By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
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Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins Jay Ajayi has dodged numerous bullets this offseason, and this one looks like it will just cause a minor flesh wound, as Drake is a passing-down specialist and won’t compete for early down work. Passing-down work is usually tough for rookies since they have to learn protections and be able to block NFL veterans, so the chances that Drake becomes the go-to third-down back are slim. He could carve out a decent role, but Ajayi is still in line for the majority of the work for the time being. The last hurdle Ajayi will need to jump is Arian Foster. If he is signed by the Dolphins once he is healthy, Ajayi’s prospects take a hit, but that scenario is still not probable.
Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons As I mentioned in my blurb about the first tight end taken, Hunter Henry, we always need to be cautious with rookie tight ends in re-draft leagues. The learning curve for a NFL tight end coming from college is steep, but Hooper probably has the clearest pathway to rookie production for a tight end this season. The Falcons need productive receivers after Julio Jones, and Hooper has a shot at being that this season. Jacob Tamme will have the inside scoop on starting this year, but Hooper is a better blocker and should quickly become the better receiver. Of course, the transition and how quickly he moves through it is the question. But if I’m in a two-tight end league this year, I’m taking a flier on Hooper.
Braxton Miller, WR, Texans The Texans took Will Fuller ahead of Miller, but Miller has a chance to be just as good or better than Fuller. The problem with Miller is that he needs to improve on fundamentals. He appears to be a more natural receiver, but it will be up to him to improve his game. Then, when you add in the unreliability of Brock Osweiler, I’m not sure I’ll even get many shares of Miller in dynasty leagues.
Leonte Carroo, WR, Dolphins The Dolphins traded up to land Caroo despite having DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry on the team, so they seem pretty sold on his ability, and that ability is real. Carroo is already a top route runner, and despite middling athletic stats, he wins on the field over and over. He should quickly become an integral part of this receiving group and could have some fantasy worth with any injuries to Parker or Landry this year.
C.J. Prosise, RB, Seahawks Prosise has all the tools to be a top offensive player in the NFL, but he will need to prove he can block after being converted from wide receiver and safety to running back. He’s already started training outside of camp on his blocking, so we at least know he is dedicated to his craft. At this point, Prosise could have trouble getting on the field with Thomas Rawls set to start, but if Prosise develops and learns the offense quickly, he’ll have opportunities in the passing game and if Rawls were to go down, he could beat out Alex Collins for the lead job. These are all pretty big ifs, but Prosise’s ability is not in question and he makes for a high-upside dynasty pick and a risky re-draft pick in PPR leagues.
Jacoby Brissett, QB, Patriots Brissett has the skills to work well in the Patriots’ offense. He makes good decisions and is accurate. He’s not going to blow anyone away out of the gate, but if Jimmy Garoppolo were to face an injury while Tom Brady is suspended, Brissett is one of the few rookies who could possibly keep the ship right for a game or two. And he also can compete with Garoppolo for the post-Brady Patriots quarterback, so he is worth a grab in dynasty leagues, especially 2QB leagues.
Cody Kessler, QB, Browns Kessler has a top football IQ and is accurate on short passes, but does have a weak arm. He gets a good mentor in Hue Jackson and could move up the ranks in Cleveland, but he’ll always have competition unless he can grow and train into some more arm strength. Kessler’s worth keeping an eye on in deep dynasty leagues, but for most of us, he’s not worth wasting a roster space on this year.
Nick Vannett, TE, Seahawks Jimmy Graham’s injury could easily sap him of his former physical ability and leave a crack in the door for someone like Vannett, but the rookie will most likely need to develop a year or two before making the leap to productive starter. He’s worth a dynasty grab in deep leagues, but he is still very much a project for fantasy teams.
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Draft - 5/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
2016 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Quarterbacks and Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Jordan Matthews Profile - 5/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rookie Dynasty Draft Wrap-up - 5/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Wide Receiver Values - 4/28 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Tight End Strength of Schedule - 4/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Strength of Schedule - 4/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Strength of Schedule - 4/20 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
