Dyansty Rookie Draft Advice: Caleb Williams, Spencer Rattler, Joe Milton (2024)

It’s that time again. Dynasty rookie fever SZN is here! The NFL Draft will come and go before we know it and rookie drafts will start flying daily. Before you dive head first into our Draft Simulator and run 3,000 rookie drafts in preparation, please read up on this talented prospect class as I roll through my quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end positional primers. Motrin and Tylenol can’t quell this fever. The only medicine is more dynasty rookie mock drafts. Let’s dive into a few notable dynasty rookie draft picks to consider.

DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers: QB | WR
2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
2024 NFL Draft Guide
2024 Draft Scouting Reports

2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice

Caleb Williams (USC)

Stats:

2023 (among FBS QBs, minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 14th
- Adjusted completion rate: 14th
- Yards per attempt: 8th
- Big-time throw rate: 18th

Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 14th
- Deep throw rate: 59th
Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate: 48th
- Pressured rate: 56th-highest

2022 (among FBS QBs, minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 5th
- Adjusted completion rate: 24th
- Yards per attempt: 9th
- Big-time throw rate: 23rd

Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 32nd
- Deep throw rate: 52nd
Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate: 25th
- Pressured rate: 62nd-highest

Scouting Report:

Williams has the gunslinger mentality cranked up to 11 at all times. While I won’t fault him for that because I would rather have aggression than more passiveness when playing, it can get him into trouble at times. Williams will force throws into strapped coverage where he should have taken what the defense gave him with an easy underneath route or checkdown. This could come back to bite him in the pros if he doesn’t reel it in at times.
His high-wire act played up better in 2022 than in 2023, when his supporting cast wasn’t as adept at getting open. At times, when you watch his 2023 tape, it’s evident every receiving option is covered up quickly and Williams was forced into a backyard scramble ball. In 2023, on some reps, he looked frantic as he was pressing to play hero ball, whereas in 2022, on similar reps, he was a seasoned explorer sprinting in the dark with a playmaking compass pointing him toward home. He needs to play with more controlled aggression, like in 2022, and less, like in 2023.
Williams has easy velocity at all levels of the field, which allows him to fit in strikes into some precariously tight windows. His flick of the wrist plus velocity helps him out when he’s on the run, as it’s nothing for him to toss it 40 yards downfield while on the move and make it look easy. Williams has a quick release and can alter arm angles at the drop of a hat.
He’s a strong processor on the field but he can rush through progressions at times. He’ll flip from his first to his second read or his second to his third without allowing the play to flesh itself out. Williams developed some bad habits in 2023 as he would bail some clean/workable pockets at the first sign of pressure instead of stepping up in a workable pocket to avoid the rush. He needs to get back to the 2022 version of himself, where he balanced his Superman tendencies with a tad more Clark Kent.
Williams will offer some rushing upside in the NFL; although he’s probably unlikely to be a consistent 500-yard rusher like in college, he could kick in 300-400 in some seasons. Williams has a decent change of direction ability but his start/stop isn’t lightning fast, as he’s equipped with more build-up speed. He will probably run a 4.5 40-yard dash, so I don’t want to shade his wheels too much. His escapability in the pocket would lead many to believe that, as a rusher, he would be twitchier. He can chew up yards when it’s called for but don’t look for him to be a heavy-designed rush attempt quarterback in the NFL.

Player Comp: Right-handed Steve Young

Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)

Stats:

2023 (among FBS QBs, minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 58th
- Adjusted completion rate: 7th
- Yards per attempt: 50th
- Big-time throw rate: 117th

Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 16th
- Deep throw rate: 7th-lowest

Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate: 19th
- Pressured rate: 29th

Scouting Report:

When Rattler is on, he looks like a legit starting NFL quarterback. He has easy velocity on throws, can hit all three levels, will layer some nice throws against zone and pinpoint some wonderful boundary shots. A worry with Rattler, though, is consistency. He has plenty of YOLO throws and spotty decision-making moments on film, too, where you’ll be left wondering, “What the hell was he thinking?” Consistency for Rattler has to continue to improve.
Rattler has good pocket maneuverability. He can throw on the run without losing accuracy. When he’s pressured, though, his footwork can lapse and you’ll see him sail some throws. He’s also late to feel the rush at times, which has gotten him blown apart by rushers.
Rattler was tasked with half-field reads on many plays. He’s quick to move from his first read to the next, but, again, consistency can be an issue; he’ll hang on to his first option for too long and rush his progression on other snaps. Again, when he’s on, he looks like he can be an average to above-average starter in the NFL.

Player Comp: Jeff Blake

Joe Milton (Tennessee)

Stats:

2023 (among FBS QBs, minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 64th
- Adjusted completion rate:
- Yards per attempt: 50th
- Big-time throw rate: 106th

Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 25th-lowest
- Deep throw rate: 53rd

Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate: 124th
- Pressured rate: 9th-lowest

Scouting Report:

Milton has a cannon. He has easy velocity all day. When he’s on, he can put some wow throws on tape. His unwavering belief in his arm can get him into trouble sometimes, though. He has plenty of throws on film where he will force throws and attempt to put the ball in spots he shouldn’t, whether it’s a player in tight coverage or with a defender bearing down on him.
The Tennessee offense is like many others in college, with plenty of quick passing to a first read. Milton, like many other passers, tends to lock onto that first read, staring them down lovingly. Milton misses plenty of receivers running wide open that might be the second or third read in a progression. When his first read is taken away, many times, his only outs are to force the ball to that player, take the check-down, or take off running.
Milton won’t be a rushing threat in the NFL. He’s a linear runner with below-average speed and limited tackle-breaking ability.
Milton throws with anticipation with some reps but, largely, he’s a see-it-throw-it quarterback. His trigger needs to be improved, as it can be a tick behind at times.

Player Comp: Josh Freeman