And just like that, the 2021 NFL Draft is over, and we continue to comb through the wreckage. Next up, fantasy rankings! Below is my ranking for my top 10 fantasy rookies, in terms of the impact they'll have THIS year. If you want Fantasy Dynasty Rankings...with a more long-term view, may I recommend the Dynasty Command Center podcast? Great choice. Here you go!
- Najee Harris RB Pittsburgh
- This one is obvious, he goes to an offense that desperately needs him to be effective as a runner. He can catch passes, he's a bruiser, the true definition of a 3-down back. Not only is he going to be effective, but I'd take him in the top half of round 2 of a 12-team league, as it stands today.
- Travis Etienne RB Jaguars
- You'll have to wait for this one to pay off a bit, but there's already an instant connection with his QB, and as good as Robinson was last year, he's not the home-run threat that Etienne is. Still, a pretty steep drop from 1 to 2 in my opinion.
- Ja'Marr Chase WR Bengals
- I'm usually not too high on rookie WR's but we've seen they can be productive. I give you OBJ, AJ Brown, Justin Jefferson...and more. Chase already has built in rapport with Burrow and he fits into this offense like a glove. Higgins is the red-zone guy, Boyd is the intermediate guy, Chase is everything in between.
- Javonte Williams RB Broncos
- If 40's the new 30, then the 2nd round is the new 1st round for RB's. Meaning...the Broncos aren't spending the draft capitol on Williams they did, without giving him the ball. Sorry Melvin Gordon truthers.
- DeVonta Smith WR Eagles
- I literally don't know where else Jalen Hurts is going to throw the ball, he could be a PPR beast.
- Kyle Pitts TE Falcons
- He moves up to probably 4 for me if Julio Jones gets traded, until then, he'll be limited in his target share.
- Trevor Lawrence QB Jags
- We forget because they only won 1 game, but the Jags actually have good WR's. I think Lawrence will finish the year as a top 12 QB.
- Trey Sermon RB 49ers
- Perfect fit. This is a team that likes to run A LOT. Last year, between injuries and game planning, there were 4 RB's on this team that had fantasy value last year. I think Sermon will prove to be their best back by the end of the year.
- Michael Carter RB Jets
- He has no real competition in that backfield and some analysts thought he was the 2nd most talented RB in this group outside of Najee Harris.
- Jaylen Waddle WR Phins
- This is purely an upside play. If Tua takes the next step this year, it'll be Waddle and Fuller who benefit the most. The question mark there is whether or not that happens. This isn't a team that likes to throw a ton. Safer plays @ the 10 spot would be Terrace Marshall (CAR) and Amari Rodgers (GB)
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