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    Mike Fanelli | Wed, Apr 3rd 2024, 6:55am EDT

11 Ideal NFL Draft Rookie Landing Spots (2024 Fantasy Football)

The 2024 NFL Draft is less than a month away. Fantasy football players are excited to see where the top prospects will land during the Draft.

Where a prospect lands during the NFL Draft will significantly impact their fantasy football value in 2024 and beyond. For example, fantasy players would love to see Marvin Harrison Jr. land with the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills, but that won’t happen.

Therefore, let’s look at the ideal realistic landing spot for the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Ideal NFL Draft Landing Spots for Fantasy Football

Caleb Williams (QB – USC) → Chicago Bears

The Bears will select  Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Thankfully, that’s the ideal landing spot for the former USC star. Chicago never gave Justin Fields an elite set of weapons but has made several additions this offseason. They signed D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett in free agency and traded a fourth-round pick for Keenan Allen. Williams will have the weapons needed to be a star as a rookie.

Jayden Daniels (QB – LSU) → Washington Commanders

Daniels is the betting favorite to be the second overall pick by the Commanders. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is a perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Daniels has an elite arm and produced two outstanding wide receivers last season in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. That is excellent news for Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson‘s fantasy value. Meanwhile, the LSU star is an athletic running freak, which might be needed playing behind a sub-par offensive line in Washington.

Drake Maye (QB – UNC) → Minnesota Vikings

Reportedly, the Vikings want to get their hands on Maye. The fantasy community should hope that happens. North Carolina’s offensive line struggled last year, leading to Maye bailing on the pocket earlier than needed. That won’t be a problem in Minnesota, as the team has an elite offensive line. Furthermore, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson make up one of the top trio of weapons in the NFL. Maye could step in as a rookie and put up similar numbers to Kirk Cousins.

J.J. McCarthy (QB – Michigan) → Las Vegas Raiders

While McCarthy is one of the more polarizing quarterback prospects in the draft class, Las Vegas would be the perfect landing spot. Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew could start the season if the rookie isn’t ready to play in Week 1. More importantly, Antonio Pierce’s Raiders want to play defense, run the ball and throw play-action off the run — exactly what McCarthy did at Michigan. With Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Michael Mayer at his disposal, the former Wolverine would have the weapons to succeed.

Jonathon Brooks (RB – Texas) → Arizona Cardinals

James Conner has been one of the more underrated running backs in fantasy football. However, he turns 29 next month and is entering the final year of his contract. Brooks isn’t an elite prospect like fellow former Longhorn Bijan Robinson. Yet, he can play a significant role on the ground and in the passing game. The former Texas star would have limited fantasy value as a rookie as he recovers from a torn ACL. He would likely take over as the featured guy in 2025.

Trey Benson (RB – Florida State) → Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys need a running back that can start Week 1. While the team is open to bringing back Ezekiel Elliott, the veteran shouldn’t be a starting running back in the NFL. Benson has a realistic shot to be the first running back drafted after an impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. Dallas lost two starters on their offensive line in free agency but still has one of the top units in the league. Furthermore, Benson won’t see too many stacked boxes with Dak Prescott under center.

Blake Corum (RB – Michigan) → Los Angeles Chargers

No one should be surprised when the Chargers select Corum at the top of the third round. While the team signed Gus Edwards in free agency, that is a positive for the rookie’s fantasy value. Last year, Michigan had a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Corum and Donovan Edwards. Despite splitting the backfield workload, Corum had over 1,200 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. While he put up those numbers in the NFL, don’t expect the veteran to keep Corum from finishing in the low-end RB2 range.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State) → Arizona Cardinals

There isn’t a bad landing spot for Harrison. The superstar is an elite prospect and should be the first wide receiver picked during dynasty rookie drafts. However, the best landing spot is the Cardinals. Arizona lost two of their top three wide receivers this offseason, including their No. 1 guy, Marquise Brown. While Trey McBride is a star at tight end and Michael Wilson is a promising player, Harrison could see the target volume needed to challenge for the overall WR1 finish as a rookie.

Malik Nabers (WR – LSU) → Los Angeles Chargers

Nabers could be the first wide receiver picked during the NFL Draft. His ability to make plays downfield and after the catch is perfect for the Chargers. Justin Herbert lost his top two wide receivers this offseason after the team released Mike Williams and traded away Keenan Allen. Quentin Johnston could have a sophomore-year breakout. Yet, he would be the clear-cut No. 2 receiver to Nabers. The former LSU star would have top-12 upside catching passes from Herbert despite playing in Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense.

Rome Odunze (WR – Washington) → New York Jets

The Jets might need to trade up a couple of spots, with the Chicago Bears eyeing a wide receiver with the ninth overall pick. However, Odunze would be outstanding in New York. Aaron Rodgers has produced multiple top-12 wide receivers in the same season before in his career. Therefore, fantasy players could see Garrett Wilson and Odunze succeed next season. While the team signed Mike Williams, the veteran is playing on a one-year deal after tearing his ACL last year and likely won’t be around in 2025.

Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia) → Cincinnati Bengals

Unlike last year’s tight end draft class, Bowers might be the only fantasy-relevant guy as a rookie in this year’s class. The former Georgia star is an elite prospect but could slip in the NFL Draft. While the Bengals would likely have to trade up a handful of spots, Bowers would be perfect in Cincinnati. The team has never given Joe Burrow a difference-maker at tight end. More importantly, he could have over 120 targets as a rookie if the Bengals trade away Tee Higgins.

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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.

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