My Post-Draft Top 25 Offensive Rookies

Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be providing rankings galore here at DLF. Many articles (like this one) will be from one of our specialists in either offensive or defensive rankings. Our rankings pages  will be constantly updated to give you the average rankings of multiple writers from Team DLF as well. You also have access to our Rookie Draft Cheat Sheet.  One thing we really discourage is the “group think” mentality. Our goal is to provide you lots of different insights and opinions so you can make the most educated picks in your own draft. Good luck and thanks for your support of DLF!

After a long three-day stretch, I am riding a train on the way back from the city that never sleeps, New York City. There were plenty of surprises and plenty of questionable moments. I am here to break down my top 25 offensive rookies today. Later this week I will be breaking down the other 26-51 best offensive rookies as well as my top 25 individual defensive players so you are ready for your all-important rookie drafts that may have begun as you read this.

1. Tavon Austin, WR STL
Austin was the first skill position player picked and it is easy to tell why. The wide receiver is a dynamic playmaker. He can play in the slot or outside, returns kicks and punts and may even get a few wildcat carries. Bradford asked for help and the young Austin will deliver.

2. DeAndre Hopkins, WR HOU
Hopkins is the most pro ready receiver in his class. What he lacks in speed, he has in route running and football smarts. If Kevin Walter could carve out 60 catches and 70 yards per game with four or five touchdowns, I expect Hopkins to catch close to 80 balls and 1,000 yards with seven to eight touchdowns. He will see one- on-one coverage with Andre Johnson on the other side and be ready to take over the WR1 spot when Johnson hangs out the cleats like Reggie Wayne did when Marvin Harrison left.

3. Keenan Allen, WR SD
Allen fell due to his medical, but it clearly was not about his playmaking ability. I see a great tandem with him and Vincent Brown on the other side. He will be able to do the dirty work that Antonio Gates is getting too old to do. Allen is a decent run blocker, so he will see the field immediately despite his drop in the NFL Draft.

4. Gio Bernard, RB CIN
Bernard will get to start his career splitting carries with BJGE, but he does a lot more than just run the ball. The rookie running back is a smooth runner who has soft hands and is great in open spaces. He will give defenses more to concentrate on, other than AJ Green. I would expect him to share carries this year, but to become the Bengals starting running back by the end of this season.

5. Justin Hunter, WR TENN
Hunter is a big 6′ 4″ receiver who has good speed, but inconsistent hands. This pick may be the beginning of the end for Kenny Britt. If he can revert back to his amazing 2010 season (before the injury and concentration issues), Hunter will be a fantasy superstar.

6. Eddie Lacy, RB GB
Lacy fell during the NFL Draft, but shouldn’t fall in your rookie draft. He totes the rock between the tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield, and can pass block when asked. The selection of fellow rookie running back Johnathan Franklin in the fourth round is a bit surprising, but remember the Packers play a lot of outside games and they need to be ready for any kind of situation.

7. Le’Veon Bell, RB PIT
Bell is a very smooth runner who has soft hands. As a Steelers fan, I have my concerns as he is not a powerful inside runner. He avoids contact, but may not be physical enough to be the goal line back and give way to Isaac Redman near the end zone. Bell was very effective creating yards on poorly blocked plays – hopefully that can continue.

8. Robert Woods, WR BUF
Woods is a fantastic route runner who always knows what everyone else is doing on the field. He isn’t the most physical receiver, but rarely drops a pass and will help the Bills stretch the field.

9. Montee Ball, RB DEN
Ball was a bit of a surprise as he played for a run-first offense in Wisconsin. I wouldn’t be too concerned as he has decent hands and is an above average pass blocker. My worries are that he carried the rock a lot for the Badgers, so his shelf life might be shorter than other backs. I would expect second year Ronnie Hillman to steal some of his third down touches; however, if Peyton Manning is comfortable with him, you should be too.

10. Markus Wheaton, WR PIT
Wheaton is a big play receiver in a smaller body. He is gritty and feisty like Carolina’s Steve Smith, by attacking defenders with his quick steps and separating himself from defenders with his speed and body control. If someone’s “want to” could be bottled, I’d order ten cases of his spirit.

11. Travis Kelce, TE KC
Kelce is a big, strong playmaker who might become Alex Smith’s best friend. He runs quick routes, gets physical with coverage and can get free in the middle of the field. This tight end is one of the best blockers in this year’s class, so he will get plenty of opportunities to shine on all three downs.

12. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR MIN
Patterson has his limitations in his route running and offensive comprehension, but on a team that has Adrian Peterson running the ball over half the time, it might work out fine. The young receiver is good on short wheel routes and bubble screens. This will help his limited quarterback, Christian Ponder, give defenses something to focus on. I hope Greg Jennings will be able to mentor this budding superstar to use all of his physical gifts.

13. Tyler Eifert, TE CIN
Eifert added another offensive playmaker for the average-armed Andy Dalton. It was a bit surprising considering the Bengals already have Jermaine Gresham playing tight end. While Eifert is a decent blocker, his athletic gifts are more suited for a move tight end role. He fared well against corners in college so I would expect him to eat linebackers and safeties for breakfast in the NFL.

14. Terrance Williams, WR DAL
Williams may be the best deep threat of his class, but what separates him from the other receivers who play that role is he is a strong run blocker, too. Dallas is trying to get back to a run first offense with the threat of the pass – Williams is crucial to make that happen. He might not be huge this year, but I have a feeling that in a year fantasy owners will be saying, “Miles who?”

15. EJ Manuel, QB BUF
Manuel is an athletic quarterback more in the Colin Kaepernick vein than Michael Vick or Daunte Culpepper. He has good arm strength and makes quick decisions. I suspect he will make CJ Spiller more dangerous as defenses will only be able to focus on one of them at a time regardless of a run or pass play being called.

16. Stedman Bailey, WR STL
Bailey is back with his partner in crime, Tavon Austin. Those two see the same thing on the field and will be able to create mismatches using their history together. Bailey is a smooth route runner with exceptional hands who reminds me a bit of a more physical Jeremy Maclin. Bradford owners rejoice!

17. Aaron Dobson, WR NE
Dobson is a young Brandon Lloyd as he can make an unbelievable one-handed grab one play and on the very next play drop an easy wide open pass. This young receiver can contort his body to the ball, but needs to improve on his route running, especially with Tom Brady as his quarterback.

18. Zac Stacy, RB STL
Stacy is a versatile, hard-nosed, no-nonsense runner. If you need three yards, he will get you four. He is a three down back who can pass block as well as he catches. Stacy lines up, runs hard and delivers punishment. I expect him to become the lead back of the Rams by November and not look back.

19. Zach Ertz, TE PHI
I can’t think of a crazier place to be a tight end. The Eagles have Brent Celek. They signed move tight end extraordinaire James Casey and now Philadelphia drafted Ertz. He is more of a big bodied wide receiver than a tight end and his quickness could be exploited by the fast paced Chip Kelly offense. Perhaps all the tight ends will be major cogs in the new offense, but I’m a bit cautious.

20. Jordan Reed, TE WASH
Reed is move aka joker tight end that is a better outside receiver than a blocker. Unlike Fred Davis, I see Jordan as being better in space and able to deal with nickel defensive backs. RG3 loves to improvise and Reed should be able to match that creativeness.

21. Geno Smith, QB NYJ
Smith is an intriguing player as he has all the physical tools to become a good NFL passer; however, much like the quarterback he will be replacing, I doubt he has the mental makeup to handle the Big Apple. He doesn’t have much in the form of weapons in the passing game and he struggles throwing into the wind and snow. I hope he can use his athleticism and improve his decision making to become a quality fantasy starter, in time.

22. Jonathan Franklin, RB GB
Franklin dropped quite a bit in the NFL Draft and the Packers decision to draft Lacy before him is a great reason to wait on the UCLA back, but don’t give up all hope. The Packers like to use multiple running backs and Franklin is a good receiver who is dangerous in space. There is no reason to think he won’t get touches to save on the wear and tear Lacy already has on his body.

23. Vance McDonald, TE SF
McDonald is a good run and pass blocker who is great in space. I expect him to be the 49ers starting blocking tight end from day one. He can line up in the backfield, on the line and in the slot. He is a better athlete than Delanie Walker, who he is replacing. Much like the Franklin pick, this is a selection to make on a young team with roster room to make a long-term investment.

24. Christine Michael, RB SEA
Michael is the ultimate boom/bust pick. He is the most violent runner in his class and has the “bad attitude” label. Now he is three deep on the Seahawks depth chart behind Marshawn Lynch, and Robert Turbin, or is he? Why would the Seahawks use a second round pick on him? I think Lynch may be in more legal trouble than the public has been let on and the Seahawks were unwilling to put their rushing hopes with just Turbin. I hope I’m wrong, unless Seattle decided to run the wishbone with some crazy combination of Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin, Lynch, Turbin and Michael.

25. Marquise Goodwin, WR BUF
Goodwin is a raw receiver who greatly improved his game during the all-star games and combine. He has world-class speed and amazing wiggle, but needs to see the field better. Hopefully, he will see the majority of his targets near the line of scrimmage so he can use his lateral agility and DC Comic’s Flash type moves to run away from the defense.

Good luck with your rookie drafts and feel free to drop me a line on twitter @AndrewMiley and better yet, give me a follow.