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
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

Discounted Fantasy Football Rookies: Late-Round Draft Targets Include Ladd McConkey, Brian Thomas Jr., Ja'Lynn Polk, more

Ladd McConkey - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Rookie fever often sweeps through fantasy football drafts, with many managers eager to land the next big star. However, the buzz around top-tier rookies usually drives their draft cost to sky-high levels, leaving value-seeking drafters in the cold. But for savvy managers, there are plenty of opportunities to grab discounted rookies who can make a significant impact without the premium price tag. These players often slip under the radar, overshadowed by their more hyped counterparts, but they possess the talent and situation to outplay their draft position.

In this article, we'll delve into the rookies flying under the radar in 2024 fantasy drafts, offering tremendous value for those willing to take a chance. These rookies present a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge, whether due to injury concerns, competition for touches, or being overlooked in favor of more prominent names. If you want to add some upside to your roster without breaking the bank, these are the discounted rookies to target in your fantasy football drafts.

Make sure you follow RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s take a few minutes and examine all the rookies you will be able to grab in later rounds who could provide you with league-winning talent.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

 

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

This rookie has a unique blend of size, athleticism, and route-running ability. Standing at 6-foot-4, Thomas offers a big target for Trevor Lawrence, especially in the red zone where his height and physicality can be a mismatch for defenders.

His ability to win contested catches and create separation on deep routes makes him an ideal complement to the Jaguars' existing receiving corps, which features more polished but smaller route runners.

With Jacksonville's offense expected to take another step forward under head coach Doug Pederson, Thomas could see ample opportunities to carve out a significant role early on.

The Jaguars' passing game is poised to be one of the more prolific units in the league, with Lawrence entering his fourth year and the team adding more weapons around him. With the recent departure of star wideout Calvin Ridley, this will open up 136 targets for the young wide receiver.

Thomas could benefit from the defensive attention drawn by the likes of Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, allowing him to thrive in single coverage situations. As a rookie, he may not be the primary option, but his upside in an ascending offense and his ability to make big plays downfield make him a tantalizing late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

Thomas' ADP is currently WR47, but for managers who want to make a splash, I have no problem with him being drafted as a top-35 wide receiver. If he can quickly earn Lawrence's trust, Thomas has the tools to become a valuable fantasy asset, especially in deeper leagues or as a bench stash with breakout potential.

 

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd McConkey is poised to be an intriguing fantasy football option for the Los Angeles Chargers, as the rookie from Georgia was selected in the second round and now will be catching passes from Justin Herbert. McConkey will be on the more difficult side of drafting him at his given ADP since there is no surprise that he is walking into an ideal situation for a rookie wideout.

Herbert has thrown for over 4,000 yards in all but one season since entering the league and with the departure of veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, there is no competition to become Herbert's new favorite receiving option.

With both of these stars no longer on the roster, a massive void has opened up in the Chargers receiving corps, and McConkey is well-positioned to step in and make an immediate impact.

Known for his precise route running and quickness, McConkey has the skills to become a reliable target for Herbert, especially in an offense that relies heavily on timing and precision. His ability to create separation and find soft spots in coverage could quickly make him a favorite for Herbert, especially on intermediate routes where the Chargers have traditionally excelled.

Additionally, McConkey's versatility allows him to line up both in the slot and on the outside, giving the Chargers flexibility in how they deploy him. With Allen and Williams gone, the opportunity for significant playing time and targets is there for the taking, and McConkey's college production suggests he's ready to seize that chance.

As a rookie, he may not immediately replace the volume left behind by Allen and Williams, but his potential to grow into a primary option in a high-powered offense makes him a valuable fantasy asset.

Fantasy managers looking for a middle-to-late-round steal should keep an eye on McConkey, as his role in the Chargers offense could lead to a breakout season in PPR formats.

 

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers enters his rookie season with the Las Vegas Raiders as one of the most highly touted tight-end prospects in recent memory, and his fantasy football potential is immense. Known for his rare combination of size, speed, and route-running ability, Bowers is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Bowers is currently being drafted as the TE11 in most rankings, which is essentially free in any draft. With the Raiders lacking elite receiving options outside of Davante Adams, Bowers could quickly become a focal point in the passing game.

Gardner Minshew II, recently named the starting quarterback, is known for his ability to distribute the ball effectively and his affinity for targeting tight ends, making Bowers an even more enticing option. Minshew’s willingness to trust his playmakers should give Bowers plenty of opportunities to make an immediate impact.

Bowers' potential to excel in the red zone, coupled with Minshew’s efficient play, makes Bowers a strong candidate to emerge as a top fantasy tight end, even as a rookie. For fantasy managers looking to secure a difference-maker at the tight-end position, Bowers presents a high-upside option who could quickly outplay his draft position.

 

Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots

Ja'Lynn Polk offers significant fantasy football upside as a rookie for the New England Patriots, especially in an offense that is looking to revitalize its passing game. Polk was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft after playing four years of collegiate football.

With the likely combination of Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye at quarterback, the Patriots are set to deploy a mix of experience and youth under center, both of whom could benefit from Polk's skill set. Polk, known for his deep-threat ability and versatility, can stretch the field and create big plays, something the Patriots have been missing in recent years.

The game script will come in handy for Polk this season as the Patriots will likely be losing in a majority of the games, forcing them to look downfield more.

Additionally, with the Patriots in need of a true outside receiver, Polk could quickly establish himself as a key contributor. The wide receiver room is dry and the No. 1 wide receiver spot is truly up for grabs.

As Brissett provides stability and Maye injects youthful energy and a strong arm, Polk’s ability to adjust to both quarterbacks’ styles will be crucial. His college production and ability to consistently win downfield matchups suggest that he could become a go-to option in critical situations, especially in an offense that may rely on big plays to stay competitive.

For fantasy managers looking for a high-upside rookie in deeper leagues, Polk’s potential to carve out a significant role in New England’s evolving offense makes him a valuable late-round target as his ADP sits at just WR69 on most rankings.



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
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jerry Jeudy2 hours ago

Sets Browns Record In Week 18 Loss
Bogdan Bogdanovic2 hours ago

Ruled Out For Saturday
Jalen Johnson2 hours ago

Unavailable On Saturday
Trae Young2 hours ago

To Play On Saturday
Kawhi Leonard2 hours ago

To Make Season Debut On Saturday
Gabe Vincent2 hours ago

Tagged As Doubtful For Sunday
Alex Caruso2 hours ago

Remains Sidelined On Sunday
Jeremy Sochan3 hours ago

Will Suit Up Saturday
Jalen Brunson3 hours ago

Will Play Saturday
Anthony Davis4 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Sunday
LeBron James4 hours ago

Probable For Sunday
Khris Middleton4 hours ago

Will Face The Blazers
Giannis Antetokounmpo4 hours ago

Cleared For Action On Saturday
Bradley Beal4 hours ago

Will Play Saturday
Cade Cunningham4 hours ago

Available for Saturday
Chase Brown5 hours ago

Inactive For Week 18
Dejounte Murray5 hours ago

Questionable for Sunday
Zay Flowers5 hours ago

Won't Return In Week 18
Noah Clowney5 hours ago

Upgraded To Available On Saturday
Joel Embiid5 hours ago

Active For Saturday Night Matchup Against Nets
Brandon Miller6 hours ago

Questionable Heading Into Sunday Against Cavaliers
LaMelo Ball6 hours ago

Questionable For Sunday's Game Against Cleveland
Trendon Watford6 hours ago

Resumes On Court Workouts, Will Be Re-Evaluated In One Week
Kelly Oubre Jr.6 hours ago

Officially Ruled Out For Saturday's Game Against Nets
Dallas Goedert7 hours ago

Eagles Activate Dallas Goedert From Injured Reserve
Austin Ekeler7 hours ago

Activated From IR Ahead Of Week 18
Chris Olave7 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 18
Green Bay Packers8 hours ago

Jaire Alexander Placed On Injured Reserve
Jameis Winston8 hours ago

Inactive For Week 18, Serving As Emergency Quarterback
Nelson Agholor8 hours ago

Inactive For Week 18
Tee Higgins8 hours ago

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins Hope To Play Together For "Years To Come"
Amari Cooper9 hours ago

Downgraded To Out For Week 18
Thatcher Demko10 hours ago

Joining Team For Five-Game Road Trip
Pyotr Kochetkov10 hours ago

Starts Against Wild On Saturday
Joseph Woll11 hours ago

In Maple Leafs Net On Saturday
Scott Wedgewood11 hours ago

Unavailable On Saturday
Jack Drury11 hours ago

Back For Hurricanes Saturday
Auston Matthews11 hours ago

Returns To Action On Saturday
Jordan Binnington14 hours ago

Shuts Out Senators
Brandon Saad14 hours ago

Ends Goal Drought With A Hat Trick
Mike Matheson14 hours ago

Records Two Assists Friday
Nick Foligno14 hours ago

Pots Two Goals In Friday's Win
Juuse Saros14 hours ago

Logs Fourth Shutout Of The Season
Leon Draisaitl15 hours ago

Nets Game-Winner On Friday
Chase Brown1 day ago

Needs To Improve To Have A Shot At Playing On Saturday
Tee Higgins1 day ago

Expected To Play Against Steelers
Charlie Morton1 day ago

Signs One-Year Deal With Baltimore
Chris Olave1 day ago

Saints List Chris Olave As Questionable For Week 18
Jaylen Waddle1 day ago

Dolphins Optimistic About Jaylen Waddle Despite Questionable Tag
Tyreek Hill1 day ago

Questionable To Face The Jets
Jared Spurgeon1 day ago

To Miss 2-3 Weeks
A.J. Brown1 day ago

DeVonta Smith Doubtful For Week 18
Oskar Sundqvist1 day ago

Unavailable Friday
Justin Faulk1 day ago

Iffy For Friday's Action
Colton Dach1 day ago

Set For NHL Debut On Friday
Tua Tagovailoa1 day ago

Doubtful For Week 18
Jalen Hurts1 day ago

Officially Ruled Out
Connor Murphy1 day ago

Misses First Game Of The Season
Deebo Samuel Sr.1 day ago

Won't Play Against Cardinals
David Savard1 day ago

A Game-Time Call Friday
Brock Purdy1 day ago

Officially Ruled Out In Week 18
Jack Eichel2 days ago

Tallies Two Helpers On Thursday
Alex DeBrincat2 days ago

Tallies Three Points On Thursday
Jonathan Quick2 days ago

Leads The Way On Thursday
Pete Alonso2 days ago

Angels "Looking At" Pete Alonso
Xander Schauffele3 days ago

Hoping To Find Success Again At Majors In 2025
Chris Kirk3 days ago

Starts 2025 Defending The Sentry Title
Max Homa3 days ago

Hopes To Rebound After Disappointing 2024 Season
Nick Dunlap3 days ago

Looks To Build On Impressive Rookie Season
Collin Morikawa3 days ago

Heads To The Sentry After Excellent 2024 Season
PGA3 days ago

Sungjae Im Hoping To Start 2025 Season Strongly At The Sentry
Russell Henley3 days ago

Closes Out 2024 Season Strong
Jason Day3 days ago

Looks Ahead To 2025 Season At The Sentry
Akshay Bhatia3 days ago

To Repeat Last Year’s Sentry Performance?
Ludvig Aberg3 days ago

Returns To The Sentry
Jesús Luzardo3 days ago

Jesus Luzardo Feeling 100 Percent
Maverick McNealy3 days ago

Making First Career Start At Kapalua
Corey Conners3 days ago

Making Third Consecutive Start At Kapalua
Viktor Hovland3 days ago

A Gametime Decision For Year's First Event
Tony Finau3 days ago

Making Sixth Start At Kapalua After Rumor-Filled Offseason
Justin Thomas4 days ago

Looks To Get Off To Fast Start In 2025 At Kapalua
Patrick Cantlay4 days ago

Looks For Hot Start In 2025
Sam Burns4 days ago

In Top Form Ahead of Kapalua
Cameron Young5 days ago

Needs To Avoid Bad Rounds In Hawaii
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

Looking For Big 2025 Start In Hawaii
Hideki Matsuyama5 days ago

Always A Threat In Hawaii
Billy Horschel5 days ago

Seeks To Build Off Great 2024 Campaign
Jack Flaherty5 days ago

Orioles Interested In Reunion With Jack Flaherty
Alex Bregman6 days ago

Tigers "All-In" On Alex Bregman
Trevor Williams6 days ago

Returning To Washington On Two-Year Deal

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Michael Penix Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Week 18 Superflex 2QB Rankings for Fantasy Football: Updates for Sam Darnold, Bryce Young, Michael Penix Jr., Joshua Dobbs, Drew Lock, Drake Maye

The Week 18 slate is here, meaning several teams who are eliminated from postseason action or have already locked up a playoff spot are set to rest some key starters. We're here to help you sort through it all with our Week 18 fantasy football Superflex rankings (2QB) for 2024. If you're still chasing a […]


George Pickens - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Week 18 PPR Rankings for Fantasy Football Playoffs: Overall Updates Include Isaac Guerendo, Zach Charbonnet, Blake Corum, Jerry Jeudy, George Pickens

If your league championship is in Week 18, you surely already know it's a difficult week to navigate. Below, you'll see our NFL team's updated Week 18 fantasy football PPR rankings for 2024. Let's see where key players like Isaac Guerendo, Zach Charbonnet, Blake Corum, Jerry Jeudy, and George Pickens stand for the must-win Week 18 […]


Jalen McMillan - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Week 18 FLEX Rankings for Fantasy Football (RB, WR, TE) - Updates Include Jalen McMillan, Adam Thielen, Rico Dowdle, Ray Davis, J.K. Dobbins, Zay Flowers

The closing week of the 2024 NFL regular season has arrived, and we're here to help your lineup or DFS calls with our NFL team's updated Week 18 fantasy football FLEX rankings for 2024. Comparing two flex options at different positions can be a tough task, so let's see where key FLEX options like Jalen […]


Ray Davis - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Week 18 Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football: RB Updates Include Rico Dowdle, Zach Charbonnet, Ray Davis, Blake Corum, Isaac Guerendo, more

Week 18 is here, and many backup running backs will be in featured roles this weekend as several teams are resting starters. That said, let's get to crucial start-or-sit decisions with help from our updated Week 18 fantasy football running back rankings for 2024. Let's see where key players such as Rico Dowdle, Zach Charbonnet, […]


Jameson Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Week 18 Wide Receiver Rankings for Fantasy Football: WR Updates Include Tyreek Hill, Jalen McMillan, Adam Thielen, Jameson Williams, Jauan Jennings

Week 18 is here, and several teams will either not play starters or pull them early in the game. That said start-or-sit decisions are tough when comparing two flex-level wide receiver options, so we're here to assist with our NFL team's updated Week 18 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2024. Let's see where key […]


Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans - Tampa Bay Bucs, Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Week 18 Matchups Analysis

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another start'em and sit'em piece as we look ahead to Week 18! This Week 18 matchups analysis and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em will help you make the right lineup decisions in the final week of the regular season.  Whether you play in a Week 18 fantasy football championship or are looking for some DFS […]


Patrick Mahomes - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFL Inactives Week 18 (Updated): Which Teams Are Resting Starters? Who's Sitting or Playing in Week 18

If your fantasy football league extends to Week 18, you either forgot to change that setting, or you love living on the edge. The final week of the NFL regular season is always tricky to navigate, as several teams either do not play their key starters or pull them early. Many teams have already clinched […]


Marvin Harrison Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings, WR, Waiver Wire, NFL DFS, Rookies

Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 18 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football And DFS Include Blake Corum, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ricky Pearsall

For the final week of the 2024 season, those who are still participating in Week fantasy football Super Bowls must do two things. First, vote in a new league commissioner for next season. Secondly, consult our rundown of our best streamers and lineup pluggers to win a league championship. Using RotoBaller’s Week 18 Lineup Rankings […]


Joe Burrow - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS and Betting Picks

NFL DFS Lineup Picks For FanDuel, DraftKings - Steelers vs. Bengals Showdown (Week 18)

Welcome back, RotoBallers! It is the final week of the regular season, and we have a couple more showdowns left, including a big game for the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) host the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8). The Bengals are still alive for a playoff spot but need some help, along with a win. The […]


Derrick Henry - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

NFL DFS Lineup Picks For FanDuel, DraftKings - Browns vs. Ravens Showdown (Week 18)

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have an AFC North Showdown on the docket as Bailey Zappe and the Cleveland Browns (3-13) head to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (11-5). While Cleveland doesn't have anything to play for, they can still play spoiler for their division rival as Lamar and the Ravens are […]


Chig Okonkwo - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Week 18 Tight End Rankings for Fantasy Football: TE Updates Include Sam LaPorta, Jonnu Smith, Zach Ertz, Chig Okonkwo, Mike Gesicki, Tucker Kraft

Tight ends got out to a slow start in 2024, but several players at the position have become productive fantasy and DFS assets. Below, you'll see our NFL team's updated Week 18 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2024 to help you make tough start-or-sit decisions. If your league extends to Week 18, it's time […]


Zach Charbonnet - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Running Back Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Fantasy Football Playoffs - Week 18

While most fantasy football leagues crowned a champion last week, there are still a handful of leagues deciding their title this week. That means we’ve got one last weekend of work left before we can finally put up our feet and relax. Week 18 can be tricky for fantasy managers as many teams have already […]


Bryce Young - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Week 18 Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football - QB Updates Include Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Michael Penix Jr., Bryce Young, Justin Herbert, more

At last, Week 18 has arrived. Whether your league extends to Week 18 or you are looking for an extra resource for DFS lineups, we're here to help with our updated Week 18 fantasy football quarterback rankings for 2024. Let's see where quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Michael Penix Jr., Bryce Young, Justin […]