DLF’s 2015 Predictions: Fantasy Rookie of the Year

Ken Kelly Posted On September 2, 2015

cooper

This is one of our favorite times of the year. After working hard to produce content all off-season, we can finally look forward to the 2015 Fantasy Football season in our beloved dynasty leagues – that means it’s time for our annual fantasy predictions. We gathered some opinions from the DLF Team and compiled eight different articles for the upcoming fantasy year. The categories were as follows:

Fantasy MVP
Fantasy Rookie of the Year
Most Overvalued Dynasty Player
Most Undervalued Dynasty Player
Fantasy Sleeper
Best Dynasty Buy
Best Dynasty Sell
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year

We’ll cover Fantasy ROY today and bring you another category every day until the season starts. Trust me, it’s better this way. Otherwise, you’d have a 45-page, 17,500 word novella to go through this morning and that’s a lot, even for avid DLFers.

Let’s get to it!

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Austan Kas
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

I’ve had Ameer Abdullah as my top rookie running back all summer and he’s done nothing to change my mind. A year from now, he’ll be a consensus top ten back in startups. His footwork and burst are to die for. I don’t like investing in running backs in dynasty, but he’s stolen my heart.

Jacob Feldman
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

While I don’t think there is any way the class of 2015 reaches the lofty rookie year heights the class of 2014 set, I do think there will be several stars. Chief among them is Cooper. He’s been my unquestioned top rookie since the process started and should lead the Raiders (as well as all rookies) in production at the position.

Eric Olinger
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

I wanted to be daring and pick Breshad Perriman but even if he can get healthy and become Joe Flacco’s WR1, I don’t think he’ll be able to outdo what Derek Carr and Cooper are going to do in Oakland this year. The presence of Michael Crabtree and the emergence of Latavius Murray in the run game should propel Cooper into very high WR2 numbers and head and shoulders above every other first year player.

Chris Heil
Jameis Winston, QB TB

Winston is the best situation compared to any other rookie to perform at a high level. He has a young tight end in Austin Seferian-Jenkins and possibly the best wide receiver duo right now. I look for a huge season from Winston.

Jarrett Behar
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

Slight nod over Cooper because the Raiders offense might be a dumpster fire. Joique Bell can’t stay healthy. Abdullah will be a RB2.

Benton McDonald
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

Cooper will be a reception hog in the Oakland offense due to his elite ability to get open. A fluid athlete who makes it look easy, he is ready for a seamless transition to the NFL. Becoming Derek Carr’s best friend will yield a rookie year that places him in the PPR WR2 conversation and a safe play for any dynasty team.

Ryan Finley
Nelson Agholor, WR PHI

While there are more talented receivers who were drafted this year (namely Amari Cooper [whom I’m sure will be the choice for many]) Agholor has a far superior situation. He doesn’t have the flash or pristine route running of Cooper, but he has loads of talent of his own. He will also likely be the primary outside receiver in the prolific Chip Kelly offense and we all remember what Jeremy Maclin did in a similar role.

Matt Price
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

Ameer Abdullah is a league-winner type of talent who will be effective even on limited touches due to his playmaking ability. Even if Joique Bell stays healthy enough to play a two down role, Abdullah is the kind of talent who can play himself into a bigger role. Believe the hype.

Nathan Miller
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

I like too much of what I’ve seen in Abdullah in this offense. He’s a talented player who comes to Detroit with no assembly required. With some dangerous weapons working down the field and a very formidable line, Abdullah should find little difficulty in the backfield. Detroit has an overabundance of talent on offense and another season working with Jim Caldwell certainly can’t hurt Stafford’s potential. Throw in a dome and the speed of turf? Yes, please.

Scott Peak
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

I’m a huge fan of Abdullah’s game. There was a big stink about his sub-optimal 40 yard dash, yet he finished top two in all other remaining categories at the NFL Combine. Abdullah’s lateral agility, vision and natural movement are a perfect fit for the NFL game. He is in a perfect situation to showcase his skills and I expect him to finish as the top overall rookie, especially in PPR leagues.

James Simpson
Duke Johnson, RB CLE

He has been quiet since the NFL Draft, after arriving into a three-headed backfield with Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West on a team that lacks offensive weapons and a clear starter at quarterback. So why invest? In my mind, he became the most talented skill position player for Cleveland the moment his name was called at the podium. He can run, catch, show patience or be direct and has been kept a secret for too long over the summer (currently being drafted 26th among backs). Give me all the Dukes.

Brian Malone
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

The Oakland Raiders threw the ball 629 times last year (largely because they trailed, on average, by more than seven points per second of game play). I expect the Raiders to be pretty bad again, which should mean 120+ targets for Cooper. I expect mid-WR2 numbers for him in PPR leagues.

Eric Breeze
David Johnson, RB ARI

I’m not the biggest Johnson fan but I’m even less of an Andre Ellington believer. The mixture of inferior competition and excellent receiving skills could equal a sneaky good rookie year from someone chosen in the middle rounds of your rookie draft.

Rob Leath
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

It is not an original selection. Abdullah’s stock has been soaring upwards the entire month of August. With a banged up and rather pedestrian incumbent ahead of him the depth chart, I don’t see opportunity being an issue for the former Husker, especially with the Lions’ defense poised to take a step backwards without Ndamukong Suh, offering him more opportunities in the passing game. I’m buying and not afraid to pay a heavy price for him.

Adam Tzikas
Nelson Agholor, WR, PHI

Sure, it would be very easy to say Amari Cooper and move on, but that’s not my style. Agholor looks like he has all the right tools needed to be a fantasy machine right out of the gate. Couple that with one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and it’s a recipe for fantasy success.

Jeff Beran
Ameer Abdullah, RB DET

I’d give this award to Todd Gurley without thinking twice if I knew Gurley will be completely healthy all year, but as this isn’t the case. Instead, I’m casting my vote for the dynamic Abdullah. I’m not buying the self-proclaimed bill of health from 29-year old Joique Bell who is coming off of another off-season knee surgery. Abdullah’s big play and pass catching abilities will quickly prove too valuable for the coaches to take him off the field for anything more than a quick breather.

Izzy Elkeffas
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

This one isn’t even close. Cooper is the most pro-ready prospect in the draft at any position. I’m a believer in Derek Carr and even if I wasn’t, Cooper’s route-running provides such a large margin for quarterback error. He’ll get targets early and often.

Kyle Pollock
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

Cooper should get force fed the ball in an offense that will be playing from behind a lot and thus passing more often. He’s looked phenomenal in camp and should be the most productive rookie this season.

Jeff Miller
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

Yawn, right? I’m not sure what can be said about Cooper that hasn’t been said already. He is a pro-ready future stud who will command a huge number of targets right out of the gate. Rookies bust often (more, in fact, than they don’t). But I’d be shocked if Cooper was one of those who doesn’t excel.

Jeff Levy
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

Cooper likely would have been the answer to this question at almost any time this year. Add in Kevin White’s injury, Melvin Gordon’s pass protection issues (plus Danny Woodhead reminding us all he’s good at football when he has two working legs), Todd Gurley’s (fully expected) lengthy knee recovery and DeVante Parker’s foot? Him not winning this category would be the upset of the year.

Mike Valverde
Nelson Agholor, WR PHI

Take a solid receiver, put him in one of the best offenses in football and watch him explode. Jordan Matthews is going to be essential in keeping the pressure off Agholor and playing in the slot is just going to give him several options to score more points.

Mo Brewington
Marcus Mariota, QB TEN

We’ve seen this script played out before in Seattle. Unlike Russell Wilson’s rise to Fantasy supremacy, Mariota has entered his rookie season bearing the yoke of “Franchise Savior” and he hasn’t blinked once. Every report from camp is glowing. His preseason performances to date have been workman like. Aside from their running back situation, the Titans have a better supporting cast around Mariota then Wilson has had year one. Expect him to master the art of matriculating the ball down field early on. Sometimes it’ll be jaw-dropping, others mundane. His mental toughness and capacity to learn and adapt will carry him through the rough times. He’ll surprise many with his passing ability and decision making, while adding enough rushing yardage to achieve top 12 status by year’s end.

Tyler Huggins
Stephone Anthony, LB NO

There are a number of rookies in consideration for this spot, but give me the athletic, explosive player with the clearest run at a starting job. Once he is given the reigns, Anthony will step in and make plays in bunches. The New Orleans linebacker corps is far from awe inspiring, and Anthony will rise to the top quickly to become a three down ‘backer this season and in the future.

Eric Burtzlaff
DeVante Parker, WR

As I write this, Mr. Parker is falling hard from top five status of June and July. I’ve even seen him go at the end of the first round. His talent is unquestionable and he’s a polished receiver ready for stardom if he can get healthy this season. A peaking Ryan Tannehill doesn’t hurt, either.

Justin Heustis
Nelson Agholor, WR PHI

He’s not my favorite receiver of this draft class but I believe in Eagles’ coach Chip Kelly. Agholor should slide into the second receiver role by October and be second in line for targets in Philadelphia.

Bruce Matson
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

I have him as one of the best wide receiver prospects to come out since Julio Jones and AJ Green. He’s impossible to cover and he’s going to soak up all the targets from Carr.

Doug Green
Todd Gurley, RB STL

He was the most talented player in the draft and now he’s been cleared to practice. He was electric at Georgia and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue at the NFL level. Look for him to have a big season.

Carla Gruse
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

He’s the best player in the 2015 rookie draft. Cooper already has the chemistry needed with his quarterback to be successful as well. The Raiders will play from behind enough games that throwing the football will become a necessity and they should have a solid running game to obtain first downs and keep the ball in their hands.

Eric Hardter
Amari Cooper, WR OAK

I’m not honestly sure how there can be another choice here. Jameis Winston has looked the part this preseason, but that offensive line might get him killed. Marcus Mariota lacks weapons. Todd Gurley, DeVante Parker, Kevin White and Breshad Perriman have dealt with injuries. I suppose I could see the case for Nelson Agholor given the offense he plays in, but Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz aren’t going anywhere. While Cooper might not play for the best team or with the best quarterback, the Raiders’ general sucktitude could result in another year of 600 attempts for Derek Carr. Now I love me some Rod Streater and am lukewarm on Michael Crabtree, but they’re not going to be the recipients of the majority of these targets. Already pro-ready and walking into a great opportunity, Cooper could and should continue the trend of rookie receivers producing big numbers.

In case you’re counting, that gives us the following votes:

Amari Cooper (11 votes)
Ameer Abdullah (7 votes)
Nelson Agholor (4 votes)
Todd Gurley (1 vote)
Duke Johnson (1 vote)
David Johnson (1 vote)
Jameis Winston (1 vote)
Marcus Mariota (1 vote)
DeVante Parker (1 vote)

…and a shout out to Stephone Anthony from Tyler, who went outside the box to take the IDP angle for us this year.

So, who do you predict will be this year’s fantasy ROY?

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK