Underrated Rookies to Watch for Fantasy Football 2024

A glance at a few potential hidden gems for the 2024 season.

Cesar Escajeda
Draft Prep 5 Months Ago

The 2024 NFL Draft brought an interesting pool of additions to team rosters this past Spring. From second-generation legacies like Marvin Harrison Jr. to highly-touted prospects such as Caleb Williams, there’s plenty to be excited about for the future of the league and fantasy as a whole. Outside of the bigger first-round names, several players are flying under the radar as the season approaches that I would certainly label underrated. This article will spotlight a few of the standouts that could ball out on fantasy rosters this season.

 

Underrated Rookies for the 2024 Season

 

Spencer Rattler, QB – New Orleans Saints

A fifth-round flyer out of the University of South Carolina, the 23-year-old QB found himself leading the Saints in a solid two-minute drill this past weekend to close out their Preseason Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. It was a decent showing for Rattler, going 9/17 for 70 yards through the air overall, but it’s the poise and toughness he showcased that impressed me. From his contact-seeking TD run to the back shoulder bullet he fired towards the sideline to wideout Samson Nacua on the game-winning drive, there’s certainly a lot to build off of.

Rattler doesn’t exactly have world-beaters ahead of him on the depth chart, either. Derek Carr has struggled since being brought in from Las Vegas, and Rattler profiles as a better talent with his rocket of an arm and dual-threat prowess. Training camp reports of a budding rapport with young star WR Chris Olave only bolster Rattler’s case as a strong under-the-radar gunslinger. This is definitely a QB room to monitor as the season progresses.

 

Ben Sinnott, TE – Washington Commanders

A physical prospect with a nasty attitude and style of play, Sinnott was drafted as the second TE overall for a rebuilding Commanders offense. Standing in at 6’4″ and 245 pounds out of Kansas State, there have been comparisons drawn to last year’s rookie phenom Sam LaPorta in terms of athletic ability and YAC, which Sinnott displayed in his first preseason game against the Jets.

The Commanders are entering a new era with QB Jayden Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn, and the future is certainly bright with only Zach Ertz ahead of him on the depth chart. Though Ertz and current offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have worked well in the past, his age, one-year contract status, and history of leg injuries suggest the door is open for the rookie to earn substantial playing time. First-year TEs (excluding LaPorta, obviously) have historically struggled in their rookie years, but the pieces are certainly in place for him to carve out a dominant role in this offense.

 

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE – Carolina Panthers

The all-time leader in receptions for a TE at the University of Texas, Ja’Tavion Sanders helped lead Texas to the College Football Playoffs and now brings his talents to Carolina as a shiny new weapon for Bryce Young and first-year head coach Dave Canales.

Dynamic in space, quick off the ball, and rangy with good hands, Sanders can be a true weapon in multiple aspects for an offense attempting to rebuild Young’s confidence and get the ball downfield in space. Canales has experience in reviving struggling QBs (see Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay), and will need every asset he can get to make Carolina competitive. The offense is certainly a focal point, and with camp injuries to the TE room ahead of Sanders, there is room for him to show his talents and earn a prominent role sooner rather than later.

 

Jaylen Wright, RB – Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins offense was absolutely lethal last year. Speed kills, and with the likes of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane running in space, it’s a monster of a problem to try and contain on Sundays. There’s a ton of mouths to feed down in South Beach at the moment, but it didn’t stop head coach Mike McDaniel from finding his latest gem.

Hailing out of the University of Tennessee, Jaylen Wright ironically enough profiles very similar to Mostert, with shifty size and excellent breakaway speed. However, it’s his vision in space as a ball carrier that really catches my attention. He rattled off 55 yards on 10 carries in his preseason debut against Atlanta, including a lightning strike of a 6-yard touchdown that hit the hole perfectly and even had QB Tua Tagovailoa thoroughly impressed.

There is indeed a bit of a logjam in the RB room here, but injuries and attrition have affected both Mostert and Achane in the past, which could open a lot of opportunities for the talented former Vol.

 

Bucky Irving, RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay made it a point to try and upgrade the offensive line this past offseason, bringing in the likes of Sua Opeta from Philadelphia and standout first-round pick Graham Barton out of Duke. This should help the run game immensely, and while starter Rachaad White is entrenched as the lead back with high expectations, it’s fourth-round pick Bucky Irving out of the University of Oregon who looks to claim his share in the backfield this season.

The former Duck was impressive during his time in Eugene, recording 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries in his final year. He brings competition to RB Sean Tucker for the number 2 spot but has impressed in camp so far and showed a ton of potential in his first preseason action against the Cincinnati Bengals. I’m personally not as high on White as many seem to be this year, and as a result, I’m looking to Irving to earn his place and take over the running game in Tampa sooner rather than later.

 

Dylan Laube, RB – Las Vegas Raiders

Is there anyone truly buying into the Zamir White hype train this year? The Raiders offense does not strike me as one of the more imposing units entering the 2024 season. That being said, there are a few bright spots for the future that might pay dividends to draft, and one big one is RB Dylan Laube.

A small-school prospect out of the University of New Hampshire, Laube profiles as an electric receiving back on a potentially pedestrian unit that could need to thrive on dump-offs as they play from behind. With White and free agent addition Alexander Mattison ahead of Laube in the RB pecking order, it should be easy work for Laube to earn a substantial role in first-year head coach Antonio Pierce‘s offense. He certainly seems to be impressing his teammates thus far, earning a solid nickname from star DE Maxx Crosby.

 

Jordan Whittington, WR – Los Angeles Rams

How do the Rams keep doing this? Yet another gem in the WR room for GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay, a year removed after one of the greatest rookie campaigns in NFL history from stud wideout Puka Nacua. Another star athlete out of the University of Texas, Jordan Whittington has impressed everyone and anyone over the last few weeks. The 6’1″ sixth-round pick has earned praise across the board with his athleticism, toughness, willingness to block, and overall grit.

The argument against him here is, “What’s left after feeding the likes of Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams?” But I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy – I think Whittington is earning McVay’s trust, and with all of the attention and coverage going at LA’s other stars, Whittington will find his niche and earn tough targets and points as the season rolls on. Keep an eye on this one – there is massive potential here.

 

Adonai Mitchell, WR – Indianapolis Colts

We seem to be following a trend here with star Longhorns (yes – I’m thinking Texas is back), but it’s hard not to like the intangibles Mitchell brings to the table for the Colts receiving room. Injuries are unfortunate, but they certainly bring opportunities, and with Josh Downs being sidelined with an ankle sprain, the door has opened for Mitchell to claim the WR2 role with his budding rapport with QB Anthony Richardson.

This offense, if healthy, has a lot of promise, and a big-bodied athletic specimen manning the slot can pay dividends for Indy and coach Shane Steichen. Mitchell slid in the draft and had many detractors and doubters, but has quieted many of them with his highlights in training camp. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do as more meaningful football approaches.

 

Honorable Mentions to Watch Out For

 

Braelon Allen, RB – New York Jets: Drew the start at RB in his first preseason game, and racked up 54 yards on six carries, including 24 & 16-yard runs. Allen looks to be in the driver’s seat for the RB2 spot behind star Breece Hall and has impressed in camp with every opportunity. Has the size to be a three-down back, handles well in pass protection, and looks to be improving as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Could be a steal moving forward and certainly worth a stash on fantasy rosters, especially as a handcuff for Hall drafters.

Malachi Corley, WR – New York Jets: Yet another New York Jet, Corley is a physical, violent runner with the ball in his hands. He seems to be slightly buried on the depth chart as of now but turned heads in preseason action against Washington, has learned the playbook well, and is gaining some traction as a return man. Worth keeping an eye on as the season nears.

Jacob Cowing, WR – San Francisco 49ers: Speedy and elusive, a true threat downfield and in space. A transfer from UTEP to the University of Arizona, he has struggled with a hamstring injury and getting back up to speed in the Niners offense, but with the uncertainty surrounding the WR room here moving forward, he could earn a role and playing time with solid performances in the final two preseason games.

 

Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Joe Robbins/ Icon Sportswire

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