Two high-end quarterbacks headline the incoming 2024 rookie class, but who else should you pay attention to? I am here to help you, with my preseason top-25 superflex rankings. Since dynasty fantasy football is so fluid, staying current with the incoming rookie class gives you a huge advantage in your league.
Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC
Caleb Williams is the unquestioned 1.01 in this draft class. The 2022 Heisman winner has shown immense arm talent and the ability to create when plays break down. He set nine single-season records last season at USC, including passing yards (4537) and touchdowns (42). Barring a colossal collapse, Williams will be a staple in the NFL and your fantasy team for years to come. Don’t overthink it.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Even in Super Flex formats I am still not passing on this generational wide receiver prospect. Harrison was a Biletnikoff finalist in 2022 after hauling in 77 passes for 1263 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. I expect Harrison to continue to ascend the Ohio State leader boards in 2023, likely cementing the top ten draft capital. He will step in year one and be one of the best fantasy wide receivers in the game.
Braelon Allen, Running Back, Wisconsin
Braelon Allen has a mammoth-sized frame, standing 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, and is a converted safety/linebacker. He is coming off back-to-back 1200-plus yard rushing seasons and has scored double-digit touchdowns in both years. Allen possesses a rare combination of size, power, and speed that will make him a menace in the NFL. Allen brings Derrick Henry vibes and could step in immediately and finish as a top-10 fantasy running back.
Drake Maye, Quarterback, North Carolina
Drake Maye exploded onto the scene in 2022, passing for over 4300 yards and 38 touchdowns. He showed great poise and arm talent from the pocket, while also having the ability to produce with his legs. Maye can still improve in 2023, but even a repeat of last season will secure round one draft capital. With all the makings of a franchise signal-caller, Maye could be your fantasy team’s answer at quarterback for the foreseeable future.
TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson had an injury-riddled sophomore campaign that cooled the fires he set ablaze as a freshman. Still, Henderson is one of the best backs in the nation, and if healthy, will return to his freshman form in 2023. With elite quickness and burst ,Henderson eats up yards quickly giving him an immense ceiling if the right landing spot.
Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
In the shadow of Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka is quietly and consistently producing at a high level. Egubka is great against zone coverages and will makes defenders pay in open space. The season may bring some turmoil with a new quarterback under center, but Egbuka will likely be the second receiver selected in the NFL draft and should also be in fantasy rookie drafts.
Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
We talk about the “tight end advantage” often in fantasy circles, which is exactly what Brock Bowers offers.
Bowers is the best fantasy tight end prospect in recent memory (yes better than Kyle Pitts). Bowers is one of the most fluid athletes at the position and has produced over 1900 yards and 24 touchdowns from scrimmage. If anyone can be the next Travis Kelce it is going to be Bowers.
Xavier Worthy, Wide Receiver, Texas
Xavier Worthy is slightly undersized, but man does he have some suddenness to his game. Worthy is an elite separator who will make you look silly before and after the catch. He did take a step back in 2022, but I expect a big 2023 from Worthy and he continues to hone his craft. He has the making of the next great slot receiver at the NFL level and will be a terror in PPR formats.
Raheim Sanders, Running Back, Arkansas
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has a rare combination of size and speed that allows him to make big plays regularly. His 1714 yards from scrimmage led the SEC in 2022, and he ranked second with 1443 rushing yards. I expect to see Sanders’ patience and vision improve in his second full season, solidifying him in this top tier. Sanders may become an early-down back in the NFL, which could limit his upside, but he could also become the next Nick Chubb.
Michael Penix Jr, Quarterback, Washington
Michael Penix made the best of his opportunity in Washington during his first season after transferring from Indiana. He outproduced the prior four seasons with 4641 yards and 31 touchdowns, both ranking top two in the Pac-12. Penix has good size and arm strength but leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to mobility. If he repeats his 2022 season, he will cement his place among the top three quarterbacks in this class.
Malik Nabers, Wide Receiver, LSU
IMalik Nabers is yet again another impressive wide receiver prospect out of LSU. However, is he Justin Jefferson or Terrace Marshall? Nabers produced over 1000 yards last year but struggled to find the end zone. He has a good frame and is a natural pass catcher with strong hands. Nabers has the potential to become a solid WR2 for fantasy with WR1 upside, but there are still unanswered questions entering 2023.
Troy Franklin, Wide Receiver, Oregon
After a career year, where he hauled in 61 passes for 891 yards and nine touchdowns, Troy Franklin is ready for a big season. At 6-foot-3, 178 pounds he has a lean frame, but shows an ability to win in contested situations. Franklin is best on deep balls, but can win in all areas of the field. Hopefully, we see Franklin continue to ascend in 2023, as he brings an unlimited ceiling.
Trey Benson, Running Back, Florida State
In his first season at Florida State, Trey Benson split touches but still managed over 900 rushing yards. He is explosive in the short areas of the field and showed creativity to produce despite poor offensive line play. Even though he is not a massive running back, he produced the sixth most yards after contact. He needs to improve his patience and clean up his game to become a three-down back in the NFL, but he could become an efficient off-speed pitch that carries decent fantasy value.
Beaux Collins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
The numbers do not paint the picture here for Beaux Collins, who has prototypical X-receiver size and movement. He has battled poor quarterback play in his career, but has managed to score eight touchdowns, equating to just 15% of his catches. We will need to see a step forward from Collins in his junior year to maintain this ranking, but the potential here is massive.
Rome Odunze, Wide Receiver, Washington
Rome Odunze was a beneficiary of the explosion from the Washington offense as he doubled his career numbers in 2022 and led the Pac-12 in receiving yards (1145 yards). He has a great frame and is a tenacious player who creates after the catch. He does need to refine his game and improve in contested situations, but Odunze is primed to ascend these rankings this season.
Will Shipley, Running Back, Clemson
Will Shipley improved on his impressive freshman season in 2022, totaling over 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns from scrimmage. At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, he has a good combination of size and speed. Shipley has great quickness and lateral movement that makes him tough to tackle once he is beyond the line of scrimmage. Shipley has a great dual-threat ability that will also draw a ton of attention from NFL teams. He has the potential to sneak even higher in these rankings if he improves again in 2023.
Blake Corum, Running Back, Michigan
Size is the only thing holding Blake Corum back from being one of the top backs in my ranking, standing 5-foot-8, 210 pounds doesn’t scream–high-end NFL producer. Corum finished top five in every important rush stat in 2022 within the Big Ten and looked explosive and impossible to tackle at times while doing it. He will likely produce at a high level again in 2023, but I will have to see how the NFL views him before I can move him much higher.
Johnny Wilson, Wide Receiver, Florida State
Johnny Wilson is one of the most fluid movers I have seen as a 6-foot-7 wide receiver. He made a huge jump in 2022 after transferring to Florida State, producing over 800 receiving yards on just 43 receptions. His 20.9 yards per reception led the ACC and was second in the nation. Wilson’s game is still fairly raw, but his incredible natural ability and his ceiling may be the highest in the class. If he can improve again in 2023, he will draw a lot of NFL attention due to the mismatches he creates.
Ja’Corey Brooks, Wide Receiver, Alabama
After a limited role in his freshman year, Ja’Corey Brooks ranked second on Alabama with 674 receiving yards. Brooks has a good release and ball-tracking ability, which allows him to win at all levels of the field. He also has an enormous catch radius and strong hands to haul in any ball thrown in his direction. Brooks is a talented playmaker who is just scratching the surface, but he is set to be the main target for the Tide this season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tight End, Texas
This year’s tight end class is not great, but Ja’Tavion Sanders brings huge upside. Sanders is a plus athlete for the position who hauled in 54 receptions, 613 yards ,and five scores in his first full season as a starter. for the Longhorns. At 6-foot-4, 256 pounds, he is a mismatch with quickness and smooth movements in the middle of the field.
Bo Nix, Quarterback, Oregon
Bo Nix took a significant leap in 2022. After transferring to Oregon, his completion percentage jumped 10% and his quarterback rating increased from 130 to 165.7. He also set career highs in almost every passing category, and has drawn the attention of the NFL in a big way. Nix offers a strong arm and a solid dual-threat ability. I am still skeptical of Nix, but with another impressive year, he will debunk my one-year wonder concerns.
Carson Steele, Running Back, UCLA
Carson Steele is a physical freak that stands 6-foot-1, with a chiseled 215 pounds. He is transferring into one of the best offense systems in UCLA ,after posting 1722 scrimmage yards for Ball State. With his combination of size and nimble footwork, he is a tough tackle in the open field. We likely see him follow in Zach Charbonnet’s footsteps and ascend into one of the top names in college football in 2023.
Donovan Edwards, Running Back, Michigan
Donovan Edwards is a big-bodied runner who doesn’t wow you with his explosiveness, but still manages to produce. He averaged an impressive 7.1 yards per attempt last year and found the end zone seven times for Michigan. His vision and ability to identify cutback lanes make him a threat to turn any play into a 10-plus yard run. Edwards lack of speed may make it tougher at the NFL level, but he profiles as the perfect complementary back.
Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas
After two pedestrian seasons for Georgia, Adonai Mitchell will be suiting up for the Longhorns this year. Last year he battled injuries and only produced 134 yards and 3 scores on a mere 9 receptions. Mitchell has a great combination of size and speed making him a big play waiting to happen. In what is a crowded wide receiver room Mitchell will have to stand out to garner targets, but if given the opportunity, he is a lock to produce solid numbers.
Oronde Gadsden, Tight End/Wide Receiver, Syracuse
Oronde Gadsden produced over 900 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns for the Orange this past season. His 61 receptions were the most by any sophomore in school history, and his 969 yards was a school record for a tight end. He offers good fluidity to his game and strong reliable hands. He will need to develop as a blocker to fully make the transition from wide receiver to tight end, but if he does? Watch out.
