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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.
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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.
Many flashy plays occur when a receiver needs to make a contested catch or has to adjust their body position to secure the ball.
Marvin Harrison Jr. creates so much separation that most of his catches look effortless and boring.
This is a good thing.
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) August 16, 2024
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.
Perfect Throw from Mac Jones to Brian Thomas Jr. #DUUUVAL 15 yard gain and a first down! pic.twitter.com/fFWu6IfaGb
— 🃏 Troll Pats 🃏 (@TrollPats) August 18, 2024
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.
Malachi Corley is one of a KIND… 😈😈😈
— NewEraNYJets (@NewEraNYJets) August 12, 2024
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.
#Gofins Mike White to Malik Washington who made a couple nice plays out there today ! pic.twitter.com/fafelhBky3
— Fins Faithful podcast (@FinsFaithfulPod) August 7, 2024
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.
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