2024 Dynasty Rookie Risers and Fallers

The hype is REAL with this rookie class. Due to social media, I’ve never seen so many highlights during OTAs.  I am unsure about you but I am fired up for more football.  Luckily, mandatory minicamps are around the corner beginning now to mid-June for most teams. Then the real summer spectacle of training camp opens towards the end of July. Let’s look at some early risers and fallers thus far into OTAs.

Be sure to check out Razzball Football’s updated rankings: Top 150 | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF

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Risers

• Player: Luke McCaffrey
• Team: Washington Commanders
• Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 29 | Previously 31

McCaffrey offers some intrigue in the renovated Commanders’ offense run by Kliff Kingsbury. There are natural comparisons to Julian Edelman, a QB converted to a WR, however McCaffrey showcased elite speed with his 4.46 40-yard dash. I’ve moved him up two spots in my ranking because his OC has a track record of spreading the ball to WRs during his tenure in Arizona. Former Cardinals’ slot WR, Christian Kirk, averaged 96.7 targets with a 16.8% target share in three seasons with Kingsbury from 2019-22. Only 35 WRs drew at least 100 targets in 2023. In a rookie class deep with WRs, McCaffrey could provide value in the late second and early third-round in drafts.

• Player: Theo Johnson
• Team: New York Giants
• Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 36 | Previously 41

Darren Waller announced his retirement on Sunday, June 9th. The former Nittany Lion’s competition is Daniel Bellinger who totaled 55 receptions in two seasons. Johnson is displaying his playmaking ability in OTAs as rumors are swirling about him starting in year one. Under OC Mike Kafk, the Giants’ group of TE targets increased from 57 in 2022 to 107 in 2023. Waller drew 74 of the 107 targets in only 12 games and was five targets shy of being the team leader in 2023. Should Johnson emerge as the TE1 in NY there’s long-term potential in an offense that has shown the willingness to feature a TE.

Fallers

• Player: Roman Wilson
• Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 31 | Previously 29

Wilson dropping in my ranks is more about his situation and opportunity in Pittsburgh. I like the player and his skillset but I fear Arthur Smith will underutilize him. Last season under Smith, Drake London led all Falcon’s WRs with 69 receptions on 110 targets while the WR2, Mack Hollins, totaled 30 targets for 18 catches in 2023. Geroge Pickens is the clear WR1 for the foreseeable future so it’s hard to gauge where Wilson lands on the pecking order with two legitimate starting QBs with different skill sets. There are far too many unknowns about this offense that I am willing to pass on Wilson in drafts.

• Player: Devontez Walker
• Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 39 | Previously 36

Walker is oozing with talent during Baltimore’s OTAs but hasn’t caught a pass from Lamar Jackson. He appears to be the fourth WR on the depth chart and will compete for targets with upcoming star Zay Flowers, former first-round pick Rashon Bateman, and TE Mark Andrews. The Ravens also brought back Nelson Aghlor, which won’t affect Walker’s long-term value. Unfortunately for Walker, his QB has not created fantasy value for more than two pass catchers since entering the league in 2018. He’s a long-term stash player that I will avoid in the third round.