2016 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Consensus Second Round
Editor’s Note: Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft by checking out our rookie draft guide, rookie rankings, rookie draft cheat sheet and mock draft rooms. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts.
We brought you the consensus first round yesterday and now it’s time to turn our attention to round two. One thing to consider is these lists really consist of a snapshot in time. Our rankings are very much alive and each time someone tweaks a ranking or we add a new ranker to the bunch, some overall positions on the overall list may subtly change. The point is, the gap between players beyond selection 1.04 is very close this year and in the end, you need to really evaluate every player, each position and your own individual team needs before making a selection. These lists are simply designed to give you the general area in which players are ranked as well as give you a basic idea of value for each of the rookies.
The second round, as always, is littered with talented players who are risks to draft. Simply put, many of these players are going to be busts – they’ll either never make their mark in the league, fail to capitalize on an opportunity or just not have enough talent to survive in the NFL. Our extensive research over the past decade shows us this is a simple fact. Some of these players have talent with a poor path to playing time. Others have limited ability, but find themselves on a depth chart not exactly consisting of All-Pros ahead of them.  There are no sure things in this round, but that’s not to say there aren’t some very good chances to take out there. Odds are one or two of these players are going to prove to be steals of your draft, especially this year when so many players are bunched together. Now, which ones will they be? That’s the real question.
2.01 = Devontae Booker, RB DEN
The Broncos took Booker once he slipped into round four of the NFL Draft. It has been widely reported he was their second ranked running back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Denver just saw too much value to pass up. He’s an older rookie (24) and battled a torn meniscus last season, but he has the ability to be a three down running back since he catches the ball so well (80 catches in two years at Utah). The Broncos lowballed CJ Anderson and had to pay up to get him back, but re-signing Ronnie Hillman and drafting Booker lead to speculation they still aren’t sold on Anderson being their long-term bellcow. Booker is no sure thing, but he merits a pick in this range and seems destined to be bunched up with the likes of Paul Perkins, Jordan Howard and CJ Prosise as running backs who you could easily see emerge and become rookie draft bargains.
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2.02 = Pharoh Cooper, WR LA
In a rookie draft for cool names, Pharoh Cooper would be the unquestioned 1.01. Unfortunately, that’s not a category, so he fits in here. Ironically, that’s about the only statistical category Cooper doesn’t have the ability to contribute for after posting 138 catches, 2,163 receiving yards, 513 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns for South Carolina in a little over two years of action. I’ve read a few columns stating Cooper is more of a gadget player who will have a hard time carving out a role. My argument is a player who can do so much will nearly demand one. Cooper is in the mix with a bunch of receivers in round two, but he has nice potential here in round two. My biggest concern is actually the presence of Mike Thomas, whom the Rams drafted in the sixth round – he also has immense talent and potential as a sleeper receiver.
2.03 = Paul Perkins, RB NYG
If you have seven running backs, do you really have one? That’s the question for the Giants as they currently have a depth chart featuring Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Perkins, Andre Williams, Bobby Rainey, Orleans Darkwa and UDFA Marshaun Coprich. At some point, one of these players is destined to emerge as the primary option of a RBBC and it’s still Jennings’ job to lose. However, he hasn’t shown to be a dominant and durable player thus far. One of these players should emerge from the crowd as a viable option in dynasty leagues and Perkins has the talent to do it – he should compete for time right away.
2.04 = Jared Goff, QB LA
The first quarterback on our board is our consensus #16 player overall. That could even be generous here, but the entire class isn’t really loaded with stars. Still, Goff was the number one pick in the draft and should be given every chance in the world to be successful. However, he finds himself on a team that relies on its defense and running game to be successful. Goff should develop into at least a good QB2 for your dynasty squad as a solid game managing quarterback, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re getting the next Andrew Luck here.
2.05 = Braxton Miller, WR HOU
The former Ohio State quarterback was drafted into a situation with a depth chart loaded with players like DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, Will Fuller, Cecil Shorts and others. Still, Miller has elite physical tools and is still learning the position. If you’re a patient dynasty owner, this pick could really pay off in a couple of years – just don’t expect immediate gratification. If anything, Miller is a player who is really easy to root for and read up on.
2.06 = Hunter Henry, TE SD
The Bolts hope they have the heir apparent to the Antonio Gates throne with Henry. They could be right, but tight ends not named Gronkowski are pretty easy to find and plug into a lineup. This is the proper range for Henry, but rookie tight ends are rarely productive players and Henry doesn’t project to be the next “big thing” at the position, either. Still, he’s right there with Austin Hooper as the best tight end prospect this draft has delivered.
2.07 = Jordan Howard, RB CHI
A virtual must-have handcuff for Jeremy Langford owners, Howard left the vacant UAB program and promptly led Indiana with 1,213 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry last year. Billed as a two-down thumper at this point in his career, Howard still has much room to improve. Still, Langford didn’t set the world on fire last season and you can easily see a RBBC shaping up with Howard getting goal line and early down touches and Langford getting much of the PPR love. This is another dart throw type of pick, but one that makes some solid sense.
2.08 = Tajae Sharpe, WR TEN
Sharpe’s perceived dynasty value was all across the board going into and heading out of the NFL Draft. He’s a highly productive receiver (277/3,486/16 at UMass) and was thought to be a bit better than a fifth round draft pick. However, a poor combine showing had many teams feeling he was “just a guy.” The Titans’ depth chart features Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham, Rishard Matthews, Justin Hunter and Harry Douglas among others, but that’s not really scaring the rest of the AFC South. Sharpe could work his way into the lineup sooner rather than later and his adept route running should allow him to keep that spot if and when that happens.
2.09 = Kenyan Drake, RB MIA
To me, Drake really starts the next tier of running back prospects as those who you just take a stab at and hope for the best. Jay Ajayi owners were pretty happy Drake was the Dolphins’ choice to address the position because he really doesn’t project as someone with the ability to take over lead back duties. He’s really best suited for a complementary role and he’ll be the change of pace back for Miami sooner rather than later. You could see Ajayi having trouble staying healthy or failing to capitalize on his opportunity, though. If that happens, Drake would be in line for some more touches. Of course, knowing the Dolphins, they’ll probably just elevate Daniel Thomas in some type of cruel and unusual fumbling experiment.
2.10 = Rashard Higgins, WR CLE
Higgins is a solid 6’1″, but could be as tall as 6’5″ if you count his hair. He re-wrote the record books at Colorado State and could just be the starter opposite Corey Coleman in time. The questions about his speed won’t go away, but the Browns really don’t need two burners. I really like the fit here and believe Higgins has the best chance to emerge as the WR2 for Cleveland.
2.11 = Jonathan Willams, RB BUF
We’re to the real dart throw area of the draft here as we get to Williams. I love productive SEC running backs late in drafts and Williams is the perfect fit. He missed all of last season with a foot injury, but looked to have serious ability prior as he showed very well at Arkansas. The Bills already have LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams to carry the mail, but let’s just say Williams is in line to buy stamps if he’s fully healthy.
2.12 = Carson Wentz, QB PHI
The difference between Wentz and Goff is pretty easy to see – Wentz has both the lower floor and higher ceiling. There are real and valid questions about the level of competition he played against while at North Dakota State and those will need to be answered. Still, you have to love his physical ability and the Eagles paid dearly to get him – he’ll have every chance to be successful and could be a QB1 in time if he really adjusts to the speed of the game at the NFL level.
We’ll be back soon with round three!
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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