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The 2024 rookie class was a good one for dynasty fantasy football gamers. We saw several first-year players step on the field and make an immediate impact. Gamers who were in a rebuild entering the 2024 season got a shot in the arm if they selected the right players.
However, not every rookie pick was a winner. Some fell flat on expectations while others exceeded them. This can create some great buying/selling opportunities based on how the market fluctuates. Savvy gamers are ready to pounce on these mark inefficiencies. If you're looking to gain an edge in your league, you should be doing the same.
Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller on X and checking out RotoBaller.com. Let’s take a look at several 2024 rookies to buy and sell in your dynasty fantasy football league.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Dynasty Fantasy Football Buys
Rome Odunze - WR, Chicago Bears
Many analysts are ready to write Odunze off as a bust due to poor advanced metrics and per-route data. However, Chicago’s offense was so bad in 2024 that it’s not fair to judge anyone based on what we saw.
Odunze’s rookie year is a case where we must take all that data and flush it down the toilet, as it’s not a fair representation of his play. This is still a highly talented receiver who knows how to get open against NFL defenders.
Caleb Williams' AND Rome Odunze's first career TD!
📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/u0ICGLXCz7— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
If anyone in your league is buying into the narrative that Odunze is a bust, now is the time to act. The Odunze manager may feel let down seeing so many other rookie receivers post better numbers. Exploit this and get him on your roster now. With Ben Johnson taking over Chicago’s offense, Odunze’s stock will only go up.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals
After a disappointing rookie year, people are already claiming Harrison was overhyped and not a generational prospect. This feels very reactionary after just one season. No, he did not live up to the ridiculously high expectations placed on him as a rookie, but that doesn’t mean he stinks.
Dynasty players have been spoiled in recent years with the amount of rookie receivers putting up big Year 1 numbers. Sometimes, it takes a few seasons for a player to come into their own. CeeDee Lamb is one recent example and had his breakthrough season in Year 4.
Harrison does have some areas of his game that need refinement, but he’s still very talented.
MARVIN HARRISON JR.'S FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN HAS ARRIVED pic.twitter.com/EFquDWaM8V
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 15, 2024
He also was not deployed in the most ideal way for fantasy football success. Among 133 wide receivers with at least 50 targets, Harrison ran the 13th-most routes out wide, per Fantasy Points Data Suite. He was used mostly as a pure X receiver, and Arizona was not very creative in how it targeted him. This kind of usage can make a player more boom/bust for fantasy than we’d ideally like to see.
With Drew Petzing returning as offensive coordinator, Harrison’s usage might not be much different in 2025. However, situations can quickly change in the NFL. If an inexperienced manager in your league is panicking on Harrison, now is the time to act.
He’s still very talented, and you shouldn’t be discouraged by his rookie year. Just know he might be more of a slow burn, and you may have to wait a year or two before getting those gaudy numbers.
Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Atlanta Falcons
Penix took over as the Falcons starter late in the season when Kirk Cousins began to struggle. He only went 1-2 in three starts and threw three touchdown passes against three interceptions. While the stats don’t blow you away, there are reasons to be encouraged for the future.
Regular season @PFF passing grades for this year's rookie QB class ...
Michael Penix: 87.6
Jayden Daniels: 83.0
Bo Nix: 72.8
Drake Maye: 64.9
Caleb Williams: 62.9— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) January 13, 2025
Penix also showcased a big arm and stepped up late in a game against the Washington Commanders with Atlanta’s season on the line.
Michael Penix Jr. to Kyle Pitts on 4th down!! pic.twitter.com/PGbIR4nICx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024
Atlanta will now have an entire offseason to craft an offense catered to his skill set. It will also give Penix time to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Atlanta's other skill players. Things are set up well for Penix. He is an ideal trade target if you’re looking to tier down off someone like Kyler Murray or C.J. Stroud.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Sells
Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB, New York Giants
Tracy enjoyed a fine rookie season for the New York Giants in 2024. He finished with 1,123 scrimmage yards on 230 touches and scored six total touchdowns.
A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024
However, despite his success, Tracy did not fare well in several metrics. Among 46 backs with at least 100 carries, Tracy finished 34th in Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected (RYOE) and 35th in PFF Rushing Grade. He also struggled with fumbles toward the end of the season.
.@Panthers force the fumble and get the ball in overtime ‼️
📺: #NYGvsCAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PLjKPuFUtg— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
Tracy looks like a nice player, but he could wind up being replaced as RB1 this offseason. He is a former wide receiver turned running back, and with their jobs on the line this year, it’s possible GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll will want a player to whom the position comes a little more naturally.
KeepTradeCut, which crowdsources information from dynasty players to formulate rankings, estimates Tracy’s current trade value as an early second-round pick in Superflex leagues. That feels like a good price to sell with so many quality running back options available in the 2025 class. You could even use that pick to move up in the rookie draft and secure an even better asset.
MarShawn Lloyd - RB, Green Bay Packers
Lloyd had a pretty disastrous rookie season. He struggled with injuries all year and only played one game as a result. Lloyd only carried the football six times, so we barely got to see him in action.
It might sound harsh to recommend selling a player so early in his career, but several factors are working against Lloyd. As we mentioned earlier, the incoming running back class is loaded with talent.
Green Bay may draft a back who eventually takes Lloyd’s spot on the 53-man roster. Lloyd’s injury problems could also bleed over into 2025 and see him go down a road similar to that of Kendre Miller in New Orleans. There’s also the major fumbling issues Lloyd had in college, and this could keep him off the field even if he is healthy.
On top of all that, he is stuck firmly behind Josh Jacobs on the Packers' depth chart.
Josh Jacobs rumbles his way to the one-yard line!
📺: #GBvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RD2lGUGCNq— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
There just aren’t many reasons to continue rostering Lloyd. You’re better off finding someone who still believes in him and acquiring a 2025 third- or fourth-round pick. You can then use that pick to find a back who lands in a better situation than Lloyd.
Keon Coleman - WR, Buffalo Bills
Coleman’s rookie season was not exactly what Bills fans were expecting. He did average a robust 19.2 yards per reception but struggled mightily to consistently separate against defenders. Out of 169 receivers with 50+ targets, Coleman finished 142nd in Fantasy Points Data Suite’s Average Separation Score. He also finished dead last in Next Gen Stats' Average Separation (SEP) score. However you slice it, Coleman just couldn’t get open.
Part of this can be attributed to his role in Buffalo’s offense. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Buffalo had Coleman run 88.6 percent of his routes from the outside. This just doesn’t fit his current skill set. Coleman may have had more success as a rookie working in a power slot role in the Bills offense.
We will see if Buffalo makes this adjustment for 2025, but with Khalil Shakir locking down the slot receiver role, this seems unlikely.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane also noted the team’s need for a true WR1 in his season-ending news conference. He made no mention of Coleman in such a role, so it seems like Buffalo might be losing faith.
Gamers should strongly consider selling Coleman. Receivers of this archetype rarely work out (think DeVante Parker for a best-case scenario), and Coleman playing out of position also doesn’t help matters. It might be time to cut your losses and move on without him.
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