Distinguished Fantasy Freshmen

The rankings reflect the potential for each player to impact fantasy rosters in 2015. In order to rate the freshman’s outlook and assess a grade, the skills of a player, the organization that drafted him and the likeliness of earning a varsity letter by the end of the campaign all factor into the rankings and projections. 

Draft experts, NFL scouts and football fanatics have all expounded on the deep pool of players in the annual allocation of college talent this season. After analyzing the franchises that players landed with, fantasy diehards are salivating at the high quality of newcomers, who will begin their pro career in the fall. QB Jameis Winston emerges as the safest fantasy selection at the position while running backs and wide receivers offer a plethorea of options and possible future stars. Unfortunately, only TE Maxx Williams appears to offer weekly production for fantasy managers this season.

Of course, depth charts during rookie and training camps, news and reports throughout the summer months and injuries to veterans—as well as the rookies—will determine a competitor’s ultimate value and jumble the rankings before kickoff in September. However, please wet your appetite by examining the tiers and projections incorporating the aforementioned standards below:

Summa Cum Laude

1. Melvin Gordon: San Diego Chargers

Grade: A

Without question, the former Badger star landed in the preeminent position to produce fantasy points immediately at the next level. San Diego finished near the bottom of the league with only 1,367 yards rushing, averaging less than 90 yards per contest last season. An explosive playmaker, Gordon is the most gifted runner on the depth chart. He most likely totes the pigskin nearly 250 times as a rookie, providing a much needed home run hitter in the backfield.

2015 Projections: 1,125 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving and eight TDs

2. Todd Gurley: St. Louis Rams

Grade: A-

One of the more difficult decisions for fantasy footballers to make this summer: In dynasty leagues, Gurley is the top-rated prospect; however, in redraft ones, the former Georgia star losses some value because of the uncertainty of when he gets on the field. Reports indicate that Gurley will play at some point this season, and when he does, defenders will have trouble impeding the bulldozing speedster. Keep a close watch on the newest Ram as he proceeds throughout training camp.

2015 Projections: 835 yard rushing, 270 yards receiving and seven TDs

3. T.J. Yeldon: Jacksonville Jaguars

Grade: A-

Last year, the Jaguars finished 21st in rushing, averaging 102 yards per game: Jacksonville ball carriers (D. Robinson, T. Gerhart, J. Todman and S. Johnson) produced 1,180 yards rushing, scored 9 touchdowns and procured 69 catches. A powerful, early-down back, Yeldon has more talent than any teammate in the backfield and should earn the majority of carries in Jacksonville. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Yeldon mirrors the production of last year’s runners, considering the improvement along the offensive line.

2015 Projections: 944 yards rushing, 312 yards receiving and eight TDs

Magna Cum Laude

4. Amari Cooper: Oakland Raiders

Grade: B+

At receiver, Oakland lacked a game-breaker and craved a top-flight competitor to attack secondaries. The former Alabama star is a stupendous route runner and a savvy pass catcher. The recently released James Jones had 111 targets last year, averaging less than 10 yards per catch. Cooper is the most likely player on the roster to replace Jones’ production in the passing game. Expect the newest Raider to average nearly 13 yards per catch and reach the end zone more often. 

2015 Projections: 949 yards receiving and eight TDs

5. Kevin White: Chicago Bears

Grade: B

Once the Bears traded Brandon Marshall, a starting position opened in the Chicago aerial assault. With an exceptional size-speed combination, White should immediately earn significant playing time and targets this season. Opposing defenses must still focus on WR Alshon Jeffery and pay close attention to TE Martellus Bennett and RB Matt Forte. During the past two campaigns, Jay Cutler targeted Marshall 270 times, and the rookie will clearly garner opportunities as a freshman. However, White is still polishing up his route running skills, and new coach John Fox tends to be a conservative play caller, which will limit the rookies upside fantasy production. 

2015 Projections: 900 yards receiving and six TDs

6. Ameer Abdullah: Detroit Lions

Grade: B

With the departure of dual-threat ball carrier Reggie Bush, the Lions sought a replacement in the draft and secured the services of one of the more electric players. At 5’9” and 205 pounds, Abdullah is a shifty and decisive runner with balance and burst. The former Cornhusker will likely share duties with Joique Bell this season and become a major contributor in the passing game. Astute fantasy managers draft Abdullah at a discounted price compared to Bell. 

2015 Projections: 650 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and six TDs

7. Jameis Winston: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: B-

The Buccaneers passing attack barely surpassed 200 yards per game and tossed 21 touchdowns with Josh McCown and Mike Glennon calling signals. First priority this off-season was acquiring a franchise quarterback and Winston meets the requirements. With big-play targets Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans and youngsters Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Kenny Bell, the Heisman winner arrives in a ready-made aerial assault. In recent years, rookie signal callers—Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton—have strode onto the gridiron and manufactured fantasy points from the opening salvo of the season. Winston is a nice QB2 in fantasy leagues.

2015 Projections: 3,440 yards passing and 22 passing TDs