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Matt Bowen
Yearly, the NFL draft ushers new expertise into the league, which offers fantasy soccer managers new names to take a position on. The potential these gamers possess and when they’re anticipated to obtain the chance to supply is what separates the rookies it’s best to take into account drafting from these you will want to be extra affected person with.
This yr’s draft wasn’t as star-studded on offense within the early rounds like final yr’s was, significantly at quarterback, however there was high quality depth at operating again, huge receiver and tight finish all through. Listed here are the highest gamers who’re in place to supply viable numbers in redraft leagues of various sizes, adopted by these greatest seen as dynasty targets.
Redraft leagues
Quarterbacks
An enormous-arm thrower with motion expertise and the creativity to work outdoors of construction, Ward is a strong match for the Titans’ offense. Ward has a high goal in receiver Calvin Ridley, tight finish Chig Okonkwo can produce after the catch and the crew signed veteran Tyler Lockett. Plus, there’s a dual-threat component with backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Sure, Ward should play with extra rhythm as a professional passer, however he has beginning worth in 2QB/superflex codecs with the flexibility to climb the QB2 ranks.
Working backs
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
A difference-maker with house run capability and elite contact steadiness, Jeanty steps into the lead position within the Raiders backfield beneath offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. In his ultimate season at Boise State, Jeanty’s 2,601 speeding yards and 126 pressured missed tackles led the nation, and he ought to see constant utilization as a receiver on backfield releases. Given his high-end traits and the anticipated weekly quantity in Vegas, Jeanty is able to produce RB1 numbers as a rookie.
Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Judkins is a bodily runner who can drop the hammer on contact together with his 221-pound body. In Cleveland’s system, Judkins can get north/south in hole schemes, plus he has the imaginative and prescient and lateral quickness to select his lanes on zone ideas. He is constructed for the objective line, too, with the short-area burst to dart by means of cracks. Judkins ought to take over because the lead runner, which places him on a path to supply RB2 numbers.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton delivers physique punches at 6-feet, 221 kilos, and he can get rolling together with his pads sq. on a downhill observe. The lower-body energy is there to run by means of contact and push the pile, and Hampton can lower to sunlight when the partitions begin to shut. A succesful receiver who produced large performs on screens and swings at North Carolina, Hampton can submit lower-end RB2 numbers this season in a backfield timeshare with Najee Harris.
Harvey is decisive with the ball, utilizing his compact, 5-foot-8, 205-pound body and speak to steadiness to run by means of defenders. Plus, Harvey dropped a 4.40 40-yard sprint on the mix. He is received some juice. And remember about coach Sean Payton’s capability to scheme for the operating again within the go recreation. Harvey has the make-up of an RB2 in his rookie season.
Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
At 6-1 and 224 kilos, with straight-line acceleration and imaginative and prescient, Johnson is a straightforward match for the surface zone scheme in Pittsburgh. Johnson had 21 rushes of 20 or extra yards final season at Iowa, the second most within the nation behind Ashton Jeanty, and he can submit receiving numbers on swings, screens and unders. Johnson will share the backfield with Jaylen Warren, however the early-down quantity can push him into the RB2 ranks.
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
A slasher with big-play juice and the pass-catching expertise to supply on third downs, Henderson will share the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson in New England. Henderson caught 46 passes over his ultimate two seasons at Ohio State, and he can function as a matchup goal for quarterback Drake Maye. With the anticipated quantity right here, Henderson has upside as a flex play this season.
Skattebo could have a possibility to maneuver previous Devin Singletary and tackle the No. 2 position behind starter Tyrone Tracy Jr. Skattebo makes up for his lack of top-end pace with wonderful contact steadiness and foot quickness to increase performs on the bottom. Skattebo additionally added 605 yards on 45 receptions at Arizona State final season. He could have fantasy worth as a rookie if he works his means into the rotation.
Marks has the elusive capability to seek out openings in tight quarters, whereas making defenders miss in area. Nevertheless it’s his receiving expertise that put him on the fantasy radar because the No. 2 behind Joe Mixon. Marks, who caught 47 passes final season at USC, has flex potential in deeper PPR leagues.
The Cowboys signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this offseason. Nevertheless, Blue’s 4.38 pace and matchup capability as a receiver might permit him to see reps within the Dallas backfield. At 5-9, 196 kilos, Blue is greatest suited to press the ball to the sides as a runner, whereas he wins on backfield releases. He is a late-round goal with upside in PPR leagues.
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Sampson is an instinctive runner who can emerge as a change-of-pace slasher in Cleveland. Regardless of his smaller body at 5-8 and 200 kilos, Sampson led the SEC with 22 touchdowns, and he’s very decisive close to the objective line. Sampson might want to increase his route tree as a professional, however he might earn early touches in Cleveland behind Judkins and Jerome Ford. Preserve Sampson on the fantasy radar as a possible late-round choose.
Large receivers
Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Hunter brings a real playmaking component to Liam Coen’s system. A sudden mover after the catch, with electrical capability within the open subject, Hunter additionally has elite ball expertise and physique management on the catch level. Working reverse of Brian Thomas Jr., Hunter has the traits to raise the Jags’ offense. Whereas his complete snap rely on offense remains to be to be decided, Hunter doubtlessly has a WR2 ceiling.
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
Extra clean than quick, McMillan can play as a boundary X in Carolina or create inside matchups from the slot. Along with his 6-4 body, McMillan can play above the rim on contested throws, and he has a great really feel for locating open voids versus zone ideas. McMillan will play a quantity position as a rookie, which creates a WR3 ground.
Matthew Golden, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Along with his 4.29 pace and ball-tracking capability, Golden brings a playmaking talent set to Matt LaFleur’s offense. Final season at Texas, Golden led the nation with 23 receptions of 20 or extra yards, plus he can work the beneath ranges of the route tree from a number of alignments. With Christian Watson nonetheless recovering from a knee harm, Golden can emerge shortly as a goal for quarterback Jordan Love. Golden tasks as an upside WR3.
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans
Higgins (6-4, 214 kilos) has the formation flex to play on the perimeter or align within the slot. He is a pure hands-catcher, and he shows the physique management to complete performs. Higgins additionally had eight crimson zone landing grabs final season at Iowa State. The Texans signed Christian Kirk in free company, and we all know Nico Collins is the highest goal. However with Tank Dell recovering from a knee harm, Higgins could have alternatives to supply some WR3 weeks.
Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
A movement/motion participant with upper-tier catch-and-run traits, Burden could be schemed up in Ben Johnson’s offense. Along with operating multilevel routes from the slot and perimeter, Burden can produce on screens and fly sweeps. He should compete for targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland, however he has the playmaking expertise to submit breakout weeks.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A receiver with inside/outdoors flexibility, Egbuka is a clean route runner who can uncover and make himself obtainable to the quarterback. Plus, Egbuka is aggressive after the catch. He joins a crowded huge receiver room with established veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, whereas Jalen McMillan caught eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. This might restrict his quantity, however Egbuka remains to be price a late-round choose.
Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders
Bech is a savvy route runner with the power to play by means of contact in any respect three ranges, and he can rip by means of tacklers after the catch. Bech will see targets because the third possibility within the go recreation reverse of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, however the Raiders’ run-heavy strategy might restrict his season totals.
Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Harris (6-2, 205) has the profile to play on the boundary as an X receiver. He’s a vertical glider on deep-ball throws, and he can win beneath on three-step ideas, utilizing his bodily play type after the catch to maneuver the chains. If Harris can transfer previous veteran Mike Williams, he’ll carry some late-round worth in drafts.
Tight ends
Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
A bodily and rugged mover who can work the center of the sector and produce after the catch, Warren elevates the Colts’ go recreation from a wide range of pre-snap alignments. He could be focused as an beneath outlet for both Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, plus he can work the inside seams. Along with his anticipated utilization, Warren has top-10 upside on the place.
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
At 6-foot-6, 248 kilos, Loveland makes use of his foot quickness and route-running expertise to work each a part of the sector, and he presents points for opposing defenses out of a slot alignment. Search for Ben Johnson to scheme matchups for Loveland, who suits as a TE2 with streaming upside in Chicago’s upgraded offense.
Dynasty targets
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
Dart can throw with anticipation and contact to the intermediate areas of the sector, whereas he delivers the deep ball with tempo. A superb mover with the flexibility to increase performs, Dart will even create speeding totals to your lineup. He is a future starter with fantasy upside.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Houston Texans
Noel has the lateral quickness to beat press protection, and his play pace jumps on crossers and over routes. Noel is a straightforward mover out of the slot who can create explosive performs on account of his separation capability. And within the Texans’ new offensive system, he’ll get extra free entry off the ball.
Kyle Williams, New England Patriots
A dynamic and explosive goal, Williams brings some much-needed juice to New England. He can get excessive of defensive backs and is a fast accelerator beneath on catch-and-run throws. He’s a future playmaker.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Arroyo is a fluid mover within the open subject with the buildup pace to tack on numbers after the catch, and he has the profile to be utilized as a “transfer” tight finish beneath offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Arroyo ought to slot-in because the No. 2 tight finish for the Seahawks behind starter Noah Fant.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten joins Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby within the operating again room. If Tuten can emerge in camp and create an outlined position, he’s a reputation to watch given his 4.32 pace and residential run capability.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets
A pure hands-catcher with a 6-5 body and motion expertise, Taylor is a creating route runner with future upside within the Jets’ system. Taylor has proven the flexibility to work the seams, he can get free on play-action ideas, and he’s prepared to work the heavy visitors areas of the sector.
Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints
Shough drives the ball to all ranges of the sector, plus he can throw with tempo and contact to focus on zone home windows. There may be sufficient pocket mobility right here to navigate visitors, too, although Shough should present a higher sense of calm versus stress. For now, he is a reputation to maintain on the fantasy radar.
Jalen Royals, WR, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
A clean route runner with the protection consciousness to seek out open grass, Royals could make performs in contested home windows, and he’ll compete after the catch, too. Royals has the traits to be a productive goal in Andy Reid’s offense.
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints
Neal lacks big-play pace, however at 5-11, 213 kilos, he can play on a downhill observe to run between the tackles or win in short-yardage conditions. Plus, Neal can create on his personal on account of his imaginative and prescient and footwork. A future play right here because the potential successor to Alvin Kamara.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Milroe has the arm power to assault vertically and his high-end dual-threat expertise will create battle for professional defenses on designed rushes and scramble makes an attempt. Milroe might want to enhance his accuracy as a thrower, however he has a excessive ceiling in dynasty codecs.
DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
A affected person and managed runner with professional dimension (6-foot, 212), Giddens makes use of his imaginative and prescient and lateral quickness to create in tight quarters. He should present extra energy on contact as a professional, however he has the traits to be a productive NFL runner.
Jordan James, RB, San Francisco 49ers
A robust mover who additionally shows the cease/begin capability to get by means of the inside wash, James can profit from coach Kyle Shanahan’s schemed-up run recreation. He is a future goal who can deal with a heavy workload and produce close to the objective line.
Trevor Etienne, RB, Carolina Panthers
Etienne is a dual-threat again with the flexibility to make defenders miss. His pass-catching upside might earn him reps as a rookie, however Etienne will begin third on the depth chart behind Chuba Hubbard and free agent addition Rico Dowdle.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns
An correct thrower with pocket poise and toughness, Sanders is a very good match for coach Kevin Stefanski’s play-action-heavy go recreation. Sanders joins a crowded QB room in Cleveland, so his worth stays in dynasty codecs for now.
Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears
A high-energy runner with sudden footwork, Monangai can ship physique blows on contact together with his 5-8, 211-pound body, and he has the short-area burst to assault the second degree in a rush. Monangai begins his journey far down on the depth chart in Chicago, however he was drafted by new head coach Ben Johnson.
Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos
A bodily, 6-foot-2 receiver who can play by means of contact, Bryant is a excessive riser with big-time ball expertise. He does not have elite top-end pace, however he did catch 10 touchdowns final season at Illinois, and he can function as a possession goal from perimeter or slot alignments.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
Fannin led the nation with 117 receptions final season at Bowling Inexperienced, which included 19 complete grabs in video games versus Penn State and Texas A&M. Fannin is a really linear mover, however he performs with savvy protection consciousness and exhibits the aggressive toughness to submit numbers after the catch.
Jarquez Hunter, RB, Los Angeles Rams
A forceful runner at 5-foot-9 and 204 kilos, Hunter invitations contact — and runs by means of it. He checked in with a 4.44 40-yard sprint time on the mix, and he’s a powerful match for a Rams run recreation that has change into extra gap-heavy.
Savion Williams, WR, Inexperienced Bay Packers
A participant within the mildew of Cordarrelle Patterson, Williams is a flexible expertise with pace and physicality. He works totally different ranges of the route tree with explosive capability after the catch, and he can see touches from backfield alignments, too. He is a creator with the ball in his arms.
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
A decisive, downhill runner who can deal with the workload between the tackles, Gordon has the pop and energy in his pads to grind out yards. He suits greatest in a rotational backfield the place he can deal with the early-down carries.
