Fantasy: Ranking the most intriguing Day 2 picks
Fantasy analysis
A deep crop of talent was still available on Day 2 after 14 skill position players were taken in the opening round of the NFL draft.
Below, I ranked the offensive rookies selected in Rounds 2 and 3 from most to least intriguing, now that we know their draft capital and landing spots.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers (34th) - The Chargers' decision to pass on top receivers in Round 1 looks much better now that they secured McConkey. The 22-year-old is a versatile weapon who has the route-running skills and quickness to play anywhere on the field, as long as he can stay healthy. With Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston his main target competition, McConkey instantly slots in as Justin Herbert's No. 1 weapon and could immediately emerge as a fantasy WR3.
Keon Coleman, WR, Bills (33rd) - Coleman shined as a big-bodied playmaker who excelled in contested-catch situations at Florida State. While that made for some impressive highlights, it also comes with concerns that his route running and separation skills are a work in progress. The good news for Coleman: The Bills are desperate for a new No. 1 option in the passing game, which means he'll have every chance to make an immediate impact. His development will be a key storyline to monitor over the summer, but a late-season breakout is possible, especially with Josh Allen at the helm. Consider Coleman an upside WR4 as a rookie, with a long-term ceiling as a top-30 fantasy wideout.
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers (46th) - Brooks was the first running back off the board and for good reason. The 20-year-old stood out as a smooth-moving, three-down back in an otherwise weak RB class. Though he's not a superstar prospect like Bijan Robinson or Breece Hall, Brooks projects to be a quality lead back - the only question is when he'll be ready to perform. An ACL tear suffered in November likely hurt his draft stock and may delay his rise up the Panthers' depth chart. But when he's healthy, Brooks will have no trouble usurping Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders and could eventually push for top-24 fantasy RB numbers in a revamped Carolina offense.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Colts (52nd) - Once viewed as a potential first-round talent, Mitchell fell deep into the second round before the Colts selected him. It's an outstanding pick for an up-and-coming roster that now boasts a three-receiver set featuring Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Mitchell. The rookie was a big-play threat in college and has the size and athleticism to emerge as an overqualified No. 2 receiver in Indy. If the brief glimpse we saw of quarterback Anthony Richardson at the start of last season was any indication, the Colts will field one of the NFL's more exciting offenses in 2024. However, pass volume may be an issue with this new talented downfield trio. Treat Mitchell as an intriguing WR5 with the upside to vastly outproduce that ranking.
Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyTrey Benson, RB, Cardinals (66th) - Benson was the second running back selected but joins a backfield with an established starter in James Conner. While that would normally be a problem, the soon-to-be 29-year-old Conner has dealt with injuries throughout his career and this pick is a sign the Cardinals are planning for the future. Though Conner is an underrated fantasy performer who delivers top-15 RB stats when healthy, Benson's fresh legs could overtake him during the season, whether an injury occurs or not. With Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Trey McBride forming a strong corps already, Benson's someone to target in redraft leagues and a great investment in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.
Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Patriots (37th) - The Patriots have a terrible history drafting receivers, but we'll give them a clean slate as they start the post-Bill Belichick era. Polk is a versatile wideout with good hands who'll get a massive opportunity on a depth chart in dire need of a playmaker. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old may lack the speed to have an elite ceiling in the pros, so keep your expectations in check for his fantasy outlook. Polk will be a WR5 in my next rankings update, as I take a cautious approach to an average profile in an offense that has plenty to prove - starting with rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Ben Sinnott, TE, Commanders (53rd) - Fantasy managers can't complain with Sinnott's draft capital, so the real question becomes: How fast he can move ahead of Zach Ertz? Ertz, 34 in November, has a history with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, but it's unclear how much is left in the tank after injuries in recent seasons. If Ertz can hold off Sinnott in training camp, we may see a similar situation to the Ertz-Trey McBride tight end room in Arizona, where it took a couple of years before the youth movement arrived. Monitor Sinnott reports over the summer, but be prepared for a delayed launch in his fantasy production.
Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images Sport / GettyJermaine Burton, WR, Bengals (80th) - Cincinnati found its Tee Higgins replacement. While Higgins is likely to stick around in 2024, his long-term future with the Bengals is in doubt after contract talks fizzled. Burton's a game-breaking downfield weapon who can get his feet wet in three-receiver sets as a rookie before taking over as Ja'Marr Chase's running mate next year. In the meantime, unless Higgins is traded before Week 1, Burton will need an injury to clear a path to significant targets. For now, the 22-year-old is a late-round redraft stash who offers serious dynasty potential attached to Joe Burrow.
Roman Wilson, WR, Steelers (84th) - Diontae Johnson's departure almost guaranteed Pittsburgh would draft a wideout to help restock its depth chart behind George Pickens. Wilson gives the Steelers a capable slot receiver who'll battle with tight end Pat Freiermuth to be the No. 2 pass-catcher in Arthur Smith's offense. Wilson will likely be a better real-life option than a consistent fantasy producer, so managers with Pickens needn't worry.
Malachi Corley, WR, Jets (65th) - Jets GM Joe Douglas is going to make Aaron Rodgers very happy with this pick. Corley's a compact, physical receiver who can be a dangerous weapon in the pros thanks to his run-after-catch ability. It's a skill set that fits well alongside an Alpha wideout like Garrett Wilson and a big-bodied downfield target like Mike Williams. Unfortunately, the odds of Corley earning enough touches to make his way into your fantasy lineup are slim in Year 1. For the moment, he's more of a late-round redraft or best ball selection.
Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images Sport / GettyMarshawn Lloyd, RB, Packers (88th) - The Packers continue their approach of drafting future replacements for current starters - even starters they acquired this offseason. Lloyd will be the understudy to free-agent acquisition Josh Jacobs for a year or two before hopefully taking the lead job in Green Bay. Lloyd has a similar skill set to Jacobs as an explosive yet elusive ball carrier, but the rookie's main goal will be to improve his ball security, which was an issue in college. For now, he's an injury-away late-round target in redraft formats, while dynasty managers should stash him away.
Blake Corum, RB, Rams (83rd) - Despite all the reports connecting Corum with his college coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers, it turned out the other team in L.A. wanted him more. Sadly for Corum, that makes him an injury-away backup to Kyren Williams. Now the former Michigan back will have to carve out a short-yardage or goal-line role to produce as a fantasy rookie.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Buccaneers (92nd) - McMillan is an intriguing long-term addition to Tampa's receiver room. His path to production is temporarily blocked by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, leaving him to compete for the No. 3 role against Trey Palmer. Tight end Cade Otton has also flashed the ability to earn targets in this offense, so don't expect much from McMillan early on. He's another wideout to add to the dynasty stash pile.
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Commanders (100th) - McCaffrey was a surprising Day 2 pick and is unlikely to make major fantasy impact. His best path to production will come if he can earn snaps in three-receiver sets alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, but even that's far from a sure thing.
Tip Reiman, TE, Cardinals (82nd) - Reiman will be more of a depth piece behind Trey McBride, so he's well off the fantasy radar.
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theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest.
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