The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has concluded. This article will detail the selected players relevant to your dynasty leagues. Specifically, we will look at the team that drafted the player and the surrounding environment. This article will specifically address superflex leagues and points per reception (PPR) scoring.
First-round Dynasty Selections
1.01 - Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, QB
Simple and sweet with this one. The consensus first-overall pick generates hope within the team and city. It is important to remember Chicago was not the worst team in 2023, the selection comes from a trade with Carolina. Williams enters a team looking to compete. He will have an intriguing supporting cast:
- Wide receivers
- DJ Moore and Keenan Allen
- Tight Ends
- Running Backs
Williams is currently the consensus QB7 in our dynasty rankings. He has high expectations in year one; his value will be insulated from a rookie contract perspective and sunken cost fallacy viewpoint. The team is building around Williams. His immediate and long-term outlook is bright.
1.02 - Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders, QB
Many may view this selection as controversial. Washington did their due diligence and is investing in Daniels. Additionally, the team has made offseason transactions to support their hopeful franchise quarterback:
- Austin Ekeler (RB), Zach Ertz (TE), and Tyler Biadasz (C)
It is not exciting, but they are moves! They will join stud Terry McLaurin (WR), third-year-hopeful Jahan Dotson (WR), and Brian Robinson (RB) in the offense. Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback as he joins the NFL following back-to-back seasons, rushing over 1,000 yards. Daniels is currently the consensus QB15 in dynasty. His rushing upside creates a desirable floor for fantasy success. Resulting in an immense ceiling. There is room to grow, but we cannot deny there is room to descend.
1.03 - Drake Maye, New England Patriots, QB
Three quarterbacks in a row have superflex leagues salivating. Maye does not have a shiny supporting cast with Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, and K.J. Osborn at wide receiver. Veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are the tight ends. I do not necessarily think it is the absolute worst. Remember, situations change, but talent does not. Maye will have veteran support as a rookie with a historically competent franchise and offense. Mac Jones finished as QB18 as a rookie with Jakobi Meyer as the leading target. Maye is the superior talent. He may not have immediate success for redraft leagues, but his dynasty outlook is strong, as he currently is the consensus QB16.
1.04 - Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals, WR
Harrison is like the Caleb Williams of wide receivers. Arizona brings in a superior talent at a glaring need. Harrison will pair with tight end Trey McBride for franchise quarterback Kyler Murray as the top two targets in the offense. Harrison had 153 receptions for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns over his last two college seasons. It should not be surprising if Harrison leads Arizona in targets for the 2024 season and the foreseeable future.
He currently is the consensus WR6 in our dynasty rankings. There are high expectations, but I see no reason why this situation and his talent will not be a fantastic recipe for success.
1.06 - Malik Nabers, New York Giants, WR
Similar to the Harrison selection, the Giants add a top-tier talent at an evident need. However, the Giants are lacking a franchise quarterback. Nabers had 161 receptions, 2,585 yards, and 17 touchdowns over his last two years at LSU. He will also immediately step into a desirable situation as his team's assumed WR1 and target leader. Wan'Dale Robinson will look to play a complimentary slot role, with Jalin Hyatt being a field stretcher. Nabers will have no problem commanding targets.
The unfortunate downside will be quarterback play. His 2024 season may draw similarities to Garrett Wilson's WR27 (PPR) rookie season. We know the wide receiver is talented; we just need competent quarterback play. Remember, this is dynasty, and his future outlook is bright. He is currently our WR9.
1.08 - Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons, QB
Well, this pick is shocking. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal with $100M guaranteed money in free agency. It should be noted following the 2025 season he will have zero guaranteed salary. This selection is reminiscent of Green Bay selecting Aaron Rodgers to develop behind Brett Favre. Cousins is recovering from an Achilles tear. Penxi Jr. will look to develop and learn the system behind Cousins.
We cannot deny the draft capital here. Penix should be a first-round dynasty rookie selection in superflex leagues, right? The downside is having to wait for an assumed two years for him to become a starter. He will be 26 years old then, potentially 28 years old. Good thing quarterbacks can play into their late-30s.
1.09 - Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears, WR
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has another weapon in Odunze. He joins a wide receiver room with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. This is ideal as he will have two veteran mentors and can take his first year to develop properly. This will help alleviate pressure on Allen, too.
His immediate outlook is not as appealing compared to Harrison and Nabers. I am intrigued by his future outlook as Allen is 32 years old and on an expiring contract. Odunze will look to cement himself as the WR2 and second target in this offense for the future.
1.10 - J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings, QB
The fifth quarterback taken through 10 picks. McCarthy joins an ideal situation in Minnesota. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and a healthy T.J. Hockenson is a salivating situation for a rookie quarterback. One can argue now McCarthy could have the best career among this quarterback class.
I am not saying it will become true, it is hard to ignore his NFL desired traits and intangibles. There are questions surrounding his play, as it is perceived he did not have to do much at Michigan. In 2023, his QBR out-of-pocket was second-best in the class, and he had the least passing yards at or behind the line of scrimmage. He now finds himself in the ideal situation. McCarthy is currently our QB21.
1.12 - Bo Nix, Denver Broncos, QB
What is going on? Nix is the sixth quarterback taken through 12 selections. His situation is less than ideal, but we have the coveted first-round draft capital for a quarterback. Nix's stock will naturally rise with this. He is currently our QB31, and I see no reason why he should not rise near fellow rookie McCarthy (QB21).
Denver will need to add a complimentary supporting cast to Courtland Sutton (WR) and Greg Dulcich (TE). Fortunately, they may lean on their running backs, as Javonte Williams will be looking to be 100% recovered from his ACL injury. Jaleel McLaughlin was an intriguing undrafted free agent and a compliment to veteran Samaje Perine. The running back room saw 150 targets in 2023. Nix was notorious for throwing short and screen passes.
1.13 - Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders, TE
This could be a surprising pick as Las Vegas took tight end Michael Mayer in the second round just last year. It is important to note both players can coexist within this offense. Bowers can be lined up in the slot and be motioned around, while Mayer plays an inline style tight end position. Bowers will look to be a defensive matchup nightmare. He immediately produced as a true freshman in college and accumulated 175 receptions through 40 career games, averaging 14.5 yards per reception. Additionally, he added 19 carries for 193 yards and five touchdowns. He can be utilized all over the field with his 6-foot-3 and 243-pound frame to pair with his pro-day 4.53 speed.
Bowers is our TE4 in dynasty.
1.23 - Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars, WR
Jacksonville replaces Calvin Ridley with Thomas Jr. to pair with Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. This wide receiver room is crowded. We should not forget about veteran Zay Jones, too. It is hard to ignore the first-round draft capital. Let's look at these wide receiver contracts:
- Jones signed through the 2024 season on an expiring contract
- Kirk signed through the 2025 season
- Zero guaranteed salary in 2025
- Davis signed through the 2026 season
- Zero guaranteed salary in 2026
Thomas Jr. has a situation similar to Odunze in Chicago. Their rookie seasons (absent injuries) will not be as statistically impressive as Harrison and Nabers. This does not diminish the dynasty outlook. Thomas Jr. is currently our WR28.
1.28 - Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, WR
Kansas City has been chasing a dynamic wide receiver for a Tyreek Hill replacement, so they traded up in the draft. They are placing their bet on the 4.21 speed in Worthy to pair with Rashee Rice. Travis Kelce and Rice will help Worthy, as defenses cannot allow them to work the middle of the field. He will be 21 years old for his rookie season and will look to compete to be the second target in the offense, complimenting Rice at the wide receiver position.
Worthy is currently our consensus WR35, and this selection will easily raise him up the rankings.
1.31 - Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers, WR
This may be a surprising pick for San Francisco. Trade rumors are circulating in regard to Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Regardless, it seems this was a position of need for them. Samuel is signed through 2025 and will have a $24M cap hit. Aiyuk is looking for a lucrative extension and veteran Jauan Jennings is signed through 2024. Not to mention that San Francisco will need to extend franchise quarterback Brock Purdy.
They now have Pearsall under contract for at least four years. He was not a popular name within this class, but his 4.41 speed and athletic ability will be intriguing for Kyle Shanahan to scheme out. Currently, our WR60, the first-round capital will raise him up the ranks.
1.32 - Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers, WR
Carolina trades up for the last pick in the first round to provide Bryce Young with additional wide receiver talent. First-year head coach Dave Canales has found his potential WR1 for his offense. Legette was a fifth-year senior who exploded onto the scene with 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a home run hitter and will look to complement Diontae Johnson in the offense.
Jonathan Mingo was Carolina's 2023 second-round selection; he does not have ties to this new regime. This makes me assume Legette will be competing to be a top target in the offense, especially trading up for him. He is currently our WR59, and this first-round selection will raise him up the ranks.
First Round - Final Thoughts
There were six quarterbacks taken in the first round. It is hard to ignore a quarterback getting first-round draft capital. This is specifically in reference to Penix Jr. and Nix. There will be risk in these selections, as we have seen recent quarterbacks like Mac Jones and Kenny Pickett fizzle out after a handful number of seasons. You should exercise caution with these two in the first round of your superflex rookie drafts, especially as Penix Jr. may not start for two years. It was assumed Williams, Daniels, Maye, and even McCarthy were first-round NFL selections. They are locked in as first-round selections.
There were seven wide receivers taken in the first round. Harrison and Nabers are the superior talents in the class, and the two are locked in for immediate and future success. Odunze and Thomas Jr. will have time to develop their rookie seasons and not have high expectations weighing on their shoulders. Worthy will be a wild card as he is tied to the Mahomes lead offense in need of a dynamic threat at the position. Pearsall and Legette were surprising selections in the first round. Both will have high expectations given this capital.
There was one tight end selected in the first round. Bowers will add a dynamic ability to the Las Vegas offense. Additionally, he will look to compete to be the second target behind Davante Adams. Hopefully, he will not be a traditional tight end in this offense.
There were zero running backs selected in the first round and that was expected. This does not insinuate there is lack of talent, more so, other positions reigned superior in talent like the offensive line and wide receiver in this draft.
Dynasty Rookie Draft - Thoughts
The first round resulted in 14 dynasty-relevant players being selected. There are typically 12 teams in a dynasty league. This automatically creates an intriguing outlook on superflex rookie drafts. Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette have entered the conversation for a late-first-round selection.
You should trade for second-round picks while you can. The second round may bring additional tight end, running back, and wide receiver values to the rookie drafts.