Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Malik Nabers, Ladd McConkey, Jamari Thrash, Ricky Pearsall

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.

2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice

Malik Nabers (LSU)

Stats:

2023 (among all FBS WRs minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 3rd
- PFF receiving grade: 1st
- YAC per reception: 58th
- Missed tackles forced: 4th
2022 (among all FBS WRs minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 49th
- PFF receiving grade: 54th
- YAC per reception: 110th

Scouting Report:

It’s not the LSU jersey. I swear. As soon as I turned on the film, I felt like I was watching Ja’Marr Chase as a prospect all over again. Nabers plays with a special blend of power, twitch, and blinding speed. His imposing physical strength at 6-foot-0 reminds me the most of Chase. Nabers can break tackles and churn out YAC.
He can win versus zone as he has strong pacing in his routes and sits down in the soft spots. Nabers can also hand fight, get physical and defeat press and man coverage. Last year he was the second-highest graded wide receiver, per PFF, against man while also ranking 20th in Yards per route run against the coverage type (minimum 25 man coverage targets).
Nabers can go toe to toe with Marvin Harrison Jr. for the title of “best route runner” in this class. He weaves together a ton of high-end nuance in his routes from dropping his head to selling a vertical push, varying the tempo in his routes and the raw physical power of his hand fighting and at the catch point. He can snap off a double move in a heartbeat. Against Arkansas, he tossed the corner a double move and when the defensive back didn’t bite, Nabers just ran past him anyway with his blinding speed.
Nabers snatches targets with arrogant hands away from this body. He’s a beast at the catch point and adjusts easily to lowly thrown balls. Nabers had only a 5.3% drop rate in each of the past two seasons.

Player Comp: Ja’Marr Chase 2.0

Ladd McConkey (Georgia)

Stats:

2023 (minimum 35 targets)
- Yards per route run: 8th
- PFF receiving grade: 34th
- YAC per reception: 95th

Scouting Report:

McConkey is a solid underneath option but lacks the extra gear to take the top off a defense. Corners, even when beat off the line, can close on him downfield. He likely ends up as a 50/50 receiver, with half of his snaps coming as a slot receiver in the NFL.
His route running prowess allows him to get open in the short and intermediate as he is sudden in movements and crisp at the top of his stem. He plays through contact well in his routes with a good swipe and upper body strength to work through press coverage.
McConkey runs like a running back in traffic. Good vision in chaos with the shiftiness to break some tackles and provide YAC. He offers some run game utility with 13 collegiate carries for 216 rushing yards (16.6 yards per carry) and four scores.

Player Comp: Dede Westbrook

Ricky Pearsall (Florida)

Stats:

2023 (minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 86th
- PFF receiving grade: 53rd
- YAC per reception: 131st

Scouting Report:

Pearsall has nuanced route running, using head fakes and leverage to his advantage. He has a good feel for finding space against zone coverage.
Average raw physical traits will limit his upside. He isn’t a sudden mover or explosive player. Routes can be rounded at times. Corners can stay glued to him on crossers or slants with inside leverage, as Pearsall doesn’t have the speed to pull away from them.
Plus, body control and catch radius. He’s no stranger to acrobatic catches in the air or one-handed grabs. Pearsall has good ball tracking on deep balls with some nice basket catches.

Player Comp: Rashard Higgins

Jamari Thrash (Louisville)

Stats:

2023 (minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 59th
- PFF receiving grade: 46th
- YAC per reception: 57th

2022 (minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 14th
- PFF receiving grade: 28th
- YAC per reception: 53rd

Scouting Report:

Smooth operator. Looks like he is gliding on the field. Easy change of direction laterally. His superpower and how he wins is with his quick feet, specifically gearing down on intermediate routes. Thrash can drop his hips easily on a comeback and leave a corner spinning.
Thrash has some nuance to his routes with jab steps and head fakes. He has a good understanding of leverage and how to set up corners. Thrash has good body control, especially when adjusting to low throws. He is not the strongest at the catch point, though, with only a 32.6% contested catch rate in college.
He’s not a burner. He’s a one-speed guy. I question his ability to stretch the field and get on top of corners deep. Could settle in as a possession wide receiver/ WR3 for an NFL team.

Player Comp: Russell Gage