My time in Detroit has sadly come to an end, but this was one of the most interesting drafts we’ve seen in a long time. I had an absolute blast, and if you joined any of my Reddit AMAs or asked me questions, I hope my insights helped you out! These day three running backs suffered but there were quite a few other players who found themselves in great situations.
Again, these takeaways will be based on my own player evaluations and the buzz I heard in the media workroom. That being said, let’s look at the biggest winners and losers from day three (Rounds 4-7) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Biggest Dynasty Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From Round One of the 2024 NFL Draft (Rookies)
Winners
Ja'Tavion Sanders
(CAR - 4.101)
Coming into the Draft, I had Ja'Tavion Sanders as my 2024 TE2. However, as soon as I stepped into the media room, I began to understand that the NFL didn’t feel the same way at all. With that new outlook, seeing Sanders go as the first pick on day three makes him a winner. Although I don’t love the Panthers landing spot in general, when we’re looking at day three prospects, opportunity is absolutely crucial.
Sanders now steps into a role where he will be the starting tight end with weak target competition. Sanders saves face, and he’s going to be my TE3 in 2024 dynasty rookie drafts.
Troy Franklin
(DEN 4.102)
Troy Franklin is a massive faller overall, but looking at things from a brand new perspective, he’s a winner on day three. NFL teams don’t love Franklin as much, and there have been whispers about poor meetings, but he saved himself from disaster on day three. I’ve heard that Bo Nix vouched for Franklin, and based on the lack of target competition, I don’t mind this spot at all. Franklin was very productive at Oregon, and if his only competition is Courtland Sutton, he should have a good rookie season.
With that said, let’s remember that Franklin was priced in as a round two or three pick before the draft. Due to the other risers, Franklin has now fallen all the way down to my WR13-17 range.
Theo Johnson
(NYG 4.107)
With Darren Waller retiring during draft weekend, the Giants needed a new starting tight end. As I talked about with Sanders, Theo Johnson gets good enough draft capital, has little target competition, and will be the Giants starting tight end. The number one trait for Johnson is his incredible 9.98 RAS, which makes me very excited about his upside.
Daniel Jones isn’t a very good quarterback, but hopefully, Malik Nabers can come in and elevate this offense as a whole. If Johnson is able to become the second or third target, I think he has the potential to become a great receiver. Johnson is currently my 2024 dynasty rookie TE4.
Isaac Guerendo
(SF 4.129)
At first glance I loved this spot for Isaac Guerendo with an aging Christian McCaffrey. That said, Guerendo is already 23 years old, even though he doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires. By the time McCaffrey phases out, Guerendo will be around 25, which isn’t ideal. Guerendo is an elite athlete (9.97 RAS) though and his upside is through the rough.
Given how bad these running back spots have been, Guerendo moves up to around my RB6-8 range. I would target Guerendo if you can get him in the mid-to the late fourth round.
Javon Baker
(NE 4.110)
I absolutely love this Javon Baker landing spot and getting to play alongside Drake Maye will be great for him. The Patriots took Ja'Lynn Polk in round two, but I expect him to be a better real-life receiver than a guy who gets a ton of targets. The team also has Demario Douglas, but should be used more in the slot.
Seeing Baker improve every year of college, show off his great catch-in-traffic ability, and showcase good hands makes me very excited about his upside. Baker is currently my WR16 and I would love to grab him in the third round of rookie drafts.
Spencer Rattler
(NO 5.150)
With Spencer Rattler, it was unlikely he was ever going to be an immediate starter, so his landing spot was crucial. I absolutely love seeing him land with the Saints, as I believe that Derek Carr is a bottom-10 starting quarterback. The situation isn’t great, but at least he has one elite weapon in Chris Olave waiting for him. Rattler is a guy with a ton of pedigree, and he flashed great tools during his 2023 season at Oklahoma.
Overall, I’m super big on this landing spot, and I truly expect Rattler to take over for Carr late in the 2024 season. In Superflex formats, Rattler will be a target for me in the third round, and he’s the clear QB7.
Losers
Jaylen Wright
(MIA 4.120)
Seeing Jaylen Wright go to the Dolphins was a massive shock to me. There are great landing spots like the Raiders, Cowboys, or Chargers, and these running backs have missed all of them. Wright was a player I was super high on before the draft due to his great size, speed, and jump-cut ability. Now, Raheem Mostert won’t be here for much longer, but it seems like Wright will be De’Von Achane with five touches a game.
I expect Achane to be the main back, and Wright will play the same role to ensure Achane stays healthy. Wright isn’t big enough to be a grinder, so this isn’t a complimentary pick at at all. Wright drops down to my RB5-7 range and he’s someone I won’t be targeting very much anymore.
Tez Walker
(BAL 4.113)
Tez Walker is a player I’ve never been super high on from a fantasy perspective since he plays as a deep threat. Walker showed a lot of upside in college but faced some issues regarding the transfer portal that didn’t allow him to play his full 2023 season at UNC. That being said, I wanted to see Walker go to a pass-happy offense where he could have a shot at being the number two or three option.
Instead, Walker will be the third option on a Ravens offense that just finished 31st in pass attempts per game. I’m fading Walker, and he’ll drop into my WR20 range.
Braelon Allen
(NYJ 4.134)
After watching Braelon Allen’s film, I never thought he was a great back but I didn’t expect him to fall this far. That said, I was still hopeful that Allen would land with the Raiders, Cowboys, or Chargers and use his 6’2” 245 lb frame to win off volume. Unfortunately, going to the Jets is one of the worst landing spots possible. At 22 years old, Breece Hall projects to be the clear-stud RB1 for years to come.
Allen will be used as a grinder back, getting these empty-calorie carries between the 20s. This move has no fantasy relevance, and the Jets view him as a sole backup. Allen now drops to my RB8-10 range.
