Three weeks have already passed since the 2016 NFL Draft, and rookies are in the process of signing multimillion-dollar deals for the first time in their lives and preparing to prove their worth on the football field. Some rookies will need some time to develop before turning into elite pro athletes, while others will be able to jump right into a starting role.
It’s not too early to start looking ahead to the 2016 fantasy football season. The players on this list put up huge numbers in college that would make any fantasy football lover’s mouth water. Here’s to hoping that success translates into the NFL and these rookies can lead your fantasy team into the playoffs.
8. Jared Goff (LA – QB)
The only quarterback on the list, Goff is considered the most pro-ready QB in this draft class. The Los Angeles Rams bet the house to trade up and draft Ryan Gosling’s doppelganger, so they’re hoping to see immediate results from the California Golden Bears star. Goff has a monster arm and pinpoint accuracy, drawing comparisons from Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers, two fantasy QB1s.
In 2015, Goff threw for 4,714 yards with a 64.5 completion percentage, and his incredible 43-to-13 touchdown-to-interception ratio helped him climb draft boards throughout the season. The Rams organization is putting its trust in Goff, but he will have to fend off Case Keenum and Nick Foles for the starting position. There are 31 other viable fantasy QB options, but as he continues his career in California and second-year running back Todd Gurley anchors his backfield, Goff has the tools to develop into a fantasy stud pretty quickly.
7. Tyler Boyd (CIN – WR)
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, this do-it-all prototype has the potential to make a very early impact in Cincinnati. Boyd is joining a team that lost its second and third receivers in the offseason and has a fiery, young quarterback who is coming off a career-best season. He will likely compete with former New England Patriot Brandon LaFell to line up opposite A.J. Green. Boyd should have no problem at either second or third string, though. He is basically a Mohamed Sanu 2.0, the Bengals versatile slot receiver for the past several years.
In 2015, Boyd recorded 91 catches for 926 yards and 6 touchdowns at Pittsburgh. He also rushed 40 times for 349 yards. He will be a late-round pick, but his fantasy value will skyrocket if the Bengals take advantage of his skillset.
6. Laquon Treadwell (MIN – WR)
Arguably the best receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft, Treadwell’s status dropped after a slow 40-yard dash time at his Ole Miss pro day. He quickly dropped to the fourth wide receiver taken off the board, but he landed in a very good spot. The Minnesota Vikings needed a receiver and they snatched the last first-round-worthy receiver off the board before anyone else could. Treadwell is a natural hands catcher and one of the best blocking receivers in the draft, which Adrian Peterson will enjoy.
In 2015, Treadwell caught 82 passes for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he threw for a touchdown. Treadwell will easily step into the second receiver role behind 2015 standout Stefon Diggs. The Vikings are a run-heavy team with future Hall-of-Famer Adrian Peterson in the backfield and the inconsistent Teddy Bridgewater throwing the ball. Diggs and Treadwell should make for an excellent receiving duo, however. Treadwell should be at least a WR2 in fantasy football in 2016.
5. Derrick Henry (TEN – RB)
This kid is huge. At 6-3, 242 lbs, Henry won the Heisman Trophy and led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2015. Somehow, with his mammoth stature, Henry can turn on the jets and blow past defenses or run straight through them. Christian McCaffrey gave him a run for his money in the Heisman voting, but Henry certainly deserved it. In Tennessee, he will be joining another former Heisman Trophy winner in QB Marcus Mariota.
In 2015, Henry finished his award-winning season with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Heisman winners are hit or miss in the NFL, and Henry will have to battle for carries early. The Tennessee Titans picked up 2014 rushing champion DeMarco Murray in the offseason. He was expected to be the next Chris Johnson in Tennessee, but now that Henry is a Titan, the two will split carries. Running back tandems and committees are usually a bad fantasy sign, but this might give Henry more time to develop and overtake Murray as the starter by the end of the season.
4. Michael Thomas (NO – WR)
This stud paired with Braxton Miller made for a deadly combination at Ohio State last season. The New Orleans Saints said goodbye to long-time Saints receiver Marques Colston, opening up a spot for Michael Thomas to slide right in. Playing for the Saints is prime wide receiver real estate simply because 2015’s passing leader Drew Brees is at the helm. Thomas will have the opportunity to become one of Brees’s most favorable targets, especially with the departure of tight end Ben Watson.
In 2015, Thomas caught 56 passes for 781 yards and 9 touchdowns on a team that heavily favored the run game with Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield. On the Saints in 2016, he will have to split targets with Brandin Cooks and other receivers, but he seems like a viable mid-to-late fantasy option.
3. Will Fuller (HOU – WR)
The Houston Texans had a shaky 2015 season, especially at the quarterback position, but somehow landed in the playoffs. This offseason, they believe they found their franchise QB in Brock Osweiler, and they picked up a top running back in Lamar Miller. Fuller will ride into Houston as the projected second-string wide receiver already, meaning he will see a lot of action.
In 2015, Fuller recorder 62 catches for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, the Texans love to run the ball, especially with Miller anchoring the backfield in 2016. Plus, number one receiver DeAndre Hopkins will draw most of Osweiler’s targets. Fuller does have an extreme upside, especially if Hopkins gets injured. Fuller is a viable WR2 or flex option, particularly in PPR leagues.
2. Corey Coleman (CLE – WR)
A good fantasy player on the Cleveland Browns? Things are changing in today’s NFL, or at least the Browns hope so. It seemed like every other day Cleveland lost another player to free agency, including their top receiver Travis Benjamin. Coleman should step right in and have an immediate impact for the Browns and show immediate fantasy value. The Baylor standout will most likely see split time from two quarterbacks, veteran Josh McCown and fellow Baylor alum Robert Griffin III. Whoever wins the starting QB job will love Coleman.
In 2015, the All-American caught 74 balls for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is a dynamic playmaker who will have no problem finding the endzone and racking up some fantasy points.
1. Ezekiel Elliott (DAL – RB)
The next Emmitt Smith? Why not the first Ezekiel Elliott? He is quite the character, and he landed in the perfect situation. Elliott is one of the most highly regarded rookie running backs in recent history, and his new offensive line is arguably the best in the NFL. Running back is the most important position in fantasy football, and fantasy team owners who slotted late in the first round or early second of the draft should be licking their chops for this pick.
Elliott tore opponents to pieces, rushing for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2015. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting and caused a rule change for wearing his jersey halfway rolled up to reveal his abs. In Dallas, Elliott will join a veteran quarterback in Tony Romo and top-tier wide receiver in Dez Bryant, both coming off injuries. He will also have to split carries with other members of the crowded Cowboy backfield, newly acquired Alfred Morris and last year’s leading rusher in Dallas Darren McFadden. There are concerns about a running back committee ruining Elliott’s fantasy value, but even with limited carries the bruiser will make a respectable fantasy season following his stellar offensive line.