NFL Tickets
What’s not to love about rookies? They have so much potential and they have something to prove. Here is my short list of draftable rookies this year, but historically a ton of these will be busts, right?
1. Ryan Mathews RB — San Diego Chargers
In addition to being an All American and first round draft pick, Ryan Mathews is also a freak. He is strong, quick, and an excellent running back. Many compare him to LaDainian Tomlinson, and my guess is that the Chargers did too. Last year, Mathews averaged 150.67 yards per game and ran for 1,808 yards on 276 carries. His 1,808 yards ranks him as third in WAC history, and one of the two people that ranks ahead of him is, you guessed it, LaDainian Tomlinson. Now that LT is gone, Mathews can live out his fantasy (Mathews wore number 21 in college because he was a fan of Tomlinson). He has had a very productive preseason, already outworking Sproles, whom the Chargers only like using sparingly anyway. Mathews should be a Round 2 or 3 draft pick in every league in America.
2. Jahvid Best RB — Detroit Lions
If Kevin Smith was the “Back of the Future” for Detroit, the team wouldn’t have wasted their first round pick on Jahvid Best. Best will get carries this year, especially whenever Smith struggles to produce. The Lions don’t really have the patience to let their run game struggle. It’s highly possible that Best will win the starting spot before the season even starts.
3. Dez Bryant WR — Dallas Cowboys
In such a high-powered offense like Dallas, Dez Bryant is the only rookie wideout that will produce immediate results. He is a large physical receiver and a crisp route runner. With Dez Bryant and Miles Austin lining up at wideout and Tony Romo at quaterback, the Cowboys will be a nightmare for defensive coordinators and a dream for fantasy owners.
4. CJ Spiller RB — Buffalo Bills
At Clemson, C.J. Spiller was explosive. His highlight reels are epic. He is lightning fast and has big play ability. This year, Spiller is arguably the most talented player on the Bills. With injuries happening at the running back position, C.J. Spiller will presumably be the starter in Buffalo. He had a really nice rushing TD last week in preseason. He has a lot of upside, but with nobody else around him on offense, helping him improve, Spiller might struggle to produce numbers like he did at Clemson.
5. Sam Bradford QB — St. Louis Rams
To put it lightly, rookie quarterbacks don’t exactly produce great fantasy numbers. Last year, for example, rookie Matt Stafford threw for 2,267 yard with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, and that was because he was throwing to Calvin Johnson. With Donnie Avery’s recent injury, Bradford has no real receiving threats in St. Louis and will have his work cut out for him.
6. Rob Gronkowski TE — New England Patriots
You can’t mention Rob Gronkowski with out mentioning Aaron Hernandez. The two rookie tight ends for New England will both see playing time this year. Right now, the momentum swings in Gronkowski’s favor, but Aaron Hernandez has better speed and receiver abilities. Both caught TD passes in Week 2 of preseason.
7. Jermaine Gresham TE — Cincinnati Bengals
We’ve seen a few tight ends produce massive fantasy numbers (see Dallas Clark, Vernon Davis, Tony Gonzalez), and Jermaine Gresham has the skill set to be among the best. On a team full of deep threats (T.O. and Ochocinco) Gresham will be Palmer’s mid range man.
8. Golden Tate WR — Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll has made it clear that he wants to put the ball in Golden Tate’s hands. After all, they both share a love of Top-Pot Doughnut (see Top-Pots Doughnuts Incident). Tate, who was drafted in the second round, will start alongside T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deon Branch. Both are recovering from injuries. Tate could be explosive this year.
9. Montario Hardesty RB — Cleveland Browns
If Jerome Harrison is the real deal, Montario Hardesty will be beginning his career on the sidelines. However on such a run-heavy offense, Hardesty will probably be stepping in from time to time. He has the ability to become a starter for the Browns someday. Keep an eye on Hardesty, especially if you draft Jerome Harrison.
10. Arrelious Benn WR — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former University of Illinois standout will see plenty of playing time as a member of one of the weakest receiving squads in the NFL. The Buccaneers will be starting Josh Freeman at quarterback. With a young quarterback, young receivers, and virtually no run game, this offense will be in for a long year.
11. Dexter McCluster WR/RB — Kansas City Chiefs
A lot of people in the league are impressed by this versatile running back turned Kansas City wide out. He has good play-making ability and will be returning kicks. If he does earn the slot receiver position over Jerheme Urban and your league rewards you with return touchdowns, he could be pretty valuable.
12. Anthony Dixon RB — San Francisco 49ers
This guy was originally in my “honorable mention” section before preseason, but after his performance in preseason Week 1 (122 total yards and a rushing TD against the Colts), he jumped up dramatically. In Week 2, he proved that he wasn’t a fluke by finishing with 59 all-purpose yards and a TD against the much tougher Vikings defense. He is definitely the biggest running back in the 49ers’ heavy backfield, and though he wont surpass Gore as the starter, I can see him getting close to 10 carries a game even with Westbrook now in the mix. Both Gore and Westbrook do have long histories of injuries. Dixon might be worth picking up with the chance of Gore going down.
13. Mardy Gilyard WR — St. Louis Rams
Mardy Gilyard is a lot like Dexter McCluster. He is a big playmaker that caught the eye of St. Louis. He had a record-setting career with the Cincinnati Bearcats. He can turn on a dime and make spectacular catches. With Avery’s injury, Gilyard will be a receiving option for fellow rookie Sam Bradford. He will also be returning punts and kicks, racking up all-purpose yards in bunches.
14. Toby Gerhart RB — Minnesota Vikings
If Percy Harvin is any example of how the Minnesota Vikings like to use rookies, Gerhart could step in on gadget plays and make an impact. The Vikings obviously believe in the Stanford standout, making him No. 2 on the depth chart behind Adrian Peterson, who has a history of minor injuries. Gerhart should get a decent amount of touches this season.
15. Mike Williams WR — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Most likely, Williams will earn a starting spot in Tampa, but once again, like Benn, he will have a hard time on that offense. Williams is a tall, physical receiver that has been compared to Vincent Jackson and Randy Moss. Proving his comparison right, he caught a big 30-yard pass against the Dolphins in Week 2 of preseason, setting up the only scoring drive of the game. If he gets the opportunity to start this season, he could be a nice sleeper receiver in deeper leagues.
16. Jimmy Clausen QB — Carolina Panthers
Jimmy Clausen going to the Panthers was a surprise to most after seeing what Matt Moore could do towards the end of the season. Moore will get the start and Jimmy Clausen will only see reps if Moore has a Delhomme-esque collapse.
17. Tim Tebow QB — Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos traded up to draft Tim Tebow in the first round of last year’s draft. It seemed like a strange move for Denver because they already have Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn on their roster. Tebow was a leader at Florida and an excellent worker and locker room influence. If the Broncos believe that same thing, Tebow will raise the stock of everyone around him, even if he doesn’t throw a single pass this year.
18. Victor Cruz WR — New York Giants
Fantasy nerds like me began to salivate during Week 1 of preseason when Cruz posted 145 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Giants’ win over the Jets. In most leagues, that is roughly 32 fantasy points! Don’t get too excited–he still has Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham ahead of him.
19. Joique Bell RB — Buffalo Bills
While the buzz swirls around C.J. Spiller, Joique Bell is also a very talented running back that has the potential see a lot of the Bills’ carries this season. With Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson out with injuries, Bell has rushed 16 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in preseason already. If the Bills are going to cut a running back, I’m pretty sure Bell’s name wont even be discussed. It will be interesting to see where everyone lands after Lynch and Jackson return in Week 1 or 2.
20. Joe McKnight RB/WR — New York Jets
With the trade of Leon Washington, the Jets drafted Joe McKnight. McKnight has the same type of versatility that Washington had–slippery kick return moves, good hands and speed out of the backfield. He could see reps at wide out and running back this season, but he is pretty far down the depth chart.
Honorable Mention
21. Jonathan Dwyer RB — Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Tony Moeaki TE — Kansas City Chiefs
23. Dennis Pitta TE — Baltimore Ravens
24. Seyi Ajirotutu WR — San Diego Chargers
25. Demaryius Thomas WR — Denver Broncos (injured)
Check out our Top 100 WR Rankings, Top 75 RBs, Top 50 QBs, Top 30 Fantasy Defenses, as well as our overall Top 200 Rankings.
Share 
