Congratulations! After a successful tanking season or a trade that landed you a top-two pick in your 2024 dynasty rookie draft, you’ll be granted a franchise quarterback or wide receiver to build around.
DRAFT STRATEGY FOR PICK 2 IN 2024 ROOKIE DRAFTS: MY PRE-DRAFT PLAN
Of course, there’s no such thing as a ‘guarantee’ in fantasy football, but as prospects, Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. are about as much of a guarantee as possible — meaning, I’ll be jumping on whoever is not drafted at 1.01 as soon as I get on the clock at 1.02.
With no real roster to target team needs and only four selections, I wanted to see how the board fell and draft one player from each position. Ultimately, I wanted my franchise quarterback or wide receiver in the first round, a starting quarterback or receiver in the second round, a tight end or running back in the third round, and the last remaining position in the final round—mostly due to the levels of depth at each position.
Read more: “How to draft” from the… 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 spot
Let’s see how the squad looks after drafting from the No. 2 spot in our 2024 dynasty rookie mock draft.
PICK 1.02: MARVIN HARRISON JR., WR, ARIZONA CARDINALS
This pick was simple for me. I was leaving this draft with either Caleb Williams or Marvin Harrison Jr., and with Williams going 1.01, Harrison was there for the picking. Not only is Harrison Jr. the most pro-ready prospect and a day-one alpha WR1, but he’s still only 21, and the landing spot is perfect from a fantasy point of view.
Our previous scouting report, written by yours truly, stated, Harrison “epitomizes the genetically gifted WR, honing his craft with track star speed and acceleration, running precise routes, and exhibiting elite contested-catch abilities with his strong hands, awareness, and ball skills.”
Harrison’s athleticism is evident in his impressive in-game speed of 23.1 mph and his seamless directional shifts with explosive agility. His versatility across the field and adaptability to various formations underscore his ability to thrive in any position. While he may not boast the most yards after the catch like Malik Nabers, his reliable hands and dominance in catching make him a formidable asset, particularly in contested situations.
The Cardinals emerged as a prime destination for a promising wide receiver prospect. With notable figures like Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch leading the wide receiver depth chart, the Cardinals need a true alpha WR1 presence.
Despite Trey McBride’s breakout performance in 2023, the lack of substantial competition emphasizes the urgency for a standout player like Harrison. Positioned to become the primary offensive weapon, Harrison is poised to receive a significant volume of targets, potentially exceeding 150 looks annually, especially alongside Kyler Murray.Given Murray’s track record of peppering his top targets, Harrison’s arrival signals a promising era, capable of rivaling the output of fantasy star DeAndre Hopkins, thus elevating the Cardinals’ offensive potency to new heights.
PICK 2.02: BO NIX, QB, DENVER BRONCOS
Are tears of joy falling down my face after adding Bo Nix to the squad? No, definitely not. However, in Superflex, taking a first-round quarterback who’ll likely start right away is not the worst selection at the top of the second round.
After transferring from Auburn, Nix was developed and put in a system to thrive in Oregon, where he displayed elite accuracy and put up video game numbers.
Over his two seasons at Oregon, Nix was No. 2 in PFF pass grade (91.3), No. 1 in passer rating (126.1), No. 1 in adjusted completion rate (84%), and No. 7 in yards per attempt (9.2). He also led the nation in total touchdowns with 94 over those two seasons.
Some would call Nix a checkdown merchant, and they wouldn’t be wrong. But he throws an accurate deep ball and can stretch the field vertically, in addition to being a horizontal passer.
With the Broncos, they teamed Nix up with his WR1 at Oregon, Troy Franklin, to add a productive deep threat to the receiver room. Franklin joins an above-average receiver core led by Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, and Tim Patrick. He will also have a supportive run game with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Audric Estime, and Jaleel McLaughlin. Not to mention solid pass-catching tight ends in Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich.
Overall, the elderly quarterback has a chance to succeed early on with Sean Payton & co.
PICK 3.02: BEN SINNOTT, TE, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Ben Sinnott’s breakout performance in his senior year underscores his potential as a dynamic offensive threat, tallying 676 yards and six touchdowns on 49 receptions out of 73 targets. Garnering PFF attention with an impressive 82.0 overall PFF grade, Sinnott’s versatility shines through with statistics like 2.02 yards per route run and a commendable 76.1 run block grade. Moreover, his knack for forcing missed tackles (T-4th), executing deep catches (T-6th), and securing contested receptions (T-20th) further solidifies his impact on the field.
Blessed with remarkable athleticism and size, Sinnott’s skill set transcends traditional tight end roles, often deployed across various positions including fullback and H-back. His agility and explosiveness aid in outmaneuvering defenders, complemented by reliable hands that excel in contested situations. Sinnott’s physicality post-catch enhances his YAC potential, while his tenacious blocking adds value as a three-down contributor.
Sinnott’s comprehensive skill set, highlighted by his exceptional final season, cements his status as a promising tight end prospect. His ability to thrive within a run-centric offensive scheme is especially evident.
He will also be a day-one starter alongside Jayden Daniels in DC, forming a high-upside young duo. Sinnott gives Daniels a big body to target in the red zone with George Kittle-esque playmaking upside between the 20s. Competing with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, and solid running backs for targets, it will be tough to imagine a breakout rookie season, but the touchdown upside is real and he’s the clear TE2 behind Brock Bowers.
PICK 4.02: ISAAC GUERENDO, RB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Isaac Guerendo emerged as the standout prospect at this year’s NFL Combine, leaving a lasting impression with his exceptional performance and significantly boosting his draft stock, where the 49ers selected him in the fourth round.
Transitioning from Wisconsin to Louisville, Guerendo showcased his physical prowess, standing at an imposing 6 feet and 221 pounds. His remarkable athleticism was on full display, highlighted by an impressive 4.33-second 40-yard dash, equivalent to a staggering 24.08 miles per hour, along with a 41.5-inch vertical leap and a remarkable 10’9″ broad jump. Additionally, his agility was noteworthy, evidenced by his impressive shuttle times of 4.15 seconds and 6.94 seconds.
Despite playing second fiddle to Jawhar Jordan at Louisville, Guerendo proved his worth by amassing over 1,000 total yards, averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry, and finding the end zone 11 times. Notably, he also demonstrated versatility as a reliable pass-catcher, particularly effective on third downs.
As a running back, Guerendo epitomizes the north-south, one-cut style, characterized by his explosive burst and breakaway speed, making him a natural fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Although he currently sits behind Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell on the depth chart, his combination of measurables and athleticism makes him an enticing stash for dynasty rookie drafts, suggesting he possesses the skill set to succeed at the professional level as a bona fide fantasy running back. Guerendo will sit on my taxi squad until McCaffrey begins to lose a step.
I like Guerrendo as a fourth-round dart throw with some real future upside.
