Last season saw some team starters struggle leading their teams to select position enhancements in the 2015 NFL Draft. Here are five situations where rookies could take over and steal the fantasy spotlight this year.
Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson, Running Backs, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gerhart tanked as a fantasy running back in 2014 and spent an injury-riddled season racking up only 326 yards and two touchdowns over 14 games. Robinson showed bits of potential, however an injury ended his season early after totaling only 582 yards and five touchdowns in 2014.
The Jags want to focus on their ground attack and drafted T.J. Yeldon with their second draft pick making the prominent statement that they did not feel confident with the team’s current set of running backs. Yeldon will compete with Gerhart and Robinson in what already looks to be his job to lose.
Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons spent their third draft pick on Tevin Coleman, 6-foot and 210 pounds out of Indiana. This means that Freeman, who had limited opportunity to play last season (248 rush yards and one touchdown) could face some stiff competition over the summer. Reports are already surfacing that the Falcons will plan to have the running backs split reps this year. This is a bit disheartening for those who drafted Freeman in dynasty leagues thinking that he would be the featured back once the team moved on from Steven Jackson.
Monitor each player’s progress over the summer to see which one makes the better draft choice as the regular season approaches. Coleman may just surprise us.
Andre Ellington, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals beefed up their running back roster by adding David Johnson to the team. Coming off of 1,553 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in his last college season, Johnson could give Ellington a run for the money as far as competing in 2015. Ellington struggled last season only managing 3.3 yards per carry and a total of five touchdowns while dealing with pesky injuries.
It would not be surprising to see Johnson and Ellington have a heated running back competition for the right to become the team’s starter this year. Johnson could prevail.
Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings, Wide Receivers, Miami Dolphins
A new team for these two may not necessarily make them fantasy starting options in 2015. Their competition, first-round pick wide receiver DeVante Parker is already turning heads in team practices. During Parker’s last two seasons at Louisville, he totaled 1,740 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He excels in catching long passes and ranked first in receiving yards per reception for his conference in 2012. Parker could certainly put a dent into the production of both Stills and Jennings should he outplay them over the upcoming preseason. Parker is certainly one to keep an eye on as fantasy drafting approaches.
Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota was not one of the most coveted draft prospects heading up to the draft for no reason. That is why the Titans decided to draft him versus trade their pick to other interested teams. While Mettenberger is not at all happy that he has competition this summer, it will be just a matter of formality before Mariota slides in and takes over the starting gig.
Mettenberger, who has claimed that he will fight to the death to keep him starting job will likely lose unless Mariota turns out to be this year’s version of Johnny Manziel - that’s not happening. At this point in time, both quarterbacks should only be considered as fantasy backups until the time comes when Mariota can prove he is capable of some prime fantasy numbers.