2012 Fantasy Football Offensive Rookie Rankings
By Bo Martin
Well NFL fans, the excitement of the NFL draft and offseason for that matter has come to a close. We’ve been able to enjoy a heck of an offseason that made it feel like the season never ended. Now we face this lull of time where the offseason really sets in. For Fantasy Football fans though this leads to an even more exciting time, draft time. We have a slew of new rookies looking to make an impact on their new teams and I’ve ranked the top 30 on each side of the ball.
Today we’ll look at the top 30 NFL offensive rookies for you to consider on your redraft and fantasy teams as your leagues start to come back together.
1) Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns-
Richardson is a good all around prospect who will make an immediate impact on a porous Cleveland team. His elite skill set makes him valuable in all league formats as he projects to be a top 10 if not top 5 back by the end of the season.
2) Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers-
Martin falls into a good situation in Tampa. He is a Ray Rice type back who is explosive and strong. The Bucs seem to be opening up a balanced smash mouth style offense and Martin promises to be very effective as it’s leading rusher.
3) Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins-
RGIII is already viewed as the football savior in DC and has a dynamic skill set that appeals to fantasy owners. After watching Cam Newton emerge as a top 10 fantasy scorer last year the buzz about RGIII will be huge. His ability to utilize his legs and his throwing ability makes him a good fantasy pick up to supplement you’re true starting QB.
4) Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts-
Andrew Luck should be most appealing in dynasty leagues. His beginning is sure to be a little tough but his potential is limitless. The Colts have done everything they can to make sure that Luck has the tools he needs to succeed in the NFL. Lucks pure passing ability makes him an elite QB prospect in fantasy leagues immediately.
5) Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals-
Floyd is a better NFL ready receiver than Blackmon. Additionally he goes to a much better situation. Floyd has great hands, size, and speed and will likely make an immediate impact in an offense that has been missing a dynamic #2 receiver for a long time. Think Anquan Boldin when he was a Card… but better.
6) Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars-
Blackmon may not be the best NFL ready wide receiver but he is the one with the best ability. Blackmon also suffers from one major flaw… he’s a Jaguar. Blaine Gabbart hasn’t displayed an ability to deliver balls to receivers consistently and Blackmon will take some time to contribute at a high level. Still worth every bit of a mid round flyer or top rookie prospect pick.
7) David Wilson, RB, New York Giants-
Wilson went a little higher than expected but he lands in a great situation. I think that he’ll be utilized immediately and could be viewed as a successor in the New York. Bradshaw is still young but has an injury history but the two of these guys make this offense even more explosive.
8 ) Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts-
Fleener translates as a great receiving tight end ala Aaron Hernandez. His transition will be significantly easier due to having his college QB tossing him the ball. I like everything about Fleener as a prospect and could be a top tight end option by the end of the season.
9) Isaiah Pead, RB, St. Louis Rams-
Pead is a pick that many didn’t expect to be taken in this situation. Rams front office personnel view him as the successor to Stephen Jackson and I think he has the ability to do it. A good skill set and good opportunity make him an attractive option in a balanced offensive attack.
10) Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans-
Wright is a speedy receiver who can stretch the field. He’ll be a great compliment to Kenny Britt if he can stay healthy. I see Wright as a valuable contributor but I like him a heck of a lot more if Jake Locker is throwing him the ball.
11) Alshon Jeffrey, WR, Chicago Bears-
Jeffrey has very reliable hands and an above average skill set. I actually liked him as a first round pick because I think he was unfairly judged his senior season. He has great physical ability and size just needs to control his weight. Chicago is doing good things and has gotten explosive with the addition of Jeffrey and Marshall. Big things could come from this young man.
12) Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos-
Don’t care for Hillman as a prospect but love his situation in Denver. McGahee will make sure that Denver still has a running game worth noting and Hillman offers a great spell back that can be effective in the running and passing games. Also could be a future starter for this organization.
13) Stephen Hill, WR, New York Jets-
Unfortunate situation for a very talented receiver; Hill becomes a Jet and finds himself involved in the circus that is the Jets offense. If they can figure it out they have themselves a very capable receiver who can put up monster numbers. There truly isn’t a thing Hill can’t do as a receiver and if they can commit to a QB the sky is the limit.
14) Mohammed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals-
The Bengals are developing an explosive offense. A.J. Green is going to get a lot of attention moving forward and Sanu is going to be given every opportunity to be productive out of the gate.
15) Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams-
Quick was a peculiar pick with so many other big players available. However, he has a good skill set and provides the Rams hope at a position they had none. His playmaking ability at the receiving position makes him worth a look moving on but I don’t expect a break out party this year.
16) Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins-
Tough situation behind Bush and Thomas but RB’s are at a premium.
17) Reuben Randle, WR, New York Giants-
Good receiver who fell, should be productive in the slot.
18) LaMichael James, RB, San Francisco 49ers-
Explosive game breaker. Won’t be a feature back though in the NFL.
19) A.J. Jenkins, WR, San Francisco 49ers-
Good WR but not great. Will impact an improving 49ers passing game. Watch out if he gets it.
20) Ryan Broyles, WR, Detroit Lions-
A true slot receiver who can be dangerous at the disposal of Matt Stafford. Injuries leave him as a question mark but worth a flyer.
21) Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts-
Good balanced tight end. Displays all the skills you would expect could become a fierce target for Luck as he matures.
22) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins-
Boom or Bust? Seems capable to lead Miami back to relevance but fantasy wise he’s a quality player without any help. Need big receiver in Miami.
23) Chris Polk, RB, Philadelphia Eagles-
I don’t expect him to contribute much in the way of carries but I think that he’ll get is “spell” opportunites and make the most out of them. If McCoy goes down Polk becomes a very good option.
24) Chris Givens, WR, St. Louis-
Rams are going through a rebuilding process and all their receivers are on the chopping block. I like Givens and Quick to become staples in that offense and produce.
25) Nick Toon, WR, New Orleans Saints-
Solid receiver with all around skill. Will be a productive option for Drew Brees who makes almost every irrelevant WR relevant.
26) Orson Charles, TE, Cincinnati Bengals-
Excellent pass catcher who provides Cinci the explosive passing attck that they’ve been trying to build. He could become a major threat at the TE position.
27) Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers-
Someone has to replace Gates and Green is athletic enough to do it. Great all around skill set especially as a receiver. Perfect fantasy tight end.
28) Brandon Weeden, QB, Cleveland Browns-
Dynasty owners beware because Weeden is about to be 29 years old. A decent arm and accuracy make him an attractive QB but he’ll need to play right away to be the franchise guy the Browns have been searching for.
29) Vick Ballard, RB, Indianapolis Colts-
Eventually a RB out of Indy is going to have to be fantasy relevant… right?!
30) Robert Turbin, RB, Seattle Seahawks-
I like him as a change of pace back and he’ll get his touches but he’s backing up Skittles… sorry Turbin.