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Every year, there are second-round rookie wide receivers who turn into solid fantasy options right away. In 2022, George Pickens and Christian Watson helped fantasy managers win matchups in the second half. Last year, wideouts like Jayden Reed and Rashee Rice were steals at their respective pre-draft ADPs.
This season should be no different, as several second-round wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft have the chance to be fantasy-relevant in Year 1. Keon Coleman, Ladd McConkey, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Adonai Mitchell were the only four wideouts selected in the second round of this year's draft.
So, let's analyze how they impact their team's depth chart in 2024 and if they should be targeted in the later round of fantasy drafts this season.
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Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills needed a wide receiver in the draft after both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis found new homes this offseason. Following a trade back out of the first round, the Bills eventually picked Coleman with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That Buffalo landing spot was a great one for Coleman, considering he should see plenty of starting reps to begin his NFL career. While we don't know how the Bills wide receiver group will play out, the rookie could eventually become the team's WR1 as the season progresses.
This is the final pass of the final allowable video shooting period on the final day of Buffalo Bills minicamp. Pretty good way to end it from Keon Coleman, from Josh Allen. pic.twitter.com/Fq6HyzEriB
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 13, 2024
Right now, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and Coleman will occupy the top three wide receiver spots on offense. However, the former Florida State product could emerge as Josh Allen's favorite target in the passing game in Year 1. He totaled 108 catches for 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns over his last two college seasons. Given the team's lack of wide receiver options, the 21-year-old figures to have a sizable role in a top offense in 2024.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey is another rookie who goes to an offense that has an elite quarterback (Justin Herbert) with limited weapons in the passing game. The Chargers selected the wideout with the 34th overall pick in this year's draft, putting him in a good spot to be heavily involved in his first year.
That's because Los Angeles traded away Keenan Allen and released Mike Williams this offseason, leaving just Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark, Quentin Johnston, and McConkey as the top four wideouts for Herbert in 2024. As a result, the rookie has a great chance to establish himself as a top target in this offense, given his above-average route-running skills.
The Chargers are in need of reliable playmakers who can separate and they got one in Ladd McConkey
Ladd’s start stop ability along with the capacity to vary his speeds is exceptional
Justin Herbert got himself a new best friend pic.twitter.com/CubjfsXN93
— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) July 18, 2024
So, look for McConkey to start in the slot for the Chargers right away. Given how he looked at OTAs earlier this offseason, the former Georgia star could be a great pick in the later round of fantasy drafts in 2024. He could see 110-plus targets as a rookie with a top-tier quarterback in Herbert throwing him passes. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him eventually become the WR1 in this Los Angeles offense.
Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
There are a lot of things to like about Polk entering the season. For starters, he just put up 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in his final college season at Washington and was the 10th wide receiver off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Patriots selected him with the 37th overall pick in this year's draft, which is a great landing spot for him in 2024 and beyond. New England desperately needed a wide receiver this offseason after Demario Douglas led the team with 561 receiving yards last year. Now, Polk should come in and immediately set himself apart from the rest.
He will likely be a starter right away, especially given the way he looked at OTAs in June. However, he might find himself as the team's WR3 to start the year -- behind both Kendrick Bourne and Douglas. Polk, though, could eventually jump in front of both of them on the depth chart. It might take some time for him to do that, but the talent is surely there for him to see consistent playing time in 2024.
From a fantasy perspective, it could be hard to trust him in redraft formats with a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye under center. While the playing time will possibly be there, the consistency in fantasy might not. Still, he is someone fantasy managers should consider in the last round of drafts because of his potential to be New England's WR1 in the second half of the season.
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
Mitchell is the only playmaker on this list who didn't necessarily land in a great spot. Mitchell fell a little bit in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Colts eventually picked him with the 52nd overall pick. Nonetheless, the rookie will have to beat out a couple of young wideouts, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, to earn a starting spot.
With Michael Pittman Jr. locked into the team's WR1 spot, Downs, Pierce, and Mitchell are likely fighting for the WR2 and WR3 jobs. Given Downs' ability to work in the slot, he should earn one of those two spots. That likely leaves Pierce and the rookie battling for the final outside wide receiver spot.
Anthony Richardson and Adonai Mitchell might be this year's C. J. Stroud and Nico Collins 🔥
🎥: @Colts pic.twitter.com/UvIr4WOP3q https://t.co/Ukwu1AhNCC
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 21, 2024
It's anyone's guess as to how the Colts will utilize Mitchell in his first year in the league. But he should be more involved as the season progresses. With quarterback Anthony Richardson being a popular breakout candidate in 2024, the second-round rookie could shock a lot of people this upcoming season. After catching 11 touchdowns in his final college season at Texas, look for the 21-year-old to be the team's WR3 for most of the year.
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