trust the newcomer fantasy football Lineups can be a risky proposition. There's always some hype around draft day, but for many young players, the transition from college to the pros can be a daunting task. Puka Nacua and Alvin Kamara have countless disappointments like Kevin White and Kerryon Johnson.
But when Brian Thomas Jr. had a decent performance Sunday in the Jets' secondary, but slowed down, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns, we looked at the top rookies in 2024 and who We're forced to figure out who deserves to be drafted, or maybe who deserves to be drafted. I'll save it for next season.
Thomas is an easy player to start as he leads all rookie receivers in fantasy points this season. Even on a bad team with an underachieving quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, Thomas managed to shine. And to show just how special he is, he didn't miss a beat when the Jaguars had to switch to Mac Jones. You'd have to assume the team fixes some of the offensive issues for next year and makes Thomas the top pick at the position.
The list of standout rookie receivers to watch next season also includes Malik Nabors and Rudd McConkie. Both are in the top 15 among all receivers in fantasy points and will be active on offense next season. Roma Odunze and Xavier Werty may draw attention as well, but their 2025 draft costs should be significantly lower than the other three.
At the running back position, all eyes will be on Bucky Irving, and perhaps Tyrone Tracy Jr. as well. However, the rest of this season's running back class was relegated to backup duties in limited opportunities. Ray Davis, Blake Collum, and Trey Benson may eventually get their spots, but this group will likely land in the mid-round at best for next season's draft picks.
Next year, quarterbacks will likely be the area where fantasy coaches start reaching out to second-year prospects. Jaden Daniels had a great rookie season, Bo Nix gave him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and Caleb Williams has shown week-to-week development potential and is in the top 10 QBs in the draft. Some people may name it. . No one will ever match the ADP of a quarterback like Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts, but Joe Burrow is likely.
And some are already asking if Brock Bowers will be a first-round pick next year. If elite tight ends are your thing, he'll likely be at the top of your list. It's hard to put faith in a tight end with a first-round pick given what we witnessed last season, but someone will bite. Bowers has talent, but keep in mind that it's not you.
As the season winds down, we'll likely see more and more players from the 2024 rookie class. Many players are auditioning for roles next year, and we might see some surprises down the road. Remember, draft day value is important. 2025 brings a new class of shiny new fantasy toys. Being a rookie is fun, but not everything goes well.
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Howard Bender is responsible for the following content. fantasyalarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy Catch him on the award-winning SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Channel on the “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Fantasy football news and advice.
