Attack the 2024 Rookie Draft: 1.02

In this series for the Dynasty nerds, the staff will take a rookie draft pick by pick and evaluate who they would select. Each pick will take into account other players on the board, how the team build can affect the pick and possibly change the pick, and also the trade value of the pick.

We are operating under the assumption that the league is a SuperFlex league with a tight end-premium scoring format.

The 1.02 Pick

With the 1.02 in this rookie draft, we will select rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Arizona Cardinals chose Harrison with the fourth pick of the NFL draft. Harrison is easily one of the most complete receivers of all time as a prospect. 

Harrison will join a receiver group that lacks a true playmaker on the offense. Outside Harrison Jr, the rest of the group looks like Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Chris Moore. Harrison easily slides into the WR1 and is likely the top target leader of this offense. He gets a very good quarterback, Kyler Murray, who has performed well throwing the ball when he has a star at receiver. 

If you are lucky not to need a quarterback, and the team ahead of you went with Caleb Williams, you got a steal at the 1.02. Harrison’s talent is so dominant that he could have easily been the 1.01 in this rookie mock draft. As a bonus, I’ve already done ten-plus real-life rookie drafts, and Harrison does not get lower than 1.02 in any of them. He will be a weapon for your dynasty for years to come. 

Who Else Should You Consider?

As I mentioned before, Harrison doesn’t leave many, if at all, rookie drafts after 1.02. Now, you may have a strong need at quarterback, but why is Harrison the right option over the next set of quarterbacks? Jayden Daniels is sometimes the next pick on the draft board. Daniels was not a complete quarterback prospect coming out of the NFL draft. He is a skinny-framed quarterback who must protect himself better to last in the NFL. Daniels has elite upside as a fantasy football player, but his weakness makes him a riskier rookie pick. 

Harrison is the steal, and there is almost no bust potential of a pick you can make at the 1.02. So you could look at the quarterbacks, but you’d be better off trading the pick to get a proven quarterback asset. If not, don’t overthink the pick and select Marvin Harrison Jr.  

Should you Trade for 1.02?

The question is, should you consider trading up for the 1.02? If you want a straight-up deal to get this pick, essentially draft Harrison. It’s not a bad move to give up on any of these players above if you are looking for an elite receiver. You likely want to get more for CMC, so I understand. I’d take Harrison over Waddle or Nacua any day. The quarterbacks are as depth allows you to trade them away. It will depend on your situation to make that trade for the 1.02. 

Trading could make sense if you are a contending team that expects elite production and perhaps wants to find some youth for the position. Pittman, Hill, and Aiyuk are now on the wrong side of 25. Harrison comes in as a 21-year-old who could have another ten years of elite production in his game. London is the outcast due to this youth, too, but Harrison projects to be a more elite option in the long term. 

The Final Word

The 1.02 is a great spot to get an almost near-perfect option for your dynasty rosters. Harrison is a safe 1.02 pick and should be able to produce for the long term. A dynasty owner sees what fits best in keeping or trading the pick to help your overall pick. In the short term and long term, you are building yourself into a champion; more often than not, Harrison should help you get there. 

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