Fantasy football: Why you need to draft more than one rookie in 2024

If there is one tip we can give a fantasy football manager — based on the trends of the last few years — it's absolutely draft at least one rookie.

In fact, you should probably draft more than one. Stash them on your bench. Monitor them on waivers. Be on rookie watch.

History suggests that rookies gain steam in the second half of a season, just when you need them in the fantasy playoffs. They are also typically improperly rated by fantasy rankings and therefore offer immense value if you can hit on a player later in a draft who ends up as a starter.

Rookies are incredibly valuable as keepers. Puka Nacua, Tank Dell and C.J. Stroud were all picked up off waivers in most leagues last season, and in keeper leagues, those players count as late-round picks.

Bolded in the tables below are the rookies who were underrated in their initial fantasy "offering." Consider all of this data when you're strategizing to build your team:

In 2022 every single rookie fantasy player — besides McBride, who broke out a year later, and Zamir White, who is slated to start for the Raiders this season — improved their fantasy stock after just one season. If you picked up Garrett Wilson as a non-ranked free agent sometime two years ago, you have him for a second season as an immensely valuable keeper.

The 2021 class:

Most rookies drafted in 2021 held their value at worst, with most of them getting better ADP in their second season. Getting good value is the entire purpose of a fantasy draft and rookies are like investments in stock. They may not average 15 points per game in the first few weeks of the season, but the season is a grind and they could by Week 13.

Here is 2020's rookie class and their leap to 2021:

**Was drafted relatively highly and assumed a starter before season-ending injury.

You can see the trend loud and clear. Here's one more class from 2019:

So what should you do in 2024? Well, obviously there are a few top-line rookies everyone is talking about, like Marvin Harrison Jr. or Caleb Williams. But beyond them, there are a handful of potential rookie steals who could be household names in 2025.

Here are five that we think should be on your radar:

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders

Daniels has legs. He also will be manning a Commanders team that could be trailing a lot, and that has some relatively decent weapons on offense. He could be a garbage time points king if he finds the end zone a starting caliber QB.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Dolphins

The Fins absolutely love speed, and their running back room is packed full of it. Raheem Mostert is getting old, and De'Von Achane is injury-prone. There's a chance Wright hits the field this season and is part of a two-man speed tandem next season with Achane. Get him while he's cheap.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals

Benson is a talented No. 2 in Arizona backing up James Conner, a running back who is oft-hurt. No need to overthink this one.

Keon Coleman, WR, Bills

There might not be a better opportunity for a wide receiver to break out than in Buffalo right now. Gone are Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. The Bills' second-round pick could see a ton of targets and if he makes the most of them he might become Josh Allen's favorite target. 

Ricky Pearsell, WR, 49ers

If Brandon Aiyuk does get traded, Pearsell becomes a must-draft in every league. Until he does, he's the No. 3 in a pecking order that contains an over-used and often injured Deebo Samuel, and an unhappy Aiyuk. This could be a slick keeper for 2025.

Fantasy Football Rankings, 2024
QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K