In dynasty leagues, we all know that rookies are crucial to the future success of our franchise. They could potentially impact your team right away. The QB and RB positions in Fantasy Football is where the majority of your points come from. A lot of us are in money leagues, so every tip helps in trying to steal that special rookie. With that said, lets dive on in to these rankings and help prepare you for your upcoming draft.
Top 5 Rookie Running Backs
1. Carlos Hyde (SF) - I strongly believe Carlos will complement Gore greatly and become the 49ers goal line back. Let’s face it, The Niners will be in the red zone quite often this year giving Hyde tons of opportunities to cash in on some Touchdowns.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: If he’s available when I pick in the late first round-early second round of my rookie draft, this pick is a no-brainer. There’s a lot of WR/TE with more potential in this draft class than at the QB/RB position so I would look at those positions first.
2. Tre Mason (STL) – Yes, Zac Stacy is the featured back in St. Louis, at the moment. The Rams have a tremendous offensive line and I’m sure Stacy will receive 60% of the carries next year. But, Tre Mason is a big threat player. All he needs is one touch and he can change the outcome of your Fantasy Football weekend in a split second. I believe he will be a solid backup next season for a fantasy owner, he’s just not quite ready to be put into a starting role. He has the breakaway speed and the elusive moves to bust a big one, he just hasn’t earned the amount of touches to produce solid numbers quite yet.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: Late 2nd round; early 3rd round. He reminds me a lot of his counterpart Zac Stacy. He’s lightning quick with breakaway speed and elusive moves. Stacy is a good fantasy RB, but he isn’t a great one. Playing behind Stacy, I’m not sure Mason will ever be a starting fantasy RB, he has the ability to be a solid backup though.
3. Bishop Sankey (TEN) - Shonn Greene is the featured back in Tennessee right now, he may not be after week 3-4. Greene is a solid starter but he isn’t anything special. I believe the Titans drafted Sankey in the 2nd round to come in and be their featured man for the future. He has the skill set to take over the starting position early in the year if Greene doesn’t come out and have a strong start to the season.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: Depending on how the 1st round of your draft plays out, Sankey would be a good pickup in the 2nd round of your draft. He was the first running back taken in the NFL Draft, he will challenge Greene for the starting position. Grabbing Sankey is a safe pick, if the top guns are drafted by your selection in the 2nd round. Draft Bishop Sankey!
4. Devonta Freeman (ATL) - Being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons could be a blessing for Freeman. Atlanta has Steven Jackson as their featured back for the time being, but he isn’t getting any younger. Freeman could possibly take over the starting RB position this year possibly. He doesn’t get the hype as the previous running backs in my rankings but I find that as a good thing. He comes in with no pressure, but a huge chip on his shoulder. He will make an immediate impact on the Falcons offense and would be a steal in the rookie draft.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: This draft is loaded with WR talent, that pushes a player like Freeman into the later rounds of your draft. Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. He has loads of potential and could contribute to your fantasy squad as early as this upcoming season. Freeman is a safe pick who might not give you huge numbers every week but he will be a consistent 10-14 point a game RB once given the starting position in a year or so. Late 2nd round, early 3rd round.
5. Terrance West (CLE) - SLEEPER ALERT!! Terrance West is an absolute beast. Ben Tate is listed as the Browns #1 RB on the depth chart, that will change quickly! We all know Tate is known for getting banged up on a regular basis anyways. I’m predicting West takes over as the starting RB for Cleveland by week 4. I think both QB’s will struggle in Cleveland this year leading to a heavy workload for their RB core. West will get plenty of touches and will be an impact player this upcoming season. I’m very high on West. If you are looking for a steal in the draft. He’s your guy!
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM - I would probably reach for West. He may be available in the 3rd, 4th round of your draft but may not. If I’m sitting on the clock debating a few players and not sure who to select in the 2nd round, I’m picking West. You can’t go wrong with Terrance West. He’s a very safe selection that could turn out to be a stud RB.
Honorable Mentions
Jeremy Hill
Dri Archer
Ka’Deem Carey
James White
Charlie Sims
Top 5 Rookie QB’s
1. Johnny Manziel (CLE) – The man they call “Johnny Football”. He can be a head case at times, there is no question about that. But, his talents are undeniable. Manziel probably won’t start Week 1, Hoyer will get the nod but he is on a very short rope. The fans in Cleveland are ready for Johnny Football, now! Depending on what happens with troubled WR Josh Gordon is a very critical part of Manziel’s success. If Gordon is suspended or even cut will cripple the chances of Johnny Football to flourish his rookie season. Right now, It’s a wait and see game.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: Manziel is a first round talent in your rookie draft. He may not put up the eye-catching numbers his rookie year, but this is a dynasty league. We are looking for players with great upside and longevity. In my honest opinion, I’m not a Manziel fan but his skill set is undeniable. Given a year or two, expect 17-22 point games on a weekly basis for Johnny Football.
2. Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) – Matt Cassel is currently listed as the starting QB in Minnesota. Cassel is an average QB that can manage an offense, is that what Minnesota wants? I don’t think so. The Vikings drafted Bridgewater to give AP a break. They want a Quarterback that can win them ball games, not manage one. Teddy gives them hope for that. At the start of the college football season, everyone had Bridgewater as the unanimous #1 pick in the NFL draft. He didn’t have a terrible year, but he didn’t have a great year either. Minnesota has a solid young WR core, which will only benefit when Bridgewater finally does take over as the starting QB, which I think will be sometime in the 2014 season.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: Depending on how your rookie draft plays out, I strongly believe Teddy is a mid-2nd to early 3rd round selection. This draft class is loaded at the WR position which is why he is pushed back to the 2nd round. He is talented, I’m just not sure he will put up the numbers you’re looking for with AP on the team, which is still Minnesota’s #1 option.
3. Blake Bortles (JAC) – He’s an outstanding player, on the wrong team! I can’t remember the last time that I seen someone start a Jaguars QB in fantasy football. Bortles may change my mind, not anytime soon though. Bortles is a very mobile QB with a good arm. The only problem? He has nobody to throw the ball too. When you think of a fantasy football QB, you want someone who is going to sling the pigskin around 30-40 times a game with great targets to throw the ball too. I think Jacksonville drafting Blake might have ruined his career, before it had a chance to begin. I hope he proves me wrong!
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: He’s a few years away. Plain and simple. I think fantasy owners must be patient with this draft pick, at least until the Jaguars surround him with some talented wideouts. He doesn’t have a running game to rely on at all, which doesn’t help either. The only plus I see with this selection is he will be thrown in the fire from the get go. But… I highly doubt inJJ a 12 team league, anyone will be starting Bortles or have him as their backup next year.
4. Tom Savage (HOU) – The Rutgers alum checks in at #4. He has the weapons around him to succeed in Texas, if he gets the chance. Coach O’Brien has named Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter for the Texans. Savage was drafted as a backup plan, he’s a project player. O’Brien drafted the Rutgers QB to teach him how to be a NFL quarterback, he isn’t quite ready yet. His value as a dynasty QB isn’t too high in my opinion. Don’t get your hopes up for Mr. Savage.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: 4th rounder at best. The only reason I gave him that benefit is because of Johnson and Hopkins is still on the roster. If he does get the chance, he will have the targets to succeed, I just don’t think he has the intangibles to do so. Don’t bank the future of your franchise on this young man.
5. Derek Carr (OAK) – The Oakland Raiders have been looking for a franchise QB for years. Will Derek Carr pan out like they hope? Maybe, maybe not. This franchise hasn’t done much right recently but hopefully drafting Carr will change their fortune. Carr struggles when he has pressure on him and with a weak offensive line, that’s a problem. His fantasy value isn’t much, maybe in 2 years he could be a decent backup. Not really a game changer here guys.
WHERE TO DRAFT HIM: Well, I’m not even sure I would draft Carr. You could find several free agent quarterbacks to suit you better than drafting Carr in your rookie draft. Not much to discuss here, as he isn’t fantasy football material.
Honorable Mentions
Logan Thomas
AJ McCarron
Aaron Murray
Zach Mettenberger
Jimmy Garoppolo