1. Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
The rankings here are solely based on redraft, not dynasty. And in reality, Cook has the best opportunity among a strong crop of running backs to make an immediate impact. He's already the team's unquestioned starter after Latavius Murray dealt with injury issues this summer.
Cook has already touched the ball a total of 17 times in two preseason games and is averaging a solid 5.7 yards per touch. With Minnesota likely to rely on the ground game due to Sam Bradford's limitations, we're fully expecting a RB1 performance from this rookie.
2. Leonard Fournette, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
4,356 total yards and 41 touchdowns in just 32 college games. Fournette ate apart otherwise stout defenses in his three seasons in the SEC. He's among the most accomplished running backs to enter the NFL in some time.
There is, however, two issues that forces us to rank Fournette behind Cook in 2017. First off, Fournette has once again been bothered by a leg injury that cost him time with LSU last season. Secondly, the Jaguars have no real passing game to speak of. That's going to be an issue with teams stacking the box. Just look at Todd Gurley and the Los Angeles Rams last season.
3. Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, Carolina Panthers
We flirted with ranking McCaffrey ahead of Fournette here, but had to avoid that due to the presence of Jonathan Stewart on the Panthers. Either way, McCaffrey should be an absolute stud for the Panthers as a rookie. Here's a dude that tallied an absurd 5,128 total yards in three seasons with Stanford.
A dual-threat out of the backfield, McCaffrey has also shined big time in two preseason games. He's ran the ball 10 times for 66 yards with a touchdown. The rookie has also put up two receptions for 39 yards. Look for a stellar performance from him in 2017.
4. Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans
We're not going to go as far to say Davis will be the Titans' No. 1 receiver in 2017, but he should be a fantasy-relevant option as a rookie. Despite playing against less-than-stellar competition at Western Michigan, Davis' numbers were awe-inspiring. In his final three seasons with the team, the top five pick recorded 264 receptions for 4,337 yards and 46 touchdowns. That's just absurd.
5. John Ross, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Still yet to see the field due to a shoulder injury, there's most definitely some concern that Ross might not be able to make an immediate impact. Though, he seems to be ready to go and could see some action as the preseason itself draws to a close. Does this make Ross an immediate add as a bench option in 12-team leagues? We're not too sure.
What we do know is that Ross is an absolutely dynamic threat when on the field. Last season for Washington, he tallied 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's the perfect receiver to play opposite A.J. Green in Cincinnati. And if healthy, Ross will more than prove that in 2017.
6. Joe Mixon, running back, Cincinnati Bengals
This is somewhat muddied by the fact that Cincinnati has holdovers Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard on the roster. Both have proven themselves to be more than capable backs in the past, and Hill himself is currently listed as a starter. With that said, Cincinnati did not exhaust a second-round pick on the troubled Mixon to sit him early in his career. The PR disaster that came with drafting him definitely wouldn't have been worth it
On the field, Mixon has proven to be a dynamic talent. He tallied 2,921 total yards with 26 touchdowns while averaging well over eight yards per touch in Oklahoma. Mixon might not be the starter early in the season, but we can expect 15-plus touch usage before the calendar hits October.
7. O.J. Howard, tight end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Howard has only shown up to the tune of 28 yards on two receptions in as many preseason games. That's fine. He's also started both games for the Jameis Winston-led Buccaneers.
A dynamic receiving threat that creates mismatches downt he seam, we're expecting a whole lot of targets for Howard in the red zone. It will definitely take the pressure off Mike Evans on the outside. We might not be looking at a huge reception total from the first-round pick, but north of 10 touchdowns wouldn't be an absolute shock.