The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now, all eyes are officially on the 2024-25 season. Free agent signings will still trickle in over the next few months, but for the most part, rosters should remain unchanged from now until training camp.
While we are still four months away from the opening weekend of the 2024-25 season, it’s never too early to start thinking about fantasy football.
There are always standout rookies who could help you win your fantasy football league, and this year, there’s an especially talented pool of players who should make instant impacts on their teams.
So, here are Newsweek‘s first official rankings for the top 10 rookies in fantasy football for the 2024-25 season.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Top 10 NFL Rookies for Fantasy Football
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
An avid fantasy football manager knows that position players have more value than quarterbacks, and no position player has more value than the No. 1 wide receiver in this year’s class. Harrison Jr., the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, has all the tools to make him an instant WR1 on a Cardinals team that lacks just that. Expect Harrison Jr. to easily eclipse 1,000 yards in his first season in Arizona.
2. Jonathan Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
The first running back taken off the board, Brooks is already listed as the starter on the Panthers’ depth chart ahead of Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. Running backs are as valuable as gold in fantasy football, and a starting running back deserves a top spot on this list, even if they weren’t a first-round pick.
3. Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Coleman was the eighth wide receiver taken and wasn’t a first-round pick, but he goes to a team with massive question marks at the wideout position. The Bills traded All-Pro Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and watched Gabe Davis sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coleman is now a starter alongside Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir in one of the higher-powered offenses in the NFL. That has the makings for a great fantasy season.
4. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Nabers was the second wide receiver taken in the draft, and he also joins a team in desperate need of wide receiver production. He’s listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt and should get tons of touches in 2024 as the Giants attempt to make it clear they made the right decision by not taking a quarterback. But he has Daniel Jones throwing to him while Coleman has Josh Allen. Enough said.
5. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
It’s time for the first quarterback on this list, as Williams could not be entering a better situation. He has weapons galore with wide receivers Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and fellow rookie Rome Odunze, a great tight end in Cole Kmet, and a solid run game led by free agent acquisition D’Andre Swift. Williams can also use his legs, making him a great option at the quarterback position in fantasy.
6. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Speaking of quarterbacks who use their legs, Daniels won the Heisman trophy last year after throwing for 3,812 yards and rushing for an additional 1,134. He also threw for 40 touchdowns and ran for another 10. That is exactly what you want to see out of your fantasy quarterback.
7. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs traded up to select Worthy, who was the fastest wide receiver in the draft. They did sign Marquise Brown, but their best receiver from a year ago in Rashee Rice finds himself in legal trouble. If Worthy can use his speed to get open, he’s going to find himself in the end zone often as he catches passes from Patrick Mahomes.
8. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey is far from the most talented receiver in this class, but again, fits mean a lot. McConkey is on a Chargers team whose No. 1 receiver before the draft was Quentin Johnston. And he has Justin Herbert throwing to him. That’s a recipe for fantasy success.
9. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders drafted Bowers at No. 13 overall, and he’s already listed as their starting tight end ahead of Michael Mayer. He was utilized in myriad ways at Georgia, and the Raiders would be very smart to get the ball in his hands often in 2024. Also, since he’s a tight end, he can provide some serious value to your fantasy team.
10. Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner has been very solid for Arizona, but he’s only played in 13 games in each of the last two seasons and isn’t getting any younger. If the Cardinals’ third-round pick can impress early on, he can earn himself tons of touches as the year goes on. Benson rushed for over 900 yards in each of the last two seasons at Florida State, with an impressive 15 total touchdowns last season.
Honorable Mentions
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
Odunze is a member of a loaded Bears offense as mentioned above which could take away his touches. However, keep an eye out for his initial connection with his new rookie quarterback.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Pearsall likely gets buried in a 49ers offense that has more weapons than any team. However, if the team does end up trading Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, there could be room for a Pearsall breakout.
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams is the Rams’ starter, but he only played in 12 games last season. Corum ran for 1,245 yards with 28 total touchdowns last year for Michigan. He could easily make a huge impact next season.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
