Fantasy football is a game full of speculation and perception. It’s part of what makes it so thrilling. It’s difficult enough to know which running back will break out in a new backfield tandem or whether a new wide receiver will perform well or simply enable the other team’s wideout to see less double coverage. When rookies are entered into the mix, it becomes a more intriguing puzzle. Rookies have thrived in the NFL in recent years due to more college programs employing pro-style offenses, and NFL coaches have higher expectations from their new players more than ever.
2014 fantasy football rankings: Top 5 rookies at each offensive position
We take a look at each position in fantasy and how the rookie class stacks up.
Hannah Foslien
In fantasy football, one could argue that the expectations are higher as well. Quarterbacks are seeing success early. Running backs are jumping at the opportunity to ignite a career that they’re lucky to see last more than a few years. Even tight ends are getting more early playing time now that many teams emphasize the passing game.
But where does that leave us in 2014? Let’s take a look at each skill position, and consider which rookies are the most poised to become a fantasy asset for your roster.
Quarterbacks
At the time these rankings were compiled, no quarterback has been deemed the true starter for any of their respective teams. When assessing fantasy value, the talent of each quarterback certainly comes into play, but talent means nothing in fantasy football if that quarterback isn't playing. Johnny Manziel may be the biggest boom-or-bust candidate on this list. He leads the list because his upside is arguably the greatest. He doesn't have the elite backfield that Bridgewater has, and he has more talent at the wide receiver position than Blake Bortles. All three were first-rounders, so teams will have to defend any reason for benching any of them. Derek Carr is battling for a spot behind Matt Schaub. However, Schaub has been supplanted by a young quarterback before. Zach Mettenberger has opportunity behind Jake Locker, who can't seem to stay healthy for 16 games and hasn't proven to be a franchise player.
Running backs
1. Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans
2. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
3. Terrance West, Cleveland Browns
4. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
Much like the quarterback position, running backs hold more value when they're not simply a handcuff. There are exceptions of course. Carlos Hyde may be an elite handcuff at this point. It's likely he'll see some work even with Frank Gore on the field, but the 49ers are losing running backs left and right, and Hyde should get a chance at proving himself quickly. Terrance West could have better odds than Hyde as a starter, but if Ben Tate stays healthy, he could be complementary at best on a Browns squad that hasn't offered a truly dynamic running game since Peyton Hillis' 2010 tear. Bishop Sankey tops this list primarily due to his presumed role as RB1 in Tennessee. Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster are Sankey's biggest competition. Jeremy Hill could be the next BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the Bengals, which doesn't translate to fantasy gold. However, Hill is a bigger, tougher runner who is seeing a lot of reps with the first-team offense in Cincinnati. He's even more valuable in touchdown-only leagues. Devonta Freeman is waiting behind Steven Jackson, who has been nagged by his hamstring this offseason.
Wide receivers
1. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
3. Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
4. Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
5. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
While Sammy Watkins may deserve to be in the No. 1 spot on this list, the reality is that Mike Evans has a much more reliable quarterback situation. Watkins is a great talent who is entering questionable circumstances. Quarterback EJ Manuel will need to prove he can play consistently before Watkins can really break out. Kelvin Benjamin is coming into a great situation. Steve Smith is gone, and there's no true WR1 on the Panthers. He will likely get thrown into the fire, but isn't as touted as Watkins or Evans. Brandin Cooks has arguably the best quarterback working for him, but he's sharing targets with an elite tight end and a large wide receiver corps. Cooks isn't alone; Odell Beckham Jr. will need to fight for targets alongside Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle.
Tight ends
1. Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
2. Jace Amaro, New York Jets
3. Troy Niklas, Arizona Cardinals
4. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Eric Ebron is receiving the most hype, but he’s been struggling in camp. Camp struggles aren’t enough to drop him down this list, however. When a tight end is drafted in the first round into a high-caliber offense, it’s tough to ignore. The Lions haven’t really offered much at the tight end position since perhaps David Sloan, so it’s natural to be skeptical. If any rookie tight end has as much opportunity as Ebron, it’s Jace Amaro. Amaro is boldly labeling himself a “100-reception tight end.” He’s dropping a lot of passes in camp right now, so he has an uphill battle. Richard Rodgers slides into this list simply because Jermichael Finley’s absence leaves the door wide open for someone to step up at the position.
