As usual, the NFL Draft shook up the landscape of fantasy football, but the amount of impact rookies in year one isn’t necessarily a long list.
This article is mainly for those who participate in dynasty leagues (and if you aren’t why aren’t you already! For those who don’t know, dynasty leagues let you keep your players longer). However, it will take notice of players who can help your fantasy team this season as well.
Tier 1 — Safe to draft for single season and top long-term dynasty targets:
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs: In the words of Andy Reid, CEH is better than Brian Westbrook, who you should remember as a fantasy dynamo for the Reid era Philadelphia teams. Reid apologized to Westbrook for that comment that aired during the NFL Draft.
My guess is Reid meant that CEH is better than Westbrook when they were at the same point coming out of college. Regardless of what he meant, CEH is the most talented Chiefs running back on the roster the moment he was drafted and with Reid’s track record, he should be an immediate impact guy for the best offense in the NFL.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Lions: Normally I don’t jump on Lions rookies for various reasons. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was on his way to his finest season in Detroit before his back injury sidelined him for the season.
I like Swift even more in year one vs. dynasty purposes because we don’t know how many years Stafford can play at a high level. That said, Swift should give Detroit a massive shot in the arm in the running game and will likely lead all rookies in rushing yards. He’s still worth the risk in dynasty because of the likelihood of his first year impact.
Cam Akers, RB, Rams: No more Todd Gurley means LA needed to find a new bell cow. Akers had a lot of love coming out of Florida State and he didn’t exactly have a ton of help.
Getting injected into the Rams offense gets Akers that help. In 2019 LA struggled at times due to the lack of a threat in the backfield and QB Jared Goff’s inability to handle pressure. While the offensive line could be an issue once again, if the Rams can get any semblance of a running game going, that should take some of the pressure off Goff.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys: What a gift Dallas was given during the draft watching Lamb fall right into its lap at No. 17. The Oklahoma standout was torching everyone who stood in his way in the wide open Big 12.
With Amari Cooper across from Lamb, no more Jason Garrett bungling the offense and growing superstar QB Dak Prescott, sign me up for any amount of time you can add Lamb to your roster.
See “Highs and lows of 2019 Daily Fantasy Season”
Tier 2 – Best for dynasty but still could have impactful first season:
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts: Due to Marlon Mack’s inability to stay healthy in the NFL, plus the short shelf life of a running back these days Indy took Taylor out of Wisconsin in Round 2.
Taylor has physical talent without question, but it might be his instincts that impressed me the most on his draft tape. Playing with a solid offensive mind in head coach Frank Reich, Taylor should have a huge piece of this backfield with Mack, but won’t likely hit his peak until year two or three.
JK Dobbins, RB, Ravens: Dobbins seems the prototype for the modern-day NFL running back — agility for miles. Can you make people miss in the open field?
For Dobbins it’s a resounding yes. Mixed in with veteran RB Mark Ingram, the 1-2 punch along with Lamar Jackson running his own run plays should make Dobbins a focal part of the offensive playbook.
Dobbins’ impact we’ll see as the season moves along. If he starts slow might be a great trade target as his long-term future looks bright.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos: For quite a long time it was thought Jeudy was the top WR on everyone’s board. But NFL Draft GM’s and coaches fall in love with game tape.
For the Raiders, it was Henry Ruggs III’s speed and possible ceiling to Jeudy’s potential floor. Jeudy looks like the type of player who won’t bust but maybe he doesn’t have the rocket potential of Lamb or Ruggs.
I disagree, I expect all three of these WR’s to make quite the careers for themselves and we will look back on this draft and wonder how any of them got out of the Top 10.