Fantasy Football – Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Hello fantasy footballers it’s me again “THE FANTASY TYPHOON” coming back as promised with another informative dynasty league dominating article. This time we will get you prepared to face your dynasty rookie drafts. Please be advised that these tiers are for a 3 year window so once these top tier 1 players are secured to your rosters give them the ample time to blossom before you get discouraged. Dynasty fantasy football is all about talent and patience folks because talent plays on Sundays.
Before all of the calculator fantasy football rankers can get their algorithms in place talent has to be evident in the players DNA. We break talent before other websites because we measure the talent, the scheme, the coach and most importantly the role they were drafted to fill. This formula keeps you from making big mistakes by following what’s trending on twitter from someone who woke up with a feeling in his gut about a player. We watch the film and then make suggestions to try and help you avoid the pitfalls and the buyer’s remorse that comes along with it. Our recommendations go against the grain a bit but I guarantee that you will be jumping up and down when the real training camp battles are won by your drafted players. So let’s break the 2013 rookie class into tiers for your dynasty drafts.
TIER I Can’t Miss Talent
The guys below will make out our top tier recommendations. We project that these guys will have long pro bowl fantasy stat stuffing careers. Isn’t this what you want from your first round dynasty rookie pick?
Justin Hunter – Tennessee Titans
We have Justin Hunter at the top of our board based on talent and potential only. He has the shell of AJ Green. We don’t care where he lands he will produce for you in the allotted 3 year rookie dynasty window. You will not be disappointed.
Robert Woods – Buffalo Bills
Crisp route runner with the ability to beat the jam at the line of scrimmage in college, now as a NFL rookie. Might not be the fastest but has sure hands and should shoulder a long prosperous NFL career as well. That’s what we are looking for in dynasty formats.
LeVeon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers
We love the talent and situation that Leveon Bell has found himself in. He is a talented back that is now in a Traditional Pro-Style Offense and we expect to see some good numbers from him once he gets settled. He should be entrenched as the bell cow well within the 3 year rookie window.
Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals
We love this guy’s talent. Players like these top four guys will play in any system for a long time. That’s why these guys are slated at the top of their class. Even if they are traded they will still get the first nod to start until they retire. The rookie RB’s and QB’s in 2013 are shaky at best so beware. These guys are full of talent and talent plays on Sunday.
TIER II
While these guys are top talents and are in perfect situation there are some sort of flaw or concern that keeps them from being a top tier lock. They will be considered strong fantasy starters on Sunday for your rosters, they just lack the guarantee that the top players above possess.
Montee Ball – Denver Broncos
Montee Ball was one of my favorite running backs before the NFL rookie draft begun. Now that he lands in Denver is awesome for his value. Please be advised that as long as Manning is QB, HE MUST BE ABLE TO EXCEL AT PASS PROTECTION. They are not letting this guy hit the field unless they are 110% sure of his pass blocking skills to protect Manning. If he gets time on the field and misses a passing block you best be sure that he is immediately coming to the bench. Also, McGahee will not be released and Ball WILL NOT see any parts of the field again until this is proven in practice. Take that to the bank.
Cordarrelle Patterson – Minnesota Vikings
We love this guy’s film but the downside is that he is so raw. It may take more than the 3 year rookie window before this guy catches on fire. You could pass on him and back track and pick him up cheaply from a frustrated owner years later if he starts off slowly. Ponder is good enough to focus on 1 player and get him heavily involved. While the box will be stacked against Peterson and double teams are dispatched to Jennings the middle of the field will be crying for attention. Insert Cordarrelle.
Eddie Lacy – Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packer have drafted their future stud in Eddie Lacy. The Packers drafted Lacy as their #1 RB and they are going to give him every opportunity to fulfil their vision for him. He has the talent to get the job done but Franklin will be breathing down his neck.
Markus Wheaton – Pittsburgh Steelers
People are going to mistake him as the next Mike Wallace. He is not going to be asked to replace what Mike Wallace brought to the table they are looking for more from Wheaton. They want him to not only go deep at times but to run a complete route tree.
Stedman Bailey – St. Louis Rams
People are under estimating the talent this guy brings to the table. He is better than media darling Tavon Austin. He fits the Steve Smith in Carolina mold and will have an excellent opportunity to excel in this offense. Once training camp comes to full bloom you will be glad that you took a late round flyer on him. Give him time.
Tavon Austin – St. Louis Rams
Here is your media darling. We are not that high on Tavon to be your number 1 pick in dynasty drafts unless you are in a return yardage league. He will not be present on every down like people think he is. Plays will have to schemed for him to get the ball in space. Don’t get me wrong he will produce but not as much as the media is hyping him to.
DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans
This guy will immediately see the field and is already better than Kevin Walter. I don’t what took the Texans so long to upgrade at the WR2 position.
Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals
We are not that high on Bernard because Gruden has vocally said that they drafted him to be the passing/3rd down back. They don’t envision him as an every down back and he could very well play second fiddle his whole NFL career. He’s more valuable in ppr settings than standard leagues.
TIER III
The players below have the talent but something is marred and blocking their way to becoming studs. They may or may not overcome them but they will be given an opportunity to shine at some point. Yes, there could very well be a pro bowler or two mixed up in there.
5 160 Rams Zac Stacy RB Vanderbilt SEC
Could very well be the best RB on the Rams roster right now but this is yet to be confirmed.
2 62 Seahawks Christine Michael RB Texas A&M SEC
Should beat out Robert Turbin for the backup role to Lynch but has to wait for his time to be a stud.
6 181 Raiders Latavius Murray RB UCF �� C-USA
Kind of the same situation as Christine Michael. Murray has to wait at least a year to see if the Raiders resign McFadden. If he ever gets the lead job he’s a stud.
5 164 Dolphins Mike Gillislee RB Florida SEC
Excellent talent and can pass block. May get a chance to win the backfield in Miami.
2 59 Patriots Aaron Dobson WR Marshall C-USA
Will be asked to man the “X” position in New England which is the #1 WR position. He could pull it off.
3 76 Chargers Keenan Allen WR California Pac-12
His draft stock dropped but if it hadn’t I would place him in the tier 1 pile. He has top talents but his character was a concern. He could definitely be a future pro bowler.
3 74 Cowboys Terrance Williams WR Baylor Big 12
He could be asked to immediately secure the WR3 in Dallas which has some fantasy value. Maybe even take Miles job sometime in the future.
2 35 Eagles Zach Ertz TE Stanford Pac-12
He will be asked to play in a high powered offense that Chip Kelly will be implementing. Could be an excellent play maker.
4 125 Packers Johnathan Franklin RB UCLA Pac-12
Has the opportunity to knock out Eddie Lacy as the top dawg in the Packers backfield.
4 131 49ers Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina SEC
When healthy he is the #1 RB in this class.
2 39 Jets Geno Smith QB West Virginia Big 12
He will be given every opportunity to make the Jets forget about drafting Sanchez and TeBow.
3 63 Chiefs Travis Kelce TE Cincinnati Big East
Could very well be the best TE on the roster right now but has to prove it.
LATE ROUND GEMS AND FLYERS (no commentary)
1 16 Bills E.J. Manuel QB Florida State ACC
4 128 49ers Quinton Patton WR Louisiana Tech WAC
5 140 Cardinals Stepfan Taylor RB Stanford Pac-12
4 112 Raiders Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas SEC
7 238 Ravens Aaron Mellette WR Elon SoCon
6 174 Cardinals Ryan Swope WR Texas A&M SEC
3 73 Buccaneers Mike Glennon QB N.C. State ACC
4 98 Eagles Matt Barkley QB USC Pac-12
3 78 Bills Marquise Goodwin WR Texas Big 12
6 187 Cardinals Andre Ellington RB Clemson ACC
5 151 Cowboys Joseph Randle RB Oklahoma State Big 12
6 172 Raiders Nick Kasa TE Colorado Pac-12
6 182 Panthers Kenjon Barner RB Oregon Pac-12
5 154 Redskins Chris Thompson RB Florida State ACC
2 47 Cowboys Gavin Escobar TE San Diego State MWC
5 135 Jaguars Denard Robinson WR Michigan Big Ten
2 55 49ers Vance McDonald TE Rice C-USA
3 85 Redskins Jordan Reed TE Florida SEC
3 96 Chiefs Knile Davis RB Arkansas SEC
4 101 Jaguars Ace Sanders WR South Carolina SEC
4 102 Patriots Josh Boyce WR TCU Big 12
4 106 Dolphins Dion Sims TE Michigan State Big Ten
4 123 Seahawks Chris Harper WR Kansas State Big 12
4 133 Falcons Levine Toilolo TE Stanford Pac-12
5 144 Saints Kenny Stills WR Oklahoma Big 12
6 197 Bengals Cobi Hamilton WR Arkansas SEC