Rookie Sleeper Candidates for 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football

As we progress closer to the 2024 NFL Draft, rookies will emerge in the pre-draft process following team workouts and the NFL Combine. Even when certain players receive more recognition, worthy NFL prospects still slip under the radar and need to wait until Day 3 or later to receive their opportunity at the next level.

Today, we’ll be breaking down some of the top sleeper candidates for this 2024 rookie class. Specifically, for dynasty fantasy football purposes. In the end, these will be players who could sneak into the late rounds of your upcoming dynasty rookie drafts. Don’t be surprised if some of these names make some noise at the 2024 Senior Bowl or the 2024 NFL Combine. Needless to say, they could very well gain some popularity throughout the NFL Draft process.

Rookie Sleeper Candidates for 2024

Success from those prospects comes in varying degrees, whether it results in superstar status from players such as Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown, or becoming viable NFL assets in the form of Dontayvion Wicks or Keaton Mitchell-level players. In this article, we’ll identify a few unheralded 2024 prospects who could find themselves in the next batch of viable assets for dynasty purposes. Let’s get right into it with these rookie sleeper candidates for 2024.

Kimani Vidal – Running Back, Troy

Despite the narrative surrounding the running back position in 2024, there are still a few talented backs who can find productive roles at the next level. We start this article by looking at Troy’s Kimani Vidal,  a player who led the NCAA in rush attempts this past collegiate season. With 297 carries he produced 14 touchdowns and 1661 rushing yards on his way to his best season for the Trojans.

Vidal also provided three 20+ catch seasons in his four years, showing a level of versatility and production that NFL teams will look to implement into an offense. He shows strength in his downhill rushing style, always looking forward and gaining extra yardage. His top-end speed isn’t lightning-quick, but his consistency in the receiving game as well as his agility should allow him to be a Day 3 pick in the draft. With the production and versatility in mind, he could very well find himself moving up a team’s depth chart early in his career and be well worthy of a rookie pick in the third or fourth round.

MarShawn Lloyd – Running Back, USC

Marshawn Lloyd is perhaps the most well-known player on this list as a former four-star prospect and USC Trojan. Despite his pedigree and transfer from the SEC in 2023, Lloyd never surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in any season but did have a productive final year at Southern California. He would rush for 820 yards on 116 carries, good for a 7.1 YPC average in his single year for the Trojans. He also provided 232 receiving yards on 13 catches, meaning he was able to eclipse over 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Furthermore, due to that impressive YPC, it could be argued Lloyd should’ve been used more. However, with fellow talented back Austin Jones in the backfield and Caleb Williams throwing the ball in this USC offense, these are the numbers we have to go off for Lloyd. Moreover, he has an impressive change of direction, plus the ability to both take the ball between the tackles and bounce it outside for extra yardage. If Lloyd can show the big playmaking ability he displayed in his final season at USC, he should be able to find a role at the NFL level, even if he starts as a Day 3 pick.

Jacob Cowing – Wide Receiver, Arizona

Arizona has had multiple wide receiver talents in the last few collegiate seasons with Dorian Singer, Jacob Cowing, and Tetairoa McMillan all likely to find themselves playing at the NFL level soon. Cowing had multiple productive seasons for the Wildcats, including two 1000-yard outputs, as well as a personal career-high 13 touchdowns this past season. He’s a former two-star prospect who has built himself into a legitimate NFL prospect with his short-route running skills and separation in the open field.

Moreover, Cowing thrives on short-yardage routes in the flat and from the slot. In the end, that will likely be his best chance at a role for the next level. Additionally, he has solid speed and secure hands, catching 69+ balls in three of his college seasons. Cowing was consistent in the Wildcats offense the last few years and pops off big plays when he does get the ball. He should be a Day 3 pick as of now but don’t be surprised if he is a team’s long-term WR2 or WR3 at this point next year. Bear Down with this former Wildcat and hold out hope until he produces for your dynasty team.

Blake Watson – Running Back, Memphis

Blake Watson is a former Old Dominion Monarch who had a very productive 2023 season for the Memphis Tigers. This past season, he ran for 14 touchdowns and 1152 yards, while producing an additional three touchdowns on an astounding 53 catches. Watson may be the fastest running back on this list and also shows the ability to take hits while maintaining good contact balance. He’s able to stay up and continue making plays, evidenced by his catching prowess and ability in space.

This is the type of player who is an ideal dart throw for us dynasty managers holding more than a fair share of third and fourth-round picks. He’s been a prolific college player who also doesn’t have too many carries to his name, meaning his legs are still fresh and production at the next level is a realistic outcome. He may find himself important to a team’s offense with his playmaking, therefore an asset worth investing in.

Expect Watson to run fast at the combine and receive a bump to his draft stock. However, he will likely still be a Day 3 prospect who, depending on his landing spot, could become a startable long-term option for dynasty football.

Brevyn Spann-Ford – Tight End, Minnesota

Our lone tight end on this list is Minnesota’s Brevyn Spann-Ford, a huge target who played in some struggling Gophers passing offenses. His best season came in 2022 when he caught 42 balls for 497 yards, a decent season for the former three-star prospect. He never eclipsed two touchdowns in a season for his college career, but he runs good routes and is a difficult player to bring down in the open field.

Furthermore, Spann-Ford will come into the league at 24 years old and as ready-made as a player can be for the next level. Despite the lack of production numbers-wise, he showed pace and competent hands when he was given an opportunity in the passing game. In the end, he will likely be a fifth-round pick or later in the NFL Draft, and profiles more as a UDFA for dynasty rookie drafts. However, he has all the skills you want in a receiving tight end and if he finds a favorable landing spot, he will be a worthy investment for the bargain bin tight-end shoppers in dynasty leagues.

Re’Mahn Davis – Running Back, Kentucky

Kentucky running back Re’Mahn Davis came on this last year following his second career transfer, coming in from fellow SEC participant Vanderbilt. Davis started his career at Temple and will be coming in as an older prospect at the age of 24. Davis’ best season came in 2023 when he ran the ball for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns in the SEC. He also grabbed 33 balls en route to a 323 receiving yard total. That was good for a 9.8 per-catch average and seven additional touchdowns through the air.

Davis is a strong downhill runner who isn’t full of high-end speed but does everything else to a high degree. He has good vision and good hands. Davis should also be a factor in pass blocking for the offense that takes him, meaning he could find himself in a Jaylen Warren-esque role. Davis may never be more than a solid number-two back who can catch a little, run with power, and affect the game with savvy playmaking. However, that is plenty worth a mid to late-round rookie pick in dynasty rookie drafts. Additionally, he should rise during the process as NFL teams take note of his football IQ.

Devontez Walker – Wide Receiver, North Carolina

Our second wide receiver on this list is a former Kent State Golden Flash and North Carolina Tar Heel. The one-time three-star prospect transferred to the Tar Heels for 2023 and produced a 17.0 per catch average on 41 grabs last season. Notably, his best season came in 2022 as a member of Kent State. Additionally, this was highlighted by a seven-catch and 106-yard effort against the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.

Walker would also have a touchdown in that game and continued his playmaking ways for the Tar Heels. Notably, he is a smooth operator on his routes. Additionally, he contorts his body well for catches while maintaining and accelerating downfield, not losing focus on the ball as he makes plays. He and Drake Maye showed good chemistry in 2023, and producing 699 yards on only 41 catches is an impressive mark for the transfer player who didn’t play his first game until October 7th. This is a player who could rise in the process and may shed this underrated title I am giving him. However, he could also be a solid Day 3 player who contributes to a team eventually. If Walker gets a quarterback who can throw downfield, you will be happy with your late-round investment.

Finding the next diamond in the rough is not easy in dynasty fantasy football. Hopefully, this list has been enlightening to some underrated players coming into the NFL from this draft. Don’t be afraid to take a dart throw on a few of these later-round running backs in 2024. Overall, the position has gotten older and a few unknowns are likely to find themselves a role in the coming seasons.

A few of these listed players have the talent to become important players in an offense if they get the perfect fit, but these are more likely to be flex options if the stars align. We can’t all hit on the Puka Nacuas in the late rounds, but throwing a dart and finding a Dontayvion Wicks isn’t a bad consolation. This game can be unpredictable, and you just never know where the next future star may be drafted in your rookie drafts.

2024 NFL Draft Quick Links

• Senior Bowl Invite Tracker
• 2024 NFL Draft Eligible Prospects Returning to School
• 2024 NFL Draft Tracker: Underclassman Who Have Declared

Trending Now

2024 NFL Draft Big Board

Weekly Fantasy Football Rankings

Free NFL Picks

Sign up for PrizePicks with the promo code FACEOFF for a 100% match up to $100!