December 22, 2024
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The excitement generated by the draft weekend has come and gone.  Now is the time to put in the hard work as your rookie fantasy drafts are upon us. My dynasty fantasy rankings get based on a three to four-year window, not their immediate impact.  Talent and situation gets considered here. This is where the…

The excitement generated by the draft weekend has come and gone.  Now is the time to put in the hard work as your rookie fantasy drafts are upon us. My dynasty fantasy rankings get based on a three to four-year window, not their immediate impact.  Talent and evanssituation gets considered here. This is where the meat and potatoes of the rookie draft values are this year, so get a few helpings of fantasy goodness with this position.

1. Mike Evans, Bucs- He is a big, fast receiver that can box out coverage.  Now Evans gets featured in the same offense with Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (all members of the Three Towers).  That is too much for one secondary to handle, combined with the Bucs good rushing attack to worry about too.  Give me that talent plus the situation where you aren’t even the number one target to defend.  I’m taking Evans as my number one pick overall.

2. Sammy Watkins, Bills-  Watkins has everything you wants in a receiver: hands, contorts himself to find the ball, great after the catch, skies to get the ball, and is great creating space.  He is my number two wide out because E.J. Manuel is his quarterback and I doubt that isn’t the case for a few years with the Bills not having two of their top four picks in next year’s draft.  Despite all that, I have Watkins listed number two behind Evans in rookie dynasty drafts.

3. Odell Beckham, Jr, Giants- There hasn’t been a receiver that I was more excited about than OBJ (everyone has been sky-high on Watkins and Evans for the past year).  Beckham has the physicality to play on the outside and can stretch the field with Cruz getting the inside coverage.  Hopefully Eli Manning’s confidence isn’t shattered and the entire offense can become high-flying again.  Beckham remains my top three overall selection in rookie drafts.

4. Brandin Cooks, Saints- The blazing diminutive receiver might be a cross between the two former Saints he will be replacing: Darren Sproles and Lance Moore.  Cooks is a great fit for the Saints offense who like to use quick strikes and throw deep passes.  When Drew Brees gets to chuck the ball, only good things can happened.  This receiver is my fourth top ranked overall player.

5. Marqise Lee, Jaguars- Some blame his dismal quarterbacks during his junior year, and others blame his health for his regression.  Lee gets a new lease on life in sunny Jacksonville with a quarterback that can get the job done.  Hopefully he will improve his concentration, but I expect Lee to get closer to his 2011 and 2012 college form.  He is a mid-first round pick if healthy.

6. Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers- This huge athletic man is the best receiver that the Panthers have.  I find his work ethic a bit troubling, but then again the Carolina organization supported and helped Cam Newton become a dangerous signal caller.  Greg Olsen, Jericho Cotchery and Jason Avant will do their best, but if Benjamin fails the Panthers are lost.  I like him towards the end of the first round in rookie dynasty drafts.

7. Devante Adams, Packers- Now with this pick, patience is a virtue.  Chances are Adams gets limited opportunities this season; however, when/if Randall Cobb and/or Jordy Nelson leave in free agency in 2015, Adams could become Rodgers’ number one or two option in their passing offense.  He should learn a lot from their coaching staff to become a more disciplined receiver.  Adams is a low-end first round rookie pick or an early second rounder.

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