Fantasy football drafts will start taking place in just a few short months. Therefore, it is time to evaluate some of the top rookies who were drafted last month to see what their role will be with their new team. Here are five rookies who look to have an impact right away which will make them fantasy draft targets.
5. T.J. Yeldon, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had several needs coming into the 2015 NFL Draft and depth at the running back position was one of them. Therefore the Jaguars selected wisely and spend their second-overall pick on Yeldon out of Alabama.
Yeldon is a large-bodied back whose size and stature compares similarly to that of Chicago Bears’ workhorse, Matt Forte. During his three collegiate seasons, Yeldon rushed for a total of 3,322 yards and scored 37 touchdowns. He also maintained a stout 5.8 yards per touch. Versed in pass-catching as well, Yeldon totaled 494 receiving yards from 46 catches.
With the Jaguars’ best options at running back currently consisting of Denard Robinson and an embattled Toby Gerhart, it would not be shocking to see Yeldon in the team’s starting lineup. He has the capability to be an every-down back and the potential to become a RB2/3 to add to fantasy rosters.
4. Kevin White, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
White was gone quickly, selected with the seventh overall pick by Chicago.. The trade of former wide receiver Brandon Marshall left a crater-sized void that desperately needed to be filled prior to the draft.
White is coming off of a tremendous 2014 college season that saw him put up 1,447 receiving yards and an amazing 109 receptions. He scored 10 touchdowns as well. While his quarterback Jay Cutler is not always firing accurately, he did attempt the 12th most passes of all the NFL quarterbacks last season.
Defenses will surely double-team fellow wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, so White who will be on the field day 1 looks to be a promising fantasy football wide receiving option. He should be drafted at the level of a WR3 in mid rounds.
3. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders finally have a potential star quality wide receiver on their team after they chose Cooper with the fourth-overall pick in the NFL Draft. Coming off of three successful seasons in Alabama, namely 2014 where Cooper tallied a phenomenal 1,727 yards, Cooper will be a sure-fire No. 1 receiving target for quarterback Derek Carr.
The only problem is that we’re talking about the Raiders and a second-season quarterback as Cooper’s fantasy foundation. There’s no doubt we’ll see plenty of Cooper on the field, so draft him as low as possible as a WR3 who could just surprise with some upside should he and Carr find their groove.
2. Tevin Coleman Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons still needed depth beyond second-season running back Devonta Freeman so they selected well in the third round by scoring Coleman out of Indiana. Coming off a ridiculous 2,036 rushing yards in 2014 and 958 yards in 2013, Coleman looks to compete with Freeman for the starting gig. However, his larger size of 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds could have Coleman becoming the running back the Falcons depend upon for early downs.
Additionally, Coleman maintained a stellar 7.4 yards per touch during his past two college seasons. If he can manage to break his way out of tackles, Yeldon’s speed will leave his defenders in the dust. At this point in time, Yeldon looks to be a reliable RB3 to add in mid rounds to fantasy rosters.
1. Melvin Gordon, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
In my opinion, the Chargers selected the best fantasy candidate in the 2015 NFL Draft by trading up to snag Gordon out of Wisconsin. Gordon looks to hit the scene opening day as the team’s lead rusher. With Ryan Mathews off on the east coast, Gordon will be primed to tote the ball tons throughout the season.
There is still the matter of the other Chargers’ running backs, however, it would appear that Danny Woodhead will be utilized in more of a pass-catching situations like he was last season. Branden Oliver will be change of pace and Donald Brown will be a garbage-time filler.
Gordon produced incredible numbers while playing for Wisconsin. Over the course of his four seasons, he managed a stately 7.8 yards per carry over the course of piling up 4,915 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns. 2,587 rushing yards alone were accomplished in 2014 along with 27 touchdowns. Gordon could become a fantasy goldmine soon enough. Draft him as a solid RB2 who should not disappoint in 2015.