2024 NFL Draft Day 3: Best Available Rookies For Dynasty
2024 NFL Draft Day 3: Best Available Players For Dynasty
The first three rounds were exciting, but rounds 4, 5, and beyond are going to give us some more fantasy football relevant talents. Working off my pre-draft top-60 for dynasty, here are the best remaining players still on the board as we enter day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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16. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Braelon Allen is a massive running back, standing at 6-2, and nearly 240 lbs. Unsurprisingly, his game is built around a downhill running style, utilizing his strength and power to physically dominate defenses between the tackles. Allen runs with good vision and is decisive on choosing a lane and blasting through the hole. He may lack in explosion, breakaway speed, and open field elusiveness, but he makes up for it with his tackle-breaking ability and knack for falling forward for additional yardage after contact.
Allen is built for a heavy workload at the NFL level. He has a frame that can handle 20+ carries week in and week out. He will need to land on a team that runs a rushing scheme that will fit his skill set. He’s certainly not the run to the tackles, put a foot in the ground and go type guy that you would see in Miami, for example. A more of a gap/power scheme would be perfect. Allen projects as a team’s primary between the tackles grinder and goal line back. He will be best paired with a fast/quick backfield mate who can come in on passing downs because Allen is below average across the board when it comes to the receiving game.
His fantasy football ceiling is somewhat capped given the lack of receiving game usage and the athleticism to create breakaway runs. He is a young prospect, though, so his dynasty lifespan will likely be longer than most.
18. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Troy Franklin is one of the fastest wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He has no trouble getting open deep or out-running defenders after the catch. While his game is built around that speed, Franklin is more than just a burner who only runs straight lines down the field. He is a quality route runner with a great feel for defenses and finding ways to get himself open in the short and intermediate areas as well. He uses a variety of effective release tactics to get off the line quickly and into his routes.
With a bit of a slim frame, Franklin does tend to get thrown off by physical defenders in press coverage. He is also not known for winning in traffic and in contested catch situations. While he is good at tracking the ball down the field, Franklin does have a tendency to let the ball come to him, rather than meeting it at its highest point. This opens it up to be played by the defender, and leaves potential chunk plays on the field.
Franklin projects as a high-end WR2 in the NFL. He will primarily line up at Z, with some slot looks as well. Teams will be apt to put him in motion to help him avoid contact off the line and to fully take advantage of his speed threat both vertically and horizontally across the defense.
While his somewhat slender frame will limit him in some areas, it’s less of a concern in today’s NFL, especially after seeing guys like Devonta Smith, Jordan Addison, Tank Dell, and others have such immediate success.
21. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Jaylen Wright possesses the requisite size and traits to be a quality running back at the NFL level. He has elite speed, as evidenced by his 22.2 MPH top speed clocked in 2023 which is the fastest of any of the running backs in the 2024 class. Wright has the patience to let hit blocks develop in front of him with the burst to explode through the hole and get to the next level of the defense. Most of his runs at Tennessee came from the shotgun and were directed between the tackles, but Wright’s skill set leaves little doubt he can be a quality runner on outside concepts as well.
Wright may have the speed to outrun defenders but he lacks the lateral agility to be a true cut-back threat and isn’t the most difficult to bring down once you’ve got hands on him. He also doesn’t create much on his own if the lanes aren’t available for him. In the passing game, Wright was a zero in his first two seasons before adding receiving skills to his repertoire in 2023. He still has work to do in this area to become a weapon as a pass-catcher, but he showed enough to believe he can be an effective check-down, swing pass, and screen game option at least. He will also add value with his quality pass protection skills, something we don’t see from a lot of running backs straight out of college. This will help him find an early role in the NFL.
Speaking of the NFL, Jaylen Wright projects as a rotational running back who can add value on third downs as well as be an explosive change-of-pace back in a two or three man committee. With a 210-pound frame it’s certainly possible he becomes the leader of said committee. Wright is likely to be drafted sometime in the middle rounds. In dynasty, he is a fun pick in the third round of rookie drafts with the hopes his elite speed translates to a fantasy relevant role.
26. Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Dylan Laube is one of the funner running back prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He was wildly productive over the last two seasons, albeit at UNH in the FCS. Still, Laube showed he can be a quality runner between the tackles with good vision, patience, and a knack for finding the cut-back lanes. He has enough speed and burst to create breakaway runs. Where he really shines, though, is in the passing game. He creates matchup problems from the backfield as well as lining up in the slot or even out wide. Laube is a legitimately good route runner with good hands and the athletic profile to make plays after the catch. His willingness and ability in pass protection will help him carve out a role on passing downs early in his NFL career.
NFL teams are going to appreciate Laube’s versatility on offense and experience in the return game. That will help him not only get drafted but make a 53-man roster as a rookie and work his way into a role that could eventually make him fantasy relevant. That will likely be as a change-of-pace guy and primary option in passing situations. Draft Capital will come in the middle rounds to a team looking to add a receiving threat to its backfield. In dynasty, Laube is a fun pick in the third round of rookie drafts with the longshot hope that he becomes the next Austin Ekeler.
27. Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Ray Davis is quietly one of the more complete running back prospects in the 2024 NFL draft class. He has excellent size at 5-8, 211-pounds, with the requisite speed and athletic traits to fit into any rushing scheme. Davis is an efficient runner with good patience and decisiveness to find the hole and hit the hole. In the passing game, Davis is well-rounded with reliable hands and the skills to run a number of routes out of the backfield. He has one of the better receiving profiles in the class. It’s one of several analytics boxes he checks, including elite numbers in the big three—reception share, yards per team play, and touchdown share.
Where he needs to improve, though, is in pass protection. Davis flashes ability but is inconsistent. He will need to become more reliable if he is to carve out a true three-down role at the next level. While Davis has good speed, it takes him a minute to reach his top gear. He also lacks the burst to be an explosive play threat in the NFL. When he does reach the open field, Davis is not the most elusive. He will run through arm tackles but he’s not making many guys miss with his moves.
Overall, Ray Davis projects as a quality No. 2 running back in the NFL who will provide value on all three downs. He’s your classic “jack-of-all trades, master of none.” He is a big, north-south runner who can also run routes and catches passes. He is experienced and ready to make an impact right away. Davis may not have the highest ceiling, but teams that like a safe pick and want to add a steady presence to their backfield are going to favor him over some of the other backs in the class. Draft capital will likely come in the middle rounds—round four or five. In dynasty, he will make for a nice floor play in the third round of rookie drafts.
29. Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Will Shipley is an undersized back who can add value as both a runner and a receiver. He is a mismatch out of the backfield who can run any route from the running back position as well as kick out to the slot. He has the skill set to create separation versus linebackers and safeties and natural hands to be a reliable target from any depth. As a runner, Shipley displays good vision and patience with the lateral agility, acceleration, and instincts to use his blocks effectively and to create on his own. He’s not quite a home-run threat, but he has the requisite speed to pick up chunk plays and to beat defenders to the edge. Once he’s in the open field, Shipley has enough elusiveness to make defenders miss.
Where he is lacking, is in short yardage and goal line situations. At sub-210 lbs, Shipley doesn’t quite possess the size or strength to consistently win with power. He’s good enough to break through some arm tackles, but he’s not the guy you want on the field when you need to pick up a few tough yards.
At the NFL level, Shipley projects as a quality No. 2 running back who will be a nice complement to a big-bodied, between-the-tackles grinder. He will add a ton of value on passing downs while serving as a change-of-pace runner. Teams will value his versatility as a runner, receiver out of the backfield and the slot, as well as the ability to be an effective kick returner. That should be enough to garner round four draft capital. In dynasty, Will Shipley is a solid pick in the third round of rookie drafts who can become a high-floor play in PPR formats.
30. Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Javon Baker is an above average route runner who particularly thrives in the deep and intermediate quadrants of the field. He doesn’t exactly have “burner” speed and he takes a minute to get going, but that doesn’t stop him from making plays vertically. His ball skills and ball-tracking ability are exceptional. When the ball is in the air, Baker uses his natural instincts to find the football to attack it at its highest point. After the catch, Baker’s lateral agility and explosion kick-in to help him gain additional yards. At the NFL level, Baker projects as a team’s third or fourth option who will primarily play out wide at Z or X. Draft capital won’t come until Day 3, but that won’t prevent him from being one of the more intriguing sleeper wide receivers in the third or fourth round of dynasty rookie drafts.
31. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Ja’Tavion Sanders is a high-upside receiving tight end who was highly productive in the face of fierce target competition (Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell) over the last two seasons. Sanders has the speed and playmaking ability to be a downfield threat. He routinely separates from linebackers and safeties and is a beast after the catch. While he is inconsistent at this time as a blocker, Sanders has the tools to develop into a true all-purpose tight end with the versatility to line up in-line, in the slot, and occasionally at the boundary. That should be music to the ears of dynasty gamers who are looking to add a tight end who could grow into a top-10 option at the position.
32. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Isaac Guerendo is an intriguing running back prospect despite his lack of college production. His combination of size and raw athletic traits—speed, explosion, agility, etc—is about as impressive as it gets. Guerendo was a little-known player prior to the NFL Combine. That was until he ran the fastest 40-time of all the running backs (4.33), and jumped out of the stadium. It’s no surprise, then, that Guerendo is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the football. Guerendo is a decisive runner who hits the hole with purpose. He has the explosion to get to the next level quickly. He’s not one to make a defender miss with his open-field elusiveness, but at 221-pounds, he’s not exactly easy to take down when he gets a head of steam.
While his speed makes him a constant home-run threat, Guerendo can sometimes try too hard to find that big play. He has good vision to find the hole, but he tends to bounce things outside more often than he needs to. In the passing game, Guerendo is serviceable as a check-down option out of the backfield. He has good hands and is a quality pass protector.
The glaring hole in Guerendo’s profile is the lack of production. He played sparingly at Wisconsin while backing up Jonathan Taylor and Braelon Allen. He then continued to play the No. 2 role at Louisville behind Jawhar Jordan. That will likely be his role in the NFL, as well. Guerendo will be a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 running back who can provide value on all three downs. He can act as a change- of-pace guy and an explosive element out of the backfield. However, if he is to ever develop his game to the point where a team makes him their primary ball carrier, Guerendo would become one of the most dangerous running backs in the league. He certainly has the frame and athleticism to do it.
Despite his underwhelming production profile, Guerendo is likely to garner heavy attention on draft weekend. It’s hard to see a guy this athletic fall beyond the middle rounds. Some NFL team is going to call his name with the hopes he develops into his athleticism and they get a steal in the fourth or fifth round. In dynasty, Guerendo is worth a similar shot in rookie drafts based on the tantalizing upside of a 100th-percentile athletic specimen.
33. Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
Kimani Vidal was a highly productive runner over his final two seasons at Troy. He has good size to be an NFL workhorse with impressive size-adjusted speed and burst. He is a between-the-tackles runner with the explosive traits to break off chunk plays. He follows his blockers well and is rarely tackled for loss yardage. Once he’s in the open field with a head of steam, Vidal is difficult to bring down. And even when you get hands on him, Vidal is always driving his legs and pushing forward to squeeze out one extra yard or two.
In the passing game, Vidal is a very capable receiver, but you won’t mistake him for a receiving weapon. Instead, he’s a reliable target on swings, screens, and check-downs. He will need to improve in pass protection if he is to become a true three-down option, however.
At the NFL level, Vidal will have to fight for a roster spot, but assuming he makes a team, he has a shot to develop into a solid RB2/RB1b, a la a Jaylen Warren type. He has the traits to be a workhorse back if ever given the opportunity, too.
35. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Tez Walker is one of several wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft class sporting elite level speed. To pair with that, Walker has exceptional acceleration and explosion to make him a true vertical nightmare. He reaches his top speed very quickly which allows him to speed past defenders early in the route. Once the pass is in the air, Walker tracks the ball well and uses his wide catch radius and body control to make the play downfield. With the ball in his hands, Walker is able to speed through the defense, thwarting arm tackles and becoming a true home- run hitter.
Where Walker will need to develop at the NFL level is in his route running. He’s great on the vertical stuff, but otherwise his route tree is quite limited. He struggles off the line versus press and is just simply inexperienced and unrefined in most of the underneath and intermediate patterns. That is something he will need to improve upon if he is going to become a well-rounded playmaker. Still, Walker managed to command volume at both Kent State and during his cup of coffee with the Tar Heels.
In the NFL, Tez Walker projects as a field stretcher early in his career. He might be one-dimensional initially, but there is plenty of development potential in his game. He could eventually become a team’s starting Z-receiver who opposing teams will need to gameplan for. NFL offenses will utilize his explosive traits to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally, and get him into space with screens and jet sweeps. He will be perfect for an offense that likes to utilize motion and isn’t afraid to aggressively target their playmakers down the field.
36. Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
Malik Washington is one of the most fun wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He is severely undersized at 5-8, but he is quick and shifty with great ball skills and an intriguing production profile. Washington is a quality route runner who pairs that with his athletic traits and high football IQ to consistently create separation and get open. He has natural and reliable hands and he works well in traffic, making him a go-to target for his quarterback in just about every situation. And that’s how things played out for him in his one year at Virginia. The Cavaliers made Washington the focal point of their offense and found ways to get the ball in his hands in as many ways as they could.
Despite his size, Washington is a tough tackle in the open field. Not only does he use his elite quickness to make guys miss, but he is more than willing and capable to break through arm tackles as well. He has a running back mentality with the ball in his hands and he will fight for every inch.
In the NFL, Malik Washington projects as a depth wide receiver who could compete to be a team’s starting slot. He will thrive in the quick game and underneath routes and be a reliable option in must-have situations. Washington is likely to be a fourth round pick on draft weekend. He will make for an intriguing option, yet low(ish) upside play, in the later rounds of dynasty rookie drafts.
38. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
Isaiah Davis is a big running back who runs with power and physicality. He displays good patience and vision behind the line of scrimmage as he sets up his blocks and works his way to the second level. His strength and constant leg churning makes him difficult to bring down on first contact as he seems to always gain additional yardage. Davis does have a tendency to try to bounce runs outside more often than he should which is something he will need to work on at the next level, especially where his athleticism will not translate nearly as well to the NFL as it did at South Dakota State. He has the requisite traits, but his speed and explosiveness are not going to blow anyone away.
Davis showed enough in the passing game to believe he could add value as a check-down option in the NFL. He won’t be a “receiving weapon,” but he has the hands to catch swing passes, screens, and dump-offs.
Davis projects as a back-up running back at the next level. His size and history as a workhorse will give teams the confidence he can handle a heavy workload when needed, plus the versatility to play on all three downs. They will also trust him to protect the football, given he fumbled just three times on nearly 700 carries in college. He will be a mid-round pick in the NFL Draft and will be about the same in dynasty rookie drafts. Select him with the hopes he lands a backup job and can find himself in a fantasy relevant role in the case of an injury to his team’s top back.
39. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Spencer Rattler is an experienced passer who has four years of starts under his belt, across two schools. He is a tough quarterback who isn’t afraid to hang in and make a tough throw under pressure. Rattler isn’t going to scare anyone with his running ability, but he is a quality tactical scrambler who can pick up a first down when things open up for him. As a passer, the name of the game for Rattler is consistency. It’s something he has struggled with. Sometimes he looks deadly accurate, other times not so much. Sometimes he’ll read the defense well and make his way through his progressions, other times he locks onto a target for far too long.
Rattler’s game will be mostly limited to the short and intermediate areas, as his arm strength is lacking to be a true downfield killer at the NFL level. That can also pop up when making tight window throws— the drive on the ball just isn’t there.
In the NFL, Rattler projects as a high-end backup quarterback who may get a chance to be a starter at some point in his career if he develops.
41. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Jacob Cowing is an undersized slot receiver who was massively productive during his five year college career. Cowing has 4.38 speed with impressive acceleration and lateral agility. He checks several key analytical boxes like breakout age, yards per team pass attempt, dominator rating, and receptions per game. Cowing proved his skill set is valuable across different offensive styles and can fit multiple roles. In fact, his yards per reception average was 18.4 during his three seasons at UTEP. At Arizona, it was 10.8 as the Wildcats chose to use him as a close to the line of scrimmage guy whereas UTEP liked him as a downfield playmaker. That versatility, plus his added value in the return game, will be appealing to NFL teams.
The concerns in Cowing’s profile are centered around his ability to create consistent separation and how he operates in traffic and versus physical defenders. It’s not often that we see Cowing win a contested catch which is especially concerning if he is not a big separator. To help combat that, Cowing would be best to land in an offense that likes to spread the field and utilizes motion and other tactics to help their receivers get into space. Draft capital will likely come on Day 3. In dynasty, Cowing is a fun pick in the later rounds of rookie drafts.
42. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Audric Estime was a dominant runner at Saint Joseph Regional High School in New Jersey. As a senior, he amassed more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns. He was named the New Jersey Football Player of the Year in 2020. As a four-star prospect, Estime received 18 offers, including Michigan State, Arizona State, Louisville, Pitt, and others. He originally committed to Michigan State before pivoting to Notre Dame in the summer of 2021. He played minimally as a freshman, touching the ball just seven times in 12 games behind starter Kyren Williams.
Williams left for the NFL in 2022, though, which left the RB1 job up for grabs. No one really seized the role as Estime and Logan Diggs split the carries with some help from Chris Tyree. Still, it was Estime who was the most efficient runner, leading the team with 920 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for an additional 135 yards.
Estime took charge of the backfield in 2023, starting all 12 games and toting the rock 210 times—over 100 more than any other running back on the team. His 1,341 rushing yards were good for fifth-most in Notre Dame history and his 18 touchdowns broke the school record which had stood since 1984. Estime showed a bit in the passing game as well with 142 yards on 17 receptions. It was enough to earn second-team All- American.
43. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
Tyrone Tracy is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He began his college career at Iowa where he played wide receiver for four seasons before transferring to Purdue and making the switch to running back. Despite his inexperience at the position, Tracy proved to be a quality runner in 2023. He runs with a good combination of speed and power with open-field elusiveness and impressive balance. He’s a bit indecisive behind the line of scrimmage and his vision comes and goes, but everything he showed last season laid the foundation for potential development.
Of course, being a former wide receiver, Tracy is an above-average pass-catcher who will add immediate value on passing downs. That versatility, plus his experience and skills as a kick returner will not only help him get drafted, but will help him make a roster and get on the field while buying enough time to develop his running back skills.
With less than 150 career carries, drafting Tracy is a bet on his athletic profile. He has requisite size with impressive size-adjusted speed, plus elite explosion and lateral agility. If you like drafting for upside in the late rounds of rookie drafts (you should), then Tyrone Tracy Jr should be high on your list of targets.
45. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Theo Johnson has the size and athletic tools to be a playmaking tight end at the NFL level. He didn’t have a ton of production at Penn State, but production is far less important when predicting fantasy football performance for tight ends than it is for the other positions. Instead, athleticism is the name of the game for this group, and Theo Johnson checks that box with ease. He ran 4.57 at the NFL Combine, which, at his size, is elite level size-adjusted speed. He also performed well in the explosion drills. We know the ceiling is there for Johnson to be a starting tight end in fantasy football. It’s far from a guarantee, but it is in his range of outcomes and makes him a worthwhile dart throw at the end of rookie drafts it you’re in need of tight end help.
46. Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Brenden Rice is a physical wide receiver who uses his combination of size and speed well to win down the field. He’s not as fast as some of the other wide receivers in the 2024 class, but Rice is fast enough that he can pair that speed with nuance to create vertical separation. In the event that he is unable to get open, Rice uses his size and strong hands to win at the catch point. That wide catch radius makes him a safety valve for his quarterback to turn to when he gets in trouble. Where Rice struggles, is in the underneath stuff. He is not as consistent winning on routes in the short areas, especially when he is challenged at the line of scrimmage.
Rice was an underwhelming producer at the college level, especially considering he had the privilege of playing with elite quarterback prospect Caleb Williams. Rice never reached 800 receiving yards and his team share metrics fall short of the desired thresholds. He certainly doesn’t project to follow the career path of his father. Still, Rice will bring some value to an NFL team as a vertical player who brings size and physicality to the field. Rice projects a a rotational depth receiver who could be called upon in the red zone due to his wide catch radius. In dynasty, Rice is a low-upside option in the late rounds of rookie drafts.
47. Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Bucky Irving is a fun running back to watch. He is quick and shifty with impressive lateral agility and the creativity to make plays even when nothing is there. He is a patient runner behind the line of scrimmage who displays good vision and instincts to work his way to the next level. Once he gets to the open field, Irving is one of the more elusive running backs in the class. Not only can he make you miss with wiggle, but he has great contact balance that makes him harder to tackle than your typical 195-pound back.
With that said, Irving is not necessarily a true home-run hitter. His 4.55 40-time at the NFL Combine was very underwhelming considering his size. If you’re going to be a small running back in the NFL, you better at least be fast. He is also not the guy you’re going to call upon in short-yardage and goal line opportunities. His lack of size and power make him less than effective in those situations.
Irving makes up for that, though, in the receiving game. He displayed excellent hands and versatility at Oregon. He got a lot of check-downs and swing patterns, but he did move out wide or to the slot on occasion. Irving is comfortable running routes from any alignment. He will need to improve his pass protection, though, if he is to become a featured player on passing downs at the next level.
In the NFL, Bucky Irving projects as a rotational back who is capable as both a runner and a receiver. It’s hard to see a clear path to fantasy relevance, though, with the undersized frame and disappointing athletic testing. Irving won’t be much of a consideration in rookie drafts.
48. Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee
You’re drafting Joe Milton strictly based on physical tools. He’s a massive 6-5, 235-pounds with an incredibly strong arm. He can throw the ball as deep as anyone with incredible velocity at the other depths. The issue is, he’s often inaccurate and doesn’t work his way through progressions well. His passes have very little touch and he’s been known to miss his target by a wide margin. Given that he spent six seasons in college, he probably doesn’t have much more development left. For that reason, it’s unlikely we ever get more than a couple “wow” moments from Milton during his career. Still, the tantalizing upside of his physical gifts will get him drafted in the middle rounds of both the NFL Draft and our superflex rookie drafts. He is not worth consideration in single quarterback leagues.
49. Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Mississippi
Frank Gore Jr. is a tough runner with good vision and balance. He proved at Southern Mississippi that he can handle a heavy workload despite his 201-pound frame. He brings value to all three downs as he caught 75 passes during his college career. Where he lacks is in overall athleticism. Gore’s lateral agility and explosion are underwhelming and he will never be mistaken as a home run hitter. Still, he does a lot of things well and had a productive career. He will be given every chance to fail at the NFL level thanks to being the son of an all- time great.
50. Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Johnny Wilson is a massive 6-6, 231-pound wide receiver. He presents his quarterback with a huge target, given his wide catch radius and towering size over every defender on the field. Unfortunately, however, Wilson is not nearly as automatic in contested catch situations as you would think. In fact, he’s actually quite underwhelming in his ability to go get the ball in traffic for a guy of his size. He lacks the ball skills, body control, and overall essential traits of playing the wide receiver position. Instead, it seems like he has mostly gotten to this point in his career by leaning on his size advantage and freakish athleticism. And even then, his production profile is lacking across the board.
Some have suggested that Wilson switch to tight end at the NFL level. It’s feasible, given he wouldn’t have to add a ton of weight and he would instantly be one of the best athletes at the position. He even showed at Florida State that he is already a willing and skilled blocker. He could be a Darren Waller type. The mismatches vs linebackers and safeties would be much more impactful than lining him up against cornerbacks on the boundary. Wilson has refused to consider the change so it is unlikely to happen, but it may be in his best interest.
In the meantime, we have to continue evaluating Wilson as a wide receiver, where he is still a work in progress. At the NFL level, Wilson will be used as a situational red zone and vertical threat in an attempt to use his size to create matchup advantages. He could also he asked to catch some screens and underneath targets to exploit his size after the catch versus smaller defenders on the outside. In dynasty, his rookie draft ADP will likely settle into the late third or early fourth round.
52. Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
Jamari Thrash is a smooth operator who runs quality routes and has enough speed to make plays down the field. He does struggle against physical defenders and in contested catch situations. His lack of play strength leaves him vulnerable to get pushed around a bit throughout his route. Thrash had some strong collegiate seasons from a production standpoint, particularly during his time at UTEP. He tracks the ball well down the field and can change direction on a dime. In the NFL, he projects as a rotational depth wide receiver who can line up at either the slot or Z positions. He doesn’t have any dominant traits that would make you think he has the ceiling to become a starting-caliber fantasy asset. Therefore, is best left for the late rounds of rookie drafts.
53. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Cade Stover began his college career as a two-way player, playing as a reserve defensive end, linebacker, and tight end. Just a few years later, he was a finalist for the John Mackey award, given to the nation’s top tight end. If his trajectory continues at its current rate, we could see Stover become a starting tight end in the NFL within a couple years. Stover’s size and athleticism make him a dangerous weapon both before and after the catch. He creates a mismatch for slower linebackers and smaller safeties/cornerbacks, where he can create separation on all three levels. Once he has the ball in his hands, Stover will eat up yards by running through guys and or utilizing some wiggle to run around them. Stover is a sleeper tight end in the 2024 class with a lot of upside. It might not happen right away, but we might be starting him in our fantasy lineups two or three years down the line.
54. Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State
Jaheim Bell is more raw athlete than polished tight end. He has the speed and athleticism to win vertically and to create yards after the catch, but his overall play is inconsistent and unrefined. He doesn’t possess the size, play strength, or technique to make an effective in-line blocker. And while he can make some impressive contested catches, Bell doesn’t have the most reliable pair of mitts. Bell is a “tweener” tight end who may struggle to establish a role at the NFL level unless he makes significant strides to develop into his raw athletic traits.
55. Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Dillon Johnson is a between-the-tackles grinder running back. He is a physical runner who runs with good vision and decisiveness behind the line of scrimmage. He has the frame to handle a heavy workload and he can wear down a defense over the course of a game. Where he lacks is in overall athleticism. Johnson has 4.68 speed so he is not running away from many NFL defenders or turning the corner on outside carries. He’s also not the most agile or explosive runner.
In the passing game, Johnson is a quality receiver who has a ton of experience catching passes out of the backfield during his time in college. He’s not a weapon, necessarily, but he can certainly be a reliable option in the progression. In the NFL, Johnson projects as a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 running back who will do especially well in short-yardage and goal line opportunities, with the versatility to play on third downs as well. A team looking for a tough runner with size and a physical play style will happily use a Day 3 pick on Dillon Johnson. In dynasty, he is a low-upside play in the final rounds of rookie drafts. The hope would be that he ends up with a workhorse role due to an injury or two ahead of him.
56. Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
It was quite the journey, but it ended with an 1,800-all-purpose yardage season in the SEC for Cody Schrader. Shrader is a jack of all trades, master of none type of running back. He can do a bit of everything but he doesn’t have any elite traits. Schrader has good vision and he is decisive when picking a lane behind the line of scrimmage. He is a tough runner despite barely cracking 200-pounds. He can handle a heavy workload and tire out a defense over the course of a game. Where Schrader is lacking is in overall athleticism. He runs in the 4.6s and doesn’t have the explosive traits to be a home run hitter at the NFL level. He showed enough in the passing game, including in protection, to believe he can add value on all three downs. Schrader projects as a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 running back.
57. Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth
Jaden Shirden is an undersized running back who is coming off back-to-back highly productive seasons at Monmouth. Shirden runs with good vision and is decisive when choosing a lane. He is elusive in the open field with enough speed and acceleration to rip off long runs. He doesn’t bring much to the table in terms of strength or power, as he profiles as more of a change-of-pace runner at the next level. Shirden also has the receiving chops to add some value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He will be a late round pick if he is drafted at all, but he is at least worthy of being on the dynasty radar in deep leagues in the event that he develops into his upside.
58. Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
Anthony Gould isn’t your typical 4.39 speed guy who just runs straight lines down the field. He is a well- rounded wide receiver who can win on all three levels with quality route-running and some nuance to his game. Of course, that’s not to say he isn’t excellent as a vertical threat. He will surely burn most cornerbacks with his elite speed and acceleration. And when the ball is in the air, Gould does a great job of locating it and tracking it down. Where he struggles, is in traffic and contested situations. A lot of that is due to his 5-8, 174-pound frame that severely hinders his play strength and catch radius. Still, Gould is a tough player who is not bound to the slot despite his size. In fact, most of his snaps at Oregon State came on the boundary. With that said, Gould will likely get more looks in the slot at the NFL level, but it’s good to know he has the versatility.
59. Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
Jha’Quan Jackson is an undersized slot receiver with the explosive traits to make him a big-play threat. Jackson can stretch the field vertically by running slot fades and deep crossers. He has the versatility to be a gadget guy and a target on screens and jet sweeps. While Jackson proved capable of winning on all three levels at Tulane, he lacks the technique and nuance, particularly in the underneath areas, to confidently project that to translate to the NFL level. His inconsistent hands and shortcomings in traffic are concerning given the area of the field he is projected to play as a primary slot receiver.
Still, Jackson can provide an explosive element to an offense as well as value as a punt returner. He will be a late round pick in the NFL Draft, to a team wanting to add that skill set. It’s unlikely he will ever be a reliable option in fantasy football, given he likely won’t command enough volume—he averaged fewer than three receptions per game in every season at Tulane.
60. Raheen Ali, RB, Marshall
Rasheen Ali is an underrated running back in the 2024 class. He runs with good patience but is decisive when a lane becomes available. His lateral agility makes for an effective vertical cut up the field, particularly on outside concepts. Where Ali is lacking is in play strength, breakaway speed, and overall elusiveness. However, he makes up for it, though, with above average receiving skills. Ali is one of the more productive running backs in the passing game among the 2024 class. He has the skill to catch passes out of the backfield as well as line up in the slot or even out wide. That’s where he will have to make his way in the NFL if he’s going to have a career at the pro level.
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