2014 Post-Draft Rankings: Distinguished Fantasy Freshmen

By John Laub
John Laub

2014 Post-Draft Rankings: Distinguished Fantasy Freshmen

The rankings reflect the potential for each player to impact fantasy rosters in 2014. 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.

Despite being touted as one of the deepest draft classes in NFL history, fantasy footballers are disappointed with the course selections in the backfield after many of the top runners did not earn an extraordinary grade for the forthcoming season. Fortunately, a plethorea of wideouts (and two tight ends) were selected by proficient passing attacks with expert triggermen behind center. And “Johnny Football” will deliver necessary fireworks at times for the Browns, and fantasy owners willing to gamble on his unique skill set 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. RB Bishop Sankey: Tennessee Titans (A+)
Devoid of competition on the Titans’ backfield roster, the former Washington star landed in the preeminent setting to succeed next year. Sankey has tons of talent and is clearly the premium homerun hitter among freshmen. A three-down back, he has a nose of the end zone and will be a PPR machine.

2014 Projections: 950 yards rushing, 550 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns

2. WR Sammy Watkins: Buffalo Bills (A-)
Considered by most talent evaluators as the best receiver prospect since All-Pro Calvin Johnson, the newest Bill becomes the ace of the wideout corps immediately after the trade of Stevie Johnson. Don’t be anxious about QB E.J. Manuel tossing the pigskin: Watkins will produce fantasy goodness this year.

2014 Projections: 65 receptions, 950 yards and eight touchdowns

3. RB Devonta Freeman: Atlanta Falcons (A-)
Overlook the 31-year old Steven Jackson and diminutive Jacquizz Rogers on the Falcons’ depth chart: The former Florida State bruiser is the best ball carrier on the Atlanta club and is in the perfect situation to earn the majority of the team’s carriers by the end of the campaign.

2014 Projections: 900 rushing and 250 receiving yards and eight touchdowns

Magna Cum Laude

4. QB Johnny Manziel: Cleveland Browns (B+)
Since Tim Tebow in 2010, no player has seized headlines and polarized experts more than the 2012 Heisman winner. Possibly without WR Josh Gordon, there is clearly concern regarding Manziel’s targets in 2014. However, he is uber athletic and now is the face of a downtrodden franchise in need of a tantalizing signal caller. Expect Manziel to freelance opponents and excite fantasy fans throughout the season.

2014 Projections: 3,250 passing and 700 rushing yards, 18 passing TDs and seven rushing TDs

5. WR Mike Evans: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (B+)
Fantasy fans are still wondering if head coach Lovie Smith has really changed his philosophical pigskin beliefs. The Bucs dramatically improved their offensive personnel during the off-season, and Evans projects as a day-one starter opposite Vincent Jackson. Defenses will not be able to double-team the former Aggie, and he can exploit single matchups against smaller defensive backs.

2014 Projections: 60 receptions, 850 yards receiving and six touchdowns

6. WR Kelvin Benjamin: Carolina Panthers (B+)
Despite some concerns about his skill set at the NFL level, the newest Panther arrives on a club desperate for assistance from its wideouts. At 6’5” and 240 pounds, Benjamin provides a tremendous bulls eye for Cam Newton, and he will be called upon to produce catches immediately.

2014 Projections: 55 receptions, 800 yards receiving and six touchdowns

7. WR Brandin Cooks: New Orleans Saints (B)
Coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees make Brandin Cooks a very intriguing fantasy performer this season. The former Oregon State star is an electrifying blazer with good hands and toughness. The freshman fits seamlessly into the Saints three-receiver sets, but lots of firepower—Jimmy Graham, Marques Coltson and Kenny Stills—decorate the New Orleans roster, which may limit Cooks upside.

2014 Projections: 50 receptions, 800 yards receiving and five touchdowns


8. WR Odell Beckham: New York Giants (B)
The Giants need weapons for QB Eli Manning, and the Paul Hornung Award winner brings a homerun stick in the lineup. Beckham has elite speed and runs good routes; he will likely be penciled in as a starter instantaneously during training camp.

2014 Projections: 50 receptions, 750 yards receiving and five touchdowns

9. WR Marqise Lee: Jacksonville Jaguars (B)
The 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner has a relatively uncluttered path to a starting position in Jacksonville. The Jaguars upgraded their wideouts and competition will determine the starters; however, Lee is the more talented of the two second-round rookies drafted. Fantasy Diehards should take a late-round flier on the former USC star.

2014 Projections: 50 receptions, 750 yards receiving and four touchdowns

10. TE Jace Amaro: New York Jets (B-)
New York needed a playmaker, who works the middle of the field, and Jace Amaro will challenge defenses, making crucial catches. Last season, the Jets’ tight ends (Kellen Winslow and Jeff Cumberland) registered 57 receptions and scored six times. The newest Big Apple performer has more ability than either of last year’s veterans and will become a key component in the Jets’ passing attack.

2014 Projections: 40 receptions, 600 yards receiving and five touchdowns

Cum Laude

11. RB Carlos Hyde: San Francisco 49ers (C+)
The Frisco Freshman has stupendous long-term upside, and he fits perfectly into the 49ers power-running game. Unfortunately, the roster is littered with ball carriers (Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore and Kendall Hunter) and the depth chart and roles are not yet determined.

2014 Projections: 700 yards rushing and six touchdowns

12. RB Terrance West: Cleveland Browns (C+)
Free agent signee Ben Tate impedes West’s opportunity on the gridiron, but the Towson product will certainly get carries by the end of the campaign, replacing the oft-injured veteran.

2104 Projections: 700 yards rushing and six touchdowns

13. RB Jeremy Hill: Cincinnati Bengals (C+)
The newest Bengal likely partakes in a two-back rotation with sophomore Giovani Bernard. Nevertheless, Hill should earn the short-yardage totes for the Bengals.

2014 Projections: 625 yards rushing and six touchdowns

14. WR Jordan Matthews: Philadelphia Eagles (C+)
Coach Chip Kelly will find a role for Matthews in the Eagles up-tempo passing attack, and the former Vanderbilt star will certainly get opportunities to make plays.

2014 Projections: 40 receptions, 650 yards receiving and four touchdowns

15. RB Charles Sims: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (C+)
Sims is a talented performer with tremendous receiving skills but veteran Doug Martin is the incumbent. As a pass catcher, however, the rookie runner will find a role in the offense.

2014 Projections: 50 receptions, 400 yards rushing and four touchdowns

16. WR Martavis Bryant: Pittsburgh Steelers (C+)
The Steelers need someone to step up at the receiver position to assist QB Ben Roethlisberger. The fourth-round prize has titillating raw skills but must eliminate inconsistent play.

2014 Projections: 40 receptions, 600 yards receiving and three touchdowns

Honorable Mention

17. WR Cody Latimer Denver Broncos (C)
18. QB Blake Bortles: Jacksonville Jaguars (C)
19. TE Eric Ebron: Detroit Lions (C)
20. WR Allen Robinson: Jacksonville Jaguars (C)
21. RB Andre Williams: New York Giants (C)
22. RB Lorenzo Taliaferro: Baltimore Ravens (C)