David Cobb’s ranking just doesn’t match his talent according to the experts

Last week, we covered 11 undervalued rookies according to the consensus rookie dynasty rankings. Naturally, as rookie drafts for dynasty leagues take place, we wanted to know about the other end of the spectrum.

We’ve reached out to the pundits and asked them to name which rookie running backs and wide receivers they feel are overvalued. Here’s what they said…

Summary: Overvalued Dynasty Rookie Advice

Q1. What rookie RB do you feel is overvalued according to the Dynasty Rankings and why?

David Cobb (RB – TEN)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #19

“I understand why people like Cobb as a player, and I can also understand why they like the looks of the Titans’ current depth chart, but let’s tap the brakes for a second. Cobb sits at 19th overall in consensus rookie rankings, over quality wide receivers like Phillip Dorsett, Devin Smith and Tyler Lockett. Cobb was a 5th round pick and should be treated as such, even if you like him as a player. Like it or not, not being picked in the top three rounds of the NFL draft is a major red flag for future dynasty value. I’m fine with gambling on a player like Cobb in the 3rd round of a rookie draft, but mid-late 2nd round(ranked 19th overall AKA pick 2.07) is too rich for my blood.”
– Russell Clay (Dynasty League Football)

“I think a lot of the Cobb love comes from Sankey hate, after Bishop Sankey’s horrible rookie year burned so many. But Cobb is a slower back, and he’ll be paired with a quarterback that can run around the tackles better than he can.”
– David Gonos (DavidGonos.com)

T.J. Yeldon (RB – JAC)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #10

“For me, Yeldon is overvalued in Dynasty Rookie Rankings as the RB4. The opportunity is there, but we said the same of Toby Gerhart just a season ago. The Jaguars have invested a ton into their offensive skilled positions the past two years and also added unrestricted free agent right tackle, Jermey Parnell to help bolster their offensive line – mainly, their run blocking. The Jags were #28 overall in rush attempts and Denard Robinson isn’t going away. Yeldon’s lack of explosive play ability requires volume carries, and for a team on the wrong side of RB game flow, it’ll be tough sledding in 2015.”
– Chad Scott (The Fake Football)

Duke Johnson (RB – CLE)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #12

“Just looking through the dynasty rankings it seems like Duke Johnson hasn’t been dinged enough by where he wound up in the draft. Johnson has a nice skill set with great feet, nice vision and better game speed than timed speed, but he will be fighting for playing time next to Isaiah Crowell (who opened OTA’s as the starter) and Terrance West. People hope he can be the Giovani Bernard to West and Crowell’s Jeremy Hill, but Johnson is not Gio Bernard. For me, he slides past the rookie QBs and the next wave of receivers before I take him.”
– Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)

Todd Gurley (RB – STL)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #1

“On the short term, Todd Gurley is returning from ACL surgery in November. The Rams plan on taking a conservative approach with Gurley, which will limit his fantasy potential. Don’t be surprised if he is held out of the first 2-4 games this season. Even from the longer term Dynasty perspective, I don’t want to be the person who drafts the next version of Marcus Lattimore. Gurley has the talent, but I believe he is overvalued based on his existing injuries.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Q2. What rookie WR do you feel is overvalued according to the Dynasty Rankings and why?

Jaelen Strong(WR – HOU)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #13

“Strong was a solid prospect coming out, and any worries about him falling (slightly) in the draft were softened by going to Houston, which I consider a nice landing spot. My issue isn’t with Strong, it’s with who he’s being drafted over. Strong sits at WR7 in the rankings, over Colts’ first round pick Phillip Dorsett (WR9) and Carolina’s early second round pick Devin Funchess (WR8). Given the talent of Dorsett and Funchess, in addition to the great situations they’ve landed in, I think it would be wise to give them a try before Strong.”
– Russell Clay (Dynasty League Football)

“This one took some convincing and some serious looks back at game tape, but Jaelen Strong stands out as someone that is overvalued in the rankings. Before the draft, I talked with Matt Harmon about Strong and he pointed out his inability to create separation. At the combine, his 3-cone drill really stood out as poor and his shuttle was below average (according to Mockdraftable.com).  The fact that he went to a team with an unsettled quarterback situation and a clear cut number one receiver already on the roster (DeAndre Hopkins), makes Strong slide down my draft board below some other prospects.”
– Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)

Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #24

“I’m admittedly a Seahawk homer, but they cannot – for the life of them – evaluate WR talent as it translates into the NFL. Granted, Lockett fills an actual need – unlike last year’s selection of Paul Richardson – and will be useful in return yardage formats, but seeing him as the WR11 in Dynasty Rankings is puzzling. We know Seattle’s MO – run, run, run again… play action, Houdini Russell, splash play, run again. I’m having Super Bowl flashbacks as we speak. To me, with Seattle adding Jimmy Graham to go along with Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse or Chris Matthews, I don’t see Lockett getting a lot of run in year one. Even if/when that happens, we’re looking at WR11 (in this class) as his ceiling in Seattle. I’m almost certain Russell Wilson’s pass attempts will (marginally) rise, but will that be enough to make any pass catcher outside of Graham relevant week-to-week? I doubt it and I won’t be paying for his current sticker price.”
– Chad Scott (The Fake Football)

Dorial Green-Beckham (WR – TEN)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #7

“Green-Beckham has too many character issues to draft him this high and he is one offense away from a lifetime ban from the NFL. His performance at the NFL combine was a disappointment. He already needs work on his route running, and now he is dealing with a hamstring injury. This injury has resulted in missed time at both the Tennessee rookie minicamp and during OTAs.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Devin Funchess (WR – CAR)
Overall Rookie Ranking: #17

“I was super-excited about Funchess’ future in the NFL, until it was determined he’d play WR instead of TE. He ran 4.70 twice at the NFL Combine, and I wonder if his name was Bill Johnson if we’d not be thinking of him so highly. “Devin Funchess” is just too fun to say on Draft Day!”
– David Gonos (DavidGonos.com)

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Thanks to the Featured Pros for stopping by to share their rookie advice. If you’d like to get more insight from the experts, be sure to visit their sites and follow them on Twitter. Got thoughts on their picks? Head over to our Forums to discuss:

Russell Clay | @FFRussellClay
David Gonos | @davidgonos
Chad Scott | @Chad_Scott13
Jeff Boggis | @JeffBoggis
Dennis Esser | @coachesser