a season in which he threw for 4,624 yards. That is more than enough to support three wide receivers.

The Baltimore Ravens drafted Devontez Walker in the fourth round of April's draft. Walker is a speedster (4.36 40-yard dash) who had a relatively productive career at Kent State and the University of North Carolina.

Walker is currently listed as the No. 4 wide receiver on the Ravens depth chart. With only Nelson Agholor and an oft-injured Rashod Bateman in front of him for the No. 2 spot behind Zay Flowers, Walker has a chance to ascend the depth chart.

 

Can You Trust Any Rookie Wide Receivers In 2024?

There are no guarantees but this is as good a year as any to load up on rookie wide receivers in your drafts. The aforementioned players all have paths to a substantial role and solid quarterbacks.

While the hit rate on consistent production from rookie wide receivers is actually pretty low, the late-year production can be excellent. You will need to watch the waiver wire carefully and pay attention to how these players are ascending the depth chart. There is value to be had in this rookie class if you play your cards correctly.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mookie Betts4 hours ago

Won't Play In Tokyo Series Against Cubs
Michael Tonkin7 hours ago

Will Open Season On Injured List
Michel Otañez8 hours ago

Michel Otanez Shut Down From Throwing
Brandon Marsh8 hours ago

Exits Early Sunday
Royce Lewis8 hours ago

Expected To Begin 2025 On Injured List
Bailey Falter10 hours ago

Ready To Go For Monday
Yu Darvish10 hours ago

Dealing With Fatigue
Clarke Schmidt11 hours ago

Won't Start On Monday
Mark Leiter Jr.11 hours ago

Should Be Ready For Opening Day
David Bednar11 hours ago

Not Officially Named Closer
Yoán Moncada11 hours ago

Yoan Moncada Could Land On Injured List
Mason Adams13 hours ago

Diagnosed With Flexor Strain
Joey Gallo13 hours ago

White Sox Release Joey Gallo
Sean Burke13 hours ago

Named Opening Day Starter
Jung Hoo Lee13 hours ago

Expected To Remain Sidelined For A Few Days
Max Kepler13 hours ago

Exits Early On Sunday After Collision
Eiberson Castellano13 hours ago

Could Win Bullpen Job
Kyle Freeland13 hours ago

Rockies Name Kyle Freeland Their Starter For Opening Day
Royce Lewis13 hours ago

Exits Early On Sunday
Ramón Urías13 hours ago

Ramon Urias Expected To Return On Thursday
Emmanuel Rivera14 hours ago

Dealing With Sore Shoulder
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
9
11
10
12
19
13
22
14
24
15
25
16
33
17
40
18
41
19
42

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
1
1
2
3
3
7
4
11
6
14
7
15
8
18
9
19
10
20

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Albert Haynesworth - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Worst NFL Free Agent Signings Of All Time

With the free agency period for the 2025 NFL season now underway, many big-name players will find new homes as teams compete to sign anyone and everyone they think they need to help their squad. While many signings end up being good moves, or at least help their teams fill holes at certain positions on […]


Cole Kmet - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets and Avoids: Tight Ends to Buy or Sell (2025)

It's tough to find good tight ends in dynasty fantasy football. Unfortunately, it's also very easy to be stuck with one that sticks around in the doldrums of low production. Such is the case for many TEs, and even those who have good seasons here and there often lack consistency year over year. It's not […]


D'Andre Swift - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injuries

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets and Avoids: Running Backs to Buy or Sell (2025)

Running back volume and production is highly mercurial in the NFL. It can thus be difficult to know when to trade away and when to trade for tailbacks. There is constant competition for roles in certain backfields, and red-herring situations are abound due to injuries and plain luck. While some RBs are certainly safe in […]


Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News Updates

2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Third-Year Breakouts

Patience can be tough, especially in fantasy football. We want instant production from rookies, but these players often take a while to get going. These youngsters need to adjust to the speed of the NFL and learn from their early struggles to break out fully. The third year in the NFL is oftentimes when things […]


Justin Fields - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers - Fantasy Football Outlooks from Florio

Free Agency is the most fun week of the NFL offseason. Even when it is not the strongest class, there is never a shortage of excitement. Players changing teams at a rapid rate. It is a week filled with hope that your favorite team will add stars and that those under-the-radar players you love will […]


Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News Updates

Josh Downs Fantasy Football Dynasty Outlook (2025)

The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. For the last few months, dynasty fantasy football gamers have been meticulously studying the incoming rookie class to gain any edge they can on their league mates. While we should be anxiously awaiting our rookie drafts, we must also take time and analyze how veteran players are valued […]


Tyron Smith Top Landing Spots: 2025 NFL Free Agency Outlook

New York Jets and former long-time Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith was one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL for an extended period of time. He's made five All-Pro teams, two with the first team and two with the second team, been selected to eight Pro Bowls, and earned a spot on […]


Bills Defense - Von Miller IDP Rankings, D/ST Streamers, Fantasy Football Team Defense

Von Miller Top Landing Spots: 2025 NFL Free Agency Outlook

Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller, one of the greatest pass-rushers in NFL history, was released by his team on March 9, 2025. He had signed a six-year, $120 million deal with the team in 2022, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old wasn't able to make it to the end of that contract, so he's now looking for […]


Aaron Jones - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Staying Put - Impact Players Re-signed: Aaron Jones, Zach Ertz, Jaylen Warren, more

NFL free agency is a frenzy. As football fans, we love to see the movement around the league. It allows us to dream about the possibility of our team signing a fresh player who could make a serious impact. However, one cannot overlook the impact of re-signing significant contributors. While it is not as exciting […]


Tucker Kraft - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends To Buy in 2025

My friend Josh used to make me listen to the Bring Me The Horizon song "Diamonds Aren't Forever," which begins with the line "We will never sleep, cause sleep is for the weak." That sentiment rings true in fantasy football dynasty leagues as well. You can't get complacent. You can't stop thinking about how to […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football WR Buy or Sell: Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice, and Jordan Addison (2025)

The 2024 NFL Draft class had seven first-round wide receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze were selected in the top 10. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette were Day 1 selections. More importantly, Nabers and Thomas finished their rookie seasons as top-7 wide receivers in half-point PPR […]


Courtland Sutton - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers, Draft Targets: Early 2025 Analysis

One of the biggest factors in winning fantasy football teams is finding middle-to-late-round sleepers. With wide receivers typically carrying the most drafted players of any position, it makes sense that taking multiple stabs at the position in search of hitting multiple-round values is the way to set yourself apart in drafts. For 2025, the draft […]


Caleb Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

2025 NFL Free Agency Frenzy: Biggest Winners and Disappointments at Every Fantasy Football Position

NFL franchises will have an opportunity to reshape their rosters before the draft. Fantasy managers will have a chance to read the tea leaves and make measured strikes against their fantasy football opposition ahead of rookie drafts. Savvy managers will use this period to try to get the best return on some previous investments, as […]