Top Fantasy Rookies in 2017
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans.
I will be honest, this year isn’t very promise for fantasy quarterbacks. While Watson and other Quarterbacks might have very successful careers in the NFL, none of them promise to have good fantasy seasons this year. The true value in drafting Watson is that the Texans have been doing their best to put a good offense around him. While 2017 might not be the most statistically impressive season for Deshaun, in that system he shows long-term potential. I might take him late in dynasty/keeper league drafts and watch closely, he might be worth keeping for the future.
Running Back
Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars.
In college Fournette ran like a man among boys, dominating the ground game every single week. He has a big body and tremendous skills set, but that is not what impresses me most about his potential. On multiple occasions, executive vice president Tom Coughlin has raved about how well Leonard has been able to adapt to the NFL and understand Professional schemes, but even that is not why I rank him above his peers. With the confidence the Jaguars have shown in Fournette there is no doubt that they will use him as a workhorse to cornerstone that offense. This will give him an abundance of carries and targets, especially near the end zone. Look for him to have a low efficiency but high scoring season.
Wide Receiver
Mike Williams, San Diego Chargers.
Williams has great route running ability and stellar pass-catching skills, often reminding me of Anquan Boldin but he also has something Boldin does not have height. Williams is six-foot-four-inches tall and fits the prototypical mold for the type of receiver Rivers loves to target. For that matter, the Chargers are a pass heavy offensive with a veteran quarterback, which is a recipe for wide receiver success. Williams should be the second receiver on the depth chart and be a target machine all season long.
Tight End
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At 6’6” tall and 242 lbs, he is a giant, combined that with his 4.51 forty yard dash and suddenly Howard becomes a dangerous offensive weapon. While he did not throw up flashy numbers playing for the Crimson Tide many blame that on him being underutilized in that run heavy offense, and the majority of experts rated him as the number one Tight End in this years draft class. His size will allow him to outmatch cornerbacks while his speed will make it almost impossible for linebackers to cover him in the open field. Finally, don’t expect him to get a lot of targets at first, but keep your eyes peeled for his big playmaking ability.
Honorable Mentions
These are players who just barely missed the list and should by no means be ignored. If they are not drafted in your league, keep your eyes open and be ready to take them off the waiver wire as all of these players still show tremendous potential.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings.
This offseason the Vikings have made it clear that they intend to get him involved in that offense from day one. Cook is a very talented, athletic, and decisive back who could very likely win the starting role in Minnesota before this season is at the halfway mark. My only issue with Cook as a fantasy back is that he is playing for a very below average offense that especially struggles in the ground game.Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans.
Davis is possibly the most talented player on this list I just have one major concern. How limited will his targets and playing time be? The Titans are a defensive minded run first team that are completely willing to almost entirely stop throwing that ball if they are ahead or feel they are getting shut down in the air. For that matter, Davis could see even fewer targets if gets stuck at third on the depth chart. But even with these concerns, I still plan on drafting him late as a sleeper and seeing how he develops.