Dynasty rookie drafts are here! We know the big-name targets with high potential. But which players have sneaky “lottery ticket” upside? This list includes players you can find throughout all rounds of your rookie draft, players that have the potential to pay off at good value.
- Dynasty Trade Value Chart
- Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Sleepers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
Dynasty Rookie Draft Lottery Tickets
Here are a few dynasty rookie draft picks that carry a upside for your teams.
Rashee Rice (WR – KC)
Rashee Rice has a dramatic range of outcomes in both rookie draft ADP and NFL potential. Rice is one of the more expensive lottery tickets – more like a $10 scratch-off. But if he hits his true potential, the payoff is huge. Enthusiasm is oddly low for a receiver with 96 receptions, 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final year at SMU. Rice has excellent ball skills and body control, but his lack of consistency and limited route usage leaves many worried that he’s destined for failure at the NFL level. If this was 2022, Rice’s second-round (55th overall) pick by the Kansas City Chiefs would have fantasy managers clawing the draft him. But we are one year removed from the Chiefs’ 54th overall selection of Skyy Moore and fantasy managers will be understandably cautious.
Tank Dell (WR – HOU)
You earn “lottery ticket status” when a team’s new rookie quarterback names you as his mid-draft request. If Stroud continues to show a preference for Tank Dell, he could have strong dynasty value. Houston’s receiving room is young and unproven. John Metchie is entering his first year of play after missing his rookie season. Nico Collins has played two seasons with his highest finish as WR77. Newly acquired Robert Woods is the only veteran presence but, at 31, has limited upside. Dell’s overall athleticism is impressive and his college production was strong with over 100 receptions and nearly 1,400 yards in his final season at Houston. But at 5’8″ and 165 pounds, he’s one of the riskiest prospects on the draft board. Dell will likely be a third-round pick, possibly fourth round as few believe there is any receiving upside in Houston’s offense.
Luke Schoonmaker (TE – DAL)
Luke Schoonmaker isn’t a high-upside prospect but he’s well-rounded and fell into a potentially strong role with the Cowboys. From a real football perspective, I hated this pick. The Cowboys reached above Schoonmaker’s value at the end of a brutal tight end run. They should have been aggressive and traded up for a tight end with a better receiving profile. But Schoonmaker is a strong blocker and should earn play time quickly with no current TE1 in the Cowboys’ offense. He could have a role that has been traditionally productive in Dallas.
Sean Tucker (RB – TB)
Sean Tucker was consistently ranked in the top 10 of rookie running back prospects in the early offseason. After concerning medicals, Tucker went undrafted and signed with Tampa Bay. UDFAs typically have a tough road ahead of them but Tampa Bay is a good landing. The Bucs parted ways with Leonard Fournette, leaving Rachaad White as the team’s RB1. The Bucs roster also includes Chase Edmonds, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Patrick Laird. If health is not an issue, Tucker could easily rise in the depth chart. Tucker was a high-volume back at Syracuse and despite his stature, Tucker profiles as a capable early-down back, which would pair nicely with White, whose upside is in the receiving game.
Zach Evans (RB – LAR)
The Rams’ loyalty to Cam Akers is shaky at best and Kyren Williams is the only thing standing between Zach Evans and a potential committee role with Akers. Evans has decent size and is an explosive downhill runner with good vision – an area where Akers has struggled in the past. Evans is a physical runner and could bully his way into play time this offseason. The only downside to a potential committee with Akers is that neither back has receiving upside. His ceiling is likely capped but if Evans can develop trust with Sean McVay, he has the skillset to thrive on early downs.
Superflex – Stetson Bennett (QB – LAR)
We are coming off a season where Mr. Irrelevant led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game and earned first rights as the starter. Is it so unrealistic that a former National Championship quarterback could become a starter? It’s hard to imagine a 5’11” 190-pound super SUPER senior making waves in the NFL. But Stetson Bennett is tough, athletic and efficient. And above all, he’s a winner. It doesn’t hurt that he fell into an ideal situation in LA. Matt Stafford – a fellow Georgia Bulldog – is an excellent quarterback to learn from and Bennett should play above Brett Rypien. Should Stafford miss time, Bennett would be in line for a starting role.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio