The wide receiver position in fantasy football is chock full of talent. This year’s rookie wide receiver class is no exception. The list of productive first-year receivers in fantasy football will likely be long. Still, below, I’ll list the top five rookie wide receivers using FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) in PPR leagues and we’ll examine their 2024 fantasy football outlook.
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Fantasy Football Rookie Wide Receivers
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
(All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference)
Marvin Harrison Jr. is currently going as the WR9. While that could initially seem high, nothing is holding him back from exceeding his ADP.
The Cardinals’ depth chart includes Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, Chris Moore, Zach Pascal, Greg Dortch and tight end Trey McBride. The running back depth includes James Conner and Trey Benson.
While numerous pass-catching options exist, none surpass Harrison Jr.’s caliber. McBride is likely the No. 2 option, followed by Wilson.
In eight games in 2023, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray completed 176-of-268 passes for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. These passing totals weren’t fantastic, but Murray also didn’t have Harrison Jr.
Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown exited the team, and with that, more than 100 targets are now somewhat “up for grabs.”
Based on Murray’s recent touchdown figures, which include 24 over the past 19 games (about 1.2 touchdown passes per game), Harrison Jr. could see what I’d deem a “Julio Jones” stat line, meaning high production in targets, receptions and yards, but single-digit touchdowns.
Don’t worry, though. Harrison Jr. will play a massive part in this offense with a competent quarterback.
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)
Like Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers will step in the door of the Giants’ facility and will immediately be the No. 1 option. He’ll also likely be the critical component in whether or not quarterback Daniel Jones sticks around those same facilities past the 2024 season.
Along with Nabers, Jones will have wide receivers like Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Isaiah McKenzie and Allen Robinson II. The tight end depth includes Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson following the retirement of Darren Waller.
The retirement of Waller helps Nabers’ value even more. Don’t be surprised if he finishes above Harrison Jr. in fantasy points. Of course, the elephant in the room is Jones, who is recovering from an ACL tear. He played in six games last year, completing 108-of-160 passes for 909 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. That’s a per-game average of 151.5 passing yards, 0.33 passing touchdowns and one interception.
That’s what we call “not great.”
To play devil’s advocate a bit, Jones did have a lousy wide receiver room to work with, and Nabers immediately improved the situation.
In 2022, Jones had 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The good news for Jones is that Nabers’ skill set allows for some quick dump-offs that’ll result in many yards after the catch. Jones can also air it out, as Nabers will likely beat most corners in a one-on-one vertical race. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, which will allow for many easy yards and opportunities to move the chains.
While Jones has limitations and is recovering from a knee injury, the team also has a suitable backup in Drew Lock if anything goes wrong.
Nabers will be fine, but there could be some slight inconsistency, especially at the beginning of the year. Stay patient.
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