[h=1]Highest-impact fantasy rookies[/h][h=3]Matthew and Mel identify first-year players who can help your team[/h]
By Matthew Berry and Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
Every week during the NFL season, Matthew Berry will be engaging in a discussion with an NFL expert on topics that will provide valuable insights for fantasy owners. For this preseason edition, he and ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper run through the top rookies entering 2014.
[h=3]Question: Which rookies will have the biggest fantasy impact in 2014?[/h]Matthew Berry: It's great to have your perspective on this question, Mel, as you're an encyclopedia of knowledge on these rookies' talent and skill sets. But as fantasy football owners know, finding rookies who can help your team is about more than just talent and potential. It also matters how each player's skills translate to their new team's scheme. A lot of time we'll see rookies drafted to teams who simply don't use them well.
I'll get into my rankings in a bit, but I'm interested to get your thoughts on this: Which rookie landed in the best spot to succeed this year?
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Mel Kiper: I think you've got to look at a guy like Brandin Cooks with the New Orleans Saints. He's a very talented player and also has a lot of other factors working in his favor. He is going to play a significant role in the Saints' offense, but he doesn't have all the pressure of being "the guy" in Year 1 the way receivers such as Sammy Watkins of theBuffalo Bills and Kelvin Benjamin of the Carolina Panthers do. With Watkins, you have to wonder whether Buffalo QB EJ Manuel is going to play well enough for him to put up big receiving and yardage totals, and with Benjamin, you've got Cam Newton coming off an injury, a receiving corps full of No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 receivers, and the offensive line needs work.
Cooks doesn't have to deal with any of that, and what impressed me during the draft process -- well before the Saints ever picked him -- was how professional he was. We had him on the "Dari & Mel" radio show, and he was very smart, very mature. He should be ready to play right away. You can't cover him in the slot, and he's more of a downfield threat -- and more durable -- than people realize.
Berry: I agree that Cooks is a special player and has the potential to do big things this year. I have him ranked the highest among the rookie receivers this season because of both his talent and the opportunity he'll get. Catching passes from Drew Brees is a very good thing from a fantasy perspective, and there should be over 100 passes up for grabs now that Darren Sproles and Lance Moore are no longer with the team.
With his speed, Cooks should be a really good fit in that offense. Our ESPN.com Saints reporter Mike Triplett has been saying during training camp that Cooks makes a play two or three times every practice that just makes your jaw drop.
Kiper: Jordan Matthews of the Philadelphia Eagles is another receiver who is really intriguing to me. If Nick Foles continues developing at QB behind a very good offensive line -- they've also still got LeSean McCoy in the backfield and added Sproles -- that offense could be really good, and Matthews is a good fit for it. He is a bigger receiver and he has good hands despite the occasional drop.
Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkinsare two players to watch in Tampa Bay. We know Josh McCown liked those bigger receivers in Chicago, and along with Vincent Jackson, Evans and Seferian-Jenkins offer big-play ability as guys with size at receiver and tight end. We had Buccaneers GM Jason Licht on the show the other day, and he said that one day in practice it'll be Evans making a spectacular play, and the next day it'll be Seferian-Jenkins making one. Those players have a ton of ability, with very good ball skills to go with their size.
I also think Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown and Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey could have big seasons.
Berry: I know that Matthews is a player the Eagles like a lot at slot receiver. Plus, if there's a coach who knows how to make the most out of his talent, it's Chip Kelly.
You mentioned Watkins and Benjamin earlier, and I agree with you on having reservations about Watkins based on the Bills' situation on offense and at quarterback specifically. Benjamin is definitely intriguing, as it appears that so far in training camp he's been developing a good chemistry with Newton.
I'm not taking a rookie wide receiver this season before the seventh or eighth round. The players like A.J. Green and Julio Jones -- who come in right away and help your team as rookies -- are rare, and I don't want to deal with the risk associated with having a rookie slotted in as a starter. But I do think that one or more of these guys have the potential to emerge as this year's Keenan Allen, which is why I'd take one as a high-upside flier on my bench.
I have them ranked as follows: Cooks, Watkins, Benjamin, Evans and Matthews. I don't have Brown ranked, but he's definitely an intriguing talent for the Cardinals.
Kiper: When I studied Brown, his explosiveness was off the charts. He played for a really small program at Pittsburg State, so you wanted to see him dominate his competition, and that's exactly what he did. He looked like a man among boys, like he should have been playing for Ohio State or Oregon or USC. He isn't just a speed guy, either, as he has incredible toughness and versatility to go with his explosiveness. He could have a big impact early.
Berry: It's taken us a while to talk about running backs, but you mentioned Sankey earlier. He's the rookie running back going off the board first in most fantasy drafts, but I'm actually concerned about him because I think the Titans will have a committee approach in that backfield, with Shonn Greene as the starter and Dexter McCluster playing the role Danny Woodhead did for new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt in San Diego last season.
What do you think of Sankey, and a guy who I think offers better value where he's being drafted, the Giants' Andre Williams? Williams figures to see some goal-line action ahead of starter Rashad Jennings, and Tom Coughlin tends to like playing two running backs. Atlanta's Devonta Freeman is another rookie who could see early playing time, given the injury and depth situation there.
Kiper: Sankey is like Cooks to me in that he has that same demeanor, he's very professional. I think he'll have the opportunity to play right away, likely more so than the two backs I had ranked ahead of him entering the draft, Carlos Hyde and Jeremy Hill.
Two things I'll say about Williams: That Giants' offense has really struggled this preseason, so I'd question just how many goal-line opportunities there might be for Williams or any other Giants back. Eli Manning has struggled, and the offensive line has had injuries. Secondly, Williams doesn't have a lot of wiggle or explosiveness. He's a downhill runner, a guy who will break a lot of tackles, but there might not be a ton of big-play ability there.
Todd McShay was higher on Freeman as a prospect than I was, but he definitely has the all-purpose skill set to his game -- as a runner, blocker and receiver -- to be a factor both for the Falcons and fantasy owners. Overall, there are probably about seven or eight running backs who could see significant playing time as rookies, and it's the position that provides the best opportunity for rookies to have an immediate impact.
Of all the first-year guys, Hyde has the most ability as a pure runner, and he also can block and catch passes out of the backfield.
Berry: If I'm drafting for a dynasty league, Hyde is my No. 1 rookie running back, no question about it. And if something happens to keep Frank Goreoff the field this season, Hyde could be a top-10 fantasy running back. My top eight guys for this season, in order, are Williams, Sankey, Hill, Cleveland'sTerrance West, Freeman, St. Louis' Tre Mason, New England's James Whiteand Hyde, but I probably won't own Sankey in any leagues this season, based on where he's being drafted right now. I prefer Williams for the value and potential opportunity.
Kiper: What do you think of the rookie quarterbacks, Matthew? Right now obviously there are none slated to start, but how long will Chad Henne and Matt Casseland Brian Hoyer last as the starters for those teams?
Berry: You're definitely right about the opportunity factor; with Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel not starting, they don't have any fantasy value right now. I'm not taking any of those three in standard 10- or 12-team leagues. But I think all three are worth a flier if you're in a dynasty league. Bortles has looked good this preseason, more so than I would have expected. Bridgewater is playing in Norv Turner's offense, which is usually very fantasy friendly. The guy with the most potential fantasy value is Manziel, because of his running ability, but that's all dependent on him being able to get on the field.
Kiper: All of that is true, Matthew, and the thing fans need to remember when getting excited over rookie quarterbacks' performances in the preseason is that the defenses can be very vanilla. Coaches know that in the first regular-season action for Bortles, Bridgewater and Manziel, they are going to be getting defensive looks that they have never seen before as quarterbacks ... ever. So even when these guys do get on the field, fans and fantasy owners need to keep expectations in perspective.
Berry: Exactly, Mel. Rookies are great fliers but you shouldn't leave your draft with any of them as a starter.
We'll be doing this series every week, where I talk to our various Insiders and get insights that will help fantasy owners, so I'm sure we will talk to you again soon. Thanks for your time, Mel.
Kiper: Anytime, Matthew.
By Matthew Berry and Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
Every week during the NFL season, Matthew Berry will be engaging in a discussion with an NFL expert on topics that will provide valuable insights for fantasy owners. For this preseason edition, he and ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper run through the top rookies entering 2014.
[h=3]Question: Which rookies will have the biggest fantasy impact in 2014?[/h]Matthew Berry: It's great to have your perspective on this question, Mel, as you're an encyclopedia of knowledge on these rookies' talent and skill sets. But as fantasy football owners know, finding rookies who can help your team is about more than just talent and potential. It also matters how each player's skills translate to their new team's scheme. A lot of time we'll see rookies drafted to teams who simply don't use them well.
I'll get into my rankings in a bit, but I'm interested to get your thoughts on this: Which rookie landed in the best spot to succeed this year?
<offer></offer>
Mel Kiper: I think you've got to look at a guy like Brandin Cooks with the New Orleans Saints. He's a very talented player and also has a lot of other factors working in his favor. He is going to play a significant role in the Saints' offense, but he doesn't have all the pressure of being "the guy" in Year 1 the way receivers such as Sammy Watkins of theBuffalo Bills and Kelvin Benjamin of the Carolina Panthers do. With Watkins, you have to wonder whether Buffalo QB EJ Manuel is going to play well enough for him to put up big receiving and yardage totals, and with Benjamin, you've got Cam Newton coming off an injury, a receiving corps full of No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 receivers, and the offensive line needs work.
Cooks doesn't have to deal with any of that, and what impressed me during the draft process -- well before the Saints ever picked him -- was how professional he was. We had him on the "Dari & Mel" radio show, and he was very smart, very mature. He should be ready to play right away. You can't cover him in the slot, and he's more of a downfield threat -- and more durable -- than people realize.
Berry: I agree that Cooks is a special player and has the potential to do big things this year. I have him ranked the highest among the rookie receivers this season because of both his talent and the opportunity he'll get. Catching passes from Drew Brees is a very good thing from a fantasy perspective, and there should be over 100 passes up for grabs now that Darren Sproles and Lance Moore are no longer with the team.
With his speed, Cooks should be a really good fit in that offense. Our ESPN.com Saints reporter Mike Triplett has been saying during training camp that Cooks makes a play two or three times every practice that just makes your jaw drop.
Kiper: Jordan Matthews of the Philadelphia Eagles is another receiver who is really intriguing to me. If Nick Foles continues developing at QB behind a very good offensive line -- they've also still got LeSean McCoy in the backfield and added Sproles -- that offense could be really good, and Matthews is a good fit for it. He is a bigger receiver and he has good hands despite the occasional drop.
Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkinsare two players to watch in Tampa Bay. We know Josh McCown liked those bigger receivers in Chicago, and along with Vincent Jackson, Evans and Seferian-Jenkins offer big-play ability as guys with size at receiver and tight end. We had Buccaneers GM Jason Licht on the show the other day, and he said that one day in practice it'll be Evans making a spectacular play, and the next day it'll be Seferian-Jenkins making one. Those players have a ton of ability, with very good ball skills to go with their size.
I also think Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown and Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey could have big seasons.
Berry: I know that Matthews is a player the Eagles like a lot at slot receiver. Plus, if there's a coach who knows how to make the most out of his talent, it's Chip Kelly.
You mentioned Watkins and Benjamin earlier, and I agree with you on having reservations about Watkins based on the Bills' situation on offense and at quarterback specifically. Benjamin is definitely intriguing, as it appears that so far in training camp he's been developing a good chemistry with Newton.
I'm not taking a rookie wide receiver this season before the seventh or eighth round. The players like A.J. Green and Julio Jones -- who come in right away and help your team as rookies -- are rare, and I don't want to deal with the risk associated with having a rookie slotted in as a starter. But I do think that one or more of these guys have the potential to emerge as this year's Keenan Allen, which is why I'd take one as a high-upside flier on my bench.
I have them ranked as follows: Cooks, Watkins, Benjamin, Evans and Matthews. I don't have Brown ranked, but he's definitely an intriguing talent for the Cardinals.
Kiper: When I studied Brown, his explosiveness was off the charts. He played for a really small program at Pittsburg State, so you wanted to see him dominate his competition, and that's exactly what he did. He looked like a man among boys, like he should have been playing for Ohio State or Oregon or USC. He isn't just a speed guy, either, as he has incredible toughness and versatility to go with his explosiveness. He could have a big impact early.
Berry: It's taken us a while to talk about running backs, but you mentioned Sankey earlier. He's the rookie running back going off the board first in most fantasy drafts, but I'm actually concerned about him because I think the Titans will have a committee approach in that backfield, with Shonn Greene as the starter and Dexter McCluster playing the role Danny Woodhead did for new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt in San Diego last season.
What do you think of Sankey, and a guy who I think offers better value where he's being drafted, the Giants' Andre Williams? Williams figures to see some goal-line action ahead of starter Rashad Jennings, and Tom Coughlin tends to like playing two running backs. Atlanta's Devonta Freeman is another rookie who could see early playing time, given the injury and depth situation there.
Kiper: Sankey is like Cooks to me in that he has that same demeanor, he's very professional. I think he'll have the opportunity to play right away, likely more so than the two backs I had ranked ahead of him entering the draft, Carlos Hyde and Jeremy Hill.
Two things I'll say about Williams: That Giants' offense has really struggled this preseason, so I'd question just how many goal-line opportunities there might be for Williams or any other Giants back. Eli Manning has struggled, and the offensive line has had injuries. Secondly, Williams doesn't have a lot of wiggle or explosiveness. He's a downhill runner, a guy who will break a lot of tackles, but there might not be a ton of big-play ability there.
Todd McShay was higher on Freeman as a prospect than I was, but he definitely has the all-purpose skill set to his game -- as a runner, blocker and receiver -- to be a factor both for the Falcons and fantasy owners. Overall, there are probably about seven or eight running backs who could see significant playing time as rookies, and it's the position that provides the best opportunity for rookies to have an immediate impact.
Of all the first-year guys, Hyde has the most ability as a pure runner, and he also can block and catch passes out of the backfield.
Berry: If I'm drafting for a dynasty league, Hyde is my No. 1 rookie running back, no question about it. And if something happens to keep Frank Goreoff the field this season, Hyde could be a top-10 fantasy running back. My top eight guys for this season, in order, are Williams, Sankey, Hill, Cleveland'sTerrance West, Freeman, St. Louis' Tre Mason, New England's James Whiteand Hyde, but I probably won't own Sankey in any leagues this season, based on where he's being drafted right now. I prefer Williams for the value and potential opportunity.
Kiper: What do you think of the rookie quarterbacks, Matthew? Right now obviously there are none slated to start, but how long will Chad Henne and Matt Casseland Brian Hoyer last as the starters for those teams?
Berry: You're definitely right about the opportunity factor; with Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel not starting, they don't have any fantasy value right now. I'm not taking any of those three in standard 10- or 12-team leagues. But I think all three are worth a flier if you're in a dynasty league. Bortles has looked good this preseason, more so than I would have expected. Bridgewater is playing in Norv Turner's offense, which is usually very fantasy friendly. The guy with the most potential fantasy value is Manziel, because of his running ability, but that's all dependent on him being able to get on the field.
Kiper: All of that is true, Matthew, and the thing fans need to remember when getting excited over rookie quarterbacks' performances in the preseason is that the defenses can be very vanilla. Coaches know that in the first regular-season action for Bortles, Bridgewater and Manziel, they are going to be getting defensive looks that they have never seen before as quarterbacks ... ever. So even when these guys do get on the field, fans and fantasy owners need to keep expectations in perspective.
Berry: Exactly, Mel. Rookies are great fliers but you shouldn't leave your draft with any of them as a starter.
We'll be doing this series every week, where I talk to our various Insiders and get insights that will help fantasy owners, so I'm sure we will talk to you again soon. Thanks for your time, Mel.
Kiper: Anytime, Matthew.
