Fantasy Football Rookies Shine in 2024
Hey there, football fans! If you were watching the fantasy football championships over the weekend, you probably caught some serious rookie fireworks lighting up the field. We’re talking about the wide receiver rookie class from 2024 that was hyped to the moon last spring. Spoiler alert: they totally delivered! The final verdict is in, and it’s safe to say that the kids are alright.
Rookies Steal the Show
As the early Sunday window wrapped up with a whopping 12 games, we saw a delightful mix of young talent dominating the WR leaderboard. At the top was Malik Nabers with an astonishing outing of 7 catches for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns, racking up an impressive 32.6 fantasy points. That made him the WR2 for the week! Not too far behind was Ladd McConkey, who pulled in 9 catches for 84 yards and also scored twice, bringing him 25.4 points and a solid WR7 ranking.
Let’s not forget about Jalen McMillan with 5 catches for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning him 20.5 points and landing him right around the 10-spot. Brian Thomas Jr. and Xavier Worthy rounded out the party, putting up 20.4 and 18.9 points, respectively. Even Marvin Harrison Jr. had a noteworthy game from Saturday, with 6 catches for 96 yards—not too shabby for a rookie!
Rookie Debates Ahead for 2025
The talk around the water cooler is going to be electric as we dive into the fantasy draft debates for next year. Take Thomas and Nabers, for instance. They both played together back at LSU, alongside their talented QB, Jayden Daniels. While Nabers was drafted a little earlier in 2024, Thomas has been incredibly productive despite a less-than-stellar showing from his teammates Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones. Their opposing QB situations have made picking a favorite dicey for next season. I’d lean just a tad in favor of Thomas, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they both go at around picks 12-13 next year—definitely not lasting until Round 3!
A McConkey Masterclass
Speaking of surprises, McConkey might just be shaking things up for the New England Patriots. After they traded away the pick that became him, McConkey put on a show to remind them exactly what they gave up. He was phenomenal, showing off a skill set that might even get him compared to Cooper Kupp down the road. With his current form, he seems like a solid Round 3 pick next season.
The Ups and Downs of Worthy and McMillan
Xavier Worthy had a quirky season, starting out slow but really heating up later on, much like how the Chiefs managed Rashee Rice last year. I’d bet he lands somewhere around Round 5 next year, especially if he can keep building that chemistry with his QB. As for McMillan, he’s finally earning the trust of fantasy managers, grabbing two touchdowns this week. If Chris Godwin doesn’t return, McMillan’s value could shoot up to rounds 5-6.
Rookie Tight Ends Make Their Mark
And let’s not forget about those dazzling tight ends! Brock Bowers is setting rookie tight end records left and right, and it seems like he’ll be the first TE off the board next year—likely around rounds 2-3. After all, he’s already surpassed legends on the rookie charts, and with more upside than Kyle Pitts, he could solidify a fantastic future in fantasy.
Veterans at a Crossroads
Now, as we look toward next year, there are some veteran receivers we might be ready to move on from—like Tyreek Hill and Cooper Kupp. Hill had some nice numbers this week, but heading into his age-32 season, he might not be the game-wreaker he used to be. Similarly, Kupp is facing some serious question marks with injuries and a faltering Rams offense.
Lastly, Deebo Samuel is also someone to keep an eye on. He’s about to hit the 29 mark, and while he had a good game recently, it’s still a year to prove himself, especially with uncertainty hanging over his future with the 49ers.
In Conclusion
So as we wrap up the fantasy football season, there are tons of exciting names to keep on your radar for 2025. The rookies have shown that they can handle the pressure and step up when it matters most. Whether you’re drafting for next year or just setting your offseason watchlist, be sure to keep an eye on these young stars. There’s no doubt they’ll make waves in fantasy football for seasons to come!
