Seahawks.com Fantasy Contributor
Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com.
The 2024 NFL Draft supplied fantasy football players with a fresh and impactful influx of offensive prospects. The incoming class is heavy on wide receiver talents and also features a pair of exciting young quarterbacks and a potential top-shelf tight end.
The wide receivers dominate my post-NFL Draft rankings of the Top 25 fantasy football rookies. The ranks lean to how much players should be expected to contribute in the 2024 campaign, yet also consider where rookies should be drafted in dynasty leagues. In the dynasty format, the bulk of your roster is carried over from season to season, while rookies and remaining free agents are drafted once the first-year players are taken by their new pro teams in the NFL Draft.
The analysis is geared toward Point Per Reception (PPR) formats. I also include a section on how two of the Seahawks’ prime NFL Draft picks will affect the outlooks of the offense and defense in 2024.
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: The 2023 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner enters the NFL as an instant all-around threat for Kyler Murray. The son of the NFL Hall of Famer should follow his father’s path as a high-impact fantasy option. He will challenge defenses on all types of routes, and Harrison has significant TD upside as a rookie. The former Ohio State standout will be drafted as a higher-end WR2 in many seasonal fantasy leagues and should be the first player picked in most dynasty league drafts.
2. Malik Nabers, New York Giants: The Giants had a major need for a true No. 1 WR, and Nabers fits the bill right away. Nabers will be an immediate downfield threat with real fantasy promise for spike weeks. He has the potential to see a heavy amount of targets and will be drafted as a back-end fantasy WR2 at his position in many seasonal leagues, while also being the second player picked in dynasty drafts.
The arrival of Nabers and possible progress from second-year WR Jalin Hyatt could position Daniel Jones to re-emerge as a top 10 fantasy QB or for ex-Seahawk Drew Lock to surprise as a fantasy sleeper.
3. Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills: Opportunity beckons for Coleman in Buffalo, where he might quickly become a new top target for Josh Allen after Stefon Diggs was traded in the offseason. The 6-foot-3, 213-pounder will make highlight-reel catches and he may be a frequent TD option for Allen early on. Coleman will be drafted as a seasonal fantasy WR3 by savvy players who will see that he can ascend to a top spot on the Bills’ WR depth chart in the shorter term. I would not hesitate to take him as a top 4 fantasy WR in dynasty drafts.
4. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: He will be instantly surrounded by a deep crew of playmakers and has much dual threat promise, so Williams does have fantasy QB1 potential as a rookie. Williams’ receiving crew features top veteran WRs D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, plus another rookie, Rome Odunze, who was drafted No. 9 overall. He was the most complete all-around QB in the 2024 NFL Draft class for fantasy purposes and also has other key offensive supporting cast members in TE Cole Kmet and RB D’Andre Swift.
5. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders: Daniels has the highest ceiling as a rusher among the rookie QBs, and he could eventually prove to be the most productive if he can stay healthy. In seasonal formats, the former LSU star should be drafted as a mid-range fantasy QB2 who may outperform that range of value.
6. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: While the Raiders already had a notable pass-catching TE type on the roster in Michael Mayer, they could not pass on Bowers at No. 13 overall. He can make statistical noise as a very productive pass-catcher early in his pro career and will be drafted as a back-end TE1 in seasonal formats. Bowers will be taken just outside the top 5 in many dynasty league drafts, although some players may push him up the board because TE is always the thinnest position in fantasy football.
7. Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers: This is another first-year WR who will enter a situation where he can climb the depth chart quickly. Los Angeles opened up the top two WR spots for competition during the offseason, and McConkey might contribute right away as a reliable chain-mover who also offers versatility on various types of routes and throws. He is a WR4 with WR3 promise in seasonal fantasy leagues, and McConkey is on the top 5 cusp as a dynasty prospect.
8. Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes should enjoy working with his new speed merchant, who is capable of providing some exciting statistical weeks for fantasy players. Worthy will be taken as a nifty WR4 target in seasonal leagues, and he could soon emerge as a fun WR3 type.
9. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears: Projected to be the No. 3 WR for the Bears as a rookie, Odunze will be drafted in seasonal leagues as a No. 4 WR. In dynasty formats, though, he profiles as a top 3 player at his position. Odunze is a 6-foot-3, 212-pounder who has fantasy WR1 potential over the longer term because of his size and speed, plus learning from Moore and Allen can only boost his outlook.
10. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas is a big-play type who models as an ideal complement to Christian Kirk and Evan Engram. The Jaguars do have a lot of playmakers to contend with on offense right now, though, so Thomas might be more of a streamer in his first season as a fantasy option. He does have the potential to be an upside WR2 in dynasty leagues.
11. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts: It is possible that Mitchell could push to be the No. 2 option for Anthony Richardson early in his pro career.
12. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots: There is a clear opportunity for Polk to be a prime target for New England right away.
13. Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers: By his second season, Legette may be the No. 2 WR for an improving Bryce Young.
14. Jonathan Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers: Brooks is the top fantasy RB target in dynasty formats, as he might be firmly entrenched as Carolina’s No. 1 RB by next season.
15. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings: The new Minnesota QB does have ample weaponry to work with in his first NFL campaign.
16. Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Malachi Corley, WR, New York Jets
18. Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
19. Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
20. Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
21. Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
22. Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos
23. Javon Baker, WR, New England Patriots
24. Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
25. Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Seahawks’ two top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft should impact fantasy football outlooks in 2024. Guard Christian Haynes will further bolster the offensive protection for Geno Smith. The offensive line can be sturdier with the addition of Haynes, a healthier Abe Lucas, and the addition of veteran lineman Laken Tomlinson.
Smith is a viable QB2 in superflex leagues, where fantasy players can start a second QB at an additional flex position. Kenneth Walker III will be a top 15 fantasy RB behind the new-look interior of the offensive line, and Zach Charbonnet will be a quality RB4 target in seasonal fantasy leagues.
First-round pick Byron Murphy II joins a deep group on the interior of the defensive line. Mike Macdonald’s defense looks to be solid in the middle and should be considered for streaming fantasy usage when the matchup is right. The defensive front is capable of generating even more than the 47 sacks that the unit totaled last year. Murphy’s presence will ensure a quality rotation on the interior that can consistently pressure the passer and limit the run more.
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit his writer page at RotoBaller.com during the 2024 fantasy football preseason.
The Seahawks continued the second phase of their offseason workout program on May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Check out the 12 best photos from their midweek workout.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) works out on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
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