2015 Fantasy Football Rookies Poised to Break Out in Year One: AFC
There are a ton of rookie options to sift through for fantasy this season, but many of them won’t see much action until next year. That’s fine for dynasty leagues, but in redrafts, we don’t have time to wait for players to develop – We need big action from the get-go. Here I’ve compiled a shortlist of the first year offensive skill players who stand to make the biggest impacts in fantasy this season:
Amari Cooper WR, Raiders: Cooper is one of the more obvious first-year impact players. As Derek Carr’s likely go-to option for jump street, he’ll flirt with 80 to 90 catches. We like Cooper most in PPR formats.
Clive Walford TE, Raiders: We’ve seen what a less-than-stellar TE option can do in a talent-starved offense with Mychal Rivera last year, and though Amari Cooper will be a target hog, Walford (a member of the 4th Annual RW All-Senior Bowl Roster) is by most indications going to get his chances early on. He should be a reasonable bye week fill-in later in the season.
DeVante Parker WR, Dolphins: Parker shouldn’t have a hard time unseating Greg Jennings, and when he does, he should stay on the field as a player who can work as a possession guy or deep threat. I don’t expect eye-popping numbers this years, but he will be serviceable.
Javorius Allen RB, Ravens: Allen is behind Justin Forsett right now, but he has the size and hands to stay on the field. In need of playmakers, the Ravens will get creative with him. Allen is especially sneaky in PPR leagues and could get early work as a goal-line option.
Breshad Perriman WR, Ravens: Perriman should step in right where Torrey Smith left off, as Marc Trestman loves to throw the ball and the staff wants to limit Steve Smith Sr.’s action to keep him fresh. Perriman stands to have the best year of all rookies at the WR position.
Maxx Williams TE, Ravens: The Ravens are chock-full of rookie prospects this season, and GM Ozzie Newsome expects Williams to be a big contributor on third downs and redzone plays. If I’m going to own a Ravens TE in redrafts, it’s Williams – Not Dennis Pitta and his bum hip for a much higher price.
Jaelen Strong WR, Texans: With only the oft-hobbled Cecil Shorts in the way of his becoming the No. 2 option in Houston, Strong stands a good chance of having some productive, if infrequently so, games. I’d like him a lot more this year if the Texans had more solid options at QB.
T.J. Yeldon RB, Jaguars: The Jaguars have a slew of potential RBs, but they’re intent on making Yeldon the workhorse in Jacksonville. He’s going to get a ton of touches in a less than intimidating AFC South. He’d be the first rookie RB I would take in redraft leagues.
Marcus Mariota QB, Titans: We barely knew ye Zach Mettenberger, but you’re taking a backseat to Mariota for the near and presumably distant future. (Even if you end up fighting him to the death.) Mariota has all the tools to succeed with a plethora of WR options, an expensive and high-end offensive line that seems finally healthy as a unit and a reinforced running game thanks to the addition of David Cobb. It’s comforting to know that the coaching staff is planning on adjusting the offense to Mariota’s strengths, which include running the ball. I love QBs who can run in fantasy, as should you.
David Cobb RB, Titans: Cobb is already Tennessee’s best back and I’m fairly sure the Titans agree with me. Bishop Sankey will be on a short leash and Cobb will get every opportunity to thrive. As a big back with able hands, Cobb should feast in fantasy.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Titans: The Titans are not long on potential at the WR spot, and DGB has the highest ceiling of all of them. Whether he can put it together on the field is a major question mark. Should he get his head on straight, and I believe he will, DGB could be the AFC South’s version of A.J. Green at the end of Mariota’s arm.
Melvin Gordon RB, Chargers: Most would argue that Gordon is going to be the AFC’s most productive rookie RB, and he may well be, but I gave that early designation to Yeldon because I think Gordon is going to come off the field in certain situations more often. That being said, Gordon is a home-run hitter every time he gets the ball in his hands, and is more than worthy of an early draft pick.