The Top Non-IDP Rookie Prospects: 26-51

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The beginning of April every year has its excitement for dynasty owners. Trading picks up, there’s speculation about where rookies will go and some of us crazy people even start analyzing other teams rosters to predict whom every team will take in the rookie draft. In my previous articles where I ranked the offensive players by position, I’ve received some praise, some confusion and some hate. As I tell anyone who reads my articles, do not let someone tell you what a player is, watch the player for yourself.

As with all the rookies ranked in this article and my previous one about the top 25 rookies, I have already watched at least three games worth of film on each, hopefully more. I based my rankings on a PPR leagues that start one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers and a tight end. I anticipate compiling a top 25 that includes IDPs as well before the NFL Draft. Please note I am ranking them by skill and intangibles, so players with character concerns get ranked lower than their perceived skill level.

26. Le’Von Bell, RB MICH ST
Bell is a bigger back who can catch the ball well out of the backfield. He is a powerful runner, but seldomly makes defenders miss. Hopefully, he can work on his foot speed or he will need to go to a team with a strong offensive line to be effective.

27. Chris Harper, WR KAN ST
Harper is a thickly built wide receiver who has amazing hands and can catch anything. He looks like a short, converted tight end more than a wide receiver. This wide receiver could be one of the best values at his position.

28. Da’Rick Rogers, WR TEN TECH
Rogers has better talent than any receiver outside of my top seven, but has many off-field troubles that knock him down this far. Every draft class has a player who cannot redeem himself, I hope it isn’t Rogers, but I am bracing for it. If he can be drafted to a team with strong management and an even stronger locker room, Rogers will surprise.

29. Jordan Reed, TE FLA
Reed is a chess piece who can be used everywhere. He has quick feet, good balance, good hands and runs decent routes. The tight end is not a good blocker, so he will be used as more of a move tight end.

30. Matt Barkley, QB USC
Barkley is a leader of men as he has all the intangibles a team could want in the NFL. His arm strength is lacking past 20 yards, but he can do the little things to make an offense go. I doubt if he is ever a Pro Bowl type player, but he is gritty enough to be a solid QB2 for your dynasty team when he becomes a starter.

31. Zac Stacy, RB VAND
Stacy is as blue-collar as a running back can get. He will run hard, put his head down and grind out yards for you. This running back will do whatever his team asks of him – run, catch, pass block, return punts, kicks, etc.

32. Kerwynn Williams, RB UTAH ST
Williams has enough speed, agility and vision to be successful in the NFL. His game is more like former Utah State running back Michael Smith than he is to Robert Turbin. He might start as a third down back, but could earn more playing time.

33. Vance McDonald, TE RICE
McDonald is not as versatile as Reed, but is a stronger physical force once he catches the ball. His motor runs hot and cold, so he will need to work on that to see the field on his future NFL team.

34. Travis Kelce, TE CIN
Kelce is certainly getting a lot of draft buzz right now. He is very fluid athlete with good hands. His unknown off field troubles are a bit concerning, but perhaps he has matured enough to put those behind him.

35. Marquise Goodwin, WR TEX
Goodwin is a track star first and a football player second. He has amazing burst that can be exploited, but he needs more seasoning to be an effective football player. I would not draft him with hopes of starting him before the 2014 season, but the talent and skill are there.

36. Ryan Swope, WR TEX A&M
Swope was impressive at the NFL Combine and surprised most of the draft community with his timed speed. He has good hands and can be effective out of the slot. I’m not sure if he will be effective on the outside, but I’m willing to take the chance. I realize I might be lower on him than most.

37. Tyler Bray, QB TENN
Bray is a strong-armed quarterback who loves to air it out. The problem is once he starts making mistakes, they seem to multiple on him quickly. He will not be ready to start until 2014 or later.

38. Tavarres King, WR GA
King is a talented receiver who glides down the field and can make tough catches in traffic. His upside is probably a fantasy WR3 at best.

39. Conner Vernon, WR DUKE
Duke is a slow possession receiver with good hands who knows how to get separation running routes. He needs to be in a pass-first offense to be successful.

40. EJ Manuel, QB FLA ST
Manuel is an athletic quarterback who lacks the footwork to use his skills effectively. He struggles under pressure and is not a consistent performer. The quarterback could be successful in a read option offense.

41. Ray Graham, RB PITT
Graham is a quicker than fast running back who lost some of his speed with his lower leg injuries. I’m not sure he will ever get his burst back, but he is still a solid pass blocker and has excellent hands. The former Pitt running back may need to make an NFL team as a third down back first.

42. Jasper Collins, WR MT UN
Collins is not a physical wide receiver, but is ideally suited to play in the slot. He can contort his body to make tough catches, gets up to speed quickly, can sky to get the ball, and moves well side to side. Don’t discount him because he comes from a small school as Mt. Union is already known for NFL stalwarts Pierre Garcon and Cecil Shorts.

43. Kenjon Barner, RB ORE
Barner is a smaller back who uses his quickness and superior field vision to his advantage. I’m not sure if he is built to be a starter in the NFL. He might project to be more of a third down back as well.

44. Corey Fuller, WR VA TECH
Fuller manipulates his body to find the ball, snags the ball above his head and has excellent hands. He demonstrates a solid combination of speed and agility, while using his physicality to fight off press coverage.

45. Cobi Hamilton, WR ARK
Hamilton has some concentration issues. He is a long strider who breaks down quickly to make quick, sudden moves. I am a bit worried about his coordination/balance as he sometimes tripped over his own feet when he had created separation from the defense. He can make some amazing catches, but isn’t very consistent from play-to-play.

46. Marcus Davis, WR VA TECH
Davis uses his size well. He finds the ball, makes the catch at its highest point and uses good body control. He needs to play a bit faster and work on his inconsistent hands.

47. Ryan Nassib, QB SYR
Nassib throws the ball very accurately and has good pocket presence. He has even more of a noddle arm than Barkley, so he needs to end up in the right system to become an NFL starter.

48. Marquess Wilson, WR WASH ST
Wilson seems to be highly regarded by some draftniks. He is a fighter who shields the ball away from defenders, but tends to get out muscled at the point of attack. He has decent speed and good sideline awareness with the ability to start and stop quickly. I have my doubts he will ever be more than a fantasy WR4.

49. Knile Davis, RB ARK
Davis is a huge boom or bust pick. He looked healthy and explosive during the Combine; however, he has a long injury history and has ball security issues. I would stash him away and see if his talent eventually wins out.

50. Aaron Mellette, WR ELON
Mellette is a quick twitched receiver. He has a good spin move, leaps high to the ball and has strong hands. He can contort himself to the ball and has good sideline awareness. He needs to get stronger dealing with the physical coverage the NFL will throw at him.

51. Miguel Maysonet, RB STONY BROOK
Maysonet is a running back I am keeping my eye on. He has outstanding lateral agility, possesses good balance, and gets small in the hole. He shows good vision, uses his cut back lanes well and has the athleticism to hurdle defenders. He did well against Syracuse and Villanova, but this is the NFL.

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