2014 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Consensus Third Round
We’ve been bringing you commentary on our consensus rankings this week and we continue with picks #25-#36, which would constitute the third round in most rookie drafts. The later rounds are some of the most exciting because this is where your homework really comes into play. Of course you’ve been following us for the past few months, so there are no strangers on list. The bust factor of these players is astronomical, but hitting on one of them will give you great satisfaction. In terms of building, this is right about the point where you throw your team needs out the window and just focus on players you think can develop into future contributors, regardless of position. After all, it’s easy to take Sammy Watkins first – this takes a little more skill.
With that said, here’s the third round.
25. Isaiah Crowell, RB CLE
I’ve seen Crowell go in the first round of some rookie drafts recently and it’s pure madness in my book. Yes, he was once looked at as an elite prospect, but he didn’t get taken in the NFL Draft for a reason. There are major character red flags with him and the fact he went undrafted just makes this risk even higher since it’s obvious the NFL has their collective doubts about him. In fact, there’s no guarantee he even makes the final roster in Cleveland. The Browns have Ben Tate and also drafted another highly touted runner in Terrance West, so Crowell being cut or sent to the practice squad eventually shouldn’t shock anyone.
The situation with Crowell reminds me of those over drafting Da’Rick Rogers last year – people just couldn’t help themselves in looking at the talent and not realistically looking at his situation. Taking Crowell in the late second or early third round can be justified by those who consider themselves riverboat gamblers, but rolling the dice on him over other solid prospects earlier than this has the likelihood of burning you in the end.
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27. Charles Sims, RB TB
If you say Johnson’s situation is the best, you could make a case Sims’ is the worst. There’s no doubt Doug Martin is going to be given every chance to succeed and Lovie Smith will likely fall in love with his versatility. That being said, Martin hasn’t proven to be durable and Sims is a good all-around back who could make noise if and when he hits the field. We saw what a lesser talented player like Bobby Rainey did went Martin went down, so there’s some real dynasty allure here.
28. Terrance West, RB CLE
Most have West a bit higher than this (and higher than his new teammate in Crowell), but our rankers obviously don’t care for the muddled depth chart mess the Browns now have on the depth chart with Tate, West, Crowell and others. West is a small school prospect with loads of talent and Cleveland is said to be smitten with him. He could find himself producing early if he can win the RB2 job for the Browns or if Tate gets hurt – neither seem to be out of the realm of possibility. In short, you can say Isaiah Crowell has the higher ceiling and lower floor, while West seems like the much safer pick of the two – this choice just comes down to how strong your stomach is. West could really be a gem, though. If you wait this long for him, he’ll likely be gone as he looks to be one of the early risers in rookie drafts.
29. Paul Richardson, WR SEA
You’d think a speedy receiver going to a great team with a real need for young receiving talent would go higher, but that’s just not likely going to be the case with Richardson. I like his potential a lot, but it may take a while for him to see the field and his injuries do tend to scare you away a bit. He also seems to be a bit of a one trick pony and even those who are great deep threats (think DeSean Jackson) are hard to count on in fantasy leagues because of their lack of consistency. Richardson could develop, but it’s going to take some patience to have him on your roster for as long as that may take.
30. Jarvis Landry, WR MIA
Two of my favorite sleeper receivers go back-to-back here with Landry and Martavis Bryant. Both these players were overshadowed by more heralded rookies. In the case of Landry, he played second fiddle to Odell Beckham last year, but still produced a 77/1.193/10 campaign for LSU. When you scout Beckham, you can’t help but notice Landry on film. He has a tremendous amount of ability and his slow combine performance is probably being overblown. The Dolphins may have picked up a future starter here and while he isn’t a burner, he could be a really strong contributor in Miami shortly as a tough, chain moving-type of receiver.
31. Martavis Bryant, WR PIT
The Steelers have been looking for a tall red zone threat in the end zone since Plaxico Burress left town (sorry Limas Sweed) and they may have found it in Bryant. He was a workout warrior at the combine, but was overshadowed by the great Sammy Watkins at Clemson.  If you own Bryant and Markus Wheaton, chances are one of them pans out this season. I like Bryant’s chances and think he could turn out to be a great late round pick. On paper, he has pretty much everything you’d want to see.
I’m not saying Landry and Bryant will be better than Beckham and Watkins, but they could prove to be better values in rookie drafts.
32. Andre Williams, RB NYG
Williams seems like a volume runner who should be able to churn out the tough yards. The trouble with him is he has virtually no value as a pass catcher and in PPR leagues, that’s just a deal breaker. He seems destined to be the “thunder” to someone’s “lightning” his entire career and has little to no chance of ever being a true three down back. With that said, you can’t argue with his production at the college level (he ran for over 2,100 yards last season) and the Giants aren’t exactly loaded with young, healthy runners.
33. Derek Carr, QB OAK
Carr has a puncher’s chance to be the next starting quarterback in Oakland. The problem here is it may take four or five years for the Raiders to add enough weapons to truly make him a dangerous quarterback in dynasty leagues. Let’s hope he can sit for a year and really learn the offense before being thrown into the fire and set up for failure like his older brother was.
34. Jared Abbrederis, WR GB
A DLF house favorite, Abbrederis landed in a pretty favorable situation long-term. The trouble here is he may not make it long-term without a great camp. He was a former walk-on at Wisconsin and left the school being at or near the top of most Wisconsin receiving records, so don’t bet against him as he’s conquered long odds before. Abbrederis is just one of those players who won’t wow you with his athleticism, but just gets the job done. The question is if he can do that at the NFL level. This would be a great story to track if you owned him as the Wisconsin kid could make good on his dream with the hometown Packers.
35. Troy Niklas, TE ARI
The Rob Housler experiment went wrong and the Cards hope the 6’6′, 270 pound Niklas can develop into the tight end they’ve been searching for since Jackie Smith. Well, maybe that’s a little extreme, but Arizona hasn’t had much at the position for quite some time. Niklas simply hasn’t played much football at the tight end position, so he’ll need some time to develop.
36. Bruce Ellington, WR SF
It’s unfortunate Ellington was taken by the 49ers, who are loaded at receiver. He’s going to need to make a significant impression to earn playing time and he’s a prime candidate for either the practice squad or as a special teams player. He could develop into a good slot receiver if he’s given time, though. He’s certainly worth a shot this late in the draft.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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