We have had a few impressive rookie draft classes over the past few years. Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor and several others highlight a superstar-filled 2020 draft class. Meanwhile, the 2021 draft class wasn’t as elite but gave the fantasy football community a few fantasy stars, including Travis Etienne Jr., Ja’Marr Chase and Nico Collins.
While the 2022 draft class has lacked a relevant fantasy football quarterback, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Trey McBride have been impact players for fantasy players the past two years. It’s too early to judge the 2023 draft class. However, how does it compare to the upcoming group? Let’s see which year’s draft class has the advantage at each position.
2023 Rookie Draft Class vs. 2024 Rookie Draft Class
Quarterback → Advantage 2024
The fantasy community has been fortunate with back-to-back excellent quarterback draft classes. While Bryce Young struggled as a rookie, the former Alabama star should be better in his second season now that Dave Canales has taken over on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis flashed star potential in limited action as a starting quarterback but also dealt with injuries. However, the superstar of the draft class is C.J. Stroud. The former Ohio State star should be an elite QB1 for the next decade after his impressive rookie season.
Meanwhile, the 2024 draft class has been hyped up over the past few years. Fantasy players have tried trading for the 1.01 pick in Superflex dynasty rookie drafts since Caleb Williams broke out as a freshman in 2021. While he is the grand prize of the draft class, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels will be top-five NFL Draft picks and early dynasty rookie draft selections. J.J. McCarthy is rising up draft boards and could be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft, making him a mid-first-round dynasty Superflex rookie pick.
Running Back → Advantage 2023
Last year’s running back draft class might be the best one since the historical 2017 group featured Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook and others. Despite playing in split backfields, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were top-10 running backs as rookies. Meanwhile, De’Von Achane was a fantasy football cheat code when healthy, finishing the year as the RB4 in half-point PPR scoring on a points-per-game basis. While Zach Charbonnet, Tyjae Spears and Roschon Johnson had limited rookie seasons, they could be sophomore-year breakout candidates in 2024.
Unfortunately, the fantasy community won’t get lucky with another elite running back class. After getting to draft Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs over the past two years, the top running backs in this class likely won’t be first-round dynasty rookie draft picks. Texas’ Jonathon Brooks and Florida State’s Trey Benson are the top two running backs in the 2024 draft class. Yet, neither player would have been the No. 3 running back in the 2022 or 2023 draft class ahead of James Cook or Zach Charbonnet.
Wide Receiver → Advantage 2024
After an elite 2022 draft class, fantasy players dealt with a slightly disappointing 2023 draft class. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison were first-round NFL Draft picks last year. Yet, the middle-round rookies were the ones to become impact wide receivers in 2023. Tank Dell was the WR16 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring on a points-per-game basis, finishing higher than Davante Adams. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua was a league winner as a late-round rookie draft pick, ending the season as the WR4, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game.
The 2024 draft class has a massive edge at the wide receiver position. Fantasy players have been acquiring first-round dynasty rookie picks for the past two years, hoping to land Marvin Harrison Jr. Yet, he isn’t the only elite wide receiver in the class. Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze would be the WR1 in most draft classes, including last year. Furthermore, we could see up to eight wide receivers picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, breaking the record and making it an outstanding rookie draft class.
Tight End → Advantage 2023
While the 2022 draft class lacked a difference-making tight end besides Trey McBride, the 2023 class might be the best in recent history. Sam LaPorta was a superstar, becoming the first tight end since 1988 to end his rookie season as the overall TE1. Dalton Kincaid is a star in the making, ending his rookie year as a top-12 tight end in half-point PPR scoring despite splitting reps and targets with Dawson Knox most of the season. Meanwhile, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft and Michael Mayer flashed upside as part-time rookies.
Unfortunately, the 2024 tight end draft class lacks depth. Brock Bowers is the best tight end prospect in a long time. While some fantasy players might avoid him after getting burned by Kyle Pitts, Bowers will be one of the most talented tight ends in the NFL once he gets drafted. Meanwhile, Ja’Tavion Sanders is the clear-cut TE2 in the 2024 draft class. While the former Longhorn isn’t the same level of prospect as Bowers, he is the only other tight end guaranteed to get picked during dynasty rookie drafts.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (10-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Two Rounds (12-Team, 1QB)
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, 5-Round
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 10-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- 2024 Dynasty Superflex Rookie Draft Rankings: Fitz’s Top 40 Pick
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Wide Receivers
- Erickson’s Top Dynasty Rookie Running Backs
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings & Tiers: Wide Receivers
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft: Feb |
- 3 Overvalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Avoid
- 3 Undervalued Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
