Steelers OC Todd Haley calls Le'Veon Bell a three-down back, and he could be a Fantasy Football beast in Pittsburgh. Photo Credit: Daaka2
The NFL Draft is behind us, training camps are around the corner, and now we can step back and look at rankings for the top NFL Fantasy Football Rookies for 2013. Last year’s set of rookies was one of the best in NFL history, so it’s going to be interesting to see what this group will do in direct comparison.
So this piece is going to take shape all offseason as news hits, rosters develop and injuries occur.
Dynasty owners are hungry for this information now, since the rookie draft is pretty much their big day every season. But yearly owners are checking these rankings out also, especially after a record-breaking Fantasy Football Rookie season that saw the most rookie quarterbacks land in the top 12 at season’s end, as well as three rookie running backs end up scoring enough points to land them among the top 10 rookies over the past decade.
With Steelers offensive coordinator calling the Michigan State product a three-down back, Bell has to get the nod for the top spot among rookie running backs (as well as the top spot among Fantasy Football rookies for 2013).
If Ball wins the starting job (he’ll need to pass protect MUCH better than Hillman did), he’ll face defenses structured to stop the pass pretty much the entire game. Fantasy owners should pick up the Ball and run with it. (patent pending)
I initially had Lacy as the leader of the RBs among the top Fantasy Football rookies for 2013. But as reports come out that his toe surgery from a few months ago, and his general attitude, scared some owners off, I’m dialing down my expectations, too. Plus, the Packers selected Johnathan Franklin a little later.
This was a pick many had expected to see, as the Bengals found a fast complement to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Bernard has drawn comparisons to DeAngelo Williams and Brian Westbrook, so it’s not much of a stretch to think of him taking over the full-time gig from The Law Firm at some point.
While he’s obviously dynamic, with the ability to score from wherever, it’s tough to envision him becoming the next great receiver in the mold of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola and Percy Harvin right out of the gate.
It’s interesting that head coach Gary Kubiak compared Hopkins to former Broncos WR Rod Smith. He’ll line up almost immediately across the field from Johnson, and serve as his protégé, as he tries to take some defensive attention away from WR Andre Johnson.
Patterson has prototypical size, and he only has to beat out Jerome Simpson for a starting job, but the Vikings don’t have an above average quarterback in Christian Ponder.
Sure, the Rams only spent a fifth-round pick on Stacy in the 2013 NFL Draft, but that still says something about their feelings about Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson.
He’ll have to battle with Kevin Kolb, but Manuel’s athleticism and size makes him an exciting option for a fanbase that would love to see C.J. Spiller and Manuel in the backfield at the same time.
Woods steps into a poor man’s comparison of what Hopkins will be going through. Stevie Johnson is no Andre Johnson, and Woods’ success is directly tied to Manuel’s most likely.
Allen is coming back from a knee injury in October, has good size, and a very good quarterback throwing to him.
Gone is Mike Wallace to Miami, so the Steelers needed to backfill a wide receiver spot. Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will line up as the starters, but Pittsburgh is already indicating that they will use Wheaton in several spots on the field, including the slot and in the backfield.
The Bengals have already said they plan on lining Eifert up all over the place, which means he’ll get similar treatment as Gronk and Hernandez.
Ellington drew comparisons to C.J. Spiller, and not just because of his Clemson colors. He has great speed and cutting ability, but the Cardinals already have Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams.
Had Lacy not been selected ahead of him at Green Bay, Franklin could have been considered a top-three Fantasy Football rookie running back.
A surprising drop from the first round puts him in New York, with one of the worst franchises in the league. He’ll have a chip on his shoulder, however, and he should have an open path to starting sooner than later.
The Patriots moved on without both Welker and Brandon Lloyd, giving Dobson the opportunity to win a starting job across from Amendola.
Bailey, like Austin, is a playmaker after the catch. The Rams have plenty of openings for playmakers, so Bailey could see more chances than usual.
With Kenny Britt injured or in trouble every other week, the lanky rookie out of Tennessee could develop into an exciting, speedy pass receiver for Jake Locker.
Fantasy owners should consider Randle the player to grab as a handcuff as a late-round pick. Considering how much time DeMarco Murray spends in the trainer’s room, Randle should see plenty of touches.
The Seahawks might still lose Marshawn Lynch to a short suspension, which is good news for second-year man Robert Turbin and Michael.
This is actually the lesser known tight-end twin from Stanford that helped Andrew Luck to several great seasons. He just might be one of those Jimmy Graham-types, that flourishes in Year 2 and beyond.
The Eagles already have Michael Vick and Nick Foles in their locker room, and now, new head coach Chip Kelly brings in his QB in Barkley.
The Chiefs also plan to move Kelce out and line him up in several spots, but he’ll also be dealing with free-agent signee Anthony Fasano and Moeaki.
The Niners will reluctantly have to lean on Patton a little earlier than normal, since Michael Crabtree is out with an Achilles’ injury.
The Raiders brought in Matt Flynn in an offseason trade with Seattle, and they still have Terrelle Pryor, who will get some opportunities.
The Cowboys used their third receiver a lot last season, and if Williams can win that spot behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, he’ll have some value.
The Gators product joins a team without a sure-fire starter at tailback just yet. Lamar Miller is expected to be the man, with Daniel Thomas behiind him. Gillislee does a little of everything well.
Jamaal Charles’ Fantasy owners will want to draft Davis or Shaun Draughn as Charles’ handcuff. Davis a bulldozing running back without a lot of slashing ability.
This could end up being the best rookie of this class once all is said and done. Unfortunately, he’s coming off a total reconstruction of his knee after a horrific injury last season. He could start on the PUP list, before finding some carries later in the year.
As the summer progresses, these 2013 Fantasy Football rookie rankings will change and develop. There’s no doubt that having a good set of rankings for NFL Fantasy Football Rookies for 2013 could be the difference between being a champ or a chump this season!
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Stedman Bailey twice, must love him.
The guy has two last names, gotta list him twice! (Thanks for catching that!)