Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: When to Pick Caleb Williams, Brock Bowers, Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Jonathon Brooks and More
Who should you be drafting in your rookie drafts? This rookie mock will help keep you on track in your dynasty leagues.
Many dynasty leagues were chomping at the bit to complete their rookie drafts immediately after the 2024 NFL Draft. I’m more of an advocate for giving it some time. Let the draft wash over you, and allow the dust to settle.
It also gives your league-mates more time for rumination. Give everyone some time to sit and wonder. What’s the rush? Let the pot stir and give people time to work up the courage to wheel and deal. Trading is the spice of life - no, that’s variety. But you get variety after trading!
This specific draft class has been discussed ad nauseam, but here are my two cents, which are a bit off the beaten path. Don’t be afraid to reach. If you need a running back, take a running back if you’re outside the top five. If that’s what you need, it’s what you need. Taking a best-player approach in dynasty is valid, but no strategy is set in stone.
I prefer to have as many good running backs as possible, and glaring needs at running back usually result in using more roster spots on depth and handcuffs. Lock down RB studs whenever possible and free up your roster for speculation elsewhere.
Note: This is for a 1QB league. A superflex rookie draft is coming soon! Click here for a fantasy redraft mock.
1.01 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
My concern with Harrison just has to do with Kyler Murray. He’s in the middle of a monster contract but what happens if he struggles this year? Harrison is the no-brainer 1.01 in one-QB leagues, and I can even understand the argument of taking him 1.01 in superflex (you shouldn’t, though.)
Anything less than a borderline Hall of Fame career that spans 10 seasons would be a disappointment. That's the bar.
1.02 Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Based on landing spot, some may prefer Rome Odunze here because Daniel Jones is in New York, but I’ll disagree. Remember that landing spot should only come into play when talent is a coin flip. Nabers is the bigger talent and that’s no knock on Odunze by any means.
Nabers is the best slot receiver prospect to come out in years and he’ll hit the ground running in The Big Apple.
1.03 Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
The path to being the Bears’ No. 1 receiver may not be as long as the depth chart shows. Keenan Allen has been a consistent, dependable beast for years, and D.J. Moore has been his team’s No. 1 receiver everywhere he has gone.
But Allen was a third-round pick, and Moore was a late-first. Neither guy ever had the upside Odunze possesses. I’m coming in hot with this evaluation, but I expect the rookie to perform and produce like the team’s best receiver by Week 10.
1.04 Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
My big worry is that Bowers landed in Vegas. The Raiders have not had the best track record in drafting and developing young offensive talent over the last several years. The rookie tight end should be the exception to the rule.
Before his injury last season, there was talk of Bowers being a top-five pick, and another healthy college season could have delivered that. When teams tell you something, you should listen to them. Las Vegas drafted a tight end when they already had one in Michael Mayer. That’s how excited they are about this guy.
1.05 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
This is another Odunze situation where the depth chart gives the impression Thomas could be the third wheel behind Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk. He’ll also have to compete with Evan Engram and the occasional look to Travis Etienne.
Those are valid concerns, just as they are with Odunze. However, I’m encouraged by Thomas’s all-around ball skills compared to his teammates.
Kirk is a slot, Davis is an X (who’s never delivered reliably as an X), and Thomas has the talent to be an X, Y or Z. What we need here is more consistent offense output. I don’t love the Jaguars, and I’m puzzled why they haven’t had more success. We’re just waiting for everything to click for Trevor Lawrence.
1.06 Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
You’d think these running backs were bums because the conversation has focused so much on the wide receivers and quarterbacks in this draft class. I get that Brooks may not be a full-go for Week 1, but his tape looked great. I really love Brooks’ blend of balance, speed and power. He is the clear No. 1 RB in this class.
1.07 Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Even in this two-deep safety era, speed can still kill. With the power behind Patrick Mahomes’s passes loaded up, Worthy will have plenty of deep-ball chances to take the top off. But what should also excite people is how the Chiefs used Tyreek Hill. Just get the ball in Worthy’s hands and let him do the rest.
With so much talent on this Chiefs’ offense, production will probably be hit or miss, as it usually is with big-play receivers. But when he hits, you can expect Worthy to put points on the scoreboard, both for the Chiefs and your fantasy squad.
1.08 Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
I view Coleman as the beginning of Josh Allen 3.0. In his first two years, Allen was still getting his feet under him in the NFL and John Brown was his No. 1 wide receiver. Allen 2.0 was when Stefon Diggs arrived in 2020. Now, Diggs is out and Coleman is in - Allen 3.0.
Performing at Diggs’s level may seem like a big ask, but those are the expectations. They are two very different receivers. Coleman brings a more physical game with next-level jump ball skills. He uses his body position and strength to high-point the football.
1.09 Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
The Bears have learned their lesson in setting up their offense to surround Williams with talent in ways they failed to do with Justin Fields. I’ve said in the past that I like Williams’ skill set. The way he excels when the play breaks down, the casual way he can sling it and make huge throws.
The comparisons to Mahomes are unfair, but he does bring a special flair to the game. That does count for something. I’m excited to see how Chicago shapes his development in the coming years.
1.10 Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Although he isn’t near as big, Benson reminds me of a young Derrick Henry in that it took Henry a year or two to find his stride at this level. Benson has a certain reluctance or hesitation to get downhill. He will mistakenly use a lot of lateral movement, particularly behind the line of scrimmage and gets himself in trouble. But when he does get rolling downhill, he’s very powerful and plays faster than his size would indicate.
James Conner isn’t likely to cede much playing time to Benson in Year 1, but I don’t mind rostering Benson as his handcuff.
1.11 Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey shines in the short areas of the field, which should be a great fit for Jim Harbaugh’s offense. With next-level route running and exciting YAC talents, McConkey should thrive and move the chains for the Chargers.
Although the volume may not be there, McConkey could outproduce many of the rookies ahead of him because there isn’t much competition for targets in Los Angeles.
1.12 Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson, and I expect them to use him alongside Adam Thielen. But what an opportunity for Legette to learn the game from some great receivers. The rookie receiver will need a redshirt year to polish his route running.
His ball skills pop but separation is an early concern as he works out the kinks in his footwork and release.
