The final week of the regular season of college football was dramatic and full of big performances. 2024 NFL Draft prospects are making their mark as they prepare for showcase bowls and the NFL Scouting Combine process. Understanding the value of these five prospects will help you stay ahead of your fantasy football league mates.
2024 NFL Draft Dynasty Risers
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Braelon Allen (6’2″, 245 pounds) put together his best statistical performance of the season against Minnesota. The power back rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns against the Golden Gophers. Allen finished the regular season with five games of at least 100 rushing yards and five multi-touchdown games.
Allen is a patient runner with great lower-body strength. He displays the ability to read gaps well and burst through them for consistent gains. He is a shifty runner in short space and is difficult for Big Ten defenders to bring down.
The Wisconsin back should be selected between Picks 50-75 of the 2024 NFL Draft. He profiles as a high-volume runner in the NFL and is worth selecting in the late first round of fantasy football drafts.
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Florida State needed Trey Benson (6’1″, 223 pounds) to have a big game with star quarterback Jordan Travis out for the season. He did exactly that, rushing for three touchdowns and 95 yards on 19 carries against rival Florida.
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Benson is a powerful and bursty runner who can accelerate well when he is presented with space. This skill set helps him break off big plays that will catch the eyes of fantasy football managers seeking out upside from a relatively down running back class.
Trey Benson could be one of the first few running backs selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. I project that his fantasy football rookie ADP (average draft position) will be the early second round in Superflex formats.
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
When Michael Penix Jr. needs to make a big pass, he goes to Rome Odunze (6’3″, 215 pounds). Odunze led the Huskies with seven receptions and 120 yards in a closer-than-expected matchup against Washington State. Odzune now has 1,326 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
Odunze is a twitchy athlete whose athleticism and handwork help him consistently win in contested situations. Odunze performs in clutch situations and will have the opportunity to do so again in the 2023 Pac-12 Football Championship Game rematch against Oregon.
Odunze won’t be the first wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but I do expect he will hear his name called on the first night. He will be a popular fantasy football target and should have a mid-first-round fantasy football ADP.
Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Audric Estimé (5’11”, 227 pounds) is flying under the radar despite some huge performances this season. He rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns against Stanford this past week. Estimé has rushed for at least 95 yards in eight games this season. He has found the endzone 18 times, the third most in the country.
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Estimé is a powerful back with good vision. He shows the ability to get off the line of scrimmage and smash defenders at the second level of the field. He is reliable in pass protection, which NFL front offices are sure to appreciate.
Estimé’s lack of pure athleticism and limited pass-catching production may hinder his draft capital. I project him to be a Day 3 selection, but he has great upside as a late-round fantasy football rookie draft selection.
Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia
Georgia’s Kendall Milton (6’1″, 220 pounds) was once considered a top devy prospect. Injuries and inconsistent play have hindered his collegiate career, but he is getting hot at the right time. Milton ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Tech.
His Week 12 performance marks the second time in three weeks he has rushed for over 100 yards. Milton compiled 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries against Ole Miss. He has 10 rushing touchdowns on the season and has scored in all but two games for the Bulldogs.
Milton should be selected in the late rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. That draft capital will make him a late-round target in fantasy football rookie drafts. He is a prospect worth watching closely through the showcase bowl and combine processes.
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