As the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway, ESPN Fantasy Football's trio of Liz Rosa, Matt Bowen, and Mike Clay provide analysis of each skill position player selected in the first three rounds and their rookie seasons. We will introduce our predictions for the first time. .
Will top quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make noise in their first voyage to the league like C.J. Stroud did last season? Will Marvin Harrison Jr. make the biggest impression in this deep wide receiver class, or will Malik Nabors or Roma Odunze do better in their first year? Will Brock Bowers match the impact Sam LaPorta had last season?
Where these players land is a key factor in answering these questions. Take a look back at his first two nights of the NFL Draft and see what Liz, Matt and Mike think about this year's rookie class. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about the 2024 fantasy football season.
round 1
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 324/497, 3,391 yards, 20 TDs, 13 INTs.
62 carries, 312 yards, 3 TDs (15 games)
A natural creator with the ability to make difference-making plays, Williams has the dual-threat traits to post realistic fantasy numbers as a rookie. Getting him on schedule as a pocket thrower will be a top priority in Chicago, but with a group of proven veteran pass catchers led by DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Williams is the highest-ranked quarterback in the 2024 class. Proud of the ceiling. He should be drafted as a high-end QB2 with an immediate return in a super-flex format. — Bowen
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 320/515, 3,447 yards, 15 TDs, 14 INTs.
106 carries, 578 yards, 5 TDs (15 games)
Although his playing style is not similar to Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Daniels' pitching characteristics are a perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury's offense. The new offensive coordinator at the helm is expected to employ plenty of spread passing elements, which should help the 23-year-old in his transition to the pros. With Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson leading the receiving corps and a solid run game available to establish a rhythm, Daniels slides into sneaky productive situations. Add in his elite rushing instincts, and the rookie has the potential to be a QB2 in a super-flex format in his first year. — Rosa
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 325/511, 3,361 yards, 16 TDs, 13 INTs.
66 carries, 330 yards, 2 TDs (15 games)
At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Maye has the physical tools to produce fantasy production in his rookie season. He is a fast-throwing player who can attack all three of his levels of the field and has the ability to post rushing totals on designed carries and scramble attempts. The Patriots signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett this offseason, so a camp battle is looming this summer. However, if Maye wins the starting job, he will bring value to the super-flex format as an excellent QB2. — Bowen
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 82 receptions, 1,115 yards, 5 TDs (15 games)
A polished playmaker whose father is a Hall of Famer, Harrison is perhaps the most pro-ready player in this year's draft class, regardless of position. Kyler Murray may not be the most consistent passer in the NFL, but he's proven capable of supporting a top-15 fantasy producer at the position (DeAndre Hopkins has been the best in all three of his seasons). (Cardinal), who was a top-15 WR in fantasy points per game. Harrison should easily emerge as Murray's first choice and will likely hit double-digit targets on a week-to-week basis, making him a priority rookie in drafts and dynasty formats. — Rosa
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 75 receptions, 982 yards, 5 TDs (15 games)
Nabers is an explosive receiver. He can stretch defenses vertically from slot or perimeter alignments with the physical catch-and-run characteristics he creates on the open grass. Nabors will likely be projected as a three-tier big-play target in New York under coach Brian Daboll. The Giants will need to see a higher level of play from quarterback Daniel Jones this season, but there's no doubting Nabors' ability to improve the passing game. He should be drafted as a WR3 and could produce lower WR2 numbers as a rookie. — Bowen
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 42/65, 451 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs. 6 carries, 21 yards, 0 TD (2 starts)
Penix is an accurate rhythm pocket passer at the second and third levels of the field. He can also drive the ball with speed. Check out the tape from the Sugar Bowl win over Texas. Penix is a great fit for Atlanta's offense, which features more play-action elements. He has the mobility to reset the throwing window or attack the bootleg edge. However, Penix's fantasy value is limited to dynasty formats only, as the Falcons signed veteran Kirk Cousins this offseason. — Bowen
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 55 receptions, 739 yards, 4 TDs (15 games)
At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds and a former track star, Odunze has the size and speed to win on the outside at the next level. With his route savvy and a 97th percentile catch radius, the Washington product completes the Bears' receiving corps, serving opposite DJ Moore and as a complement to Keenan Allen in the slot. Given the crowded WR room and the presence of a rookie QB, Odunze is likely to be a slow starter, but he could reach 60 grabs by the end of his first pro campaign. — Rosa
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 327/516, 3,535 yards, 19 TDs, 13 INTs. 45 carries, 197 yards, 2 TDs (14 starts)
McCarthy fits into Kevin O'Connell's offense as a ball distributor who can create out-of-regulation play-action throws. McCarthy has high-end pocket movement that works in tight spots, has the ability to make second-reaction throws, and can create himself as a runner or thrower. The Vikings signed veteran Sam Darnold this offseason, so McCarthy will need to earn the No. 1 job in camp. If he is the starter this season, McCarthy has value as a low-end QB2 in a deeper super-flex format. — Bowen
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 307/486, 3,076 yards, 16 TDs, 15 INTs. 47 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD (14 starts)
Knicks broke out after transferring from Auburn to Oregon. As a Duck, he displayed amazing improvisational instincts, often performing off-platform. His style of play is exciting, but the pace of the NFL could lead to questionable decision-making, especially when throwing deep, an area Nix struggled with in college. He has a solid chance to earn a starting spot in Denver, and his ability to extend plays with his feet could inflate fantasy stats, but he's probably a 2QB heading into 2024. It will probably just be a streaming option in the league. — Rosa
Mike Clay's predictions for 2024: 56 receptions, 651 yards, 4 TDs (15 games)
Bowers is undoubtedly the top tight end prospect in the '24 class. He has the route-running characteristics and ability to stretch the seam to provide coverage against safeties and linebackers. Additionally, he is skilled and sturdy in his post-catch movements. The Raiders drafted tight end Michael Mayer in the second round last year, and Bowers is a fantasy tight end the Raiders would like to have on their roster. He could be a fringe TE1 as a rookie with the ability to produce a breakout game. — Bowen
