Devy Sleepers for 2024 Dynasty Rookie Drafts

The League Winners, Fantasy Football, Devy Sleepers, Brenden Rice

The season isn’t over, but there’s plenty of reason to look at Devy Sleepers for 2024 dynasty rookie drafts.

Every year a majority of fantasy analysts talk about the top prospects for the NFL draft – and rightfully so. They are normally the best of the best! Those players can step into the league and make a difference on your team. But what if somebody said to you before your dynasty fantasy football draft that you should target Puka Nacua (Round 5, pick 177)? Well, that sleeper pick from the offseason is a potential League Winner now; even while playing alongside arguably the best wide receiver in the game. Not every sleeper is a hit. Most aren’t, if I am being honest. However, every now and then you find a diamond in the rough. Here are some potential Devy sleepers that may be available in Round 3 and beyond in 2024 dynasty rookie drafts.

Quarterbacks

Cameron Ward – Washington State

Cameron Ward is currently my QB8 of the 2024 class; this is assuming all eligible quarterbacks declare. The former transfer from Incarnate, Ward is having one of his best seasons in college. His most recent game against UCLA was his worst of the season. It was also the third-worst of his career with a season-low completion percentage of 48.7%. On the year, Ward has a completion percentage of 69.1% after not getting over 66% his first three-seasons. He is currently on pace to throw for over 3,800 yards with an additional 200+ yards running the ball.

Ward has the arm talent to make all of the NFL throws. What I love most about his game is his pocket awareness. He has been sacked 11 times, but I see him escape pressure to make the correct play. That combination of pocket awareness and arm strength will translate well into the next level. Right now, I do not think most have him as Day 2 quarterback. He’s usually projected as a potential Day 3 pick with upside in his favor. Keep him in Washington. Maybe Seattle takes the chance on him.

Joe Milton – Tennessee

Joe Milton is currently my QB10 of this class. He may be the quarterback that wows us come combine season – we see it every year! A sub-par college player showing up at the combine, thus raising their draft stock. Last year we saw it with Anthony Richardson shooting his value to the fourth overall pick. Milton could do the same after a sub-par year. He currently has 63.1% completion while on pace to throw for just under 2,800 yards. In fairness, I have not seen any of his pass-catchers truly step up. Do not get me wrong, at times the mistakes are on him; but the times he puts it right on the money only to have the receiver drop it is just sad to watch.

Milton’s cannon arm is something we will see at the combine. He has arm strength that can compete with some of the best at the pro level. He has that zip and precision you want to see from a quarterback. I do not think Milton will have the speed Richardson showed at the combine, however. He is probably closer to a 4.7 than to Richardson’s 4.43. However, if he runs anything below like a 4.57, I’d be impressed. His physical attributes will wow the scouts. He is a 6’5″, 235-pound monster. He will be able to transition well into the NFL if given the opportunity and is one of my highlighted Devy sleepers.

Running Backs

Devin Neal – Kansas

Devin Neal is currently my RB9 of the 2024 class. I think he is prime candidate to be an early Day 3 pick. Neal is a potential fourth or fifth-round prospect that should be on your radars. When he declared for Kansas, I marked him to be one of the most underrated backs of this class. He has NFL size at 5’11″ 210 pounds. He has the potential be a three-down back at the next level.

Neal has a high IQ and the ability to run up the middle with swiftness. He finds the hole quick, making the first guy miss before breaking away.

Neal is currently on pace to rush for 1,186 yards. He is a versatile athlete with some pass-catching ability, too. Right now, he is on pace to catch 28 passes for just over 300 yards. His vision and break-away type speed could make NFL coaches fall in love with him.

Audric Estime – Notre Dame

Audric Estime is currently my RB8 of this class. Estime started the season off hot, looking like he was going to shatter his career-best 920 rushing yards. Through the first four-weeks he was on pace to rush for over 1,500 yards, averaging130.25 yards per game. However, over the past three-weeks he has been held in check, averaging 57 rushing yards per game. Estime is now on pace for just below 1,200 rushing yards. Still better than last season, but not the same as what early season projections were granting. This could make him an excellent option among these Devy sleepers.

 

Estime has the NFL size, standing at 5’11″, 227 pounds. He has the agility to scamper through holes plus the speed to break away. He is a strong runner with the ability to power through the defender. He’s probably a late Day 2 or Day 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Wide Receivers

Ali Jennings – Virginia Tech

A former 3-star prospect, Ali Jennings is my WR9 of this class and one of my favorite Devy sleepers. You are not going to hear a lot about him since he is currently out with an injury. Recent reports have said there is an outside chance Jennings returns before the season concludes. Why, is my question.

Jennings should rest up and prepare for the combine and Pro Day. He transferred from Old Dominion last season to play with the Hokies this year. In his only game, ironically against Old Dominion, he had 5 receptions, 75 yards, and 2 touchdowns. In his five-year collegiate career, he has 147 receptions 2,337 yards and 18 touchdowns. To me he is a receiver that has the potential to adjust well at the next level.

Jennings is a route technician; he just makes it look easy and smooth. He is crisp, yet agile, with great acceleration to track the ball down the field. His IQ for the game is superb allowing him to compete well against man coverage. Jennings also has a frame that won’t hinder him at the next level, standing at 6’2″, 198 pounds. That size allows him to have a good catch radius. He can also win the contested catches. Honestly, I think if he went to say, Ohio State, we would be talking about him like we did Chris Olave. He was, and still is, the Hokies best wide receiver. If he was still on the field their record might be different than what it is at 2-4.

Brenden Rice – USC

The 2024 wide receiver class is going to be stacked! Brenden Rice is currently my WR13. Let me start off by saying he is not his dad; the legendary NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. He is currently on pace to have 42 receptions for 868 receiving yards. Both would be career highs for him. But Rice does lead the Trojans in touchdowns currently with 7. And it seems like his dad’s high football IQ did transition over to him.

Rice stands 6’3″, 215 pounds with great body awareness to keep his feet in bounds. The size allows him a physical advantage over defenders, making it difficult to compete. Rice brings in an explicit catch radius plus top end speed, too! He has that 4.3 type of speed – already being clocked at 23 mph.

Rice can break the defense over the top, or just win on the contested catch in coverage. More importantly, he has the agility and playmaking ability to gain yards after the catch. My only knock on Rice right now would be his route running. I want him to smoothen that out and become more fluid with his routes. He can and should excel at the next level. My mouth is already watering with the thought of him going to Kansas City on Day 2 (or later) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Those are some Devy sleepers that I think you should keep on your radar for upcoming dynasty rookie drafts. I do not think any are necessarily first round draft prospects, yet. It is too early to tell. They could continue to rise the draft boards!

Thank you for reading! For more Devy content follow me on X (formerly Twitter). Peace & Love.

Hello, I'm SC Romero, a fantasy football enthusiast for more than a decade. I personally enjoy the IDP format and the devy world! You can find me on X @ThePPRShow sharing all my knowledge to help you win your leagues! I hope to bring new insight to you through League Winners expanding your knowledge on the devy community! Have a question? Just ask, I'm here for you.

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