Ezekiel Elliott is the top option as the rookie to grab in fantasy drafts

The NFL Draft will clear up a few questions and for dynasty players, these answers will be welcome. While you’re in the middle of preparing for your own draft, the incoming rookie class contains some intriguing players who could set you up for success in the years to come.

However, figuring out who has true long term value versus being just a bye week fill-in is no easy task. With countless hours of tape that the average person doesn’t have time to watch, we’ve approached the fantasy pundits to lend a hand. They’ve ranked their top 10 players based on dynasty fantasy value and provided commentary below.

Featured Pros

Wes Huber (Pro Football Focus)
Doug Orth (FFToday)
Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)
Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

Consensus Prospect Rankings (Dynasty Based)

Q1. Please tell us why you feel the player you ranked at #1 belongs there?

Ezekiel Elliott (RB – Ohio St.)
“Elliott ranks somewhere between Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon from a talent perspective, in my opinion, and probably only needs an average offensive line in front of him in order to be productive. He is clearly the top prospect at his position and the only runner in this class nearly guaranteed to begin his pro career as the featured back. Another reason Elliott belongs atop the board is due to the lack of star power at receiver; this class lacks a Sammy Watkins/Odell Beckham/Mike Evans/Amari Cooper/DeVante Parker type that eventually figures to become a WR1 at some point early in his career.”
– Doug Orth (FFToday)

“I’m of the belief that you build your dynasty fantasy football teams through the wide receiver position, unless there is a very special running back and no clear number 1 type wide receiver available.  This year happens to line up for Ezekiel Elliot to be that special type of back that should be at the top of every rookie dynasty draft. Elliot is fast, has exceptional hands and route running ability, and finishes his runs like he wants to be a work horse. I can punch holes in almost every wide receiver that I think belong in the top 10, but it’s hard to find any holes in Elliot’s game besides the position he plays.”
– Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)

“This should be a popular answer, but chalk tastes so good. Elliott is an all-around contributor as a runner, receiver and blocker that can be the foundation for an offense. It’s highly probable that a team invests a significant amount of draft capital when selecting him, so initial opportunity should flow from day one.”
– Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

Leonte Carroo (WR – Rutgers)
“Overcoming sub-average quarterback play during his time with the Scarlet Knights, Carroo posted elite yards per route run ranks of sixth and first, respectively, over the last two seasons. His hands are a truly special trait (two drops out of 95 catchable passes since 2014) and will allow him to provide immediate playability in the NFL. Carroo provides the per play production consistency, at wideout, that places him slightly ahead of Elliott.”
– Wes Huber (Pro Football Focus)

Q2. What one prospect outside your top 10 do you feel has high bust potential and why?

Derrick Henry (RB – Alabama)
“Unfortunately, Henry is a player to avoid in dynasty leagues. While he will most likely provide immediate value upon arrival, the combination of his upright running style, skinny legs, and the desire to draw first contact simply doesn’t bode well for his future. Blessed with a massive frame, Henry has failed to develop the appropriate level-change ability seen in Elliott, and the combination of blocking and receiving deficiencies will limit his ceiling.”
– Wes Huber (Pro Football Focus)

“I’m afraid the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner has a low floor and it has nothing to do with the recent history of Alabama RBs. Fit will probably be more important for him than any other back I ranked ahead of him. He’ll need an offensive line that will keep him clean in the backfield (he’s not overly elusive) and one that allows him to consistently run downhill so he can use his 245-250 pound frame to his advantage against linebackers and defensive backs. While I see him as a better overall player than Brandon Jacobs or LeGarrette Blount, the two players I think he most resembles, I also wonder if more than a handful of teams will let him be a regular contributor in the passing game.”
– Doug Orth (FFToday)

Braxton Miller (WR – Ohio St.)
“If I didn’t own a 1st round pick and my first pick was a second round pick in rookie drafts I would be scared to spend it on Braxton Miller.  Especially if I had holes on my team.  The transition from quarterback to wide receiver is more difficult than many think and Miller has a lot to learn all while playing with a shoulder that keeps him from playing QB.  He has speed and agility and will probably be an offensive coordinator’s dream, as long as they like gadget plays with big fast slot receivers, but I wouldn’t want to take the chance if that was my only pick.  If I had multiple second rounders to burn I would grab him for the upside while taking a safer guy like Pharoh Cooper with one of the other picks.”
– Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)

Michael A. Thomas (WR – Ohio St.)
“Thomas is still a perplexing player for me. For one, he’s six years removed from high school and still only has had modest collegiate production, which also came late in his career. Second, although he checks objective boxes that I look for in requisite size and athleticism, the way he wins on the field is in the small receiver game. He’s fantastic in his stem and has a full arsenal of head fakes, stutter steps and change of direction, but he’s very questionable in attacking or drive on the the football consistently and can lose line of site of passes (if you seen his gauntlet drill at the combine, that’s how he plays on the field as well as a pass catcher). I can see him succeeding still based on draft capital and opportunity, but I’m positive that there will always be someone in my drafts that values him higher than I do.”
– Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

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Thank you to the experts who took the time and provided their prospect rankings. Be sure to check out our NFL Draft Simulator to start mocking now.