Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings, Revisited

In early March of this year, shortly after the NFL draft, I put out my rookie fantasy rankings here at The Hazean. Rookies in fantasy football are always such a tease promising us with unforeseen production and talent, yet rarely producing at a high level early.

With the season only a couple short weeks away, it’s time to take a look at my original rankings to see what has changed and what they should be today to help you get the most of your young play makers. As an added bonus, I’ve also included some veterans that are being overlooked with the same average draft position I would rather have on my team.

Veterans may not be flashy, but they’ll be more consistent every week than a rookie and that’s what you want on your fantasy team.

Original rankings from March will be italics

THEN:

Quarterbacks

1. Robert Griffin, Redskins
2. Andrew Luck, Colts
3. Brandon Weeden, Browns
4. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
5. Brock Osweiler, Broncos

NOW:

Quarterbacks

1. Andrew Luck, Colts
2. Robert Griffin III, Redskins
3. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
4. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
5. Brandon Weeden, Browns

*Andrew Luck appears to be the most NFL ready. We already know he is going to throw a ton, so I like him to be QB2 from the start. However, he isn’t playing against actual scheming defenses yet so I’m still tempering expectations. The biggest surprise is the emergence of Russell Wilson. I’m really excited about his running potential that could make him QB2 fantasy relevant quickly. Not sure if his possibility at starting is a ploy by Pete Carroll for Matt Flynn or not, but at the moment he has a real shot. At this time, RGIII has an ADP of 80, which is higher than Jay Cutler, Matt Ryan, and Ben Roethlisberger. I would never take him above those three for sure.

THEN:

Running Backs

1. Trent Richardson, Browns
2. Doug Martin, Buccaneers
3. David Wilson, Giants
4. Ronnie Hillman, Broncos
5. Isaiah Pead, Rams
6. Chris Rainey, Steelers
7. Robert Turbin, Seahawks
8. Lamar Miller, Dolphins
9. LaMichael James, 49ers
10. Vick Ballard, Colts

NOW:

Running Backs

1. Trent Richardson, Browns
2. Doug Martin, Buccaneers
3. David Wilson, Giants
4. Isaiah Pead, Rams
5. Ronnie Hillman, Broncos
6. Robert Turbin, Seahawks
7. Bernard Pierce, Ravens
8. Vick Ballard, Colts
9. LaMichael James, 49ers
10. Lamar Miller, Dolphins

*Not much has changed on the running back list since the original. However, Trent Richardson and Doug Martin are virtually neck-and-neck for most sought after rookie running back. I give the nod to TRich and think he has the higher upside towards the end of the season. Making news recently David Wilson appears to be making a push for a significant play in the NYG offense. The rest of the list appears to be nothing but last pick fliers or people to monitor on the waiver wire. I had higher hopes for Hillman but he hasn’t shown much in camp to earn a “Sproles-like” role in the early season. Pierce makes the list as a handcuff for Ray Rice owners. I’m not discounting my man Vick Ballard in the goal-line vulture role in Indy since he is a better player than Delone Carter. The most interesting of these to me is Turbin in case Lynch has to ever miss time. Hillman and James are both going around the 120 player mark and I would rather have Ryan Williams or Jacquizz Rogers.

THEN:

Wide Receivers

1. Michael Floyd, Cardinals
2. Stephen Hill, Jets
3. Alshon Jeffery, Bears
4. Kendall Wright, Titans
5. Brian Quick, Rams
6. Justin Blackmon, Jaguars
7. Joe Adams, Panthers
8. Marvin Jones, Bengals
9. Nick Toon, Saints
10. Reuben Randle, Giants
11. Mohamed Sanu, Bengals
12. Chris Givens, Rams

NOW:

Wide Receivers:

1. Alshon Jeffrey, Bears
2. Kendall Wright, Titans
3. Justin Blackmon, Jaguars
4. Michael Floyd, Cardinals
5. Brian Quick, Rams
6. Reuben Randle, Giants
7. Mohammed Sanu, Bengals
8. Stephen Hill, Jets

*Let me preface by saying that unless you are in a dynasty league, I would stay away from this list in a normal draft. Biggest change in the original list is that Floyd hasn’t capitalized on the role I envisioned he would have and falls to #4. As of now, he’s behind Andre Roberts in an inept passing attack. Jeffrey has been impressive and appears to have earned playing time in goal-line packages. Wright has good chemistry in camp with newly-designated starter Jake Locker. I was pretty down on Blackmon but he has more of chance to be on a fantasy bench than I first predicted. The Jaguars will need his physical presence in an offense devoid of play-makers. The rest of the list is pure speculation to be honest but Randle has the best chance to emerge if he can win the third WR job on the Giants. Blackmon is going off the board at 105 in front of Darius Heyward-Bey, Greg Little, Malcolm Floyd, and Titus Young. That is too early.

THEN:

Tight Ends

1. Coby Fleener, Colts
2. Evan Rodriguez, Bears
3. Orson Charles, Bengals
4. Michael Egnew, Dolphins
5. Dwayne Allen, Colts

NOW:

Tight End

1. Coby Fleener, Colts

*Yea that’s right; it’s a list of one. There isn’t even a remote chance you should draft any rookie TE other than Fleener. That being said, his situation is a very good one in Indianapolis. Especially with the uncertainty of Austin Collie’s status going forward. Fleener should be in line for #2 or #3 passing option on a team that will throw a lot. However, his ADP is 130 which is right around my personal targets of Kyle Rudolph, Greg Olsen and of course…..The Hazean’s favorite Jared Cook. These guys are the reason that if I miss out on the top 3 TE, I’m waiting til the end for a tight end so I can stock up on bench RB and WR.