The 2024 NFL Draft comes to a close today with the final four rounds. Follow along for analysis of the opening round’s impact on fantasy football plans for the upcoming season and beyond.
Fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. It’s time to let the real fun begin!
Also see: Day 1 | Day 2
Round 4 fantasy football analysis
101) TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers: This 6-foot-4, 245-pounder has enough quickness to create separation and the size to come down with 50-50 balls. Sanders has plus hands and adjust well to errant targets. The Panthers continue to improve around Bryce Young, and Sanders should be a regular contributor for years to come. While the Texas product should compete for a starting spot as a rookie, keep your statistical expectations in check for Year 1.
102) WR Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos: There’s an opening to be claimed with a strong camp, and Franklin is coming off the best statistical single season for an Oregon Ducks receiver. He is thinly built at 6-foot-2, 176 pounds but has some DeVonta Smith in his game. There’s a second gear to get deep, though we saw Franklin’s hands disappoint at times last season. Sean Payton loves a clear-out receiver, which is the likeliest way Franklin is utilized.
107) TE Theo Johnson, New York Giants: A large frame and a competitive spirit as a blocker, Johnson is a better receiver than the stats indicate. Being 6-foot-6, 259 pounds, and running a 4.57-second 40-yard dash is nothing to scoff at. However, this one probably matters nothing for fantasy, at least in 2024, but the Darren Waller retirement watch could change things. We’ll revisit this one down the road, but no one should be eager to draft Johnson for now.
110) WR Javon Baker, New England Patriots: The new regime started with adding its franchise quarterback, so it’s only prudent to add more weapons for Drake Maye. Baker joins Ja’Lynn Polk from Round 2 in this revamped corps. The Central Florida standout produces in the open field and has a knack for hauling in downfield targets, despite being less than a burner. Baker’s natural feel for exploiting soft spots in coverage will aid him well in the pros. His fantasy outlook is bright over the long term, though there’s just too much uncertainty today to make any kind of sound assessment for Year 1.
113) WR Devontez Walker, Baltimore Ravens: “Raw but promising” sums up Walker, a 6-foot-2, 193-pounder from North Carolina. He was the fourth-fastest receiver at the combine and presents another vertical element for Lamar Jackson. Walker’s hands are suspect, and he’s awfully lean, but there’s a role for him at the next level. Barring an injury, however, it’s unlikely to materialize in 2024 for fantasy purposes.
115) TE Erick All, Cincinnati Bengals: This Iowa product has ample talent to make a dent in fantasy down the line, but he’s coming off an ACL tear and has ended the last two years prematurely thanks to injuries. Expect a redshirt rookie season behind veteran Mike Gesicki, but All could get his shot as soon as ’25.
120) RB Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins: Few running backs possess Wright’s home run ability in this class, and his track speed fits perfectly for what Miami does on offense. Whether he sees meaningful action in 2024 is dependent on 32-year-old Raheem Mostert staying healthy, but there’s much to like when looking beyond this season. Wright should pair well with De’Von Achane in 2025 and is a sneaky flier in this year’s drafts as insurance against Mostert suffering an injury.
121) TE AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks: He’s more of a blocker and will need time to refine his receiving skills. There’s nothing of value to gamers for this year, but Barner, an underwhelming safety blanket, could flash at times as a fill-in option down the road.
123) TE Cade Stover, Houston Texans: Look for Stover to learn the ropes behind Dalton Schultz in 2024 and eventually get worked in. Barring an injury, there is no reason to expect him to warrant fantasy consideration as a rookie.
125) RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Irving, 5-foot-9, 192 pounds, is an undersized but quick-footed rusher who makes defenders miss in space. His long speed (4.55) isn’t impressive, so don’t bank on many home runs. Look for this former Oregon Duck to get worked in to spell Rachaad White here and there as a change-of-pacer, but it will take an injury before Irving is a consistent lineup consideration. He has handcuff value, presuming the rookie beats out Chase Edmonds and Sean Tucker.
127) RB Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles: There’s nothing to get on board with for 2024, but Shipley could carve out a role down the line. He likely enters as no higher than a third-stringer, so it will require a Saquon Barkley injury before this Clemson back belongs in your purview.
128) RB Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills: He’ll operate as a complementary piece and change-up for James Cook. Buffalo could opt to run more this year given the lackluster receiving corps. Davis is more of a north-and-south runner who picks a lane, sticks a foot and goes. He’s also a quality receiving option and will immediately challenge for the top backup gig. Handcuff him to Cook and consider Davis a fringe RB4 in his own right.
129) RB Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers: The run-minded Niners get a big-bodied backup who can hammer the rock and wear down defenses, if needed, but his speed will stand out against defenses that Christian McCaffrey gets to drain through attrition. Guerendo has to earn a spot in 2024, but he also can catch and pass protect, which helps his chances of climbing the depth chart early on. A fragile RB2 Elijah Mitchell and CMC’s injury history open the door.
131) TE Jared Wiley, Kansas City Chiefs: A vertical threat down the seam, Wiley will be groomed as Travis Kelce‘s heir apparent. Until the latter hangs em up or misses serious time with an injury, Wiley isn’t of use in fantasy. Tuck away the name for a few years down the line, though.
132) RB/S Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions: A safety who played some running back with success, Vaki was introduced during the draft as the latter position. If that’s indeed how the Lions intend to play him, this Utah battering ram is buried on the depth chart and will need time to learn the position.
134) RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets: Unless something happens to Breece Hall, Allen is unlikely to touch the ball enough to make fantasy noise. He’s a powerful back who could get a few shots around the stripe, which is nearly impossible to predict from week to week. For now, his 2024 outlook is likely no more than being a handcuff to Hall.
135) WR Jacob Cowing, San Francisco 49ers: A small-framed receiver who can get deep, Cowing will warrant fantasy attention only if San Fran trades Deebo Samuel and/or Brandon Aiyuk.
Round 5 fantasy football analysis
142) WR Anthony Gould, Indianapolis Colts: Gould, a shifty slot receiver and dangerous special teams returner, isn’t likely to have an offensive role in 2024.
147) RB Audric Estime, Denver Broncos: The Notre Dame rusher enters a crowded backfield with a few backs who do similar things to him. Estime scored 18 rushing TDs last year and brings young legs to the mix, so anything can happen, but he’ll have to earn every inch of ground this offseason to climb the depth chart. We’ll track this backfield closely and revisit it down the line.
150) QB Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints: The once-promising prospect joins the NFL ranks seeking to earn the No. 2 job behind Derek Carr with the hopes to eventually replace him. Rattler has enough mobility to escape and generate bonus points with his legs here and there, but he’s undersized and profiles as a game manager.
152) WR Ainias Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: This selection primarily is for insurance purposes after Philly invested heavily in extending receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. The rookie Smith will be a 24-year-old in his first pro season, and he likely serves as a special teamer more so than a wideout.
156) WR Jamari Thrash, Cleveland Browns: Quicker than fast, Thrash is a polished route runner whose feet are his best attribute. He’ll fit well into this West Coast system and could develop into a starter sooner than later, though it’s tough to see him as a true No. 1 even through the rosiest of lenses. Thrash should get a redshirt year to learn the NFL nuances and refine his game.
165) RB Rasheen Ali, Baltimore Ravens: There’s no question which running back will be leading this backfield in touches, but someone has to spell Derrick Henry, and Ali is an interesting complement. He is coming off a ruptured biceps tendon and will need to not only prove he’s healthy but work his way up the depth chart.
166) RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants: A receiver until this past season, Tracy is a work in progress who probably will be asked to cut his teeth on special teams. The only reason fantasy gamers should pay attention to him this offseason is the lack of talent in this backfield ahead of him.
167) RB Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: Don’t mistake him for Travis Etienne, but the Texas back offers a few of the same skills, albeit in a different package. Both catch well and have obvious burst, but Robinson was seldom used on offense with just 82 total carries at U-T. He is a deep reserve and a special teams guy for the immediate future.
170) WR Bub Means, New Orleans Saints: The former Pittsburgh Panther brings size and speed to the offense as a clear-out threat to help bolster a rather thin receiving corps. As far as fifth-round picks go, Means stands a better chance than most to make a name for himself as a rookie. He’ll be one to watch throughout the offseason process.
171) QB Jordan Travis, New York Jets: A nasty leg injury ended his season early, so Travis is facing a likely medical redshirt year, perhaps with some late-season scout reps sprinkled in. He’s gritty, mobile enough to buy time, has decent ball placement, and a competitive spirit, but the lack of an elite arm in a 6-foot, 200-pound frame will hold him back from being Aaron Rodgers‘ successor, in all likelihood.
173) RB Isaiah Davis, New York Jets: Another running back chosen by NYJ, Davis was extraordinarily productive as runner. He’s powerful, can block, and is a better receiver than most. Opportunities will be Davis’ biggest enemy playing behind one of the leagues’ best young backs.
Rounds 6 and 7 fantasy football analysis
181) RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers: Thickly built at 213 pounds on a 5-foot-8 frame, Vidal can handle a starter’s workload and get the job done. The Bolts are all in on the running game under Jim Harbaugh, and this offense realistically could rotate three backs. Vidal is the most intriguing player among Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins and Isaiah Spiller. Keep tabs on his role this summer, because he could be a steal in fantasy.
184) WR Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins: Can Washington earn the No. 3 job? That will be the path forward if he’s going to have any fantasy value as a rookie. The 5-foot-9 slot receiver was insanely productive at Virginia last year, landing 110 catches (ACC record). Even if Washington earns WR3 reps, he’s only a DFS or matchup consideration, given the volume Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle garner.
191) WR Tejhaun Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: While this is a total long shot, Palmer brings a little something to the table if he can manage to win top-three spot. The UAB high-flier is a vertical option who averaged more than 18 yards per grab in 2023.
194) TE Tanner McLachlan, Cincinnati Bengals: Shortly after taking tight end Erick All (knee), Arizona’s McLachlan also joins the Bengals. He’s a fast field-stretching tight end at 6-foot-5, 244 pounds and has the hands needed to win in traffic. We could be looking at the 2025 starter.
205) RB Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans: Joe Mixon is the undisputed starter, but he’s also no stranger to injuries, and age isn’t on his side. Jordan is a quick-shot burst guy who can help keep the chains moving, though he’s not going to win many foot races beyond 20 yards.
208) RB Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders: One of the more exciting picks you’ll find this late, Laube flashes a little Austin Ekeler in his game. He’s a dynamic pass catcher who is an underrated rusher in traffic. When looking at the limited receiving skills of Zamir White and Alexander Mattison, Laube may find the field early on.
225) WR Brenden Rice, Los Angeles Chargers: LA’s new brain trust has already put its stamp on the organization by moving away from a pass-minded build toward a run-heavy design, but the offense was lacking receivers. Rice, the son of the greatest to ever do it at the position, gets to stay at home and play for Jim Harbaugh. The quarterback situation is ideal, and Rice enters a largely unproven receiving corps, joining second-round pick Ladd McConkey.
