For rookie drafts in 2024, the class’s long-term value relies heavily on USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. at wide receiver. The high-end outcomes for both would be fantasy lineup staples for a decade, as they can dominate football games with their playmaking. It is exciting to have two talents that should contribute right away for fantasy, but the class has other fantasy assets managers should take note of. Today, we’ll be conducting an early dynasty rookie mock draft for 1QB leagues.
The class will feature a few first-round quarterbacks, but for single-quarterback leagues, we should still expect multiple first-round receivers and Day 2 talents worth drafting. Names like Emeka Egbuka and Brock Bowers will be familiar names to those following college football; those two could reach the top end of their respective fantasy positions. Overall, expect Harrison Jr. to be the consensus top pick in 2024. Let’s see where Williams falls, and how the first round could shake out in this early 2024 1QB dynasty rookie mock draft.
1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State should be the overall top receiver in the 2024 class, and he should secure his spot as the most appealing rookie asset for dynasty managers in single quarterback leagues. If you’re lucky enough to have the top overall pick while competing, Harrison Jr. is the safest pick to invigorate youth and be an instant option for a starting lineup. For rebuilders, the value of his youth and potential top receiver outcome gives you a valuable asset to build around for years to come.
Furthermore, he’s a physical receiver that is dynamic, winning on short routes, over the middle, as well as downfield. Harrison Jr. can become a top-five receiver option soon after he’s drafted, which would be an impressive value return, even at 1.1 here.
2. RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Another Ohio State Buckeye, running back TreVeyon Henderson has returned from injury in 2022. Additionally, he’s seemingly restored some of his long-term future NFL value. Henderson had an impressive freshman season on the ground, rushing for 15 touchdowns while catching 27 passes and receiving over 300 yards through the air. Additionally, he is a solid receiver in this strong running back class, and this ranking reflects how highly he may be valued at the next level. Henderson has good agility and should be an instant backfield contributor for the team that drafts him.
Henderson is not the largest back, but he can catch out of the backfield. His game could translate into an Aaron Jones-type NFL player if he reaches his ceiling. Henderson has similar smoothness out of the backfield and will be a threat in the receiving game right away, but he should still be big enough to warrant the top running back job in the NFL. Additionally, he is a playmaker who should be an early second-round pick, if not late Day 1. Managers will hopefully get a landing spot to give us confidence in taking him top three next season.
3. RB Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
Raheim Sanders is another running back who could be leading an NFL backfield soon after he is drafted. Sanders can line up in the backfield or run routes as a receiver, meaning he provides versatility, speed, and the strength to win in multiple ways for an offense. He may be able to become the top running back from this class after a couple of NFL seasons; he’s raw but the talent is evident. Overall, Sanders is the type of asset to invest in if you need a big swing coming from next year’s top five rookie picks.
Similar to Henderson, Sanders also caught a decent amount of passes in his best season (28 catches for 271 yards in 2022). Sanders and Henderson are younger prospects, and both have the physical abilities to become valuable starting running backs for fantasy. Both should catch the ball, and Sanders may even be superior in the receiving game. In the end, expect Sanders to be a Day 2 pick in 2024 and a priority for dynasty managers early.
4. QB Caleb Williams, USC
The top quarterback in 2024 should be taken early, even in 1QB leagues. Williams will lead an NFL team straight away and should be a league-winning level quarterback when he reaches his peak. That may not come in the first season or even the second season, but he should show rushing ability and game-changing talent for fantasy. Dynasty managers who have a top pick and a need at quarterback will be targeting him. He could even be taken top three in certain 1QB leagues.
For this 12-team first-round mock, a top-five pick spent on Williams seems to be a reasonable investment at this time. The running backs may return more value in a single quarterback format and should be considered in the top three, but Williams is a safe pick anytime after Harrison Jr. It’s all about team fit and belief in the prospects who follow on this list. Right now, Williams is the likely number-one overall NFL Draft pick and will be a startable asset for years. That’s a tremendous value here at the fourth pick, and many will consider him earlier.
5. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
Georgia’s Brock Bowers is one of the talents in this class who someone may take above Williams or the previously mentioned running backs. Finding a top-level tight end is a difficult task, but Bowers may give some team in the middle of the first security at the position for the rest of the 2020s. Bowers is a smooth tight end who is fantastic in the open field for his size. Ultimately, he will be drafted to hopefully be a future Mark Andrews or Travis Kelce-level player. For fantasy football, expect him to be the number one option in an offense and, at worst, a top two option in the passing game. He’s that good.
Bowers runs routes well and will be targeted in the red zone. Additionally, he can reach top tight end status by demanding volume and using his skills to create space for himself downfield. Not to mention, he should be a consistent chain mover. He’s fast for the position and has shown sure hands in his Georgia career (119 catches across the freshman and sophomore seasons). Overall, he’ll be a matchup difficulty in the NFL and a productive performer for fantasy owners. Dynasty managers may give him a bump in their rankings with the clear drop-off in tight end talent in 2024.
6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Malik Nabers is a speedy wide receiver who can take the ball to the endzone whenever he touches it. Nabers has come out strong in his third collegiate season, most recently supplying a 13-catch, 239-yard game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He would also score his second and third touchdowns on the season in that game, tying his touchdown total from his sophomore season. His college touchdown totals were an area of slight concern heading into the year, but it seems he’s developed further with LSU again this year.
Furthermore, Nabers has the ability to be used on the outside and through the slot; he’s a bit thin but that hasn’t yet affected his ability to dominate secondaries. He’s going to be an instant NFL deep threat and will be fighting for the chance to be taken top 20 in the NFL Draft. Nabers should be a first-round talent, but at worst a worthy Day 2 pick. If he continues to dominate the SEC and show scoring consistency, this should be a top-three rookie receiver for 2024 in dynasty. Ultimately, Nabers is a top-10 pick for 1QB rookie drafts next season.
7. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The 2024 NFL Draft’s wide receiver class should supply two to four first-rounders, and Ohio State may supply a duo of them with Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka is a receiver who can be easily moved around the formation but exceeds in the slot particularly. Additionally, he is a good route runner who should find himself filling an NFL role as a top-three receiver for a team. Egbuka has an impressive route tree and discipline for the position, pointing toward Ohio State’s impressive receiver coaching once again.
Buckeyes wide receivers seem to come in and be solid professionals for NFL teams. Players like New York Giants’ Parris Campbell and Washington’s Curtis Samuel have moved teams but still provide even when not the team’s top receiving options. To be clear, Egbuka is a superior talent to those players. However, he may never reach a tier involving former Buckeyes’ Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson.
Egbuka may become valuable on a year-to-year or week-to-week basis, depending on who is injured or not. He may be a player who has fantasy peaks similar to Tyler Boyd or Michael Gallup of years past. All things considered, he is solid and will be worthy of a first-round rookie pick in 2024. It will be interesting to see if he goes earlier or later. Right now, he should be valued in the middle of the first round for 1QB leagues.
8. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Around pick five to ten is when you’d usually expect a quarterback to be taken in 1QB rookie drafts, but Williams is not a usual quarterback prospect. North Carolina’s Drake Maye may not be on that level. However, he should be a top-eight pick in drafts next season. Maye is a touchdown machine, throwing for 38 in 2022 while rushing on for an additional 7 on the ground that year. He can extend plays himself and will have the best opportunity outside of Williams to be a top-10 quarterback in the future.
Furthermore, Maye is going to need weapons and a good situation. As does any young quarterback coming into the league. However, Maye has impeccable patience, confidence, and trust in himself at quarterback, so surrounding him with talent will be vital to unleashing his ceiling. If Maye receives playmakers that he can grow with over the course of his career, you’ll see quick processing and continued growth from season to season. That would allow him to potentially become a top-10 fantasy quarterback. He could even sneak a couple of top-five value seasons in as well. In the end, he can raise the floor of his playmakers, his team, and our fantasy football teams.
9. RB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
The first of two Michigan Wolverines running backs listed. Donovan Edwards provides a receiving threat while being big enough to potentially handle a full-time rushing role as well. Edwards has been behind Blake Corum for the majority of his college career. However, he has shown efficiency in his usage. Edwards averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2022 on his way to 991 rushing yards for the Wolverines. He has also caught at least 18 balls in his first two seasons. Overall, he looks well on his way to superseding those numbers in 2023.
Furthermore, Edwards is a smooth receiving threat out of the backfield and his agility is probably his most impressive trait. He exudes athleticism and should end up testing well at next year’s NFL Combine. Edwards’ lack of a leading collegiate role won’t be an issue for NFL teams, and most dynasty managers will be wise to value his production while still having plenty of carries left in him. Additionally, he is a natural receiving fit for an NFL team and that may be his initial role. Moving forward, he should grow each NFL season and be a very serviceable first-rounder from 2024. Overall, he’s going to be a value pick if he falls outside the top 10 in rookie drafts next year.
10. WR Dorian Singer, USC
Dorian Singer has shown good initial chemistry with Williams this year at USC. Singer was productive at Arizona, providing a 1,105-yard season for the Wildcats in 2022. Singer can continue growing his own profile and skillset alongside a future NFL star as his quarterback. We are seeing the fruits of Jordan Addison‘s transfer to USC, himself blossoming into a promising professional. As long as Lincoln Riley keeps producing quarterbacks in the college game, receivers will be able to show off their game and produce for the Trojans.
Right now, Singer may be valued closer to a rookie second-round pick. However, his size and explosiveness are not dissimilar to the previously mentioned Nabers. Another big play waiting to happen, both players are stepping onto bigger stages and into bigger roles, all the way showing impressive growth. If Singer keeps up his numbers and USC stays in the national spotlight, he should be able to see his name discussed more week by week.
For fantasy football purposes, he should be a team’s late first-round pick and you’re just hoping he can be taken on Day 1. Additionally, he should see early production if he can continue the path he’s been on the last two college seasons. Be confident in taking a good player here late in the first. Most prospects now will begin to have small issues in their game. However, Singer hasn’t shown performance issues so far.
11. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
As we begin to discuss players who may be taken in round two or three, remember this is a 1QB mock and managers may consider the other first-round quarterbacks around pick 10-12. For this exercise, let’s look at a couple more non-quarterback options that could easily find themselves being taken in this range or jumping players listed above. Oregon’s Troy Franklin is likely the fastest receiver so far listed; he’s another lanky and thin receiver who should see himself with an NFL role early.
Franklin is a junior coming off a nine-touchdown season last year and again looks to be a dependable option for quarterback Bo Nix. Franklin just needs to continue showing his speed and his game-breaking ability in the open field. He should be an instant deep threat, and it’ll be interesting if he can become the fourth or fifth first-round wide receiver next year. Right now, he likely has the talent to be worthy of that, but the need may not be there for an NFL team. He won’t last long if he’s available on Day 2, and that should translate into a priority pick for single quarterback managers next year. All in all, this is good value towards the end of the first round.
12. RB Blake Corum, Michigan
The second Wolverines running back to discuss isCorum, a player who could’ve been a first-round rookie selection in 2023 rookie drafts. Instead, he returned to school to possibly achieve a National Championship and further secure his collegiate legacy. Corum is a gritty rusher between the tackles and will always be looking to gain more yardage. He’s a strong running back and will be turning 23 during his first NFL season. In this 2024 class of running backs, that would skew him to one of the older backs but also, he is a ready-made NFL talent.
Corum will be making plays in an NFL backfield his first season, how much he produces all depends on who is alongside him and what his role is. He can help in the passing game, both blocking and receiving. Additionally, he should be a secure NFL option, not dissimilar to current Tyler Allgeier for the Falcons, or Washington’s Brian Robinson.
Furthermore, Corum is a solid back who will need tremendous volume to reach a top 12 or top 15 running back status for fantasy. He’s a solid option you won’t mind starting in a Flex spot, but he won’t ever be your top running back, or even RB2. League winners getting Corum at the 1.12 will be thrilled with his instant usability.
The 2024 NFL Draft will be deep at lots of positions, focusing heavily on quarterbacks and running backs. For fantasy managers, being able to signal who is a top three guy versus a top five guy at their position is key. This draft looks like it should be a little easier on managers, with talents like Trey Benson, Braelon Allen, and Rome Odunze still available in round two of this hypothetical mock draft. As the college season goes on, we may even see a player like Travis Hunter solidify himself in this conversation.
Between the high-end quarterbacks and abundance of talent in other positions, 1QB rookie drafts project to be full of assets in 2024. This class is all about the high-end outcomes for multiple players. You’ll likely want at least one first-round pick in the 2024 rookie draft, as there is impressive talent everywhere.
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