The wide receiver class of 2017 was top heavy, having 3 players drafted in the top 10. After that, things aren’t so clear cut. While the talent is still good, many of the players after the top 3 have some refining and learning to do at the NFL level. We break down the rookie fantasy impact for the most fantasy worthy players.
With the NFL draft behind us, it is now time to turn our attention to the upcoming fantasy football season. In the near future, many leagues will start drafting in their rookie, dynasty and redraft leagues. We rank the top rookies from each skill position (RB, WR, TE, QB) and give brief synopsis of how they should be viewed heading into your drafts. Rookie impacts are generated based on player skill, opportunity, situation and projected team performance. While our rankings below can be used for all formats, we will rank them primarily for the 2017 season and a separate dynasty rankings will soon follow.
Rookie Fantasy Impact: Running Backs
Rookie Fantasy Impact: Tight Ends
Rookie Fantasy Impact: Quarterbacks
1. Corey Davis, WR, TEN
Corey Davis has the most upside among all wide receivers in this class, and he ended up in an ideal situation. Tennessee is currently working without a #1 WR, and after making Davis the 5th overall pick, he will have a chance to grab that role almost immediately. He still has some growing to do from a football stand point, but will have an immediate impact both for the Titans and for fantasy owners. You could make the argument that he could be the #1 pick in rookie/dynasty drafts just based on his situation alone. He should be the first rookie wide receiver drafted in redraft leagues as well, and you could look to draft him as early as the 4th round.
2. Mike Williams, WR, LAC
The second receiver drafted is also the second on our list. He has the makings of a true NFL wide receiver and will help the chargers on the outside. However, his path may not be as simple as Corey Davis’s. Williams is going to have to compete with Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, and Dontrelle Inman for playing time, but it shouldn’t be long before he’s starting. I currently like Williams in the 6th round of redraft leagues.
3. John Ross, WR, CIN
Ross is going to offer a nice compliment to AJ Green and Tyler Eifert in the Bengals passing attack. He’s not polished as a receiver yet, but his ability to be a major factor in the vertical game is not an issue. My trepidation is that Andy Dalton may not have the arm strength to get him down the field and in stride, possibly leaving leaving yards to be had. Of course, this situation and the chemistry between the two is going to be something that will be worked on extensively in training camp. Ross should start opposite Green immediately and that will result in fantasy production. While he should be drafted in the 6th-7th rounds of redrafts (1st rd in dynasty) , keep in mind that he could have some boom or bust production.
4. Zay Jones, WR, BUF
Sammy Watkins‘s future in Buffalo is in jeopardy and quite frankly they don’t have any other wide receivers to worry about. Jones should be starting for Buffalo immediately and could be the #1 there in a short amount of time if Watkins isn’t back with the team. His opportunity alone makes him an intriguing fantasy play, but the Bills aren’t exactly a passing team.
5. Curtis Samuel, WR, CAR
Between McCaffery and Samuel, the Panthers did a nice job of giving the Cam Newton weapons. I’m interested to see how they will use the two, but my guess is that Samuel sees the majority of his work in the slot. While this will hamper the production of McCaffery a bit, Samuel could be in line to see a good amount of targets right from the start. He’s dynamic enough to break loose and take it all the way at any moment, but I like his value in ppr formats. Look for him at around 9 or 10 and that could end up being steal when we look back on the season.
6. ArDarius Stewart, WR, NYJ
The Jets made a nice selection when they took Stewart in round 3. He’s not flashy, and will never a be a top wide receiver, but he does a lot of things well. His blocking ability has been widely talked about and he’s also not afraid to go through the middle of field. Even though he’s not a burner his breakaway burst after the catch is underrated and he can also be a deep threat when needed. The Jets could also use him out of the backfield and on returns, providing many opportunities to get fantasy production. The more I watch of Stewart the more he reminds me of an Anquan Boldin type player. Not the Boldin early in his career, and not the later years Boldin. Even though he’s on the Jets and the quarterback situation is mess, Stewart is definitely worth a pick in the 2nd half of your drafts. Rookie/Dynasty leagues may want to look at him in the middle of round 2.
7. Taywan Taylor, WR, TEN
After taking Corey Davis in the first round they came right back with another receiver in Taywan Taylor. At under 6 foot with very good speed, Taylor fits best in the slot and could have ppr value early in his career. He needs to work on his catching technique in order to get the playing time however. We should see a rotation between Taylor, Matthews and Sharpe to be playing alongside Corey Davis. Taylor is an early third round pick in dynasty leagues and could be worth a pick in the teens in redraft.
8. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR
I don’t really feel great about any receiver drafted by the Rams. But I’m keeping an open mind because of new Head Coach Sean McVay. Kupp is underrated wide receiver that should be able to come in and make an impact right away for the Rams. He’s not fast but has strong hands and a good route runner. Of course there is going to be an adjustment period and he needs to find other ways to get past NFL corners, since he doesn’t have the speed to go past them. He should be able to contribute as number 2 or 3 NFL wide receiver.
9. Chad Hansen, WR, NYJ
Another Jets player inside the top 10? Yes. They can’t always have a bad quarterback can they? OK, maybe they can, but Hansen is a ball player. Someone that is a vertical threat and goes up and gets the ball. He battles DB’s and usually comes down with the ball in his hands. Even though he is a bit raw (only one full season in college) he demonstrates good field awareness, and can also break loose after making a catch. He’s one of my favorite players from this draft that could emerge as an absolute steal for the New York Jets. There are a lot of young wide receivers in NY, so he’s going to have to earn his playing time in 2017, but his dynasty value looks promising.
10. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, PIT
I would’ve liked to have Schuster higher but I’m uncertain on where exactly he fits in with Pittsburgh. The Steelers are going to feature Brown and Bell in their offense obviously, and that still leaves Bryant, Coates, Rodgers, and yes, even Heyward-Bey, all battling for playing time. No doubt dynasty league players are drafting him, but I’m holding off in redraft leagues until I get more clarity on how that situation unfolds.
11. Josh Reynolds, WR, LAR
Reynolds is a tall, thin framed wide receiver who isn’t quick in-and-out cuts and his long strides take him a while to get going. With a lot of young receivers on this team, he’s going to have to impress in camp to get playing time. When he’s on the field his fantasy value will primarily be in non ppr formats, as he could be used as a deep threat and in red zone situations. He could be worth a late round flier in non ppr leagues depending on how the preseason goes.
12. Carlos Henderson, WR, Denver
Where he lands on the depth chart is going to hold him back for a little while. He’s a big play receiver and Denver could have a couple plays designed just for him. He won’t get consistent playing time/targets to warrant drafting, but if there are injuries, Denver could use him in a similar way the Falcons started using Taylor Gabriel.
13. Dede Westbrook, WR, JAX
Westbrook could end being one of the better wide receivers in this class. Size and off the field issues resulted in his drop to the 4th round of the NFL draft. He ends up in an interesting place with Jacksonville and their talented receiver corps of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marquise Lee, and Rashad Greene. He’s going to have to work to beat any of those guys out for playing time, and should figure to see most of his reps in the slot early in his career. As he gets acclimated and builds his body up, it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes his way to the outside despite his size. His break away speed is one of the best, and he can quickly move in and out of cuts. He needs to stay out of trouble and I hope we don’t have another Justin Blackmon situation on our hands, because I really like this kid’s game. If it wasn’t for the crowd in Jacksonville and the off the field concerns, he would’ve been higher on our list. His dynasty value is going to be higher than his 2017 outlook, but he still may be worth a late round flier based on his talent and potential alone.
14. Chris Goodwin, WR, TB
Goodwin possesses good downfield ability despite not being explosive in the open field. He’s not going to have much fantasy value other than a few big plays. I see him more as a DFS type of fantasy type of player than someone that you should roster for 2017.
Keeper/Dynasty Rankings
- Corey Davis
- Mike Williams
- John Ross
- Zay Jones
- Dede Westbrook
- ArDarius Stewart
- Curtis Samuel
- Chad Hansen
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Taywan Taylor
- Cooper Kupp
- Josh Reynolds
- Carlos Henderson
- Chris Goodwin
- Amara Darboh
- Chad Williams
- Isaiah Ford
- Mack Hollins
- Gabe Marks
- Trent Taylor
- Austin Carr
- Josh Malone
- KD Cannon
- Ishmael Zamora
- Kenny Golladay
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