2024 FTN NFL Power Rankings Through Week 15: Who Takes Over the Top Spot?
Daniel Kelley
At long last, the 2024 NFL Draft is all set to commence at 8 p.m. ET Thursday. How many consecutive quarterbacks will go off the board to start the draft? Who trades down and who trades up? Will the Bears get the best quarterback in their history? The FTN Fantasy team is here to react to all of it. All evening Thursday, FTN’s Aaron Schatz, Chris Meaney, Mike Randle, Adam Pfeifer and Jeremy Popielarz will provide running commentary on the most newsworthy picks and transactions.
Bookmark this page and check back all evening as more thoughts and reactions get added as we all watch the next generation of fantasy players enter the league starting Thursday.
2024 NFL Draft Day 1 and 2 Fantasy Liveblog
Keep an eye here all night long as we add our immediate responses and takeaways.
Looking Ahead
First, we asked some of our guys what they are most looking for from the night.
That NFL Draft starts at pick four with the Arizona Cardinals. It’ll be fascinating to see if they take the generational talent in Marvin Harrison Jr. or whether the trade offers from other teams will be worth moving back. Same deal with the Los Angeles Chargers at five. Minnesota, Denver and Las Vegas are all in a row. What team decides to move up the draft board to get their guy? — Chris Meaney
The madness. I’m anxiously awaiting the potential trades, whether it’s a team moving up for a rookie wide receiver or for a veteran. Bring it on. — Adam Pfeifer
This may be the most exciting NFL Draft I can remember. There is nonstop intrigue throughout the entire first round. QB at picks 1-4? Falcons wild card? Bowers? 9.5 OL? I love the fact that we know nothing and that the domino effect is guaranteed chaos. Kudos to the NFL GMs for keeping a tight lid on their picks. All hell breaks loose after No. 1 to Chicago.
My personal favorite? This intense belief in Brock Bowers is shocking. Sam LaPorta recency bias is real! — Mike Randle
This feels like one of the more fantasy-relevant first rounds in recent memory, with plenty of talk around this year’s quarterback and wide receiver classes. With this I am excited to see just how many fantasy relevant picks we see, and if we see either Brandon Aiyuk or Tee Higgins find new homes this evening. Maybe the most interesting thing to ponder is whether we see Bo Nix or Michael Penix sneak into the first round. — Jeremy Popielarz
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
There’s no question Caleb Williams is the top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. He joins a team with a good situation: A reasonable offensive line and two top wide receivers, DJ Moore and now veteran Keenan Allen. Still, the range of possible outcomes for rookie quarterbacks is very, very wide. Even C.J. Stroud, having an awesome rookie season last year, was only QB9 in fantasy scoring. It’s more likely Williams will be a top backup QB or a good QB2 in a 2QB league, not a starting QB for standard redraft leagues. Of course, in dynasty leagues, this is the quarterback you want. — Aaron Schatz
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
You might be surprised Daniels has a higher fantasy floor than Caleb Williams in Chicago, but oh, those valuable rushing yards. Running quarterbacks may be more consistent for fantasy purposes because they rack up those rushing yards and touchdowns even when they are struggling to pass the ball. Daniels had over 1,000 rushing yards at LSU last season. Go ahead and slobber over what he’ll do in the NFL. Just remember that his slight frame ups the odds of an injury. Daniels is probably a better fantasy pick than Williams in a redraft league, but Williams is better for dynasty given the stronger likelihood that he’ll establish himself as a consistent, above-average NFL starter. — Aaron Schatz
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
New England gets its franchise quarterback with the 6-foot-4 gunslinger Drake Maye from UNC. Maye threw for almost 8,000 yards over the past two seasons with the Tar Heels, totaling 62 passing touchdowns with just 16 interceptions.
Maye has the prototypical size and frame and throws a tight spiral with strong velocity. He is a true gunslinger with no window too small for him to place the football. Maye played behind an inconsistent offensive line, which provided him the opportunity to find ways to extend the play. Is there boom or bust potential? Yes. But there’s also the opportunity for a game-changing quarterback with the arm and swagger to win championships.
He joins a New England offense that is starving for franchise quarterback. The post Tom Brady years have gone so poorly that there were internal rumblings that the players wanted UDFA Malik Cunningham to get an opportunity during last year’s dreadful 4-13 campaign. Those rumblings now stop as New England needs to return to dominance and that starts with a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. Massive size, big arm and the guts to go for the big play. The Patriot Way is the only way in New England, and it is now led by the former North Carolina Tar Heel. — Mike Randle
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
The best wide receiver in a loaded class, Marvin Harrison Jr. is set to catch passes from Kyler Murray for years to come. Harrison possesses an incredibly well-rounded skill-set. He can play with size and physicality, but also with finesse and suddenness. Everything about what he does on the football field is calculated and intended, especially in his routes. He knows how to attack leverage and an underrated part of his game is how he seemingly always works back to the football, making defenders defend until the play is over. There have been many comparisons to A.J. Green, and you can easily see why. Marvin Harrison Jr. is elite.
Oh yeah. He’s also 6-foot-4, 210 pounds.
Arizona is a perfect destination. With 30% of the Cardinals’ 2023 targets gone, Harrison could walk into 150-plus targets as a rookie. And we’ve seen the WR1 for this team see massive target totals. Back in 2020, DeAndre Hopkins posted a 29.4% target share, averaging 10 targets per game. And with Hopkins suspended for the first six weeks of the 2022 campaign, Marquise Brown operated as Arizona’s WR1. During that span, Hollywood averaged 10.7 targets and 7.2 receptions per game, while sporting a 26% target share and 23% target per route run rate. Harrison should be ranked as a top-15 fantasy wide receiver. — Adam Pfeifer
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers rocked an incredible suit at the NFL Draft that was lined with his highlights from his time at LSU. To be honest, I’m surprised there was enough room because he had plenty of jawdropping moments for the Tigers. Nabers is a walking highlight reel who racked up an LSU record 3,003 yards in his three seasons. He had a career year in 2023, which resulted in 1,568 yards on 89 receptions, and he scored 14 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 200-pound speedster can make plays down the field and he’s explosive with the ball in his hands. Nabers can line up all over the field and can beat defenders in multiple ways. Whether it’s a contested catch or with the ball in his hands after a grab, Nabers can do it all.
The New York Giants are starving for a dynamic playmaker, and they got one in Nabers. The 20-year-old joins a wide receiver room that consists of Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson. Hyatt and Robinson have shown very little since entering the NFL, and tight end Darren Waller can’t stay on the field. Nabers will open up the season as the clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game. The downside is that his quarterback will most likely be Daniel Jones in Week 1. New York ranked 30th in points per game in 2023 and they lost their best offensive player in Saquon Barkley through free agency. However, volume is king in fantasy and Nabers has the skillset to produce wide receiver two numbers with WR1 weeks, even on a bad Giants team. — Chris Meaney
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
And we have our first shocker! Michael Penix Jr. drafted by Atlanta at Pick No. 8!
Penix is 6-foot-2, 215 pounds with a howitzer for an arm. Drives the ball on a line with velocity, both down the field and into tight windows. Penix is super aggressive, attacking any tight window and showing faith in his receivers. Add in his 4.46 40-yard dash speed, and it’s mind blowing the fantasy community took their time realizing he was an absolutely first-round lock.
Penix heads to a Falcons team where he will learn behind 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins. Enter Penix, who completed 67% of his passes for over 4,600 yards with 35 TDs and just 9 interceptions. Penix led Washington to the National Championship game with five games of 4 passing touchdowns or more during the season.
The Falcons believe in Penix and set up succession at the most important position. Get ready for an explosive aerial attack to light up the sky in Atlanta. — Mike Randle
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
In just about any other draft class, Odunze would be the clear WR1. He’s one of my favorite players in this entire class. Odunze has elite contested catch ability, always high-pointing the ball and possessing the physicality and body control to make the play. In 2023, he converted 21 of his 28 contested catch opportunities (75%) and was nearly unstoppable on fade routes. He lacks top-end speed but has good enough speed at 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds.
The Bears now have arguably the league’s best trio at wide receiver with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Odunze. It is unlikely that Odunze has a huge rookie season in such a crowded offense, but don’t let this landing spot deter you from drafting him high in rookie dynasty drafts. Allen is 31 years old and is a free agent after this season. Caleb Williams and Odunze will dominate for years to come. — Adam Pfeifer
10. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
They said it was crazy. They said it would never happen. But Jim Harbaugh called it … J.J. McCarthy is officially a first-round pick, joining the Minnesota Vikings after a Day 1 trade.
McCarthy is 6-foot-3, 219 pounds, and took over as the Michigan starting quarterback in 2022. He’s a natural-born leader who just turned 21 years old in January. He just led Michigan to a Big Ten title an undefeated season and national championship this season.
Forget that lack of elite college passing production, McCarthy is the best passer in this draft at a critical ability: throwing over the middle of the field. He is a fantastic athlete that is more than comfortable with designed runs or making plays outside of the pocket. His reported 40-yard dash time prior to his 2023 season? 4.48! What?
On the velocity drill at the combine, McCarthy topped out at 61 MPH, putting to rest any notion that he doesn’t have the arm strength for the NFL QB position. He now goes to a Minnesota Vikings that fits his skill set perfectly. Justin Jefferson? Best WR in the game. Jordan Addison? Speed to burn. T.J. Hockenson? Elite TE. Aaron Jones? Elite pass-catching RB. Sprinkle in playing in the controlled environment at US Bank Stadium, and you have a rookie QB that is ready to make an immediate impact this season.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is known as the QB Whisperer, but he’s shouting from the treetops that they have their QB of the future for the next decade. Arm strength, confidence, winning pedigree at just 21 years old? McCarthy goes to the Minnesota Vikings in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. — Mike Randle
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Denver needed a quarterback and didn’t flinch to take Oregon’s Bo Nix with the 12th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nix is a modern NFL quarterback with accuracy, arm talent and strong athleticism. He is intelligent and works through progressions, rarely making a mistake. He completed over 71% of his passes each of the last two seasons, throwing 74 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. He may not bring the pizazz of a player like Penix, but he certainly is ready to guide an NFL offense during his rookie season.
Denver traded for Zach Wilson, but the Broncos now secure their quarterback of the future, drastically upgrading the most important position on the roster in the past week. Head coach Sean Payton is great at building around a quarterback, and he now has his chance to do it again with Oregon rookie Bo Nix. — Mike Randle
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The word “generational” gets tossed around loosely in the fantasy streets, but Brock Bowers earned it as a two-time John Mackey Award winner (2022, 2023) as the nation’s best tight end. In his three seasons at Georgia, he produced over 2,700 scrimmage yards and 31 touchdowns. He also holds Georgia single-season tight end records for receptions (63), receiving yards (942) and touchdowns (13).
He has a slightly smaller frame, standing a modest 6-foot-3, 243 pounds, but he moves like a wide receiver. His acceleration, fluidity and transitions from receiver to runner are extremely fluid. which he pairs with a unique ability to create after the catch for a tight end. His spatial awareness to find open spots in zone coverage makes him a first-down machine. He leaves some to be desired in the run game, but he won’t kill you as a move blocker/sealer.
Bowers being selected by the Raiders is slightly a head-scratcher after selecting Michael Mayer last year. However, his versatility to align anywhere will allow him to be more of a playmaker than a traditional tight end, which is gold for fantasy. — Jeremy Popielarz
23. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas, WR, LSU
Thomas is the second LSU wide receiver taken in the first round, and he has a lot to offer, just like his former teammate Nabers. At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Thomas has the size and length to make all the catches. He’ll make an immediate impact in fantasy thanks to his terrific athleticism and ability to get down the field. The 21-year-old turned heads at the NFL Combine with his 4.33-second 40-yard dash. Thomas can get up to top speed very quickly and he can create separation with ease. It’s part of why he led the FBS with 17 touchdowns, the most since DeVonta Smith’s 23 in 2020.
Unlike Smith, Thomas doesn’t get much praise for his route running. This past week on NFL Radio on SiriusXM, 2023 LSU OC Mike Denbrock said Thomas can do more than people think and he wasn’t asked to run certain routes with Nabers on the squad. His route tree may be limited for now, but he has all the tools to develop into a WR1 in fantasy over time.
Out goes Calvin Ridley and in comes Thomas, and another weapon for Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars added Gabe Davis in the offseason, and they have Christian Kirk along with Evan Engram, so there’s a lot going on in Jacksonville. However, Ridley was able to put up WR2 numbers last season. Thomas may not hit WR2 status in year one, but he has that ceiling. Davis falls back to being a boom-or-bust wideout (WR3/4). Great get for Lawrence. These two are very appealing in dynasty startups. — Chris Meaney
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Many have pigeon-holed Xavier Worthy to a speedster-only role, but he’s more than that. He has three straight seasons of over 700 receiving yards and is coming off a 1,000-yard season for the Longhorns. His 2,755 receiving yards are fourth most in school history, and his 26 touchdowns are third.
Yes, he ran a Combine-record 4.21-second 40-yard dash, but his route running pops off the screen on this tape. He can change directions on a dime and his elite acceleration helps him create plenty of separation and force plenty of missed tackles. This will make his transition to the NFL easier. His light frame (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) is a justifiable concern, but we have seen these smaller-frame receivers begin to find plenty of success at the NFL level over the past few seasons.
Landing in Kansas City may be a perfect fit for this speedster, the Chiefs have been missing the world-class speed element since Tyreek Hill left town. With Worthy’s skill set, he will see a variety of touches and likely eat into Rashee Rice’s screen targets. Being paired with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid makes him a prime fantasy asset and should ascend rookie rankings. — Jeremy Popielarz
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Wow. Amid the trade rumors surrounding Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, the San Francisco 49ers select Ricky Pearsall with the 31st selection. Given the draft capital, it is entirely possible San Francisco moves Aiyuk or Samuel now. Pearsall has a solid combination of size (6-foot-1, 189 pounds) and speed (4.41 40-yard dash). He is nuanced in his routes and changes temp well to set up defenders. And although he projects as a slot receiver at the NFL level, Pearsall won’t be limited to just that role. He had 11 deep receptions last year and has the suddenness and manipulation skills to get open down the field. If he enters the 2024 season as the second wide receiver in Kyle Shanahan’s fantasy-friendly offense, he could do some damage in year one. — Adam Pfeifer
32. Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
After four unproductive seasons at South Carolina, this 6-foot, 217-pound receiver exploded onto the scene with the second-most receiving yards in the SEC in 2023, with 1,255. That was nearly triple his entire college production, 2019-2022, combined. He scored 7 touchdowns last season.
Legette does not shy away from physicality within his route or after the catch. This is an important piece of his game, as he lacks the refinement to create separation within his routes regularly. When schemed open he can create yards after the catch easily with his long stride and quick acceleration. Improvement at the catch point and cleaning up his route-running ability is a must to become more than a rotational wide receiver at the next level.
Landing in Carolina gives him a fairly open depth chart to take advantage of, but this pick feels eerily like Jonathan Mingo in 2023, and we’ve seen how that has turned out thus far. With a new-look offense, there is hope they can find a way to get Legette in space and allow him to impose his will on defenders in the open field. His value will likely remain much of the same for fantasy as a second-round rookie pick or late-round flier in redraft. — Jeremy Popielarz
33. Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
After trading back two times in Round 1, the Bills snag themselves their WR1 of the future in 6-foot-3, 215-pound Keon Coleman. Coleman earned First Team All-ACC after producing 658 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his only season with Florida State. He disappointed in the 40-yard dash with a modest 4.61, but if you turn on the tape you see he is a natural playmaker. Coleman uses his frame and strong hands well to box out defenders and make circus catches with ease. He will need to improve his fluidity in his routes to excel as a premier WR1 at the NFL level. — Jeremy Popielarz
34. Los Angeles Chargers: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
There was a huge mystery entering the draft on whether the Chargers would take a receiver at No. 5. They did not, but Los Angeles got their guy here with Ladd McConkey. McConkey is 6-foot, 185 pounds, and produced 1687 yards and 14 touchdowns. After running a 4.39 40-yard dash, his name flew to the top of many draft boards. His speed is all over his tape, with polished routes and strong hands. After the catch, McConkey has tremendous deceleration that allows him to change direction quickly and create plenty of extra yards.— Jeremy Popielarz
37. New England Patriots: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
The New England Patriots wasted no time providing Drake Maye with some help, selecting Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th overall selection. Polk was part of Washington’s elite wide receiver trio this past season, catching 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He plays with physicality and competitiveness, possessing strong hands and body control when the ball is in the air. With second round draft capital, Polk can compete with Demario Douglas for the team-lead in targets right away. — Adam Pfeifer
36. Carolina Panthers: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Brooks had his season cut short in November due to a torn ACL or he would have been selected earlier in the NFL Draft. He was tremendous before suffering the knee injury. Brooks is a dynamic runner who can hit top speed quickly, and he makes defenders miss with shifty footwork. He may not have a ton of power, but he has the ability to be a three-down back. Brooks hauled in 25 catches in 11 games last season. The 20-year-old also racked up 1,139 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 187 attempts. Those were 136 more than he tallied the previous two seasons. Brooks didn’t receive a lot of work before 2023 with both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson on the Texas roster.
Even with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders still in Carolina, Brooks is immediately Carolina’s best running back in their room. Keep in mind, Sanders lost his job midway through last season. Brooks has great vision and he can make things happen with the ball in his hands, which is exactly what Bryce Young and the Panthers need. All reports suggest Brooks being ready for training camp. It may take a few weeks to fully take over the backfield given the injury and the fact it’s his first season, but HC Dave Canales leaned heavily on Rachaad White as a runner and as a receiver as the OC in Tampa Bay last season. Brooks has the upside to be an RB2 in year one and he’s someone who could finish the fantasy season strong. — Chris Meaney
52. Indianapolis Colts: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
One of my favorite players in this entire class, AD Mitchell has become a bit of a polarizing prospect. You either love him, or think he’s overrated because his production profile isn’t otherworldly. I think Mitchell is a top-five wideout in this class with immense upside. At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Mitchell has the size and speed to be a very impactful outside wide receiver. His movement is so fluid, especially for a player of his size. Double moves are his specialty and can really make some noise with his routes at the second level of the defense. And when the ball is in the air, Mitchell demonstrates strong body control and contortion. I know many don’t love his production (55-845-11) but he also played in run-first offenses in both Texas and Georgia. And keep in mind he missed most of the 2021 season with a high-ankle sprain.
Mitchell fell in the draft to the middle of the second round to the Colts, who run a very fantasy-friendly offense. In Shane Steichen’s first season as coach in 2023, the Colts led the NFL in both average seconds per snap (24.0 seconds) and no-huddle rate (16.6%). Michael Pittman should remain the WR1 in this offense but there could be enough volume and pace for Mitchell to enter the flex discussion during his sophomore season. — Adam Pfeifer
53. Washington Commanders: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
The Commanders haven’t had a difference-making tight end since Jordan Reed and Sinnott gives them their best chance at finding just that. He lined up all over the formation at Kansas State, operating from the slot 20% and in the backfield 15% of the time in his career. Sinnott is extremely quick and can make plays with the ball in his hands, forcing 14 missed tackles in 2023. With Zach Ertz on just a one-year deal, Sinnott can learn from the veteran in year one and then fully take over as the full-time tight end as early as 2025. He should be viewed as the rookie TE2 behind only Brock Bowers — Adam Pfeifer
65. New York Jets: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
The Jets are in a position to go all in this year and get themselves a versatile receiver in Malachi Corley out of Western Kentucky. Corley is a stout-framed athlete standing 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, who punishes his opponents. He has produced over 3,000 receiving yards in his career, including 2,117 after the catch (per PFF) earning the “YAC King” nickname. He holds the school record with 259 receptions and is second in school history with 29 touchdowns. Within his routes, he has enough twitch to create separation and may need to develop more to become a three-level threat. He will pair perfectly with Garrett Wilson and operate in the short areas of the field. — Jeremy Popielarz
66. Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Trey Benson’s career started on the wrong foot. Sustaining an injury in 2020 forcing him the redshirt his freshman year at Oregon. He would go on the transfer to Florida State in 2022, where he exploded onto the scene. He has tremendous speed — 4.39 40-yard dash — and pairs it with ideal size, standing 6-foot, 216 pounds. We saw his patience and vision improve in 2023 as he began to see his rep count increase. He finished his Seminole career with 1,896 yards and 23 touchdowns. In 2023 his 14 rushing touchdowns were second in the ACC. He will likely work in with James Conner in year one, but this is the perfect role for Benson. That said, there will always be concerns about whether he can handle a workhorse role. — Jeremy Popielarz
80. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
After losing Tyler Boyd and with questions about the future of Tee Higgins, the Bengals added Jermaine Burton out of Alabama. Burton is 6-foot, 196 pounds, and ran an impressive 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine. It always felt like he left us wanting more on the field as he never reached his true ceiling. He did manage to lead the Crimson Tide in receiving in 2022 and 2023 with 677 and 798 yards. His ability to be physical in his routes and attack all three levels will allow him to slot into Boyd’s role easily. He will likely struggle to find consistency as a fantasy asset, but he will have his weeks. — Jeremy Popielarz
82. Arizona Cardinals: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
It’s not the most exciting pick, but the Cardinals added a tough physical body in Tip Reiman, who stands 6-foot-5, 271 pounds. He is going to be playing behind Trey McBride but should be a huge asset in the run game. He managed a mere 300 yards receiving, so don’t expect much fantasy value from this pick.— Jeremy Popielarz
83. Los Angeles Rams: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Corum is a workhorse downhill running back with incredible balance after contact. Don’t let his 5-foot-8, 205-pound frame fool you, Corum can handle a ton of touches and he can get tough yards. The 23-year-old has power between the tackles and can excel in tight spaces. Corum totaled 56 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons for Michigan, including 27 in 2023. He set a Big Ten record by scoring 168 points in 2023 and was the only player to score a touchdown in every game he played in (28 total). No wonder people called him the best finisher in college football. His pass blocking isn’t fantastic, but it was good enough for Jim Harbaugh to play him in third down situations to protect and to catch the ball out of the back field when called upon. However, Corum projects as complementary running back to a No. 1 RB.
We figured Corum may go to Los Angeles, but to the Chargers not the Rams. This selection may feel odd given how well Kyren Williams played last season, but Sean McVay has a history of selecting running backs. Corum is a great fit for Los Angeles as he should be able to complement Williams perfectly. A good real-life move for the Rams and the offense, but this isn’t the best landing spot for his outlook in fantasy. Williams dominated touches last season and he was great in the passing game. Williams is still a strong RB1, and Corum may be nothing more than a handcuff in his rookie season. — Chris Meaney
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
With the departure of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers have been in desperate need of a slot receiver. There have been rumors surrounding Tyler Boyd, but Pittsburgh drafted Roman Wilson in the third round. Johnson averaged nearly nine targets per game over his final four seasons in Pittsburgh and consistently created separation. Wilson ran nearly 70% of his routes from the slot in Michigan last season and will be a strong complement to George Pickens. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves to target the middle of the field and Wilson also offers 4.40 speed from the inside. This is a perfect landing spot for Wilson, who is a legitimate sleeper in 2024 redraft formats. — Adam Pfeifer
88. Green Bay Packers: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
You could make a case that Lloyd is the best back in this draft class. Multiple injuries over the last four seasons (including a torn ACL in 2020) have limited Lloyd’s potential. However, he has a fantastic combination of speed, power and agility. He’s slippery, good as a receiver and has big-play ability. He has good contact, balance, patience and burst. Lloyd can make you miss in the open field and take it to the house. At 220 pounds, he was able to post a 4.46 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. Lloyd is coming off a season where he touched career highs in attempts (116), rushing yards (820) and receiving yards (232) over 11 games at USC. He had 31 grabs over the past two years, but he’s probably more suited for a timeshare or committee role in the NFL.
The landing spot in Green Bay makes it tough for Lloyd to make an impact as a rookie in fantasy. Lloyd is a good replacement for Aaron Jones in the long term, but the Packers replaced Jones with Josh Jacobs in the short term. Jacobs has averaged 19.1 attempts per game over the last two seasons and 3.2 catches per game over the past three seasons. — Chris Meaney
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
It was a down year due to injury in 2023 for Jalen McMillian, but in 2022 he had 1,098 yards and led the team with 79 receptions. He has a sturdy frame and is a fluid athlete who can lose defenders within his routes with ease. His speed shouldn’t be overlooked either, which allows him to attack all three levels of the defense, but he projects as a slot player in the NFL. The Buccaneers have been looking for a reliable third target in the offense and get that with McMillian. If he can refine his game, we could see him take over for Chris Godwin in the coming years, but until then his fantasy production may be rocky. — Jeremy Popielarz
100. Washington Commanders: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
The NFL linage continues for the McCaffrey name, as the Commanders selected Luke McCaffrey out of Rice. McCaffrey has great size, standing 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, while running an impressive 4.48 40-yard dash. He led Rice with 71 receptions for 992 yards in 2023 en route to a first-team All-American Athletic Conference honor. McCaffrey is a fearless athlete who operates in the middle of the field with ease, he also has great acceleration that he uses throughout his game. He lacks a twitchy side, which limits his separation in certain routes and his ability to force missed tackles. He will likely slot in behind Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson when it comes to earning targets to start his career. However, I wouldn’t say Dotson’s role is secure so we could see McCaffrey earn a larger role by season’s end. He is more of a dynasty name than a redraft name in 2024. — Jeremy Popielarz
