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Dynasty fantasy football leagues have grown in popularity over the last few years, so many fantasy managers are well-versed and well-researched on incoming NFL rookies. However, rookies are often overlooked in redraft formats, and they can provide an edge to fantasy teams in the late rounds of drafts.
A lot of people avoid rookies in redraft since they are "unknown" assets, leading to them being pushed down your draft boards. After the rookie headliners in the early rounds like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, who are some potential targets to take fliers on? That's the focus of this article.
Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Usually only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2024 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all 300+ of our 2024 player outlooks, along with many other premium articles and tools available exclusively in our 2024 Draft Kit.
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Keon Coleman, Bills - Fantasy Football Outlook
The Buffalo Bills kicked off the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Keon Coleman 33rd overall. The Florida State standout fits the sizeable "X" receiver mold that Buffalo needed following the loss of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, who combined for 15 receiving touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards in 2023.
At 6-foot-3, Coleman is capable of "Mossing" defenders and creating big plays over the top via contested catches. But this skill is connected to a lack of agility and separation that requires him to win with little space.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) October 28, 2023
PFF cited Coleman with an 11th-percentile grade in separation percentage against single coverage since 2021, yet he scored 11 touchdowns for FSU on just 50 catches. Josh Allen boasts a big arm and won't shy from taking deep shots, but Allen also scored 15 rushing TDs and is the alpha for red-zone opportunities.
It's worth noting that fellow WR starters Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel are 3-4 inches shorter than Coleman. The rookie might be a red-zone weapon out of the gate in an offense where teams can't afford to pull safety help away from the line of scrimmage, which could put him into the top-30 WR conversation.
- Nick Mariano, RotoBaller
Blake Corum, Rams - Fantasy Football Outlook
Blake Corum was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft to help ease Kyren Williams' workload, and Williams has already been banged up this offseason. The red flags there have elevated the rookie's buzz this summer. The 5-foot-8 Corum showed immense power behind Michigan's stout offensive line, totaling nearly 60 touchdowns in 49 games across three starting seasons.
Most swoon over 27 rushing TDs in '23, but his 4.8 yards per carry was a drop from 5.9 the year before. Volume is no concern here as Corum topped 250 touches as both a junior and senior, though he was rarely involved as a receiver. If that more effective rusher seen in Michigan in 2022 meets a starting opportunity within McVay's creative rushing scheme, then the top 10 weeks are possible.
- Nick Mariano, RotoBaller
Trey Benson, Cardinals - Fantasy Football Outlook
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Trey Benson was the second ball carrier off the board during the 2024 NFL Draft, and his landing spot sets him up to potentially make an impact in Year 1. The former Florida State Seminole is athletically comparable to Kenneth Walker and J.K. Dobbins, meaning he has tremendous size-adjusted speed. This was demonstrated by his 4.39 40-yard dash time at 216 pounds.
He also averaged over 11.0 yards per reception in college, suggesting he can be a weapon in the passing attack. While James Conner remains the team's starter for now, he is set to enter his age-29 season, and he's never played a full season in his seven-year career.
With Kyler Murray fully healthy and Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride looking like future stars at their positions, the Arizona offense could exceed expectations in 2024.
Trey Benson, untouched, for an 85-yard touchdown against Virginia Tech. pic.twitter.com/vkIpZHRX7t
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) April 30, 2024
Benson will likely see touches alongside Conner right away, and his role could grow as the season moves forward. In any potential Conner absences, he's likely to see workhorse volume behind an improved offense line and could yield at least high-end RB2 production. At his current cost outside the top 100 picks, he's a great running back handcuff stash with flex standalone potential.
- Jackson Sparks, RotoBaller
Ray Davis, Bills - Fantasy Football Outlook
Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis enters the league as a fourth-round selection. The 24-year-old rookie is actually older than backfield companion James Cook after he bounced around from Temple to Vanderbilt and Kentucky in college, but do not let his old age as a rookie deter you from drafting him.
Davis produced back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2022 and 2023 and projects to fill the void left in the Buffalo offense by the departure of Latavius Murray.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) September 30, 2023
Cook is not built to be a workhorse, paving the way for Davis to potentially win the early-down job. He is available in late rounds, yet he could have standalone flex value if he ends up truly splitting the backfield with Cook. Buffalo has been searching for a running mate for Cook ever since Devin Singletary's departure, and Davis fits the bill.
- Brant Henson, RotoBaller
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