The 2024 NFL Draft enters Day 2, consisting of the second and third rounds. Follow along for real-time analysis of the opening round’s impact on fantasy football plans for the upcoming season and beyond.
Fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. It’s time to let the real fun begin!
Also see: Day 1 | Day 3
Round 2 fantasy football reaction
33) WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
The former Florida Stater brings an explosive, 6-foot-3, 213-pound frame to Western New York, adding height to an already tall passing game. Josh Allen will work extensively with a pair of talented tight ends, but trading Stefon Diggs and allowing Gabe Davis to walk in free agency created a massive hole in the receiving corps. Coleman is dynamic in the open field with shifty movement skills. His strength in 50/50 balls will come in handy for red-zone looks, and this former Michigan State basketball player will get a chance to contribute on Day 1. Fantasy gamers will enjoy what Coleman brings to the table (through the table?) both as a possession guy and scoring threat. For now, he has WR3 draft stock and No. 2 potential out of the gates.
34) WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
The Bolts traded Keenan Allen to Chicago and released Mike Williams, completely resetting the starting lineup at the wide receiver position under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Last year’s first-round pick, Quentin Johnston, gives LA the size and vertical game of Williams, but no one was an obvious replacement for Allen’s consistency. Joshua Palmer returns and hasn’t yet lived up to his potential, but there’s still hope for him to put it together. McConkey will be asked to contribute immediately in three-wides, and his sheer athleticism alone is a serious upgrade for this passing game. Hands, speed, quickness, positional versatility … you can’t ask for much more. The former Georgia Bulldog should be a rock-solid rookie No. 3 for fantasy utility, even in this run-heavy offense.
37) WR Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
Great hands, and especially so in contested environments, Polk played sidekick to first-round pick Rome Odunze while at Washington. New England’s receivers room is a hodgepodge of mediocrity or worse, and Polk’s fierce style of play will be felt immediately. He’s a likely starting candidate from the jump, though he’ll have to earn it this offseason. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound wideout boasts enough speed to get vertical when needed, but he’s more of a worker over the intermediate area of the field. Polk’s toughness will endear him to a blue-collar fan base, and he’s an interesting depth piece for fantasy should things shake out in his favor. We’ll dive deeper on this one as the offseason shapes the starting lineup.
46) RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
A fluid runner who does it all, Brooks instantly becomes the most dynamic back in this offense. The Miles Sanders signing was a flop last year, leading to Chuba Hubbard plodding his way into the starting lineup. Brooks is coming off a torn ACL and should be ready to return for training camp come July, though he may not be himself until later in the season. A versatile playmaker who has limited wear on his tires thanks to sitting behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson at Texas, Brooks has all the tools to post RB1 numbers over the course of a season. The injury dampens our optimism for this happening in 2024, but he’s going to be one to closely track over the coming months.
52) WR Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
Mitchell enters an offense already brimming with talent, and his selection is better for the real-life Colts than it will prove to be for fantasy purposes early on. Indy has three capable receivers and a star running back, plus a quarterback with wheels, so just how much production can one realistically expect from a rookie wideout who is currently slated as no better than No. 3 at his position, assuming he can beat out Alec Pierce? Mitchell is a vertical weapon who’ll flash at times as a rook but should be only a backend roster filler. He’s a much more appealing selection in dynasty formats.
53) TE Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury’s offense incorporated the tight end position in Arizona, and a familiar face in Zach Ertz joined him in Washington. Sinnott is a hybrid fullback/tight end who can catch as well as he can block. Year 1 tight ends rarely make a difference in fantasy, and Sinnott is not a viable 2024 consideration as long as Ertz, 33, is healthy — something that has eluded him of late. Expect this to be something resembling a redshirt year for this rookie, barring the aforementioned scenario coming to fruition.
Round 3 fantasy football reaction
65) WR Malachi Corley, New York Jets
Exceptional in the open field, Corley sports natural movement traits and the vision to make defenders whiff in an embarrassing fashion. No NCAA receiver generated more yards after the catch than Corley over the past two seasons, and he’s an ever-dangerous threat out of the backfield as a ball carrier on jet sweeps and the like. New York will creatively involve this rookie from the jump, but it’s tough to envision there being enough touches to go around on a consistent basis. Corley is an late-round flier in deep leagues, but there’s a better chance it becomes a throwaway pick than one you cash in on.
66) RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
The Florida State product should enter the fray as a change-of-pace option in tandem with James Conner, who turns 29 this season. Benson is a 4.39-40 back with edge speed as well as between-the-tackles ability. Arizona already has a capable receiving back in the veteran Conner, but this rookie is adept as a pass-catching outlet, too. There’s handcuff and standalone value this year. Benson is a No. 4 back who could shine if given a shot at the primary workload. Beyond 2024, this former Seminole has RB1 status written all over him.
80) WR Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati found a prospect in Burton who can be molded into more than a vertical asset. He has large, soft hands and effortlessly gets up to top speed. The 6-foot, 196-pounder isn’t polished as a route runner and will benefit from a year of nuanced coaching in this respect, but that’s not going to matter if Cincy asks him to get deep early and often. There’s plenty to like about Burton’s long-range outlook in this offense, although it likely will require Tee Higgins being traded this offseason before the rookie is a factor in fantasy lineups.
82) TE Tip Reiman, Arizona Cardinals
There’s nothing to see here, at least initially. Reiman is extra athletic given his 6-foot-5, 271-pound frame, but he’s more of a hybrid and will be a reserve in Year 1 behind one of the better young TEs in the game.
83) RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Fresh off a national championship, Corum enters the NFL with an LA team stacked on this side of the ball. Running back Kyren Williams is coming off a breakthrough season but needs a breather now and again, which is likely how we’ll see Corum utilized in his first season. For what Corum lacks in prototypical size (5-foot-8, 205 pounds), he brings a nose for the end zone, patience, tenacity, pass protection, and steady hands in the passing game. He’ll be a must-handcuff for Williams owners and has RB4 value in his own right.
84) WR Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
There was a clear need for more talent in this passing game, and while Arthur Smith isn’t known for opening up the aerial attack, Wilson could produce meaningful stats with limited targets. He’s at his best on crossing routes and when the ball hits him in stride. The Steelers probably will use Wilson most from the slot where he can take two-ways the distance. His most underrated skill is in contested-catch scenarios, which is extra valuable in the pros given the separation won’t be as extreme. Wilson will battle for a starting spot from the time he hits the Steelers’ practice field. We’ll monitor his situation closely, but WR5 depth is the likely ceiling here.
88) RB MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
The Pack signed Josh Jacobs in the offseason to be the bell cow, but he has minor injury history and tends to get dinged enough that his backup sees notable work. That’s not the only way we’ll see this USC rookie contribute, though, as Lloyd averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2023 and is combustible at any moment. Dangerous as a pass-catching option, Lloyd will be a low-investment selection with possible high-yield returns for both Green Bay as well as fantasy owners.
92) WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The third Washington receiver drafted in as many rounds, McMillan buttered his bread with precise route running from the slot and quick footwork to gain separation. He should develop into a capable No. 2 possession receiver in the pros, entering a favorable situation to learn as a rookie behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Tampa reassembled the key pieces this offseason to make another run at the postseason, but it will be asking a bit much to expect McMillan’s role being fantasy-relevant in volume. Consider this one a selection with 2025 and beyond in mind.
100) WR Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
Washington gets a versatile, strong-handed receiver who plays inside and out. His knack for making the grab in contested situations is noteworthy. A former quarterback turned wideout, McCaffrey is the latest in the line of the famed family surname. He remains raw and will need time to further develop his skills in order to become a fantasy option, but there’s time to grow with fellow rookie Jayden Daniels.
