2024 Rookie QBs and RBs: Insights & Fantasy Impacts

In this two-part series, we will go over what we should do with our 2024 rookies. This week, we will cover the Quarterbacks and Running Backs. Next week, we will tackle the wide receivers and tight ends.

This newsletter won’t be nearly as data-heavy as the previous two newsletters, so I will give you all a bit of a break from that.

For quarterbacks, we’re working with a sample of every rookie QB with more than 200 passing attempts in their rookie season since 2010. I’m getting this out of the way now so I don’t have to repeat myself later on. Keep in mind when I mention a stat, I’m talking about THIS same sample set. All that said, we have a sample of 55 quarterbacks.

2024 Quarterback Class

Caleb Williams

Of our sample, Williams was the fourth worst in sack percentage. Here are the other players in the top-10: Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, Jared Goff, Bryce Young, Blake Bortles, Zach Wilson, Josh Rosen, Jimmy Clausen, and Will Levis. Yikes.

But it’s not all bad. His interception rate is the third-best. The top 5? Dak Prescott, CJ Stroud, Joe Burrow, and Robert Griffin III. His completion rate was in the top third as well.

And guess what, his coaching staff more than likely just got better (we haven’t seen Ben Johnson as an HC yet, but I doubt he’s a downgrade), and so did his offensive line. He still has D’Andre Swift, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet, and the Bears could add even more weapons in the draft. He’s primed for a sophomore breakout.

Jayden Daniels

Of our sample, do you want to guess who had the highest completion percentage of all 64? Chris Collinsworth would have guessed Patrick Mahomes, but no, it’s actually Jayden Daniels. For what it’s worth, Collinsworth would have been saddened by the fact Mahomes isn’t actually part of our sample.

He’s also top-10 in adjusted net yards per attempt, success rate, and touchdown rate. Daniels had one of the most impressive rookie seasons we’ve seen in recent history, and that comes on the heels of CJ Stroud having a great 2023. Daniels should be just fine in 2025 with the additions of Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel.

Drake Maye

Drake Maye was also among those who had a sack rate above 9%. He also had nothing helping him on offense (despite my love for Demario Douglas, I will not pretend that he is a hidden top-tier guy). And yet, he still had the sixth-best completion percentage.

While I’d love to say the Patriots are on the up-and-up, I’m just not sure. They haven’t really improved much on offense via free agency up to this point, but they could through the draft. I don’t doubt Maye’s ability, but it’s the organization I am struggling to find faith in.

Michael Penix

Penix wasn’t part of the sample, as he threw just 105 passes in his rookie year after sitting much of it behind Kirk Cousins. His three games weren’t much to write home about, but the flashes were there.

JJ McCarthy

McCarthy didn’t have much of a rookie season aside from a few preseason games. But, he is set up with a great coaching staff and team that has a top-tier receiving room and solid running back play. I believe that the coaching staff that just made Sam Darnold a much richer man can make McCarthy a very good QB.

Bo Nix

Bo Nix was top-10 in completion percentage and touchdown rate, despite having mediocre weapons in 2024. He also had the third-lowest sack rate, though I fully believe his O-line had something to do with that.

And let’s not forget, they added Evan Engram at “Joker”, aka - whatever Sean Payton defines as a tight end. And they may not be done. I expect they will at least add a running back with receiving upside in the upcoming draft. Nix is a capable runner and passer and has shown he can be a fantasy QB1.

2024 Running Backs

I will not be taking the time to break down every running back of the 2024 class. Partly because there are a lot of them in total but also because, frankly, hardly any of them did anything. Does that mean there’s no hope for this class? Nope, there are some bright spots.

Bucky Irving

Irving had his supporters and his detractors in the 2024 preseason, but he put all the haters to rest with a dominant rookie season, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise very disappointing class. He was 10th in the NFL in rush yards despite sharing the backfield with Rachaad White. He was fourth in yards after contact per attempt among all backs with at least 75 rush attempts. He had fewer tackles for loss than Jaylen Wright and Cam Akers despite having many, many, more carries than they did.

Irving will likely continue to share the backfield with White, but he’s cemented his place in the offense and in fantasy as a premium back to own.

Tyrone Tracy

After earning more playing time in Week 5, Tracy had the 9th most targets among running backs, a testament to his receiving background. He wasn’t breaking a lot of tackles or doing much after contact, but he can still have fantasy value in 2025. The Giants have a multitude of holes in their roster that they likely can’t afford to use anything other than a Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft on a running back.

Unless it’s a special talent that falls in the draft, Tracy is likely secure, but I won’t rule out the possibility that he gets replaced by said hypothetical running back. I think he keeps his job, but let’s not just assume he does.

Ray Davis

I think the darling of the 2024 preseason was Re'Mahn Walter Zhamar Jamar Davis. Yes, that is his real name. Not because a hype train thought he would take over as the lead back for Buffalo, but because of his touching personal story. He was limited to a backup role behind James Cook in 2024, but I believe that given the chance, he could be very good. He flashed plenty of potential in certain spots, especially at receiver.

Among all running backs with at least 15 receptions, the only two players ahead of Davis in yards per reception were Samaje Perine and his teammate Ty Johnson. Should James Cook go down, Davis could have some productive weeks.

Everyone Else

I wrote at length about Jonathon Brooks soon after his injury. I won’t elaborate on that much here, but given when his injury happened and it’s severity, it’s not a surprise the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle. I haven’t given up hope on Brooks, but his outlook certainly isn’t rosy.

As for guys like Blake Corum, Jaylen Wright, Braelon Allen, Trey Benson, and the like, we’re at a wait-and-see moment. Wright could be stepping up to become the No.2 back in Miami, so there could be some potential value there. He wasn’t particularly effective with his touches, but when he got a decent amount of touches, he did fine (such as against New England for example).

Allen and Benson are stuck behind their entrenched starters, but Allen now has to deal with a new coaching staff and isn’t the established star like Breece Hall. Benson is just waiting for James Connor to age out or get hurt, and both could happen at any moment. Corum should be safe behind Kyren Williams, but who knows when he will get his chance to shine.

That will do it for this edition of the RotoBanter newsletter! Thanks for reading and I will see you next week!