My Post-Draft Top 26-52 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!

Rookie drafts have begun. If any of your leagues are like mine, the action is fast and furious. This year there seems to be a lot more trading around to get YOUR player. I have already discussed my top 25 players on both sides of the ball, so now is the time to dissect the top 26-51 offensive players. These very well could be the difference makers for your team, just ask any Alfred Morris owner.

26. Marcus Lattimore, RB SF

Lattimore is the ultimate boom or bust pick.  I love his athletic gifts, but I am not sold on him ever returning to health.  This may not be a popular choice, but I am a bit more risk adverse than some. If you own Frank Gore, take the chance, otherwise I’m staying away.

27. Quinton Patton, WR SF
Patton should make AJ Jenkins owners a bit nervous. He is great at adjusting to the ball and makes spectacular receptions. There is a little concern that he didn’t dominate lesser competition. He might see the field on three receiver sets from day one.

28. Da’Rick Rogers, WR BUF
Rogers is one of the most physically gifted athletes, but he is a knucklehead – that is why he was signed as a free agent after the draft. Other than Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods, the cupboard is bare in Buffalo. If he gets his act together, Rogers could be a steal.

29. Matt Barkley, QB PHI
Chip Kelly knows Barkley, so if you can’t beat him, join him. The young quarterback has a strong enough arm for a West Coast system and has the football smarts to guide this team. Barkley probably will have to wait a year to start, but should be a serviceable QB2 in time.

30. Josh Boyce, WR NE
Boyce is a bigger receiver than the Patriots usually draft. He is a powerful and quick athlete who, at times, struggles with concentration. If he can work on his mental game, he could carve out a starting role for himself.

31. Mike Gillislee, RB MIA
Gillislee has found a good role behind Lamar Miller. He has great hands and is one of the best pass blockers in his class. He struggles to run the ball in between the tackles as he is much more comfortable in space. If Miller doesn’t work out or gets hurt, Gillislee will be next in line.

32. Joseph Randle, RB DAL
Randle is a strong runner who glides between the tackles. It’s too bad he runs so upright, because he subjects his body to unnecessary contact. He should be a good complement to DeMarco Murray. If Murray can’t stay healthy, the rookie will get plenty of chances to run the ball.

33. Chris Harper, WR SEA
Harper is a thick, powerful receiver who should fit in well with the power running game the Seahawks have. He has soft hands and contorts himself to make the difficult catch. Harper’s playing time will probably be very limited year one.

34. Kenny Stills, WR NO
Stills gets this bump up because of the elite situation he got drafted into. While he isn’t the biggest or the fastest, he has good hands and adjusts to the ball well in the air. Physical coverage causes him issues, so he might need to be in the slot to be effective.

35. Ryan Swope, WR ARI
Swope is a tremendous athlete who can play any of the receiver spots: X, Y, or Z. His history of concussions knocked him down the draft board. The only receiver he could draw time away from is Andre Roberts as Larry Fitzgerald and former first rounder Michael Floyd already have those spots locked up.

36. Corey Fuller, WR DET
Fuller is a smooth athlete who could surprise you with his speed. I was very impressed with him during the Shrine Game week. With Ryan Broyles injured and Titus Young out of town, the Lions need a playmaker to line up opposite Calvin Johnson.

37. Kerwynn Williams, RB IND
Williams has great speed and agility. If the Colts can get him out in space, he chew up chunks of yardage. I like him as a third down/change of pace back because of his soft hands and decent pass blocking. Remember, Vick Ballard wasn’t that impressive last season.

38. Aaron Mellette, WR BAL
Mellette is from a small school (Elon), but doesn’t play that way. He will out-physical his competition. This receiver has strong hands, uses a spin move and has tremendous leaping skills. I think he will be a steal in rookie drafts as after Torrey Smith, the Ravens have no proven wide receivers.

39. Dion Sims, TE MIA
Sims is one of the few two-way tight ends in this class. He is a great, physical run blocker. In the passing game, he uses his strength and size to gain separation from linebackers and safeties. Sims has soft hands and is very difficult to tackle as it usually takes more than one defender to bring him down. Dustin Keller signed a one-year prove it deal, but Sims could show that Keller is unnecessary by the end of the 2013 season.

40. Gavin Escobar, TE DAL
Escobar is a weird fit for the Cowboys. His game is more of a move tight end who does well in space versus the physical style that Jason Witten brings. Perhaps the Cowboys are planning to go to a more spread offense, otherwise Escobar is a glorified wide receiver who would struggle to see the field with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Terrance Williams, and Dwayne Harris already in the fold.

41. Andre Ellington, RB ARI
Ellington is more of a finesse runner; however, he can make defenders miss. The Cardinals are trying to improve their offensive line, but this may not be enough to help him become fantasy relevant with Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams in front of him.

42. Knile Davis, RB KC
Davis simply scares me. He was an explosive runner before he suffered several injuries. While he has plenty of speed and wiggle, his ball security issues may limit the impact he has on your fantasy team. If you do not own Jamaal Charles, I would not draft him. He is a necessary evil for you JC owners out there.

43. Denard Robinson, RB/WR JAX
Robinson is a fantastic athlete, but I’m not convinced running back is the spot for him. He can make people miss, but is not built thick enough to handle the constant pounding of the position. MJD is getting long in the tooth, so he may get some opportunities to shine as early as this year. If he is used all over the field, he could turn into a Randall Cobb type of player.

44. Theo Riddick, RB DET
Riddick is an interesting pick for the Lions. He has soft hands and amazing balance like Reggie Bush. The young running back is a stronger inside runner than Bush and is more quick than fast. Bush is a better overall back, but Riddick is an interesting player nonetheless. I doubt he plays much unless there are injuries to the Detroit backfield, but he is worth a stash in larger leagues.

45. Marquess Wilson, WR CHI
Wilson is a very interesting player as he got dismissed from his college due to him speaking out against his coach. Put him with usually unhappy Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and the sparks may fly. He has good speed, shields the ball from defenders and has good stop/start ability. He could be ideal for Mark Trestman’s new offense as the slot receiver. He is a high risk/high reward guy and I’m willing to take the chance here.

46. Stepfan Taylor, RB ARI
Taylor was at one time considered a top five running back, but his lackluster combine raised concerns. I think the comparison to Toby Gerhart is an appropriate one. He is a solid pass blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. However, he is not dynamic enough to be a lead back in the NFL.

47. Ray Graham, RB HOU
Graham got slowed down by the knee injury for most of the year. He is a quicker than fast guy who has the best hands of anyone in his class. I like the fit in Houston as he will benefit from a zone blocking scheme. Ben Tate will be a free agent next year, so Graham could get plenty of touches backing up Foster.

48. Tavarres King, WR DEN
King is one of those good players who got caught in a not so good situation in Denver. He has great speed/agility and is willing to fight for the ball. His problem is he can sometimes be taken out of games completely. Hopefully he will get the chance to learn in Denver and may get into the starting lineup in 2014 or 2015.

49. Chris Gragg, TE BUF
Gragg is a converted wide receiver. He is quite fast for his position and has soft hands. The Bills need a tight end to step up in both the running and passing game, so Gragg could get a chance to see the field early.

50. TJ Moe, WR NE
Moe is a slot receiver – nothing more, nothing less. He has decent hands and runs good routes. If he gets the chance to play with Tom Brady, he could succeed. I’m not convinced he will get that shot anytime soon.

51. Marcus Davis, WR NYG
Davis is a big, thick, muscular wide receiver who will get the chance to develop his game with some of the best receivers in the NFL. Hopefully, he can improve on catching with his hands instead of his body. Hakeem Nicks gets hurt a lot, so he may get more playing time or if the Victor Cruz negotiations go sideways, who knows.

52. Latavius Murray, RB OAK
Murray is a big, powerful, no-nonsense runner who can move a pile. He is a good pass blocker, but runs too high at times – this makes his body more likely to take more hits than it should. Murray is a good complement back in Oakland as Darren McFadden has a long injury history.

Good luck in your rookie drafts!