Rookies to Target (2024 Fantasy Football)

The Optimus Fantasy team understands better than anyone that youth can drive innovation in an industry. As a recent startup brand, we feel strongly that new ideas and new people create fresh opportunities in a rapidly expanding landscape. This perspective also applies to the rookies to target from the 2024 NFL Draft Class.

These rookies stepped onto the stage in downtown Detroit this April and heard their names called for the world to listen to. Now, it is their time to show the world what they are made of. Not all rookies will meet their fanbase’s expectations in their first year, but some players will start building a resume on their path to a golden jacket during their rookie seasons.

Follow along as Optimus Fantasy’s @hoovtube provides insights into which NFL rookies you should target this summer in all fantasy football formats.

Big Impact Rookies to Target

Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS) ADP 115.2 | QB15

If you’re not familiar with devy content and don’t watch much college football, let me give you a good breakdown of the type of player Jayden Daniels is.

Daniels, a five-year starting quarterback at multiple schools (Arizona State & LSU), brings a lot of experience to this offense as a rookie.

While playing in college for an extended period may have negative implications for some prospects, like in Bo Nix’s case, longevity can also be viewed as favorable compared to other prospects without that experience. For instance, when you compare Daniels to an exceptional athlete like Anthony Richardson, former Florida standout and current Colts signal-caller, who hasn’t had the same amount of experience as a starting quarterback, you can see the value of Daniels’ extensive experience.

One thing that sets Daniels apart from a prospect like Nix is his ability to break out later in his college career.

Despite performing extraordinarily at Arizona State, he truly emerged as the leader of LSU on his way to a Heisman Trophy. Teaming up with LSU’s receiving core (Malik Nabers & Brian Thomas Jr.), Daniels’ playmaking skills and vision on the field seemed like a cheat code to their opponents last college football season.

Considering the type of player Daniels is and the current state of Washington’s roster, it could be easy to overlook him and focus on another offense.

However, much like last year with the Houston Texans, appearances can be deceptive when you finally add that franchise QB. It may be a bold statement, but given how well C.J. Stroud has performed at the NFL level, Daniels could be even better.

I firmly believe that Daniels has the potential to be as good as Stroud and make a similar impact during his rookie campaign. He has a field vision similar to Stroud and possesses a level of mobility that Stroud doesn’t have.

While Washington’s offensive line needs significant improvement to utilize the quarterback’s rushing ability fully, they will still benefit from Daniels’ playmaking skills. The ex-Tiger’s rushing ability can compensate for a subpar offensive line, whereas Sam Howell‘s playmaking ability only resulted in Washington being among the top percentile of teams allowing sacks in the 2023-24 season.

Rome Odunze (WR – CHI) ADP64 | WR32

Rome Odunze is receiving a lot of attention for the opposite reason as Daniels; there is a great deal of interest in the Bears’ offense and their playmakers headed into 2024.

This is understandable, as rookie QB Caleb Williams is walking into an unprecedented situation with a plethora of talented playmakers surrounding him, making Odunze more of a long-term asset than an immediate impact player.

The arrival of Keenan Allen, a potential future Hall of Famer, and D.J. Moore coming off a career-high season, adds to the appeal of the Bears’ offense. However, to understand its true value, it’s essential to consider the coaching style rather than just the big names associated with the offense.

Players like TE Cole Kmet hold significant value due to new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s frequent use of 12 and 13 personnel. Despite concerns that an abundance of playmakers could diminish their fantasy relevance, this is unlikely to be the case.

Similar debates are happening across the league regarding the impact of Y receivers on the fantasy relevance of X receivers. In reality, X and Y receivers bring different elements to the game. In the case of the Bears’ offense, Odunze’s potential as a future WR1 competes more with Allen than Moore. Allen, aged 31 and on a new team after a career-high in targets, is in a situation that could pave the way for Odunze to outperform his current average draft position (ADP).

Sleeper Rookies To Target 

Ja’Lynn Polk (WR – NE) ADP 155.9 | WR67

This offseason’s recent changes in New England have raised uncertainties and questions about the Patriots’ future under a new regime. With Bill Belichick no longer in New England, the offense has an opportunity to develop with a new vision, which is exciting for Patriots fans and Fantasy Football managers.

With a young wide receiver room filled with players from outside of the Bill Belichick era, the opportunity is, as Russell Wilson would say, “unlimited” for any playmaker in this room. Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and DeMario Douglas could be significant assets to this rebuilding offense, while players like Kendrick Bourne or JuJu Smith-Schuster may not be with the team post-training camp.

Not only is there a new head coach running the show in New England, but they also have a strong-armed young QB in former North Carolina standout Drake Maye to build around for the foreseeable future.

I know what you’re thinking… “Hoov, the future doesn’t help me now.”

Well, if you were here, what I would tell you to your face is: “The future is now, and they’ve been showing you that.”

Polk’s second-round draft pick indicates that he will be heavily utilized in developing their franchise QB. Therefore, if the defense can create more opportunities for the offense to be on the field, it will provide more chances for Drake Maye and Polk to develop together.

 

Deep Round Sleeper Rookies To Target

Ray Davis(RB – BUF) ADP 182 | RB55

Is it fair to refer to someone as a “sleeper” when they are already being discussed as such by many analysts at large? It is, particularly if their ADP isn’t rising significantly due to most drafters hesitating to take a chance on them.

Ray Davis may be considered more of a “sleeper” compared to players like Polk, who I think will consistently contribute more to fantasy football teams. Despite this, he still holds considerable value given the opportunity he has been presented with in Buffalo.

Some fantasy managers may perceive Davis as being overshadowed by teammate James Cook. He has provided substantial value for fantasy teams alongside one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL, Josh Allen. Nevertheless, some managers see the potential for Davis to complement Buffalo’s rushing game and enhance James Cook‘s productivity in the 2024 season.

The front office appears to be focused on reducing Allen’s rushing impact to prevent injury, making it probable that they will bring in another running back to share the workload with Cook. Davis showcased his ability to find the end zone, finishing his senior season at Kentucky with 13 rushing touchdowns. Could we be looking at Buffalo’s rendition of Alvin Kamara & Mark Ingram? The possibility is certainly there after seeing what both running backs can do.

In best ball leagues, Davis could be an intriguing option to retain, as he has the potential to score multiple touchdowns in a single game. I anticipate he will be frequently mentioned in waiver wire reports throughout the season as Cook’s RB2, similar to what we observed with Latavius Murray last season.

Dallin Holker (TE – NO) ADP678.2 | TE61

It’s going to be hard to find a deeper sleeper prediction than this one right here at ADP 678.2 on Sleeper… Dallin Holker – UDFA TE from the New Orleans Saints.

As someone who was heavily scouting Holker around the 2024 NFL Draft, I was shocked to see such a great receiving tight end not being drafted by one of these franchises. It wasn’t very reassuring to see him fall, but it was exciting to see him get signed afterward and make his way to a roster that way.

It was hard to find optimism in an undrafted player in a TE room like New Orleans. The room seems tight with guys like Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson on their roster. Unfortunately, Juwan Johnson suffered an offseason foot injury that has sidelined him during camp. Fortunately, that creates an opportunity for someone like Holker to make a name for himself.

We have seen recent undrafted players, like Rashid Shaheed, make a name within the Saints organization. This shows the organization’s willingness to put the best players out on the field regardless of draft capital. With the Saints bringing in an abundance of tight ends over the past few years, targeting veterans like Jimmy Graham to return home to NOLA, it seems appropriate that they have found their new star tight end this offseason in Holker.

Find more from Optimus NFL & Fantasy Football Analyst Hoov on X (formerly Twitter) @Hoovtube & here at Optimus Fantasy Football.