The NFL Draft has come and gone. Novice fantasy football players have gone back to their caves to hibernate, while the die-hard players are deep into research and strategy. Here’s the list of the top 40 rookies to target in upcoming drafts, with standard PPR and 4 pts for QB TDs considered.
1. Ryan Mathews RB SD (mid-draft top 10 ranking: 1)
You really just couldn’t imagine a better scenario for him.
2. Dez Bryant WR DAL (2)
I hope he plays Miami at some point soon. You would have to consider that the, “Is your Mother a prostitute bowl.” Regardless, the sky’s the limit for Bryant. You just have to hope he leaves the floor.
3. CJ Spiller RB BUF (3)
It would certainly help his cause if Marshawn Lynch would get traded, but it’s going to be tough to accommodate him at this point. I expect 2011 to be a better year than 2010.
4. Jahvid Best RB DET (4)
He’ll have a chance to make an immediate impression in Detroit with Kevin Smith out for a bit – you just have to hope he seizes the golden opportunity. His explosion matches or surpasses that of Spiller, but the injury risk keeps him from the #3 spot.
5. Ben Tate RB HOU (5)
Some press are predicting 1,500 yards for Tate in this offense, while others are predicting an even share with Slaton. I’d bet on the conservative side for now, but he could quite easily be the ROY if he can capitalize.
6. Demaryius Thomas WR DEN (6)
I actually think it’s good they added Decker as well – that should ease the burden on Thomas. He has everything you could want to be successful including a good scheme, little competition, and a coach out to prove he knows what he’s doing.
7. Sam Bradford QB STL (8)
I’ve moved Bradford up one spot, not for anything he did, just for the press I’ve been reading on Hardesty. Bradford is easily the best QB in this class, though don’t be surprised if he’s A). the last one to see the field or B). outdone by Clausen in year one. Think long-term here.
8. Montario Hardesty RB CLE (7)
From everything I’ve been reading, it seems the road to a feature back role will be a little tougher than some think. Jerome Harrison seems a good fit for the West Coast Offense of the Big Show anyway.
9. Jimmy Clausen QB CAR (9)
His disappointment should have turned to joy by now. I mean, really, was there a better spot to go to? Matt Moore can keep the seat warm, but Jimmy’s in a great spot here.
10. Arrelious Benn WR TB
Speaking of great places to go, here’s another prime example. Sammie Stroughter was a #1 WR for about three months.
11. Golden Tate WR SEA
The Seahawks haven’t had a legitimate WR threat since Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson brought them to the promised land. Will Tate change that? I like him, but I think his measurables are a little better than how he plays. Still a solid prospect, though.
12. Jermaine Gresham TE CIN (10)
Let’s not forget he had 950 yards and 14 TDs…in one season.
13. Colt McCoy QB CLE
I’m sure many will think this is too high for McCoy, but he’s in the perfect environment to thrive. That seems odd being that it’s Cleveland, but the WCO is perfect for his skill set, even with Mangini’s tweaking.
14. Toby Gerhart RB MIN
Gerhart was the big loser in the draft. Most dynasty leaguers were hoping for a landing spot in San Diego or Houston, while few expected Minnesota. It seems an odd fit for sure, but remember that RBs with talent ALWAYS get a chance one day.
15. Dexter McCluster WR KC
An odd choice for the Chiefs here, as I fully expected a team like Philly to jump up and grab him. I see McCluster as a swiss army knife type of player – he can return, catch, run, grab water, hold a baby, whatever. He’s a really good value in PPR leagues, especially.
16. Tim Tebow QB DEN
I feel blessed to put him here. In all honesty, though, he has a coach who has staked his career on him – that gives him a serious opportunity. For once, let’s look at some of the good things he did – 88 TDs with 16 INTs, coupled with nearly 3,000 rushing yards and another 57 TDs in the SEC. Sure, he’s a project, but a project with some good upside.
17. Jonathan Dwyer RB PIT
We came into the draft thinking Tebow and Bryant would be the big dynasty related storylines, but we left with this one. How in the world did Dwyer last until pick #188? It’s true that he had an awful combine and equally poor pro day, but his play seriously outweighed his draft slot. Many teams let him slide due to a rumor of him having ADD and fantasy ballers need to accept the fact that NFL scouts know more than you may think. This is THE feast or famine pick of the past three years. You could take him and see him flourish into a top 15 Rb, or see him get cut as the Steelers have little invested here. Feel lucky?
18. Brandon LaFell WR CAR
Meet Jimmy’s new BFF. Those two should make an immediate connection on the practice field. Look for that to carry over in a couple of years. Let’s not forget that LaFell was a borderline first rounder last season before deciding to go back to LSU.
19. Damian Williams WR TEN
Another in the long line of great USC WRs. Let’s hope he’s more Steve Smith than Mike Williams, but the opportunity is fantastic and his skill set is solid.
20. Mike Williams WR TB
Wanna really take a risk? If that’s you, roll the dice on Mike Williams. His baggage makes Dez Bryant look like Tebow. Crazy thing is that his talent makes him look like, well…Dez Bryant.
21. Eric Decker WR DEN
Just like McCluster, Decker is a great PPR value. While he’ll never be a #1 WR, he could be a very good slot receiver and will likely outpace his counterpart Demaryius Thomas in year one.
22. James Starks RB GB
Now here’s a good sleeper. Starks played at a small school (Buffalo), but could really push Brandon Jackson for the #2 spot in GB as early as this season. Ryan Grant isn’t THAT good anyway.
23. Joe McKnight RB NYJ
It’s too bad that he went to a jam packed roster of RBs, but just like Gerhart, talented RBs always get a chance.
24. Marcus Easley WR BUF
Quick, name the starter opposite Lee Evans. That’s what I thought.
25. Taylor Price WR NE
Did New England get really old all of a sudden, or is it just me?
26. Carlton Mitchell WR CLE
One of the nation’s favorite sleepers, he found a good landing spot. It’s too early to call Brian Robiskie a bust…but it’s not too early to say you expected more.
27. Mardy Gilyard WR STL
I liked Gilyard quite a bit, but it’s going to be a long, long time until that Rams offense hits on all cylinders.
28. Rob Gronkowski TE NE
Aaron Hernandez may actually end up being better, but Gronkowski has a lot of talent.
29. Anthony Dixon RB SF
Dixon’s draft stock fell after some poor workout numbers and questions about his position. He may not be Gore insurance yet, but the 49ers drafting of him shows that Coffee certainly isn’t either.
30. Emmanuel Sanders WR PIT
I think he’s being overvalued on a lot of different sites.
31. Andre Roberts WR ARI
Ditto on Roberts. There’s a lot of receiving talent ahead of him in Arizona.
32. Aaron Hernandez TE NE
A pass catching machine that dropped due to a failed drug test. Could be a steal for NE.
33. John Skelton QB ARI
Matt Leinart is unproven and Derek Anderson has proven to be less than stellar. Skelton may get put on the practice squad, but he has a lot of talent.
34. Jordan Shipley WR CIN
Another player with more PPR value than in standard non-PPR leagues. Shipley’s lack of top end speed will limit him, but he’s tough.
35. Dan LeFevour QB CHI
He could really develop under Mike Martz, but he needs a lot of reps. You have to wonder if he doesn’t regret not throwing at the combine.
36. Dezmon Briscoe WR CIN
Chad Ochocinco can’t play until he’s ochocinco, and Bryant is no Spring chicken, either.
37. Charles Scott RB PHI
He could easily push Mike Bell off the roster in a year or two.
38. Levi Brown QB BUF
Brian Brohm, Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Not exactly the AFC Pro Bowl there.
39. Deji Karim RB JAX
Here’s one of my favorite sleepers. Karim reminds many of Brian Westbrook with his versatility. He’ll have a hard time beating out Rashad Jennings, but he has the ability to do just that.
40. Jarrett Brown QB SF
Nate Davis is currently the 3rd QB, but Brown has the athleticism to beat him out and develop years down the road.
Just missed..
Armanti Edwards WR CAR
The conversion from QB to WR will be fierce. Most remember him for leading App State to a victory at Michigan. Chances are that’s going to be his highlight, but keep an eye on him.
LeGarrette Blount RB TEN
He’ll put up a fight. Heh.
Jevan Snead QB TB
I put him on the list mostly because I feel sorry for him.
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