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2014 Draft Analysis: Which NFL Rookies Should You Target?

The experts agree

Sankey’s future in Tennessee is about as bright as the chrome helmet he’s sporting.

 
The NFL draft is in the books and that means we’re one step closer to the 2014 season.  Of course, the fun only continues now that we know where each rookie will be lacing up in the fall. With rookie drafts on the horizon, now’s the time to get advice about potential additions to your squad. With that in mind, below are opinions from 5 experts on who to target (and avoid) from this year’s rookie crop.


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Q1: Give us the player whose stock is on the rise the most by virtue of the situation he walks into (team/depth/etc). How early should he go in a rookie draft?

 

BISHOP SANKEY, RB, TEN

“My favorite player leading up to the draft, Sankey is easily the most talented RB in Tennessee. He has great lateral quickness, good burst, terrific vision and insane cutting ability. He’ll start sooner or later behind a Titans offensive line that ranked top-5 last year, and just got bigger with Taylor Lewan. And according to PFF, since 2009, former Titan Chris Johnson went untouched in the backfield on 70 percent of his carries. I have Sankey penciled in as the top rookie in dynasty and redraft leagues.”

 

“Bishop Sankey saw the biggest uptick in fantasy value after landing spots were dished out last week during the 2014 NFL Draft. Some had him near the top of their running back board prior to the NFL Draft, but being the first back selected on the big day, and given that his situation is the most ideal for all the recently-drafted rookie rushers, he immediately jumps up to the 1.01-1.03 range heading into all 2014 rookie-only fantasy football drafts. Sankey could very well be a high-end fantasy RB2 during his rookie campaign. Just to throw it out there, Eric Ebron would be next on my list.”

 

“It’s hard to ignore the situation that Bishop Sankey is walking into in Tennessee. Not only did they use a second round pick on him, but the recent news of Shonn Greene having knee surgery is beneficial as well. Sankey is a back that can play in every facet of Ken Wishenhunt’s offense, so he should find his way into early career touches immediately.”

 
MIKE EVANS, WR, TB

“Evans might be walking into the best situation of anyone. He has a stable, capable quarterback in Josh McCown, elite talent in the running game and will be paired with Vincent Jackson. V-Jax will help free Evans up, while McCown killed it with big targets in Chicago last year. In rookie drafts, he’s a lock for the first round.”

Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)

 

ALLEN ROBINSON, WR, JAC

“I loved his skill set coming into the draft. He steps into a situation where Justin Blackmon may not return and he is the big WR they need to fill his shoes. I know they have a rookie QB possibly in Bortles starting, but Bortles can sling it. The Jags also drafted Marqise Lee but Robinson is the better player and should be drafted in the 2nd round of most rookie drafts.”

Ken Zalis (Fans Fantasy Football)

 

 

Q2: Last season, Zac Stacy offered good value despite flying under the radar as a 5th round pick. Name 1 rookie that has the best shot to be a surprise stud this season.

 

TERRANCE WEST, RB, CLE

“Death, Taxes and Ben Tate will get hurt at some point in the NFL season. West will get his chance to start and shine in Cleveland. The offensive line is solid and teams will focus defensively on Mr. Manziel. West was ultra-productive in college and is a decent receiver as well. Once Tate goes down I love West to step right in and never look back. I also love Martavis Bryant who went to Pittsburgh.”

Ken Zalis (Fans Fantasy Football)
 
MARTAVIS BRYANT, WR, PIT

“If we’re looking for an insanely deep sleeper, Green Bay 7th rounder Jeff Janis is someone to keep an eye on. The Pack’s WR unit is a little jam packed at this point, though, so I’ll go with new Steeler Martavis Bryant. Bryant has excellent size and athleticism and despite being a 4th rounder, could play a key role for the Steelers right away. Hopefully he puts the time in to tighten up his routes and hands.

Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)

 

KA’DEEM CAREY, RB, CHI

Ka’Deem Carey is a player I’m really excited about at the stash-type level. He was quietly drafted into an ideal situation as far as the future is concerned, as Matt Forte is going to be turning 29 this season and has just about 1,900 total regular-season touches. That’s quite a bit when compared to a player like Arian Foster, who has just over 1,300 total regular-season touches, yet so many have written him off their elite lists going forward (due to mileage/overuse); I am not one of those Foster doubters this year, FYI. So, while we’re playing a ‘predicting injury’ game here with these stash-type favorites, I love the monster upside (vs. almost no risk) when it comes to Carey. Yes, even entering this very season.

Smitty (Draft Calc/Fantasy Football Starters)

 

HENRY JOSEY, RB, PHI

“I’ll avoid some low hanging fruit out here and go with Henry Josey, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles. With Philly trading Bryce Brown, that leaves them with only Josey and Chris Polk behind LeSean McCoy since Darren Sproles is a niche player. McCoy is coming off of a 391 touch season in 2013 to boot. Josey has super agility and is the type of space back that Chip Kelly has had success with recently. A long shot for sure, but a good dart to throw.”

Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

 

JORDAN MATTHEWS, WR, PHI

“I really like Jordan Matthews in Philadelphia. An incredible combination of size and speed, Matthews should plug into the slot role in place of Jason Avant right away. Chip Kelly wants to play faster, as their 12th-best plays per game from 2013 isn’t their peak. Matthews could quietly finish as the top rookie WR in fantasy.

Adam Pfeifer (Rant Sports)

 

 
Q3: If you had to caution fantasy owners from overvaluing a particular player (not named Manziel) in their rookie drafts, who would it be?

 

ERIC EBRON, TE, DET

“I love Eric Ebron as a player, and while the Lions are talking him up as a Jimmy Graham role, fantasy owners shouldn’t overpay. Yes, he operated out of the slot almost 72 percent of the time in college, so it’s a good fit. But there are so many mouths to feed in Detroit, and his inconsistent blocking will keep him off the field at times.”

Adam Pfeifer (Rant Sports)

 

“All the measureables are there. He is going into a great offensive situation, but Ebron has a bad case of the dropsies and also will have to beat out Pettigrew. I hope the kid does well, but he was one player I thought no matter where he went was going to be over-drafted.”

Ken Zalis (Fans Fantasy Football)

 

KELVIN BENJAMIN, WR, CAR

This is a tough question to answer this year, and it usually is not. I say that because usually there are a handful of overvalued players in that 1.04-1.12 range; however, this particular NFL Draft handed out maybe 3-4 ideal situations, so I’d venture to say most fantasy worlds aren’t overvaluing all that many incoming rookies this upcoming June/July. It’s actually quite unfortunate that players like Tre Mason, Carlos Hyde, Terrance West, and a whole bunch more landed in very cloudy-like situations. However, at least they will be cheap to acquire via trade, and my guess is one or two of these types of players (great talents, but in cloudy situations) will rise to the top in time. If forced to call out a potential overachiever: Kelvin Benjamin, as he is very raw talent-wise, and has a passer (Cam Newton) that maybe needed a more polished receiver.

Smitty (Draft Calc/Fantasy Football Starters)

 

BRANDIN COOKS, WR, NO

“I’m not getting overly excited about Brandin Cooks just yet. Sure, he’s a great talent with loads of upside, but he’s still a rookie in a Saints system that spreads the ball around. Fantasy owners need to consider that Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Kenny Stills are all competing for targets, as well. I’m sure Cooks makes an impact, but banking on anything more than WR3 potential might be a reach.

Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)

 

CARLOS HYDE, RB, SF

“I would caution owners on the allure of Carlos Hyde in San Francisco. Not only do I think Hyde was slightly overrated as a talent coming out, but he’s going into an immediate quagmire. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter will be gone in 2015, opening a door for him to beat out Marcus Lattimore as the lead back, but San Francisco doesn’t offer any pass catching equity to running backs, something that is a must for my fantasy backfield. Sure to be a first round selection, I wouldn’t be taking Hyde until the mid to late second.”

Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

 

 

Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice with us. If you’d like to get more of the experts’ thoughts, be sure to follow them on Twitter and visit their sites:

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