Dynasty Rookie Drafts: Five Post-Draft Fliers to Consider (Fantasy Football)

You just finished your rookie draft. It’s sad. But … what if I told you it’s not over?

The post-draft pickups are some of the most fun lottery tickets you can buy. If you have a couple of spots on the end of your dynasty bench to burn, consider some of these waiver-wire guys.

For this article’s sake, I set the parameters of players currently ranked outside the top-36 of our dynasty rookie rankings.

Editors Note: Check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and updated Rookie Mock Drafts found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2023.

Sean Tucker, RB- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

College: Syracuse
Drafted: UDFA
Age: 21.5

Tucker was ranked as high as RB5 by many in the pre-draft process. On the Fantasy Footballers Dynasty podcast, we highlighted Tucker from a scouting and production perspective. In 2021, he averaged 145.9 scrimmage yards per game, and with a breakout age of 18.9, he looked like a borderline Day 2 pick. However, he did not participate in the combine and eventually, a medical issue surfaced which scared teams away from selecting him. The Buccaneers’ depth chart is mostly a trash heap (Ke’Shawn Vaughn & Chase Edmonds) beyond Rachaad White so don’t discount Tucker from making some noise and potentially securing a roster spot. 

Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB- Washington Commanders

College: Kentucky
Drafted: 6th Round, 193rd Overall
Age: 22.6

If you are looking for an RB to pickup and stash at the end of your bench, Rodriguez is an intriguing name for a couple of reasons. Apparently, the Commanders publicly shared that they had a third-round grade on him. Take what you want from that considering they waited three more rounds to take him. The depth chart in Washington isn’t intimidating with Brian Robinson Jr. entrenched as the starter and favored son of Ron Rivera and Antonio Gibson in his final year under contract. Rodriguez was PFF’s highest-graded runner in the SEC last year and a tackle-breaking machine. The draft capital isn’t special but the team fit is perfect.

Top NCAA RB Seasons by Total Missed Tackles Forced per Game
+Since 2014, Power 5-only, 2,886 qualifying seasons

1. Bijan Robinson, 2022 (9.3)
2. Bijan Robinson, 2021 (8.7)
3. Chris Rodriguez, 2022 (8.5)
3. David Montgomery, 2018 (8.5)
5. David Montgomery, 2017 (8.3)

— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) April 29, 2023

Tyler Scott, WR- Chicago Bears

College: Cincinnati
Drafted: 4th Round, 133rd Overall
Age: 21.5

Scott received some Day 2 buzz after the combine as a developmental WR who looked fluid on tape with some exceptional after-the-catch ability. A former high school RB, his production at Cincinnati wasn’t ideal and NFL teams noticed. Former Bearcats teammate Tre Tucker was shockingly taken a round ahead of him. That sounds like a reason to completely abandon any notion that he will be relevant for fantasy. DJ Moore is locked in as the team’s WR1 but Darnell Mooney quietly enters a contract year. Oh, and Chase Claypool too if you were counting him as part of the equation. Scott is more than just a “slot receiver” as he has some deep speed to his game ala T.Y. Hilton.

Puka Nacua, WR- Los Angeles Rams

College: BYU
Drafted: 5th Round, 177th Overall
Age: 21.9

Grab your puka shell necklaces! The Rams depth chart is completely barren behind Cooper Kupp. Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Ben Skowronek don’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of anyone. Nacua was injured for part of his senior year at BYU but his rushing production also points to him being used in a variety of ways. Nucua is 6’2″, 201 and averaged over 16 yards per catch in college. Trust Sean McVay and trust the fact that he isn’t Tutu Atwell. What were the Rams thinking drafting him in the second round two years ago?!?!

Trey Palmer, WR- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

College: Nebraska
Drafted: 6th Round, 191st Overall
Age: 22.1

Palmer’s profile has a couple of intriguing marks including running a 4.33 40-time. He transferred to Nebraska for his senior year so some of the production looks a bit off considering he was buried on the depth chart at LSU. But a 46 percent dominator rating is noteworthy no matter what school someone attends. The Buccaneers traded up to select him if you need extra motivation to put a FAAB bid on him. The roster in Tampa Bay is in flux especially at the QB position so don’t bank on anything right away.