The 2024 NFL regular season is now in the books and it’s safe to say that this rookie class was nothing short of phenomenal.
Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers, Malik Nabers and Ladd McConkey all surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, marking the highest number of rookies to reach this milestone in a single season in league history. This was also the first season where multiple rookies recorded 100 receptions (Bowers, Nabers) and 25 passing touchdowns (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix).
If that wasn’t impressive enough, we saw six rookies hit 1,000 scrimmage yards, tying the record for the most in a single season — Nabers, Thomas, Bowers, McConkey, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Bucky Irving all accomplished this feat. And the story doesn’t end there.
Daniels finished as the rookie with the most fantasy points. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick in the NFL draft entered the league as the only player in FBS history with over 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards. His dynamic skill was perfect for the professional stage and he delivered for managers, averaging 20.9 fantasy points per game.
He saved his best for the fantasy playoffs, too, posting a pair of games with over 30 fantasy points. He also became one of only two rookie quarterbacks in league history with double-digit wins and over 4,000 combined passing and rushing yards. His 864 rushing yards were the most by any rookie QB in NFL history, and his outlook is incredibly bright.
But what about some of the other rookies? Let’s dive into the risers and fallers from this season.
Risers
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas was one of the best values in both redraft and dynasty formats this year. Marvin Harrison Jr., Nabers and Rome Odunze stole the spotlight all summer, but Thomas quietly finished as a top-five fantasy wide receiver. He became just the fourth rookie in the Super Bowl era with at least 1,100 receiving yards and 10 TD receptions, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (2014), Ja’Marr Chase (2021) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (1998). That’s elite company.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers caught plenty of criticism in last April’s NFL Draft for taking offensive tackle Joe Alt in Round 1 instead of one of the top WR prospects. However, they traded up and landed McConkey in Round 2. He exceeded expectations, breaking the Chargers’ rookie receiving yards record and finishing as a top-15 fantasy wideout. Justin Herbert now has his go-to target for the foreseeable future.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Heading into the season, many expected Rachaad White to be Tampa Bay’s clear starter. But Irving’s talent was too great to keep off the field. He finished as a top-20 fantasy running back, modeling his game after Alvin Kamara. His skills as both a runner and receiver stood out, just like they did in college. Irving had three games this season with over 150 total yards, proving he can deliver big performances.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: Bowers had a rookie season packed with accolades, including the most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie tight end. He also finished as a top-three overall fantasy tight end, averaging 9.0 targets per game. His impact was undeniable. Many managers who had him on their teams made the playoffs, with 35.3% of them advancing to the championship round.
0:42
Why fantasy managers should move Bo Nix up on their 2025 draft boards
Matt Bowen explains why he’s optimistic about Broncos quarterback Bo Nix after his impressive rookie season.
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos: Nix is the first quarterback head coach Sean Payton has drafted in the first two rounds of his coaching career. Given how Nix performed this year, it looks like the Broncos have found their quarterback of the future. A dual-threat QB, Nix finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback, which is impressive, especially with all the preseason buzz surrounding No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and No. 3 pick Drake Maye.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: McMillan closed the season strong for the Buccaneers, posting six-plus targets and 16-plus fantasy points in five straight games. He stepped up in a big way once Chris Godwin’s season ended early due to a broken ankle. Drafted as Godwin’s eventual replacement, McMillan’s strong play could prompt Tampa Bay to let Godwin walk as a free agent, giving McMillan the opportunity to maintain an expanded role in 2025.
Fallers
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: The No. 1 overall pick and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner had a rookie season with its fair share of ups and downs. He started all 17 games, but only four of those saw him reach at least 20 fantasy points, while seven others were under 10. Still, Williams finished with the fifth-most passing yards in a single season in franchise history. The future looks bright, especially if he uses the offseason to improve his footwork and gain a better understanding of defensive fronts.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals: Harrison was the first rookie taken off the board in nearly all fantasy drafts — the highest-drafted rookie wide receiver in ESPN leagues over the past 20 seasons. Despite the Cardinals greatly improving over last year’s ranking of 30th overall in both receptions and receiving yards, Harrison struggled with consistency. He only had three games with double-digit targets and just seven with double-digit fantasy points, making it a season of peaks and valleys for the No. 4 overall pick.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers: Brooks started the season on the PUP/NFI list as he recovered from a torn ACL. Despite being set to miss the first four games, he still had the highest ADP among rookie running backs. Chuba Hubbard averaged 19.5 touches and 16.1 fantasy points per game, but unfortunately, Brooks tore his ACL again, just 13 months after the first injury. With Hubbard signing a four-year extension in early November, Brooks’ fantasy outlook is looking even more uncertain.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Benson missed the final three games of his rookie season due to an ankle injury. He had double-digit rushing attempts in just two games this year. Starter James Conner, meanwhile, averaged 17.7 touches per game and finished as a top-15 fantasy running back. Conner (29) signed a two-year extension with the Cardinals in early December, which could impact Benson’s dynasty outlook moving forward.
Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills: It was a disappointing season for Coleman, especially considering the Bills had so many vacated targets after Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis left following last season. Coleman was the highest-drafted Buffalo receiver since Sammy Watkins in 2014, yet he ran fewer routes than both Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir and also finished with fewer targets. While Coleman’s fantasy season fell short of expectations, a strong postseason performance could set him up for a much better 2025.
0:49
Why Moody says Nabers is a top-10 fantasy WR in 2025
Eric Moody explains why Malik Nabers is a candidate to be a top-10 fantasy wide receiver heading into the 2025 season.
Rookie dynasty rankings for 2025
Quarterback
1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
3. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
4. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
5. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
6. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Running back
1. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
3. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
4. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
5. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
6. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
7. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
8. Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
9. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
10. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
11. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
12. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
13. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
14. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Rasheen Ali, Baltimore Ravens
18. Frank Gore Jr., Buffalo Bills
19. Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver
1. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
2. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
4. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
5. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
8. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
9. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
10. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
11. Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
12. Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
13. Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
14. Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
15. Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
16. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
17. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
18. Javon Baker, New England Patriots
19. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
20. Malachi Corley, New York Jets
Tight end
1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers
3. Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
4. Theo Johnson, New York Giants
5. AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks
