Fantasy football Matt Bowen s 12 favorite landing spots for rookies

Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings lineup advice for Thursday s MLB games

After three days of the NFL draft, let's focus in on the rookies who landed in the best spots to create Year 1 fantasy football production. I'm looking at player traits here, scheme fits, plus a path to early playing time and consistent volume.

I picked 12 players to highlight, starting with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. But there are also quarterbacks to discuss in here, more pass-catchers and a couple of running backs with the skill sets to produce. And toward the bottom, we'll wrap it up my quick notes on the players you need to keep on the fantasy radar this summer.

 Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Cardinals: Harrison's tape reminds me of DeAndre Hopkins. It's the defined route running, the coverage awareness to find open voids and the ball skills/body control to finish. Pro-ready skills. Harrison had 144 receptions on 745 routes in his final two seasons at Ohio State, giving him the nation's second-best yards per route run mark over that time (3.3).

In Arizona with quarterback Kyler Murray, Harrison will see No. 1 volume as three-level target with the ability to isolate in the low red zone. Take the traits and the anticipated usage here, and lock Harrison in as a fringe WR1.

 Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: McConkey can operate as a prime target for quarterback Justin Herbert in LA this season. With heavy play-action elements in Jim Harbaugh's offense, which will open middle-of-the-field voids, McConkey can live between the numbers on catch-and-run targets. Plus, we know he has the quickness and savvy route traits to uncover in one-on-one matchups.

McConkey, who checked-in with a 4.39 40 at the combine, averaged 6.8 yards after the catch last season at Georgia. McConkey is one of my favorite Day 2 picks and he fits here as a volume WR3/flex.

 Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears: Williams has difference-making talent, and he's set up in Chicago with key targets in the pass game. The Bears will major in "11" personnel sets, featuring veteran wide receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and dynamic rookie Rome Odunze (who we will get to soon), plus tight end Cole Kmet.

If Williams can stay on rhythm as a pocket thrower, while using his rare second-reaction ability to create outside of structure, he presents the highest ceiling of any rookie quarterback. And don't forget about his scrambling ability, as Williams rushed for 960 yards in three college seasons. I see Williams as a high-end QB2, who can provide immediate returns in superflex formats.

 Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants: An extremely dynamic mover, Nabers produced 34 receptions of 20 or more yards last season at LSU, the most in the country. Nabers can float past defenders on vertical throws from slot or boundary alignments, and he can shift gears in a hurry after the catch. He shows rapid acceleration on the tape.

In New York, Nabers can be schemed as a big-play target at all three levels of the route tree. Yes, the Giants will need to see a higher level of play from quarterback Daniel Jones, but there's no question Nabers elevates this pass game. Bet on the traits and the talent with Nabers, who fits as WR3, with the potential to produce lower-end WR2 numbers.

 Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills: The Bills traded out of Round 1 on Thursday night and drafted Coleman at the top of Day 2. Yes, Coleman didn't post elite testing numbers, but let's trust the tape and look at his fit in the Buffalo offense with quarterback Josh Allen. At 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, with the leaping ability to play well above the rim, Coleman can make plays at the third level for Allen, and he's a physical middle-of-the-field target who can drop his pads after the catch.

With both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis moving on, the door is open here for Coleman to play as a multilevel, boundary target in Buffalo. He should be drafted in all formats as a WR3.

 Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers: Brooks suffered an ACL injury in November, so we need to monitor his progress as we get closer to training camp. He's a slasher in the run game, with the vision to find creases of daylight and the second-level elusiveness (30 evaded tackles last season) to beat defenders in space. Plus, he has the three-down ability to produce as a receiving threat out of the backfield.

If Brooks is cleared and ready to roll in July, he can emerge as the lead back in Carolina over Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. He's a flex/RB2 in redraft leagues.

 Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders drafted Michael Mayer in the second round last year, but Bowers is the Vegas tight end you want to roster. The route running jumps. He can separate versus linebackers and safeties. He has seam-stretching ability, too. And I see a rugged mover after the catch on tape, as Bowers averaged 8.8 yards after the catch last season, while forcing 18 missed tackles. He has tremendous upside in an NFL pass game, projecting as a fringe TE1 as a rookie.

 Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders: With the dual-threat traits to create conflict for NFL defenses and the field vision to deliver the ball with efficiency as a pocket thrower, Daniels is a strong fit for Kliff Kingsbury's offense. Look for two-tight end sets here, as well as spread elements, to maximize Daniels' throwing ability.

In addition to the situational designed runs, Daniels will produce rushing totals for your lineup when he gets outside of the pocket. In his final season at LSU, Daniels rushed for 703 yards and 25 first downs on scramble attempts. He has the speed to cut through defensive angles in the open field. With a true No. 1 target in Terry McLaurin, you can draft Daniels as an upside QB2.

 Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown this offseason, creating more depth in the wide receiver room, and tight end Travis Kelce remains Patrick Mahomes' top target. But ... I love the idea of Worthy in Andy Reid's pass game.

We all know about Worthy's 4.21 speed. That adds a vertical element for Mahomes. However, Worthy, who caught 197 passes in his three college seasons at Texas, can also get loose on crossers and overs, creating stress for defenses after the catch. He is a really good fit for Reid's heavily schemed pass game as a deeper-league WR3, with potentially more upside in non-PPR formats.

 Rome Odunze, WR, Bears: Odunze will have veteran competition for targets with Moore and Allen, plus he is working with a rookie quarterback, so we should temper our expectations from a fantasy perspective. However, with the physical profile (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) to play as the backside X receiver in Chicago, there's upside this season.

Odunze has the vertical speed to stretch defenses, with the open-field vision to produce after the catch. And we know he can climb the ladder to win on 50/50 throws, as his 24 contested catches last season tied for the most in the country. If he becomes a reliable red zone target for Williams, then Odunze can give you WR3/flex production.

 Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals: James Conner will enter the 2024 season as the lead back in Arizona, but he's missed four games in each of his past two seasons. That makes Benson a solid insurance play as a rookie, with the pro-ready frame and traits to produce numbers.

At 6-foot, 216 pounds, Benson can get on a north/south track as a downhill runner, and he has the 4.39 speed to hit home runs once he clears the second level. He can also tack on some receiving totals as an underneath option, which puts him on my radar as a late-round pick in redraft formats.

 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Thomas' 12 touchdown receptions on throws of 20 or more air yards led the nation in 2023, and he averaged 17.3 yards per catch. With his ability to track the ball vertically, look for Thomas to be deployed as a third-level option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, with Doug Pederson also scheming open middle-of-the-field voids for the rookie on deep in-breakers. Thomas has the traits to produce big weeks in fantasy as a WR3.

Malachi Corley, WR, New York Jets: Corley will work out of the slot for Aaron Rodgers, bringing high-end catch-and-run ability to New York. Corley logged 692 yards after the catch last season, while forcing 17 missed tackles. Corley is worth a late-round flier here.

Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers: With the physical play style to work though contact and explosive straight-line speed, Legette should be drafted in all formats as a potential WR3. He can get down the field or create big plays after the catch, which would mean more high-percentage throws for quarterback Bryce Young.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings: McCarthy will compete with Sam Darnold in camp. If he wins the job, however, you can scoop him up in superflex formats. The scheme fit works here, as McCarthy will have plenty of defined reads on play-action throws. Plus, he has the pocket mobility to create his own throwing window.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers: Pearsall has the top-end speed to threaten deep, and Kyle Shanahan's offense consistently creates catch-and-run opportunities. At this point, he's a strong dynasty option unless the 49ers decide to trade away a veteran wide receiver.

Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots: The Patriots lacked difference-makers on the offensive perimeter last season, so look for Polk to jump into the mix as a starting receiver. I don't see big-time speed here on the tape, but he is willing to make plays in traffic, with the body control to separate. Put him in the draft queue.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts: A sudden mover, with high-end body control and ball skills, Mitchell can emerge as a vertical target for quarterback Anthony Richardson. He's a late-round pick with playmaking upside.

Drake Maye, QB, Patriots: Maye has the physical tools at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds to generate fantasy production as a rookie. The three-level arm talent jumps, plus he has the mobility to rack up rushing totals. Let's see if Maye can win the starting job over veteran Jacoby Brissett in camp.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A decisive, downhill runner, Irving broke 44 tackles last season at Oregon, and he added 56 receptions, which led all FBS running backs. Draft him late as an insurance play behind Rachaad White.

Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: I really like the idea of Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith carving out voids for Wilson to run deep overs and crossers. He can go get it. But in a run-heavy offense, Wilson needs to see pretty consistent volume out of the slot to start in your lineup.

Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos: Franklin is a vertical glider who can win with speed and angles after the catch. He could emerge this season as a big-play target (with non-PPR value) in deeper leagues.

Ben Sinnott, TE, Commanders: Sinnott doesn't have a clear path to rookie production with veteran tight end Zach Ertz on the roster. However, keep him on the radar as a potential streamer this season. Sinnott is a rugged mover after the catch with route skills.

Bo Nix, QB, Broncos: Nix has the skill set to fit Sean Payton's offense as a rhythm and timing thrower, who runs the system like point guard. Plus, he can extend plays outside of the pocket. Nix will get every opportunity to win the starting job in camp. There's value here in 2QB/superflex leagues.

Ray Davis, RB, Bills: Davis fits as an insurance back behind James Cook in Buffalo. He's a grinder, with the contact balance and short-area speed to work between the tackles. Davis also caught 94 passes in his college career.

Dylan Laube, RB, Raiders: If you play in a dynasty league, keep an eye on Laube in camp. The New Hampshire product has legit pass-catching ability. And he can run routes from the slot. Over his past two college seasons, Laube caught 117 passes.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Panthers: A pass-catching tight end with the frame (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) and straight-line speed to separate, Sanders has NFL upside as a big-body target in the middle of the field. He's a player to keep on the radar as a potential streaming option.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Buccaneers: McMillan has playmaking traits from the slot. He can get vertical, too. With Baker Mayfield's aggressive throwing mentality, he's worth a late-round look.