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Carolina Panthers Team Report

July 16, 2015 By Dave Leave a Comment

Carolina Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin proved to be a weapon in the red zone and has the skill set to emerge as one of the league’s Top 10 wide receivers.

Carolina Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin proved to be a weapon in the red zone and has the skill set to emerge as one of the league’s Top 10 wide receivers.

QB Cam Newton

Four years into his career, it is fair to say that Newton’s development as a passer has not matched his development in the running game. Saddled with one of the worst wide receiver depth charts in the league last season and missing two games to open the season due to an ankle injury, Newton threw for a career-low 3,127 yards in 2014 with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. However, his fantasy stock should be on the rise heading into 2015. The team’s offensive line performed far better over the second half of last season than at the beginning of the year. Carolina addressed the wide receiver position with the selection of Devin Funchess in the 2nd round of this year’s NFL Draft, as well as by re-signing speed merchant Ted Ginn Jr. And a closer look reveals that Newton’s fantasy production was far better once the condition of his ankle improved. After averaging just 18.1 points per game during his first four games when he ran the ball an average of just 3.5 times, his production increased to 22.8 PPG over his final ten, averaging 8.9 carries for 49.7 yards and 0.5 touchdowns. Newton rates as a mid-tier QB1 this season who could emerge as a Top 5 option.

RB Jonathan Stewart

There are certain players that you can make an easy case for as solid fantasy options and that you could also make the case that you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. Meet Jonathan Stewart. The good: Over the Panthers last seven games (including playoffs), he tallied 736 total yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 20.2 touches per game over the Panthers final six games. DeAngelo Williams left town and Stewart’s backups are iffy and/or unproven. The bad: Stewart has missed 20 games over the past three years. If you draft him, you have to get his backup but we don’t know for certain who that will be. He topped 1,000 rushing yards once in seven seasons. He has averaged 10 points per game once. He has caught more than 25 passes in a season once. Cam Newton steals short yardage touchdowns. We’ve given you the good and the bad. With his ADP hovering around 45th overall as the 21st running back taken, Stewart doesn’t come cheaply. We like him, don’t love him, and only support adding him if he is somewhat discounted in your particular draft.

RB Cameron Artis-Payne

With just the aging Mike Tolbert behind Jonathan Stewart at running back due to the offseason release of DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers addressed their need in the backfield by selecting Cameron Artis-Payne in the 5th round of this year’s NFL Draft. The 5’10”, 210 pound Auburn product has decent size and speed and is viewed by the Panthers coaching staff as a viable option to step into the lineup as Stewart’s replacement in the event of an injury. While Artis-Payne lacks the skills to be considered an upper tier dynasty prospect, it doesn’t take a leap of faith to see him having fantasy value in his rookie season. With 20 missed games over the past three seasons, the 28-year old Stewart has hardly been a bastion of good health, and Artis-Payne’s competition consists of undrafted free agents, veteran retreads and the aging Tolbert. That makes him worthy of a late round draft choice in redraft leagues and a mid to lower tier prospect in dynasty formats since we expect the Panthers would use an early round pick to replenish the position in the event of a major injury to Stewart.

RB Mike Tolbert

Approaching his 30th birthday, Tolbert was a bit player in the Panthers offense in 2014 despite injuries that kept Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams out of the lineup for various lengths of time. Limited to eight games due to a knee injury, Tolbert carried the ball just 37 times for 78 yards and failed to find the end zone, although he did score in the playoffs. As a receiver, he added 12 receptions for 93 yards. Even though Williams was released in the offseason, we harbor no expectations that Tolbert will earn a significant role behind Stewart in 2015. Look for rookie Cameron Artis-Payne to emerge as Stewart’s main backup with Tolbert getting the odd short yardage run.

WR Kelvin Benjamin

Taken in the 1st round of last year’s NFL Draft to replace Panthers legend Steve Smith, Kelvin Benjamin didn’t disappoint, topping 1,000 receiving yards and scoring nine touchdowns while catching 73 passes. At 6’5” and 234 pounds, and possessing solid but not outstanding speed, Benjamin proved to be a weapon in the red zone and has the skill set to emerge as one of the league’s Top 10 wide receivers. While Benjamin’s ability to replicate his touchdown count from a year ago isn’t in too much doubt, one area of concern is his completion to target rate as he hauled in exactly half of his targets (73 of 145). Let’s call that nit picking since with no proven wide receiver opposite him, Benjamin should be in line for plenty of targets once again in 2015. If Cam Newton improves his accuracy, Benjamin’s upside is as a mid-tier WR1. Failing that, feel safe grabbing him as an upper tier WR2.

WR Devin Funchess

With it seeming like an eternity has passed since the Panthers have lined up two solid wide receivers in their starting lineup, the team addressed the position in each of the last two drafts with high picks. After selecting Kelvin Benjamin in the 1st round of last year’s NFL Draft, Carolina selected another huge target in the 2nd round this year in Devin Funchess. At 6’5″ and 230 pounds, Funchess is a massive target who possesses decent speed having run a 4.5-40 at his pro day. However, at just 21 years of age and considered a bit of a raw prospect coming out of Michigan, he isn’t likely to be a consistent contributor early in his pro career. And while it’s easy to project Funchess as a solid red zone option, the Panthers already possess a pair of solid red zone options in the form of Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen. Funchess rates as late round flyer material in redraft formats but we consider him a mid-tier prospect in dynasty formats.

WR Jerricho Cotchery

After scoring a whopping 10 touchdowns in 2013, Cotchery found the end zone just once last season even though he caught two more passes. Back in Carolina in 2015, Cotchery’s spot in the starting lineup is going to be handed over to 2nd round pick Devin Funchess at some point this season, and we expect that to happen sooner rather than later. With Cotchery battling the likes of Jarrett Boykin, Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown and Stephen Hill to emerge as the Panthers 3rd wide receiver, we aren’t too excited about his fantasy prospects especially considering Carolina’s balanced run-pass ratio.

WR Jarrett Boykin

An undrafted free agent in 2012, Boykin hauled in 49 of his 82 targets for 681 yards and three touchdowns during the 2013 season before being relegated to a bit part in the Packers offense last season. Signed by Carolina in the offseason, he will compete for a backup spot on the Panthers. Since the Packers know a thing or two about developing wide receivers and Carolina used a 1st and a 2nd round pick on the wide receiver position over the last two drafts, we don’t foresee Boykin establishing himself as a fantasy option in 2015.

WR Stephen Hill

A bust as the Jets 2nd round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, Hill spent the 2014 season buried on the Panthers practice squad and returns this season to compete for a spot on the team’s depth chart at wide receiver. At 6’4″ and 215 pounds with blazing speed, Hill seems to fit the mold of the type of wide receivers that the Panthers prefer, so he has a chance to resurrect his career in Carolina. With a cast of journeymen and unproven younger players, there is a decent chance he earns a roster spot and some playing time in 2015 but he isn’t roster worthy in your fantasy league until he strings together a few solid weeks.

TE Greg Olsen

With a lack of production opposite Kelvin Benjamin at wide receiver and a plethora of injuries at the running back position, Olsen posted the finest season of his eight-year career with career highs in targets with 123, receptions with 84 and yards with 1,008 while scoring six touchdowns. What’s new for 2015? Well, unpolished rookie 2nd round pick Devin Funchess figures to start alongside Benjamin, there is a cast of pretenders at the backup wide receiver positions and DeAngelo Williams left town leaving the injury prone Jonathan Stewart as the team’s only proven running back other than the declining Mike Tolbert. Add it all up and we expect Olsen to once again approach the 1,000 yard receiving mark with between six and eight touchdowns. Feel comfortable grabbing Olsen as either the 3rd or 4th tight end taken in your draft.

Also see: Carolina Panthers IDP Team Report · Atlanta Falcons Team Report

Filed Under: Fantasy Football

Top 10 Redraft Rookie Running Backs Plus Dynasty Prospects—Gordon, Gurley, Yeldon Breakout Candidates

May 11, 2015 By AskTony Leave a Comment

Melvin Gordon was the second RB off the board at the 2015 NFL Draft to the San Diego Chargers, but is the best bet to lead all rookies at the position in fantasy football points this season.

Melvin Gordon was the second RB off the board at the 2015 NFL Draft to the San Diego Chargers, but is the best bet to lead all rookies at the position in fantasy football points this season.

After months of speculation, rumors and player scouting analysis, the 2015 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Now we look forward to training camp battles, mock drafts, average draft position (ADP) analysis and hours of research to prep for the best day of the year – fantasy football draft day! Don’t feel like you need to go it alone, because Draft Buddy is here to help!

Post-NFL Draft the first order of business is to review where the top rookies landed and judge their opportunity for success, including potential for a big instant impact in the NFL and on fantasy football rosters. Every year there are a handful of rookies that deliver an outstanding season that no one saw coming.

My rookie analysis series, starting today, focuses on each skill position to identify the rookies that have the highest potential for a breakout freshman year. Here are my Top 10 rookie running backs.

1. Melvin Gordon, Chargers

Let’s start off with a surprise: Melvin Gordon, in my opinion, has the best opportunity to lead this year’s rookie running backs in fantasy production. The San Diego Chargers traded up to grab Gordon, which is a great sign they have big plans for him right away, even with a somewhat crowded depth chart. Philip Rivers survived the trade rumors and is still under center to help keep defenses honest, a big boost to Gordon’s prospects. Gordon could easily bulldoze his way to lead all rookies in rushing. Interesting factoid: Gordon broke the NCAA single-game rushing record with 408 yards, a record previously held by LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran the majority of his Hall of Fame caliber career with the Chargers.

2. Todd Gurley, Rams

Arguably the most talented running back in this class, Todd Gurley comes in at number two on my list for the upcoming season. Currently, Gurley is recovering from a torn ACL, which is the only reason he fell one spot in my rankings due to risk of the St. Louis Rams taking their time with him. Assuming he does not suffer any setbacks, Gurley will make an immediate impact for the Rams. The Rams play “in your face” tough defense and will try to control the game flow by running the football as often as possible. Once Gurley is capable of handling a full workload, which by my guess is pretty quickly into the NFL season, quarterback Nick Foles will not hesitate to get Gurley involved in the passing game.

3. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in desperate need of a bell-cow running back, and that might be just what they got in T.J. Yeldon. With only Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson ahead of him, Yeldon should easily jump the depth charts to become the starter. He is the type of back that will chip away four and five yard runs and then follow it up with a first down through the air using his excellent pass-catching skills. He also has great blocking skills, which will make franchise quarterback Blake Bortles extremely happy and keep Yeldon on the field.

4. Tevin Coleman, Falcons

Atlanta Falcons have one of the most deadly pass attacks in the league with Julio Jones and Roddy White. However, to compensate for that, they have a horrible run game. They hope that Tevin Coleman will be the answer. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan likes to run the football and he is not afraid of using one running back (Alfred Morris) or splitting carries (Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell). If Coleman proves he can fit into Shanahans’ zone blocking scheme, he will find himself, at a minimum, splitting carries with teammate Devonta Freeman, who didn’t wow us last season.

5. Ameer Abdullah, Lions

Ameer Abdullah will enter Detroit Lion’s camp in a tough competition right out of the gate competing against Joique Bell for the starting position. Abdullah has amazing pass-catching abilities and explosive lateral movement, much like former Lions running back Reggie Bush, but with the ability to take a hard hit. It might take some time for Abdullah to earn the trust of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, but once he does, expect him to have a major role in the offense, even if it’s splitting carries with Bell.

6. David Johnson, Cardinals

With teammate Andre Ellington’s injury history and underwhelming performance in 2014, it is no surprise the Arizona Cardinals drafted a running back, and a bigger back that head coach Bruce Arians prefers. David Johnson has the potential to be a breakout candidate if/when called upon for the full time job. Assuming quarterback Carson Palmer is recovered from his own injury and able to lead the charge, Johnson and his impeccable pass-catching skills make for a great opportunity to be a major steal come fantasy draft day. Expect him to start his career playing third downs with the potential to work his way to every down back.

7. David Cobb, Titans

David Cobb joins a very young and hopeful Tennessee Titans team. There could be some serious growing pains in Tennessee, between Cobb, fellow rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, selected second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, and rookie wide receiver Dorial-Green Beckham also expected to make an immediate impact. Cobb will face the “battle” of competing against sophomore Bishop Sankey for the starting running back spot. Sankey should be slotted atop the depth chart at the start of training camp, however any Titans fan can tell you that Sankey was a major disappointment in 2014. Unless Sankey shows major improvement, Cobb should be in the mix to earn the starting position over Sankey.

8. Duke Johnson, Browns

Unfortunately for Duke Johnson, he joins the Cleveland Browns already muddy backfield. He will compete with sophomores Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell for the starting job. Given how both West and Crowell split carries throughout 2014, there is no clear “lead dog” for the Browns. The Browns did bulk up their offensive line by drafting Cameron Erving, so that is a benefit. Watch the training camp news closely to see who is making a name for themselves.

9. Javorius Allen, Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens made many more off-the-field headlines at the running back position in 2014 than they would like thanks to the Ray Rice saga. On the plus side, Justin Forsett earned my unofficial “Waiver Wire Pickup of the Year” award. It isn’t often a player in his seventh pro season, on his fifth different team, has a breakout year like Forsett had last season. Let’s see if Forsett can repeat his 2014 numbers or if he turns out to be a one-year wonder. Lorenzo Taliaferro did not do much with his opportunity as the primary backup. Much like David Cobb mentioned above, Javorious Allen could be in line for significant carries if Forsett falters.

10. Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers

One of my sneaky late picks this year will be Cameron Artis-Payne as he joins the miserable Carolina Panthers back field. With the departure of DeAngelo Williams, Artis-Payne steps in as the immediate backup to Jonathan Stewart. It is no mystery that Stewart has a long injury history, so Artis-Payne is in position for a nice opportunity if (when?) Stewart misses time. With Cam Newton at quarterback, there is always the threat of him tucking the ball and running himself. However, Artis-Payne is a bowling ball at running back, so he can provide some instant relief for Newton, who has been the most hit quarterback over the last four years.

Potential Sleepers / Dynasty Prospects

Jay Ajayi, Dolphins

Running back Lamar Miller could have some stiff competition in 2015, not only from teammate Damien Williams, but from rookie Jay Ajayi. We cannot overlook the fact that Ajayi has some knee issues that caused his stock to sharply drop in the NFL Draft. If his knee issues go away, Ajayi could overtake Miller, if not in 2015, then in 2016. He is a good risk-reward prospect for dynasty leagues.

Matt Jones, Redskins

With the departure of Roy Helu, Matt Jones immediately steps in as the backup to Alfred Morris in Washington. Jones is a big, physical, downhill back. Morris is a free agent after this upcoming season, so Jones has the opportunity to step up and prove himself as the future for the Redskins. Also, Washington drafted huge offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, so he will help the run game for Morris and Jones.

Jeremy Langford, Bears

With Matt Forte entering the last year of his contract, he will want to be paid big money as he has been one of the most consistently productive running backs in the NFL. The Chicago Bears are well aware of the situation, and also the fact Forte will be 30 at year’s end. The Bears are preparing for a future without Forte by further developing sophomore Ka’Deem Carey and drafting Jeremy Langford. With Carey not showing the coaches too much in 2014 and recently acquired Jacquizz Rodgers likely only around one year, Langford has all of the 2015 season to prove he more than capable of handling the workload that might be left vacant by Forte.

Top 2015 Rookies Series

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Defensive Players

Filed Under: Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Dynasty League Rookie Mock Draft—Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon First Off The Board?

May 5, 2015 By Dave 1 Comment

Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon, who should go fisrt in fantasy football dynasty rookie drafts? Gurley has an edge in talent. Gordon has an edge in situation, and isn't rehabbing a torn ACL. And the pick is...

Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon, who should go first in fantasy football dynasty rookie drafts? Gurley has an edge in talent. Gordon has an edge in situation, and isn’t rehabbing a torn ACL. And the pick is…

The NFL Draft is in the books, and as a result many fantasy football dynasty owners are coming out of short hibernation to get their league rookie-only drafts underway. These are the golden children of the fantasy football landscape. The next superstars in the making to set your dynasty team on the winning path for years to come.

Who is the next Odell Beckham Jr. or Jeremy Hill? Who is the next Bishop Sankey, Tavon Austin or Cordarrelle Patterson? Hmm…

While dynasty owners have stars in their eyes for the incoming rookie class, it is always good to keep things in perspective. Early returns on last year’s class are very good, but that was very likely an exceptional year. It isn’t like that every year.

Very good and even great players emerge each season, and the rookies are a good place to start searching for those, but if your fellow owners are gaga for some of these guys and you can parlay it into a bounty of future draft picks, then you have to consider it.

All that said, we still have to think about the short and long-term fantasy outlook for this crop of rookies, and judge how they should be valued or ranked relative to their peers. Here is a three round, 12-team mock draft that does exactly that.

Round 1

1. RB Melvin Gordon, Chargers

While Gordon rates a hair below Todd Gurley in pure ability, he gets to join a Chargers offense that is light years ahead of where the Rams are, in particular at quarterback and along the offensive line.

2. RB Todd Gurley, Rams

One highlight is all it takes to see that Gurley is a special player. However, he is coming off a torn ACL and joins a Rams team with major issues along the offensive line and which currently only has two players that would rate as starters on most NFL teams.

3. WR Amari Cooper, Raiders

The choice between Cooper and Kevin White amounts to polish vs. potential. We’re going with polish and also recognizing that, while David Carr currently rates below Jay Cutler, we like the long term quarterback potential more in Oakland than we do in Chicago.

4. WR Kevin White, Bears

White has potential superstar written all over him but it was a little disconcerting to notice that, despite his blazing speed, his highlight reel didn’t show a player capable of gaining consistent separation.

5. WR DeVante Parker, Dolphins

At some point, Parker will emerge as the Dolphins top wide receiver and it just might happen during his rookie season. Of all of the Dolphins receivers, he is the only one who possesses the ability to emerge as a long term top wideout. The only caveat here is quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s lack of touch on the deep ball.

6. RB Tevin Coleman, Falcons

While not the shiftiest running back, Coleman possesses blazing speed and a willingness to take on opposing tacklers. He fits best in a zone blocking scheme and has a clear lane to a starting position with only the disappointing Devonta Freeman ahead of him.

7. WR Breshad Perriman, Ravens

Let’s run down the check marks: good size, outstanding speed, opportunity to start from Day 1. Yep, Perriman has all that and a strong armed quarterback in Joe Flacco that is a good fit to Perriman’s ability to make plays down the field. He may struggle early but he has tremendous upside.

8. RB T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars

The good news is that Yeldon has a chance to open the season as a starter with Jacksonville. The bad news is that Yeldon was drafted by Jacksonville. While Yeldon lacks the upside of some of his fellow rookie running backs, as the third running back taken in the draft, he will be in the starting line up early in the season, if not on opening day.

9. WR Nelson Agholor, Eagles

Agholor possesses solid, not outstanding speed and lacks ideal size at 6’1” and 190 pounds. While he can line up outside, he may spend most of his time working out of the slot and that would limit his upside.

10. WR Jaelen Strong, Texans

By all accounts, the Texans got a steal by selecting Strong in the 3rd round of the draft. While DeAndre Hopkins is entrenched as the team’s leading wide receiver, Strong figures to unseat Cecil Shorts for a starting position by mid-season.

11. RB Jeremy Langford, Bears

While Matt Forte is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, initial reports indicate that Langford is unlikely to be viewed as a potential long term replacement should Forte leave Chicago.

12. WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans

Green-Beckham has solid upside and comparisons to Brandon Marshall and Kelvin Benjamin are warranted. However, the Titans in general lack leadership and this pick would look a whole lot better if the team had a veteran wide receiver to mentor him. This is as boom or bust as it gets.

Round 2

1. RB Matt Jones, Redskins

Doesn’t possess major upside but, with Alfred Morris scheduled for free agency at season’s end, could have an opportunity to start in 2016.

2. RB Jay Ajayi, Dolphins

Miami’s backfield is devoid of depth and they had little choice but to end Ajayi’s draft freefall in the 5th round. He has little chance of supplanting Lamar Miller in 2015.

3. TE Maxx Williams, Ravens

Williams is a talented player and the Ravens draft well so there is a solid chance that he will have a long, productive career provided he remains healthy. I would have him ranked higher except for the fact that there are so many tight ends that fit within a certain tier of ability that there isn’t a need to use a high pick on Williams unless you think he will emerge as a superstar. The track record at TE for that is not happening is not stellar.

4. RB Ameer Abdullah, Lions

Not that big, not that fast, Abdullah will most likely work as a chance of pace and receiving option in his rookie year. However, the 2nd round pick has a chance to take over for Joique Bell as early as next season provided he can prove adept at running between the tackles. He will almost certainly never emerge as a workhorse type back.

5. WR Devin Funchess, Panthers

His selection by Carolina in the 2nd round rates as a head scratcher as he is basically a slightly less talented version of 2014 1st round pick Kelvin Benjamin.

6. WR Chris Conley, Chiefs

By now you’ve heard that Kansas City wide receivers failed to catch a single touchdown pass last season and Jeremy Maclin was brought in from Philadelphia to lead the rebuilding project. Well, Conley rates as the second piece of the project and he has a decent chance to emerge as a starter in his rookie season.

7. RB David Johnson, Cardinals

There are two narratives on Johnson. One is that he rates as Andre Ellington’s replacement in Arizona’s starting lineup. The other is that he’s strictly a soft running, 224 lb. backup with little upside.

8. RB David Cobb, Titans

While many are going to predict that Cobb has a chance to supplant second year player Bishop Sankey in the starting lineup, it says here that he is more likely to force Shonn Greene off the roster.

9. WR Sammie Coates, Steelers

Coates has some pretty serious talent and upside for a 3rd round pick but alas the path to playing time in Pittsburgh is somewhat blocked with Antonio Brown and a pair of productive youngsters in Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton in the way.

10. WR Phillip Dorsett, Colts

Not sure why the Colts felt the need to add Dorsett unless there are some concerns about T.Y. Hilton’s availability. We don’t see much of a role for him in 2015 especially since the Colts often line up in two tight end sets.

Jameis Winston

Yep, he went there.

11. QB Jameis Winston, Bucs

With so many solid fantasy options at quarterback, it just doesn’t make sense to reach for one in dynasty rookie drafts. Especially one with Winston’s checkered past and concerns of maturity issues. And he’s joining the Bucs, who just can’t seem to ever get it right.

12. QB Marcus Mariota, Titans

You have to be skeptical of his ability to transfer his college strengths to the pros, especially if coach Ken Whisenhunt fails to appropriately tailor his deep passing offensive philosophy. And where exactly are the playmakers on the Titans offense to help shoulder the load?

Round 3

1. RB Duke Johnson, Browns

Johnson has some serious agility skills but in Cleveland he will likely operate as a change of pace, receiving back behind Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West in an offense that will struggle to move the ball.

2. RB Javorius Allen, Ravens

Allen will enter training camp fighting with Lorenzo Taliaferro for the top spot behind Baltimore’s lead back, Justin Forsett.

3. WR Devin Smith, Jets

Smith’s solid speed and big play ability fill an obvious need in the Jets offense but new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s affinity for short and intermediate throws don’t bode well for Smith’s target count as a rookie nor does the presence of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker.

4. RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers

Aging Mike Tolbert is joined by a cast of retreads on Carolina’s depth chart behind Jonathan Stewart. Artis-Payne could emerge as Stewart’s handcuff, making him a potential contributor given Stewart’s lengthy injury history.

5. WR Ty Montgomery, Packers

Any wide receiver selected by Green Bay in the 3rd round warrants fantasy consideration. It’s just hard to predict much of a role for him until Jordy Nelson departs since Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are young, productive players.

6. TE Clive Walford, Raiders

A late-comer to football, Walford lacks the speed necessary to emerge as an upper tier tight end. However, he figures to ascend to the starting lineup early in his career.

7. WR Vince Mayle, Browns

Despite the abundance of talent at the wide receiver position in each of the last two drafts, Cleveland failed to address the position last year and waited until the 4th round this year before draft Mayle, who shapes up as a possession receiver.

8. RB Mike Davis, 49ers

While San Francisco’s current running back depth chart runs three deep with Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter, there is a decent chance that only Hyde will return to the team for the 2016 season, giving Davis a shot at earning some carries in 2016.

9. QB Bryce Petty, Jets

Geno Smith isn’t the answer and Ryan Fitzpatrick has never been the answer either. Petty likely redshirts as a rookie in 2015 with a chance to start next season.

10. WR Tyler Lockett, Seahawks

I have pretty much zero faith in the Seahawks ability to either develop or properly utilize their wide receivers. It’s that point in the draft, folks.

11. WR Rashad Greene, Jaguars

Despite having a solid trio of promising second year wide receivers, Jacksonville added Greene to the mix as their 5th round pick. Puzzling.

12. QB Sean Mannion, Rams

Recently acquired starter Nick Foles isn’t signed beyond this year and will need a solid season to earn a new contract. Given the current state of the team’s wide receivers and offensive line, the odds of that happening aren’t great.

2015 Early Rankings Series

Top 150 | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Rookie-Only Mock Draft

Filed Under: Fantasy Football

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