Which rookies appear to have a tough sledding right out of the gate in their first season? Which rookies should you avoid in your 2024 redraft leagues?
Let’s take a look at five rookies you should sell this season in redraft leagues.
Jayden Daniels, QB/Washington Commanders
Daniels is a sleeper this season in redraft leagues. So, hear me when I say this: if he’s there at the end of your one-quarterback drafts, shoot your shot. But his value is much higher in dynasty leagues because I don’t think he has what he needs to thrive in Year 1 in Washington. This is a multi-year rebuild and quarterbacks in general do not succeed as rookies. Everyone knows C.J. Stroud was the exception, not the rule last year. If you lock in an ace quarterback and already have your roster well built, take your shot at Daniels. But his rookie season is going to have its ups and downs and you don’t want to be on that roller coaster with your starting quarterback.
Rome Odunze, WR/Chicago Bears
I love Rome Odunze and I think he’s a better overall prospect than Malik Nabers. And I like Odunze’s landing spot better than Nabers’ because he’s tied to a better quarterback. But that makes Odunze a good dynasty bet; not necessarily a good redraft player. With D.J. Moore the locked and loaded WR1 of the Bears’ offense and veteran Keenan Allen added to the mix in the last year of his deal, Odunze will begin as the No. 3 in Chicago. But wait, there’s more. Cole Kmet has been developing a nice rapport with Caleb Williams this offseason and remains a good red zone target. The team brought in backup tight end Gerald Everett, whose main job will pretty much be to catch the football. And let’s not forget the team added D’Andre Swift to the mix, and he’s a certified pass catching specialist. That’s just too many mouths to feed with a rookie quarterback in an offense that still wants to run the ball a lot.
Brock Bowers, TE/Las Vegas Raiders
Bowers is one of the best tight end prospects we’ve seen enter the league in quite a while, which includes Kyle Pitts. He’s a matchup nightmare because he’s that proverbial “too fast for linebackers, too strong and tall for cornerbacks” prototype. There’s a lot to love about him and he’s a terrific dynasty buy. But he landed in an offense with a terrible quarterback situation and with a tight end who is already pretty good in his own right in Michael Mayer. Don’t get it confused: Bowers will be the primary pass catcher of the two; it’s just that Mayer will eat into his total a bit. It’s best to let some other owner jump on the shiny new toy and look elsewhere for your top tight end.
Blake Corum, RB/Los Angeles Rams
The Rams really like Corum… but they also like Kyren Williams. Which means at best, you’re going to see a split workload for Corum if everyone stays healthy. At worst, he’s relegated to a few touches per game kind of player. That’s not going to get the job done in a redraft league. He’s a handcuff to be nabbed late in redrafts if you’re a Williams owner — or if you like the strategy of preying on other teams’ running back handcuffs.
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR/New England Patriots
I’m sorry, but I just don’t see it. Polk is being called a “high floor” rookie receiver by some, but that’s a bit of a stretch. For starters, the receivers room is filled with a bunch of also-rans. Which means Polk might work his way into a prominent role, but it won’t be an exclusive role. He’s going to have target competition. And let’s not forget the worst news of all: this is a bad football team with an anemic offense that is going to rely heavily on the run game. Don’t even bother wasting a pick on Patriots receivers unless it’s late in your draft.
