2016 NFL Rookie Draft Guide

Dynasty Summary: Elliott is an efficient, physical, well-rounded running back who can can excel in all phases of the game including all-important pass protection. Elliot is as good a talent to emerge as we’ve seen in the past decade, and his college success should translate well to the NFL. He is the consensus top prospect at his position in the 2016 NFL Draft, from both an NFL and fantasy perspective. Elliott is a likely a top ten NFL Draft selection and is likely to be the first overall pick in most dynasty rookie drafts. He is a safe bet to be solid, possibly exceptional dynasty asset.

Dynasty Summary: Treadwell is a smart, instinctive receiver with terrific ball tracking and catching abilities. He’s not a burner, but compensates by playing smart and winning at the point of reception. His blocking ability will ensure he is on the field often. All eyes have been on his speed and he could only muster a disappointing 4.63 forty time during Mississippi’s pro day. While this time does lower his draft stock, note that DeAndre Hopkins ran a 4.57 and Larry Fitzgerald matched Treadwell’s 4.63. He’s a certain top three selection in fantasy, and his landing spot will determine final value at the WR position.

Dynasty Summary: Coleman is drawing comparisons to NFL star Steve Smith for good reasons. What he lacks in size he makes up for in playing speed and dynamic. He possesses elite acceleration and exceptional physicality as well. Gifted with the ball in his hands and playing with a chip on his shoulder, Coleman makes for a high ceiling selection on draft day. He’s not without his drawbacks as his route tree was limited. He’s made his living primarily along the sidelines and he has struggled with his hands on occasion. He’s certain to be a first round selection in the NFL draft and will likely be one of the first three receivers off the board in fantasy rookie drafts.

Dynasty Summary: A terrific ball hawk with great size and elite leaping ability. He’s thinly built but uses his frame well to shield defenders and create leverage for the catch. He’s shown the ability to be the focal point of an offense and can take over a game against less athletic corners. If he’s able to add strength at the next level, Doctson has a chance to be the best receiver from this draft class. He’s not a quick-twitch athlete and needs to make strides in his route running but he’s got all the tools needed to excel.

Dynasty Summary: Shepard continues to enjoy a notable level of pre-draft hype as we near the NFL Draft. Possessing impressive versatility, leaping ability and arguably the best route running in this year’s class, Shepard is likely a day-two selection in the NFL Draft but will still be a late first round selection in most fantasy formats. He won’t impress with his size or bulk, but his quickness and lower body explosion should pay significant dividends at the next level. Shepard is likely headed for a slot+ role in the NFL and has the potential to make noise early in his career.

Dynasty Summary: Prototypical size and with huge hands, Thomas’ upside is intriguing but he also carries great risk. He plays smaller than his size would suggest and physicality is a big question mark as he transitions to the next level. His forty time (4.52) is passable but isn’t enough to raise the floor of this upside player. When discussing risk-reward from a rookie WR, Michael Thomas is the marquee name in 2016. He’ll likely be selected as a WR3 to WR5 in most rookie drafts.

Dynasty Summary: Henry brings a load on every carry. A downhill runner who punishes defenders at all levels, Henry won’t impress laterally or in the “phone booth”. If he is drafted into an offense with an established and proven offensive line, he could flourish early in the NFL. he seemingly lacks the elusiveness and agility to create space on his own. Henry checks the boxes in most physical attributes. As long as his body holds up after the nearly 400 touches at Alabama, he’ll be an intriguing fantasy selection as the second running back off the board.

Dynasty Summary: Boyd’s value has been all over the map leading up to the NFL Draft as he is difficult to project to the NFL. He has adequate size and bulk to match up against more physical corners at the next level, but posted mediocre scores across the board at the NFL Combine in February. He lacks suddenness in out of his breaks and isn’t overly agile. On tape however, Boyd plays well above most measured attributes and traits. His large hands provide highlight reel catches and a plus catch radius but he can suffer from lack of concentration at times. He’s more of a PPR receiver in fantasy and should flirt with the bottom of the first round.

Dynasty Summary: Dixon possesses ideal size and style for the NFL game. Extremely productive across all four years at Louisiana Tech, posting eye popping production including 71 touchdowns. The 2016 running back class is wide open after Zeke Elliott and Derrick Henry and the buzz Dixon has been generating likely locks him in as a top-three selection at his position in fantasy. He’s a hard-nosed, gritty and physical runner that also possesses plus-level agility for his size. Long speed is a concern but not so much as to drop him in the rankings. At the bottom of the first round in fantasy, Dixon would be a high-upside pick.

Dynasty Summary: Prosise plays smaller than his listed 6’0″ and 220 lbs. frame, but is always positive. He’s a fluid ball carrier and changes speed and direction well. Effective hips provide for plus-agility and he possesses natural vision that allows him to pick and feel lanes and seams through the line, even in traffic. His hands out of the backfield will be a desirable trait at the next level and in the right system, he could flourish early in his career. Prosise isn’t an ultra-experienced runner and he does tend to lose focus, and struggles with ball security at times. In fantasy, he’ll like slip into the second round but could get an upgrade in the right system.