Joe Mixon is a legit RB1 candidate in Cincinnati.
By John Sarianides
Fantasy football isn’t just about loading up on stars. You need to identify rookies who have the potential to make an impact in their first year in the league. If you identify those players correctly and draft them at the right time, you could be the beneficiary of some quality production.
Everyone knows Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffery and Dalvin Cook but there are other rookies out there that could help your fantasy team.
Here are fifteen rookies who could help your fantasy football team this season.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars: Fournette will be the starting tailback in Jacksonville and expect him to get a heavy workload early. The Jags are going to be a physical, downhill running team. Fournette will get between 20-25 carries per game. As long as he stays healthy, he projects as a solid RB2 borderline RB1. I would target him in the 3rd round.
Christian McCaffery, RB, Panthers: I think McCaffery will be a monster in PPR leagues. Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula will get him the ball in a myriad of ways. The Panthers will make it a point to get McCaffery 15-20 touches per game. That makes him an extremely valuable asset in fantasy football.
The only concern I have with McCaffery is that he will be drafted earlier than he should be. People will reach for him. I think he should go between the third and sixth round in most drafts. McCaffery could be an RB2 option but I would draft him as a flex.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings: Cook could potentially beat out free agent import Latavius Murray for the starting running back job in Minnesota. Cook is a three down back who is effective as a runner, receiver and blocker. He will also get 15-20 planned touches per game as long as he doesn’t fumble the ball. Turnovers were an issue for Cook at Florida State.
Cook has RB2 potential but like McCaffery, he might be a better flex option for now. I would target him in third or fourth round depending on how my board was shaping up.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals: Mixon might be the most talented running back in this rookie class. He has the size and speed to be a starting running back and a workhorse who carries the ball 20-25 times a game.
He will have to compete for touches against Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard but Hill is wildly inconsistent and Bernard is coming off of a knee injury.
Mixon could win the starting job and if he does, I don’t think he relinquishes it. Mixon would be a good value in the 3rd to 5th round range. He has that kind of upside.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans: Mariota to Davis could become a familiar refrain this season. Davis is big, long and surprisingly explosive after the catch. He has big play potential.
I expect him to get targeted 8-10 times per game by the Titans offensive staff. They will try to get him the ball as much as possible, particularly inside the 30. So, where do you draft Davis? I would say the 4th or 5th round is a good target area. Maybe a little later.
O.J Howard, TE, Buccaneers: Howard has TE1 potential in Tampa Bay. I think Jameis Winston will look to him early and often. Sure, Cameron Brate is still in Tampa and he was a nice surprise for fantasy owners last season, but he doesn’t have the upside Howard does. Howard will probably come off the board between the 7th and 8th round in most drafts.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers: Williams had some injury issues at Clemson but if he stays healthy, he could develop into a legit number receiver for the Chargers.
Playing with Philip Rivers increases Williams fantasy value. It doesn’t hurt that he has tantalizing size and terrific hands. Williams will be a prime redzone target. I look for him to go between the 7th to 8th round range. Williams does have over draft potential.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs: I am a big Kareem Hunt fan. I enjoyed watching him at Toledo. The Chiefs like Hunt as well and they will give him every opportunity to unseat Spencer Ware as the starting running back.
Hunt has three down potential. He didn’t catch the ball a lot at Toledo but he has good hands. He also excels as a pass blocker.
Hunt got a lot of carries at Toledo so there are some durability concerns but he offers some quality rookie sleeper potential. Hunt could be a great late round value.
Zay Jones, WR, Bills: Jones finished his career at East Carolina as the FBS receptions leader. That is pretty impressive in this age of high flying spread offenses.
Jones has number one receiver potential. He is a terrific route runner who has a wide catch radius and strong hands. He will be a primary red zone target for Tyrod Taylor.
The receptions and yards might not be there for Jones but he could be a touchdown vulture who ends up with 6 or more touchdowns on the season. Jones would be a solid value between rounds 10-12.
David Njoku, TE, Browns: Njoku is a freakish athlete who can separate after the catch. At 6-4, he offers a tantalizing combination of size and speed.
Njoku will be the Browns starting tight end and he will be on the field in all of the Browns personnel groupings. Head coach Hue Jackson is the play caller in Cleveland so look for him to target Njoku a lot in the red zone just like he did Tyler Eifert in Cincinnati. If you decide to wait on tight end, Njoku could be a nice late round pick up as either a starter or a back up.
Marlon Mack, RB, Colts: Mack will get more carries in Indianapolis than people think. In fact, I think he will get a lot of the first and second down carries because of his big play ability.
Many people in your league will pass on Mack. Be the smartest player in your league and grab him late. It could be worth your while, particularity in the second half of the season.
Evan Engram, TE, Giants: Engram will have to compete with Odell Beckham Jr, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Sheppard for touches. That’s tough but I still like the young tight end’s potential because he is a good route runner and knows how to get open.
Eli Manning will target Engram in the red zone and that is where I think he has the potential to make a difference. Five plus touchdowns on the season is not out of the realm of possibility for Engram.
John Ross, WR, Bengals: You cannot deny Ross’ big play ability. That is what I think will make him appealing to fantasy players and that is why I think many of them will overdraft him.
I like Ross’ big play ability too but he needs to stay healthy. If he does, he will benefit from a lot of single coverage playing across from A.J Green. I know it’s hard to not fall in love with the big play potential but don’t take Ross too early.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams: I think Kupp will end up starting for the Rams and could develop into one of Jared Goff’s most reliable targets.
Kupp runs great routes and has the ability to separate after the catch. He might not score a lot but Kupp could have value in PPR leagues.
Ryan Switzer, WR, Cowboys: Speaking of PPR potential, Ryan Switzer could be a steal in 12 team PPR leagues. Right now, he projects as the Cowboys fourth receiver. Dallas likes to spread it out more with with Dak Prescott. Look for them to be in more 10 (4 WR’s, 1 RB) personnel this season.
I wouldn’t draft Switzer but I would keep close tabs on him as the season wore on. He could play a big role for the Cowboys as a punt returner and slot receiver.