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Third-round rookie wide receivers have not panned out to be solid fantasy football contributors in their first year. None of the nine wide receivers selected in the third round of the 2021 and 2022 NFL Draft did much as rookies. However, last year, managers saw Tank Dell and Josh Downs become solid fantasy options after being selected 69th overall (Dell) and 80th overall (Downs).
Still, a 2-for-15 hit rate for third-round rookie wide receivers over the last three years does not bode well for their fantasy value heading into the 2024 season. Five wideouts were selected in the third round of this year's draft and they're looking to break that streak.
So, how do Malachi Corley, Jermaine Burton, Roman Wilson, Jalen McMillan, and Luke McCaffrey stack up on their team's depth chart in Year 1? Let's dive in and find out.
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Malachi Corley, New York Jets
The New York Jets have raved about Corley all offseason after selecting him 65th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers even said the former Western Kentucky star was his "favorite receiver in the draft." While Rodgers is likely just hyping up his new teammate, there's no doubt that the rookie is talented.
In his final two college seasons at Western Kentucky, Corley caught 180 passes for 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns. His run-after-the-catch ability should help him get on the field immediately. He should be able to work the slot in New York's offense and see more opportunities as the year goes on.
Aaron Rodgers talks about coaching up Malachi Corley and Garrett Wilson at practice: pic.twitter.com/bNgCkfg9M6
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) July 24, 2024
Corley might be a work in progress, and it could take him some time to get consistent reps. However, there is potential for him to post some solid numbers in his rookie campaign. Xavier Gipson and Allen Lazard are the only two wideouts standing in the way of the rookie winning the WR3 job. As a result, he could be a sneaky selection in the last round of fantasy drafts, especially with a future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing to him.
Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
If there is only one third-round wide receiver that will be fantasy-relevant in 2024, it will be Burton. The Bengals selected the former Alabama playmaker with the 80th overall pick in this year's draft. The 23-year-old now goes to an offense with an elite quarterback (Joe Burrow) and the chance to start as the team's WR3.
With Tyler Boyd leaving in free agency, Burton should earn that WR3 job over Trenton Irwin and Andrei Iosivas, while Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins occupy the top-2 wideout spots on offense. That should help the rookie stay involved in the passing game in his first year in the league.
One handed catch by rookie Jermaine Burton!
Posted on the Bengals IG account (edited by me afterwards). pic.twitter.com/xg3ZfnWENM
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) July 24, 2024
He is in a great situation in Cincinnati on an offense that should throw 35-45 times per game. Burton also showed some things over his four-year college career, totaling 132 catches for 2,376 yards and 22 touchdowns. Given his potential involvement in the NFL right away, don't sleep on the rookie in fantasy this year.
Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson is another third-round wide receiver who landed in a great spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected the former Michigan product with the 84th overall pick after the wideout broke out with a 789-yard, 12-touchdown season in 2023. Now, he could find himself heavily involved on offense in his first year.
With Pittsburgh trading away Diontae Johnson this offseason and only adding Van Jefferson in free agency, Wilson has a great opportunity to earn the WR2 job. Jefferson likely has the edge over the rookie for that role to start the season, but don't be surprised when the 23-year-old becomes a reliable slot option for Russell Wilson in the second half.
Wilson will still have to beat out wideouts like Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller in training camp to earn that WR3 job. However, given his draft stock and speed in the open field, he should easily do so.
Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was somewhat of a disappointing final college season for McMillan, as he totaled just 45 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. Those numbers come after the 6-foot-1 wideout had 79 catches for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022. Still, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the 92nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite that third-round draft pick, McMillan could take a backseat in Year 1. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin locked into the top-2 wide receiver spots on offense, that leaves Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard, and the rookie likely fighting for that final WR3 spot.
Baker Mayfield ➡️ Jalen McMillan.
These two have connected very well since the rookie wide receiver’s arrival. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/dJ4AcWKyn5
— BucsGameday (@BucsGameday) July 24, 2024
Palmer showed some nice things in his rookie campaign in 2023 -- totaling 39 catches for 385 yards and three touchdowns -- while Shepard is the more experienced wideout of the bunch. So, McMillan will need to show up in training camp and show his potential. That might not be enough, though, for him to be fantasy-relevant in 2024.
Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
There's a strong possibility that McCaffrey will be involved in his first year because of his ability to do it all. That's why the Washington Commanders selected him 100th overall in this year's draft. The former Rice wideout totaled 71 catches for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final college season while carrying the ball 15 times for 117 yards.
That dual-threat ability could be a weapon for Washington in 2024 and beyond, considering McCaffrey ran 157 times for 927 yards and seven touchdowns in his five college seasons. The 23-year-old also finds himself in a good spot to start the year as the team's WR3.
Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are locked into the WR1 and WR2 positions entering the year, but McCaffrey could fill that WR3 job after Curtis Samuel left this offseason. The rookie just needs to beat out Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jamison Crowder for that role. So, count on Washington utilizing him through the air and on the ground in 2024.
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