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The middle rounds of fantasy football drafts fall between the highlight-reel early picks and the late-round fliers, with several fantasy managers opting for safety and consistency. However, rookies beyond the cream of the crop can slip in redraft formats and provide quiet upside between known players.
Many steer clear of rookies in redraft since they're looking to mitigate risk, leading to them being pushed down your draft boards. The premier rookies, such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, will draw eyes in the early rounds, but what about the next tier of value? That's the aim of this piece.
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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Xavier Worthy, Chiefs - Fantasy Football Outlook
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was taken 28th overall out of Texas by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft. Any receiver who gets to play with Patrick Mahomes is automatically intriguing, let alone one who the team deems worthy of a first-round pick.
Especially one who set the NFL Combine record for the 40-yard dash at 4.21 seconds. Worthy is more than a strict burner as well, posting low drop rates around 5-6% outside of 2022 when he played through a broken hand (and a change at QB).
Worthy gives them another shot at filling Tyreek Hill's sprinter shoes. Ideally, it would be without the inconsistency of Mecole Hardman Jr. or Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The problem with Xavier Worthy is that if you're ever flat-footed on a two way go in single coverage, you will not live to tell the tale.
X will square you up & freeze your feet
This is not some Mecole MVS type, this is a real route runner pic.twitter.com/vaUeLdWexs— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) August 20, 2024
KC isn’t known for giving rookies starting runs out of the gate, but an early Marquise Brown shoulder injury and a potential Rashee Rice suspension down the road could press the issue. The big-play threat mixed with Mahomes' arm makes Worthy enticing in best ball as a fourth or fifth wideout, while his seasonal redraft value hinges on the severity of Brown’s injury.
--Nick Mariano - RotoBaller
Jayden Daniels, Commanders - Fantasy Football Outlook
There have been mixed reviews on QB Jayden Daniels' 2024 outlook after going No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Washington Commanders, but the rookie is primed to make waves right away. Kliff Kingsbury was brought in as the team's OC and his offenses have typically been up-tempo while featuring a strong RPO element.
Since 2014, there have been 6 QBs who started at least 16 games in their first two years in the NFL and who rushed for 1,000+ yards in a college season. They averaged 20.1 fantasy points per game while finishing as a QB1 or better in 63.5% of the fantasy weeks they started.
After passing for 3,811 yards and rushing for 1,250 more while combining for 50 total TDs during his final college season in Baton Rouge, it's hard not to feel optimistic about Daniels’ fantasy value even as a rookie due to his solid rushing floor. He should be best viewed as a low-end QB1 with upside for 2024.
--Kyle Lindemann - RotoBaller
Rome Odunze, Bears - Fantasy Football Outlook
Washington WR Rome Odunze was selected ninth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joins Caleb Williams, who came aboard first overall to be the signal-caller.
Odunze exploded for 1,640 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 receptions this past season at Washington and now rounds out an incredible WR trio alongside DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. There are also Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett at tight end, and there is a capable receiver in D'Andre Swift at running back.
While Odunze boasts great talent and polish to his game, competing with all of those names as Williams gets up to speed in the NFL could create turbulence. Luckily, new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron should give this Chicago roster more passing intent after a bottom-six Pass Rate Over Expectation (PROE) mark of -4.9% per NFELO.
He comes from the Rams, who just led the league in 11 personnel playcalling, and Odunze is scouted as a plus run-blocker. Three-wide sets may rule Chicago's playbook. Odunze's redraft value is shaky thanks to an early ADP within the top-100 picks amidst his target competition, but his ceiling as an NFL-ready weapon next to Williams is bright.
CHI – Rome Odunze is the first WR with an “all-green” collegiate prospect profile in @RecepPerception. pic.twitter.com/fVvMDfoB31
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) August 22, 2024
--Nick Mariano - RotoBaller
Jaylen Wright, Dolphins - Fantasy Football Outlook
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, will not begin his pro career as a starter. However, he's one of the rare third-string running backs worth monitoring in fantasy football.
The Dolphins are likely to split the backfield work between veteran Raheem Mostert and youngster De'Von Achane to begin the season, but Wright could be thrust into action at any point. Mostert is 32 years old, and Achane is under 190 pounds, meaning both players have increased injury risk at a brutal position for contact and minor or major ailments.
If one or both of the two backs goes down, -- Wright -- who ran a 4.38 forty-yard dash at the NFL combine, will fit right in the offense and possess one-play touchdown upside. After your wide receiver position is set in fantasy drafts, stashing high-upside backup running backs is an advantageous strategy. Wright fits that bill in 12, 14, and 16-team leagues as a rookie.
If Mostert or Achane go down, you can book Jaylen Wright’s rise to fantasy/real life stardom. His talent jumps off the screen. pic.twitter.com/EEHeHKLTHG
— Brandon Kravitz (@BrandonKravitz) August 24, 2024
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
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