🎄'Twas the Night Before the NFL Draft

news and dynasty stuff, too

Author

Jen of Deep Dive Fantasy
April 24, 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away and that noise you hear is those with mock draft fatigue dancing in the streets. In today’s newsletter, I’ve crafted a poem to celebrate this occasion, plus we’ll hear from Ryan McDowell from DLF with some pertinent dynasty info.

‘Twas the Night Before the 2024 NFL Draft: A Poem

‘Twas the night before the 2024 Draft, when all around the NFL 🏈,

Rumors were swirling, would teams trade up, down, or sell?

The GMs and coaches were feverishly working on their draft boards,

Hoping their guys would fall to them, even praying to the NFL overlords 🙏🏼.

What we know is that QB Caleb Williams will be the first player taken,

But what will follow is sure to leave fans shaken 🤯.

Will two or even three QBs directly follow that first pick?

And which order they will go is likely making draft pundits sick.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has been tops in this receiver class 🫴🏼,

But rumors of Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers moving up have picked up some recent gas 💨.

Edge rushers and O-lineman should also dominate the first round,

Where in the Green Room Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Darius Robinson, and J.C. Latham will be found 📸.

Will a record be broken for the most offensive players taken on Night One?

It currently stands at 19 back in 2009, but 20 is within the realm of possibility this year, which would add to the fun.

Roger Goodell will stand by the podium to a rousing tune of boos 👻,

Giving out every pick with a cringey hug, which player will each NFL team choose?

There will be Joe Alt, Troy Fautanu, Taliese Fuaga, and Olumuyiwa Fashanu announced from the o-line,

With corners Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Cooper DeJean, and Kool-Aid McKinstry all ready to shine 🌟.

Cut to their families and friends celebrating at draft parties and home 🎉,

and sometimes the awkward girlfriend shot while she’s standing alone.

It’s an exciting time for the men who’ve worked so hard to get to this place,

and an equally interesting scenario watching draftniks with egg on their face.

No matter what happens on Thursday after the last name has been said 📛,

the 2024 NFL Draft is finally here, so cheers to finally knowing where these rookies will lay their head 🏟️.

Welcome to DLF Roundup. Each week, Ryan McDowell brings you a quick look at some of the dynasty happenings taking place over at Dynasty League Football.

One of my favorite annual offerings at Dynasty League Football is our A View From…series. In case you have missed it, each year, we break down the top three rounds of a dynasty rookie draft, pick by pick. This will give you an idea of which rookies you should be targeting with each pick, along with analysis and other options. If you’re considering trading your pick instead of adding a rookie, you’re in luck. We also include the latest real dynasty trades involving each pick, thanks to our Dynasty Trade Finder.

Our twelve-part series concluded this week as Matt Price offered A View From the 1.01, giving you suggestions for how you should use the 1.01, 2.01, and 3.01 rookie picks. Here’s what Matt had to say about the top overall pick in superflex dynasty rookie drafts.

Rookie Selection 1.01

The Pick: Caleb Williams, QB

There’s not a ton of nuance to this pick unless you, like me, prefer Jayden Daniels‘s elite rushing profile. Williams has been the consensus pick at this spot for two-plus years, and since then, his situation has only improved. With their myriad of passing-game weapons like DJ Moore and the newly signed Keenan Allen, the Chicago Bears offer perhaps the situation any top quarterback prospect has ever seen in NFL history. It will be a massive upgrade to what he worked with in his final year at the University of Southern California.

As a freshman at Ohio State, Williams essentially took the starting job from Spencer Rattler and forced his transfer to South Carolina. From his first start, it was clear that Williams was a prospect to take seriously. He transferred to USC in 2022 and put up a season that was one for the ages, with 4537 passing yards and a 42 to five touchdown to interception ratio. Additionally, he rushed for 382 yards and ten touchdowns as a sophomore.

The numbers regressed in 2023 as he was forced to play more “hero ball” due to the dearth of receiving weapons at his disposal. In two fewer games, he managed 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, five interceptions, 142 rushing yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Williams is the absolute safest pick at the 1.01, and he should be taken there in 99% of superflex rookie drafts. With his most likely landing spot being Chicago, the floor is incredibly high, and there is a path to reaching his ceiling. Chicago didn’t do Justin Fields any favors in the development part of the equation, but Williams is much more polished and has infinitely better weapons to work with. Even if the coaching staff fails him and is replaced in year two, Williams will likely succeed in the NFL.

  • The Steelers are not expected to pick up Justin Fields’ fifth-year option. It looks like he’ll be hitting free agency in 2025.

  • Former Dolphin corner Xavian Howard is medically cleared and ready to rock and should find himself a new job after the dust settles post-NFL Draft.

  • One day ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, this chart shows some interesting results. The fantasy football assets outside of QB hit at some of the lowest rates.

  • After nearly 15 years, Reggie Bush is getting his Heisman Trophy back. 🏆 The NCAA is a whole different animal in today’s CFB world.

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