Which rookies appear poised to make an immediate impact in fantasy football this season? Which rookies should you target in your 2024 redraft leagues?
Let’s take a look at five rookies you should buy this season in redraft leagues.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR/Arizona Cardinals
Let’s start with an obvious one. Harrison is clearly one of the best and most refined receiver prospects we’ve seen enter the league in some time. He’ll step into the No. 1 role in Arizona immediately and have a talented quarterback in Kyler Murray slinging him the ball. He’s being drafted in the second round of a lot of drafts, so his price tag is high and you might want to avoid him if you have to pay that price tag. But he’s about as locked and loaded as they get.
Malik Nabers, WR/New York Giants
This is what a real receiver prospect looks like, Giants fans. Don’t be fooled by past selections such as Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson, or Jalin Hyatt. Those were all niche players with sporadic bursts of success. Nabers has got it all with size, strength and explosive playmaking ability after the catch. He’ll step into the Giants’ offense and immediately be a contributor.
Caleb Williams, WR/Chicago Bears
It’s truly funny how far perceptions can range on a scale of over- and undervaluing rookie quarterbacks. Let me boldly declare the hot take of the century: Williams will finish the 2024 season somewhere between what C.J. Stroud accomplished last year and what Bryce Young stumbled his way to. What Stroud accomplished last year was tremendous and I wouldn’t expect Williams to hit those high marks in his rookie season. On the other hand, Williams is a far better prospect than Young was and enters a situation that is leaps and bounds (and catapults and rocket ships) better than what the Panthers’ signal caller endured his rookie season. Pending health, Williams will finish in QB1 territory.
Ladd McConkey, WR/Los Angeles Chargers
I don’t think McConkey is necessarily anything special as a prospect, but he could be a dependable PPR weapon for your fantasy team from Day 1. The Chargers gutted their receiver room of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as they brought in a whole new coaching regime. The door is open for any receiver to take the lead role. And considering Jim Harbaugh is going to want a more run-heavy, ball control offense, I’d expect McConkey to see a lot of short targets per game that could lead to big yards after the catch. I’m not necessarily sold on him being a great dynasty prospect, though.
Keon Coleman, WR/Buffalo Bills
Like McConkey, Coleman is entering a situation with a receivers room that lost its top two options this offseason in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The door is wide open for him to make an immediate impact, and Josh Allen supposedly really wanted the Bills to bring in Coleman’s skill set to the offensive equation. He’s a bit of a goofball, if you’ve heard any of his interactions with the media, but his talent on the field is undeniable and his size and speed combination are too enticing to pass up at the right price. I like him as a dynasty buy as well.
