2015 NFL Draft: Top Fantasy Football Options
By Erik Lambert
Nov 1, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) runs past TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Ranthony Texada (11) during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The focus of the 2015 NFL draft is on teams building their rosters to win football games, but it’s also a great avenue to find help for the coming fantasy football league year. Who are some names to watch?
Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon)
This is going to depend heavily on where he’s drafted. If the right team, and more specifically coaching staff gets a hold of Marcus Mariota, he could be a great fantasy producer right out of the gate. Not only does he have the arm to attack defenses through the air but his tremendous speed will allow him to generate plays (and points) on the ground.
Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)
There is a key reason Kevin White is listed here above the other top receivers. Where Amari Cooper has speed and DeVante Parker has size, White has both. He’s not only a big 6’3″ target for his quarterback but also has the acceleration and jets to make defenses pay if they don’t get him on the ground quickly. He’ll demand the ball a lot for whomever drafts him and should get it.
Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)
Much of this will play out based on current projections. As it stands Melvin Gordon is expected to go in the bottom half of the 1st round. That puts him right on line with landing on a playoff team. If he ends up with a team like Dallas, who has the need and a strong offensive line, the Heisman finalist is going to hit the ground running right away and should generate early round interest in fantasy drafts.
Rory Anderson (TE, South Carolina)
Another of the new wave tight end who have that athleticism and speed to threaten teams down the field as a receiver. Rory Anderson will go later than he should due to injuries and inconsistent hands but his size-speed-agility combination is impossible to overlook, never mind the tape showing he has a knack for impacting the passing game. This just feels like a sleeper player who will quietly land on a good team that will know exactly how to use him.
Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson)
One of the best signs teams can hope for in the 2015 NFL draft is a player who had good tape and production on the field and then backed it up with strong performances at the scouting combine. Vic Beasley passed both tests with flying colors. He’s an explosive outside linebacker with the speed to get the edge but also a deceptive amount of power. Of all the top rookie pass rushers, he is the most clean and also the most proven. People will forget about him for a while, until fantasy football lovers see his point total revving up due to sacks.