2010 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings Cheatsheet

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2010 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - August 17th, 2010 - Post-NFL Draft Edition

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Rank

Rookie

Pos

Team

NFL Draft

Notes

Jahvid Best

Lions

Serious concussion kept him from playing last four games but he still scored 12 TDs on the year. Fastest 40 time and 3-cone drill at Combine. Update: Athough he didn't end up as the first RB drafted, he remains our top choice for fantasy. Has the skills and opportunity to be fantasy stud, and no real competition for carries.

Ryan Mathews

Chargers

2nd in nation in rushing yards (1808) with 150 YPG. Of course, he ran for 144 and 2 TDs in a Bowl loss to Wyoming , so maybe you should take his stats with a grain of salt. Update: Chargers didn't seem to be worried about where he went to school, trading up to get him. He's often called an "every-down back", but it's doubtful he'll play on third downs this year.

Dez Bryant

Cowboys

Suspended most of 2009 season for hanging out with Deion Sanders. Hopefully he will serve as an example to others about the dangers of Deion. Update: Dropped in NFL Draft but don't let him drop in your fantasy draft.

CJ Spiller

Bills

Ran for 233 yards and 4 TDs in ACC Championship game then followed with a TD in a Bowl win. A threat rushing and receiving. Update: Will get a ton of carries, but the Bills' O-Line didn't see any great improvements in offseason. If you get Spiller, just hope that fellow rookie Ed Wang turns out to be a difference-maker in run blocking.

Golden Tate

Seahawks

2nd in receiving TDs (15), 4th in receiving yards (1496), 7th in receptions per game (7.75). Update: With the elderly and/or constantly injured WRs ahead of him, he could be WR1 very soon.

Demaryius Thomas

Broncos

Had a breakout Junior season where he doubled his yards and TDs, while catching about the same number of balls. Great size, but a broken foot kept him out of the Combine so his rising draft status is more based on hype than anything else. Update: Perfect team to end up with, should be an immediate starter if fully healthy.

Montario Hardesty

Browns

Never did much before breaking out this year, and he was shut down in the Chick-fil-A Bowl (18-39, 1 TD). Update: Has a chance to start immediately with only Jerome Harrison to beat. That said, Harrison finished strong last year and they will split carries even if Hardesty starts.

Mike Williams

Buccaneers

101

Update: Had some problems in college that resulted in his getting kicked off the team. But behavior issues didn't stop the Bucs from using a fourth round pick on him and calling him a potential starter for this year. More talented than his draft position might indicate.

Brandon LaFell

Panthers

Managed to have a good game (5-87, TD) even in the sloppy, muddy, punt-filled Capital One Bowl. Update: Landed on a run-first team with an inexperienced QB, which is not a recipe for immediate success. Won't have fantasy value until Steve Smith starts to decline.

Arrelious Benn

Buccaneers

Had mediocre stats for some terrible Illinois teams (only 7 career TDs in three years) but will still be a first-day selection. Update: Should be able to beat out the sad veterans for a starting spot as early as Week 1. Bucs are still a bad offense and have serious QB issues, so even a gig as the WR1 might not translate into a great fantasy player at least forthis year.

Sam Bradford

Rams

Will be in the top 10 picks and could easily be #1 overall. If you're gonna draft a rookie QB for your team, pick the one whose team also picked up some offensive line help. Rams and Bills both need starting QBs, but they both had terrible blocking in '09. Update: Was #1 after all, but more important news for potential Bradford owners iis that the Rams got a possible O-line starter in the 2nd round.

Jermaine Gresham

Bengals

Missed the entire 2009 season with knee injury but still the elite TE prospect for 2010. Update: Drafted very early but went to a team that hasn't used TE in passing game in years. Gresham's skills (and salary) should force a game plan change in order to get him involved offensively.

Mardy Gilyard

Rams

Consistent performer with 1200 yards and 11 TDs each of the last two years. Update: Rams are still offensively challenged but have at least addressed their QB situation. Not currently scheduled for a big role in 2010 but current Rams WRs are overrated and he could move up faster than many think.

Dexter McCluster

RB/WR

Chiefs

Went off in Cotton Bowl with 184 rush yards and two TDs. And that was only his third-highest rushing total this year. It sounds crazy, but if the Lions take him it will really help his fantasy stock. Anther team might only use him as a slot guy/wildcat RB. Update: Will likely be a slot guy.

Anthony Dixon

49ers

173

Four-year performer in college (42 career TDs) and has NFL size. Update: Tough team to land on, unlikely that he even passes Coffee for the RB2 spot anytime soon. Update: Coffee retires in his second year and Dixon looks like RB2 already. That was easy.

Jordan Shipley

Bengals

Got better every year and capped his career with 10-144 and 2 TDs in the BCS Championship. May be limited to slot receiver in NFL. Just watched him win a hands competition on ESPN, if that matters to you. Update: Bengals have lots of WR depth so path to fantasy relevance isn't clear. His best chance is to move up to slot duties in a year or so.

Jonathan Dwyer

Steelers

188

Rushed for 103 yards per game in 2009 to give him 1395 total - the exact same yardage as last year. He also failed to score in a Bowl loss - just like last year. Update: We're shocked how far he dropped in the Draft, but there seem to be a lot of questions about his NFL role coming out of an option offense in college. A Mendenhall injury would make him this year's hottest fantasy free agent pickup.

Tim Tebow

Broncos

Plenty of questions about what his role on an NFL team will be. If he's a Brad Smith-type hybrid player then his fantasy value will be minimal. Update: Broncos seem to be planning to use him as a pocket QB, which is not surprising considering their alternatives.

Ben Tate

Texans

Had a breakout Senior season with over 1300 yards, including 20-108 and 2 TDs in an Outback Bowl win. Update: He has some decent competition on Texans, but will have explosive offense and good blocking if he gets an opportunity to start. NOTE: Possibly out for 2010 season with ankle injury

Joe McKnight

Jets

112

Progressed in run game and was a consistent receiver. Missed Emerald Bowl due to possible NCAA rule violations, which may spark interest from Bengals. Update: Sucks when the dude you're competing for backup duties with is...LaDainian Tomlinson. Will probably have backup role to himself in 2011, though.

Jimmy Clausen

Panthers

Second in passing efficiency, third in yards passing, sixth in TD passes. Good chance to be a Rams or Bills first round pick. Update: Not even close to being a top pick since the Bills weren't interested, but landed in a spot where he has a chance to compete soon.

Taylor Price

Patriots

Second fastest 40 time at the Combine with good size, but played inferior competition in college and didn't dominate. Update: Since the Pats spread the ball around to their WRs excessively he could be involved immediately, although probably not enough to make him worthwhile in fantasy. Has room to move up the ranks for next year.

Toby Gerhart

Vikings

Led nation in scoring (27 rush TDs), rushing yards (1871) in 2009. Update: Playing behind AP seems like the kiss of fantasy death, but if Chester Taylor could carve out a niche, why not Gerhart?

Aaron Hernandez

Patriots

113

All-American, won Mackey award for best TE, and led all TEs in catches and yards last year. Also had 111 and a TD in the Sugar Bowl. May be undersized for NFL, though. Update: Could be used like a Dallas Clark or Chris Cooley where he lines up at multiple positions, especially if Welker isn't back soon. Best guess is that he gets the catches and Gronkowski gets the TDs.

Emmanuel Sanders

Steelers

Update: Second fastest 40 time at the combine and could be in the top 2 at WR for the Steelers in a year or two. Lacks ideal size and could be limited to return game initially.

Rob Gronkowski

Patriots

Like Gresham he missed all of 2009 with injury (back). If he's not over his injury by training camp, consider taking Ed Dickson of Oregon instead. Update: Back injury seems to be under control and the Pats used a high pick on him. Good chance to be a Week 1 starter.

Damian Williams

Titans

Winning the Emerald Bowl MVP with 189 receiving yards will only help his draft stock. Update: Has a future but probably won't contribute in fantasy for a couple years - especially on a running team like the Titans.

James Starks

Packers

193

Update: Was a hot prospect before missing his senior season due to injury. Already injured again during OTAs. Seems to have the athleticism but will have to get healthy soon in order to be worth fantasy consideration.

Jacoby Ford

Raiders

108

Update: Raiders reached to draft the fastest WR? Imagine that... We see no reason he can't beat out scrubs ahead of him and at least play some slot this year.

Marcus Easley

Bills

107

Update: Great size and speed combo. Only really played one year in college and will be a project. That said, the whole Bills team is a project, so he could be their WR2 by the end of 2010.

Eric Decker

Broncos

Missed last five games of season (foot) which will hurt his draft stock. This could lead to him being a "steal" in both the NFL Draft and fantasy drafts. Update: Has injury and QB problems right now, but keep an eye on him or stash him if you can.

Ed Dickson

Ravens

Update: Great landing spot, but will have to compete with fellow rookie Pitta. Like the Pats with Gronkowski and Hernandez, Dickson will probably play TE1 (as soon as Heap gets injured) and Pitta will play H-Back.

Andre Roberts

Cardinals

Update: Combine and college performance indicate he has the athleticism, but it remains to be seen if he can make the jump from I-AA to the NFL. If he starts doing well on punt returns, then think about stashing him for next year.

Dezmon Briscoe

Bengals

191

Played very well for some bad Kansas teams the past two years and has an NFL frame. Update: Has the size and talent but may need a couple years before the light comes on. Smart stash if you have the room.

Scott Long

49ers

Put on a clinic at the Combine, finishing first in four events and top 5 in three others. Update: Wasn't drafted but Combine was good enough to get him a free agent deal.

Armanti Edwards

Panthers

Update: QB-turned-WR could be involved quickly as a Wildcat option, but that doesn't usually translate into fantasy value.

Jeremy Williams

Chargers

Topped 1100 yards for the 3-win Green Wave this year, although 222 were in one game against McNeese St. Update: Wasn't drafted but Chargers picked him up pretty fast on a free agent deal.

Colt McCoy

Browns

Performed at high level for four years, but may have gone higher in the Draft if he had come out last year. Was back (from throwing shoulder injury suffered in BCS Championship) in time for Combine. Update: Nothing but scrubs ahead of him, so at least the opportunity is there.

Tony Pike

Panthers

204

Missed a few games with injury (broken arm) again this year. Came back to throw 3 TDs in the Sugar Bowl (after an awful Orange Bowl performance in '08), but they were all late in a blowout loss. Update: Since the Panthers also got Clausen, it's unlikely he'll make the team.

Andre Dixon

Giants

Update: Hard to believe he could make the Giants roster with their RB depth. Likely practice squad guy.

Kyle Williams

49ers

206

Update: May have a difficult time making the roster since Ginn will almost certainly return kicks. Will have to compete on his WR skills.

Dennis Pitta

Ravens

114

Update: Will play second fiddle to Dickson. 25-year-old rookies aren't optimal for keeper leagues.

Lonyae Miller

Cowboys

Update: Signed as undrafted free agent. Lot of good RBs ahead of him so he'll have to try and contribute elsewhere.

Danario Alexander

Fairly quiet for three years, then exploded for 1781 receiving yards (best in nation) and 14 TDs in his senior season. The monster season plus his 6'5" frame should equal a high draft position. Update: Wrong! Went undrafted due to injury. Apparently scouts don't like WRs that have had three ACL surgeries in three years.

Jevan Snead

Buccaneers

Threw 20 INTs (vs. 20 TDs) this year including 3 in the Cotton Bowl (vs. zero TDs). For some reason he's supposedly a draft riser... Update: Undrafted but signed with Tampa where he has some very shaky Joshes ahead of him. Could actually get a chance to play (and throw some INTs) if he makes the roster.

2010 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Pre-draft edition)