The third 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 address superflex leagues and points per reception (PPR) scoring.
Third-Round Dynasty Selections
3.65 - Malachi Corley, New York Jets, WR
New York has spent the offseason putting the pieces together for a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Corley will join Mike Williams as the new complimentary addition to stud Garrett Wilson. Corley spent his time at Western Kentucky and finished his last two collegiate seasons with 180 receptions for 2,2,79 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is only 5-foot-11 but weighs 215 pounds. He will break tackles and hit home runs, as he has the nickname "YAC King."
This is a technical third-round selection, but it was also the first overall pick in the round. Pick 65 is meaningful for dynasty and the situation is intriguing. Williams is recovering from his Week 3 ACL tear and will not operate where Corley will play. New York will need to scheme and get the ball into his hands.
He is our consensus WR74 and should be rising up with this 65th overall selection. I would comfortably take him over Marvin Mims Jr. (WR54) and can argue over Jahan Dotson (WR50).
3.66 - Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals, RB
Arizona is surrounding Kyler Murray with weapons. It started with Marvin Harrison and continued with Benson. I assume James Conner to be the lead back for 2024 and will likely help develop Benson. Conner is 29 years old and on an expiring contract, it is safe to assume Benson will be the successor in 2025.
We may not have the immediate gratification rookie season in this specific situation. That is okay, so long as we see flashes of the potential. Conner had 208 carries (13 games) last season, while the backups accumulated 131 carries. It is safe to assume Benson will see a meaningful workload; unsure how much this would translate to fantasy production absent injuries.
Benson is our consensus RB18. This feels about right, with room to grow as the season progresses. Would have no problem ranking him over Javonte Williams (RB15).
3.80 - Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals, WR
The rumblings within Tee Higgins cultivate an attractive situation with Burton. The organization is adamant about not trading Higgins, but they also seem adamant about not extending him. This does not mean it will not happen or that Higgins will not receive the franchise tag again after the season.
Burton is explosive and will add a dynamic ability as a deep threat to the Joe Burrow-led offense. Ties to a franchise quarterback will have Burton's dynasty stock rising. He is currently our consensus WR83. I see no reason he should not be ranked above Jakobi Myers (WR55) and Romeo Doubs (WR52). His stock will change, up or down, when we learn more information about Higgins.
3.82 - Tip Reiman, Arizona Cardinals, TE
This is a luxury pick for Arizona. Reiman is an excellent blocking tight end and will play a complementary, in-line role to Trey McBride. Reiman said, "I like putting my hands on somebody and doing what I want." He adds, "I feel like it's a gift the Lord gave me, and I am honoring him in doing that."
This selection is reminiscent of Darnell Washington to Pittsburgh. A selection that will matter more to the respective NFL team than our dynasty teams.
3.83 - Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams, RB
Los Angeles dishes out a third-round selection to a running back. Kyren Williams and Corum will be a terrific duo, yet a headache for the 2024 season. It should be noted there was limited depth behind Williams and a team looking to win now. He is under contract through the 2025 season.
Corum will have a similar trajectory to the aforementioned Benson situation. The 2024 season will hopefully show flashes, but we will need to temper expectations for the first-year outlook without a lead role. He is currently our consensus RB30. There is room to climb the ranks as the season progresses.
3.84 - Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers, WR
Whoever Pittsburgh employs to scout wide receivers and draft them should get a raise. Wilson lands in an ideal situation to compliment George Pickens. There is a preconceived notion surrounding new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and getting the ball into his playmaker's hands. I do not mind the offensive coordinator in Smith. Notably, we will need to see the passing game volume offered in this offense. Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and now Wilson will be competing for targets.
Wilson offers 4.39 speed and physicality elements to the offense. I am seeing comparisons to a Tyler Lockett-type player. He is currently our consensus WR57 and should be slowly rising up the ranks.
3.88 - MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers, RB
Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs to a four-year contract in the offseason. They add more depth with Lloyd. Jacobs' contract does not have long-term stability as Green Bay is able to have limited dead cap hits following the 2024 season (post-June 1).
Similarly to the previous Benson and Corum selections, the immediate outlook is not ideal. I will be intrigued by the slight value dip with Lloyd. You can argue he is the best talent in this class, and talent will always reign supreme. He is currently our consensus RB25.
3.92 - Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR
McMillan was the third University of Washington wide receiver through three rounds. There is a belief he is the second most talented of the group. He is familiar with playing alongside talented wide receivers and will continue with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
- Evans will be 31 years old; signed through 2025
- Godwin just turned 28 years old; on an expiring contract.
McMillan will develop and have the luxury of learning behind two prolific wide receivers. He can be utilized all over the field, notably having the most slot touchdowns (14) in college since 2022. Currently, our consensus WR84, he should have no problem rising up the ranks. I am comfortable having him over Mike Williams (WR62).
3.100 - Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders, WR
Washington continues to surround their first-round quarterback with assets. First, it was Ben Sinnott (TE), and now McCaffrey. He joins Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson in the wide receiver room. McCaffrey spent his first years in college as a quarterback and then converted to wide receiver for his final two seasons. He concluded with 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns.
He offers 4.46 speed and 4.02 shuttle, which was first among the 2024 class and second quickest since 2018. Washington adds a playmaker, and McCaffrey finds himself in an intriguing situation. He is currently our consensus WR95 and will easily rise up the ranks.
Third Round - Final Thoughts
It was not surprising to see three running backs selected in the third round. These selections will offer needed depth to a position often decimated by injuries. They may serve as complimentary pieces to their drafted teams RB1. They may prove their talent and eventually take over the lead role.
The five wide receivers drafted are similar to the running backs. They will offer depth and have the opportunity to develop and find a role. Roman Wilson is the only wide receiver who will immediately step into the WR2 role. Malachi Corley may claim the WR2 pending Mike Williams' health.
Dynasty Rookie Draft - Thoughts
The wide receivers drafted will be rising up the ranks. It is simply hard to ignore Day 2 draft capital. This does not mean the respective players will hit or become relevant players. We will need to look into the complete profile while working off the draft capital baseline.
The running backs may find themselves falling in your rookie drafts, compared to if they went to a situation where they would step into a meaningful role. The immediate outlook is not ideal. There is always value in rostering a viable running back as they may find spot-start games if the RB1 on their respective team misses games. The rookie year of development (Benson) paired with a declining asset (Conner) makes their future outlook intriguing.
The lone tight end drafted will not have any relevant dynasty stock. As mentioned, Tip Reiman is a blocking tight end whose services will benefit Arizona more than our dynasty rosters. I have seen the theory of using him similarly to Kyle Juszczyk. If true, and you have a best ball dynasty roster with deep rosters, there may be value, I guess.
Round 3 concluded with nine players drafted to keep on our dynasty radar - eight when we remove Reiman. Through two rounds there were 20 relevant players drafted, adding the eight players results in 28 total. This means, working off draft capital only, the second round of your dynasty rookie drafts is filled. Early thirds have become interesting now. Additionally, there are a handful number of notable players to be selected in the remaining rounds. Get third-round rookie picks added to the deal as throw-ins. Remember, you could have selected Tank Dell in the third round of your 2023 rookie drafts.