2014 Fantasy Rankings- Rookie Wide Receivers
By Staff Writer John Belaska
If it were any other year, I would advise to never draft a rookie wide receiver. Rookie wide outs are typically the most over-hyped and have the best chance of making you regret drafting them. However, 2014 is a different situation. The rookie wide receiver class is one of the best in recent memory. It may being one of the best of all time. There is definitely some value here.
Normally, one should only pick rookie wide receiver if they are in a keeper or dynasty league. However, due to the level of talent and the way the NFL has converted to a pass first league, there are some rookies that should have some fantasy value this season. After looking everything over, I narrowed it down to ten guy who should end up having some fantasy value this season. Five of these guys are actually worth drafting in re-draft format leagues. The other guys may emerge to be a great waiver wire pick up at some point during the season.
Remember fantasy drafts are all about getting the best value. These guys should not be reached on. They have no track record in the NFL. This makes them very risky picks. However, if you can get one in the late rounds of the draft there is no reason you should not pull the trigger on one. The potential for some of these new guys is just too high to ignore.
Tavon Austin made his rookie debut in 2013. His fantasy value was way over-hyped. 2014 has a much better fantasy outlook for rookie wide receivers than in previous years.
10. Cody Latimer
Cody Latimer was the Denver Broncos’ second round pick in the 2014 Draft. The Indiana University standout comes into an offense that boasts the best quarterback in the league. Unfortunately, Latimer’s impact this season is going to be very limited. He will be forced to compete with Emmanuel Sanders for playing time. Do not expect him to win the competition. Even if he does win, Latimer is still the fifth passing option for Manning. He does not hold much draft value, but could become a good waiver wire pick up for a bye week.
9. Marquise Lee
Marquise Lee landed in a strange situation. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a horrible offense and it does not look like they will improve too much this season. Not only will a rookie quarterback be leading the team, but Lee will also be in a competition for playing time with Allen Robinson. He does hold value in deeper leagues and point per reception formats because he will more than likely be used as a slot receiver.
Deciding between Penn State’s Allen Robinson and USC’s Marquise Lee is an absolute toss-up. Robinson seems to be the more likely candidate to play the outside of the field. Because of this he hold a bit more value in standard scoring leagues. However, if you play in a PPR league you may want to go with Lee.
Martavis Bryant is a great deep sleep pick this season. He played second fiddle at Clemson because of Sammy Watkins. He was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round. This is a great chance for Bryant. He will have a veteran quarterback throwing to him and should be able to become the team’s number two or three wide out. The most appealing thing is the loss of Jerricho Cotchery. At 6’4” and 211 pounds, Bryant has the build of a good red zone target. Last season, the Steelers guy in scoring territory was Cotchery. Cotchery had ten touchdowns last season. Bryant may end up surprising a lot of people. Big Ben is going to love this kid.
Jordan Matthews landed in a great situation in Philadelphia. The only problem is this situation is not ideal for him this season. He is a great candidate for long term success, but this season he will be competing with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin for playing time. Still, he will be the Eagles’ third wide receiver. With Chip Kelly running the offense, Matthews has a chance at being a draft worthy fantasy wide out. He will probably be no more than a backup in most leagues though.
Jarvis Landry could be another rookie wide receiver that surprises fantasy owners. The offensive situation is not as idea as Jordan Matthew’s, but Landry will have a much easier time getting passes thrown his way. Tannehill should improve this season because the offensive line got a bit better over the off season. This bodes well for Landry.
Who is going to be this seasons Keenan Allen? There are some very talented rookies this season with a ton of upside. It could be anyone.
4. Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. landed in the best situation for immediate production. Eli Manning is the quarterback and he has Victor Cruz on the other side of the field. This is perfect. Manning is an established veteran and Cruz draws double coverage. Beckham could be used as the Giants’ new deep threat. The only concern should be if you think Manning will have another pathetic year. If you do not think this will happen, Beckham may be your guy.
If it was not for how raw he is, Kelvin Benjamin would probably be the number one on this list. He is going to compete the number one spot on the Panthers’ depth chart. Expect Benjamin to start out at number two behind Jerricho Cotchery, but he may surpass him in the later half of the season. If Benjamin has a big season, he will more than likely be one of those guys who break out in the later half. He is going to need a few games to grasp the system and the speed of the NFL.
Sammy Watkins is way too talented to ignore in drafts this season. Just do not pay too much.
Not a single offensive rookie is more ready to start day one in the NFL than Clemson’s Sammy Watkins. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, he got drafted by the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are a run first type of team. E.J. Manuel will enter his second year as the starting quarterback. Manuel had some good games and some bad games in 2013. Because of his quarterback, Watkins cannot be considered the top fantasy rookie at the wide receiver position.
1. Mikes Evans
The Buccaneers’ Mike Evans has the best chance of any rookie wide receiver to make an impact in 2014. He will come in day one as a number two wide receiver. He will line up on the opposite side of Vincent Jackson who will be given the most attention by opposing defenses. If you want Evans; you need to monitor Tampa’s quarterback situation. If the team goes with McCown; expect some great things from this rookie.
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