Way Too Early 2018 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings

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The 2018 NFL Draft is in the books. We’ve passed out draft grades, breaking down all of the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants (weird trio, I know) picks. And, I’ve even talked about the most shocking picks in the draft. So, now it’s time to turn our attention towards the upcoming season. Yes….it is only May…but the people have to have something to look forward to, right?

Way Too Early 2018 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings

Let’s start with the position most likely to make an impact right away. This was a deep RB class, and there are several options I like to make an impact right away. It’s a loaded group that has a ton of fantasy potential.

Running Back

1. Saquon Barkley – This is an easy #1, but I don’t think it stops at this rookie class. I think Barkley has potential to be one of the top five backs overall this season, maybe even #1. Think about it – he’s going to get the full workload in New York, as they don’t have any guys on the roster who are proven capable. Plus, Barkley has a diverse, elite skill set. He should definitely be a first rounder come August.

2. Ronald Jones II – I’ve been banging the drum on Jones as an underrated prospect for what feels like a year now. The guy did it all at USC, and now he’s going to a team that desperately needs a #1 RB in Tampa Bay. Seems like a great fit, and I expect to Jones to come out of the gate strong.

3. Derrius Guice – Guice slid in the draft because of attitude concerns, but the dude has a wealth of talent. At the very least, his physical running style bodes well for the touchdown vulture role, but I think the guy ends up starting as the featured back in Washington.

4. Nick Chubb – The Browns lost Isaiah Crowell, quietly one of the more underrated backs in the NFL, to free agency. But, they landed a stud in the NFL Draft. It’s the Browns, so you tend to tamper expectations a bit, but I have faith that Chubb is going to perform well.

5. Sony Michel – I’d like Michel a lot more if New England didn’t seem to cycle through running backs without having one real workhorse. Still, can’t deny his talent. He’s the most dynamic guy they have in the stable.

Sleepers: I really like Mark Walton on the Cincinnati Bengals. He offers a different skill set than Joe Mixon, and could end up stealing some carries away from him. I expect Nyheim Hines to get a fair shake in Indianapolis, as that Colts backfield looks like a gigantic question mark. Finally, I may like Kerryon Johnson in Detroit better than all of ’em. The Lions have been looking for a feature guy for quite some time, and it seems Johnson will get a chance to be that guy.

Wide Receiver

I don’t think I’m taking any of these guys to start right away. There’s not one guy who is going to jump out on paper. The first receiver didn’t go until the 20s, and I expect that’ll translate to fantasy drafts this Summer. You may end up with one of these guys hoping they turn into a consistent FLEX option, but that may be about it.

1. Calvin Ridley – I love Ridley because, assuming his impeccable route running translates to the NFL, he’s going to get open a lot. Julio Jones requires double teams, and Matt Ryan is throwing the ball. What’s not to love? Definitely my #1 heading into the season.

2. D.J. Moore – I’m curious to see how the Carolina Panthers use D.J. Moore. The dude has all of the tools to become an elite NFL receiver. But, this team kind of botched Kelvin Benjamin, for whatever reason, and that concerns me at least a little bit. I still feel like this is a run-first team, and I wonder how many looks Moore will really get.

3. Christian Kirk – I was pretty high on Kirk going into the draft, and thought he might actually sneak into the first round (looking at you, Jacksonville). He’s kind of a do-it-all receiver who may get involved in the return game as well. With Larry Fitzgerald on the outside, I could see Kirk becoming a big time weapon from the slot position.

4. Anthony Miller – Miller is the type of guy who will pick up his lunch pail and go to work. I think he ends up wrestling away one of the starting gigs in Chicago and just eats up yardage.

5. Dante Pettis – It’s all about opportunity with Pettis. The 49ers don’t have a whole lot of weaponry, and Pettis is a guy who can pretty well do it all.

Sleepers: Courtland Sutton was projected as a first round pick, showing up as the #1 WR on some rankings. I like his potential but wonder when he’ll really get a chance to shine in a crowded Broncos receiving corps. James Washington stands to benefit from Martavis Bryant’s exit in Pittsburgh and could be a weapon for Ben Roethlisberger right away. Finally, I liked Michael Gallup a lot as a sleeper pick for the Titans. Instead, he went to the Cowboys where he’ll get every chance to claim Dez Bryant’s spot.

Quarterback

It’s worth saying that if you end up with any of these guys as your starting quarterback in 2018, something has gone horribly wrong. You are in trouble. Still….gotta rank ’em.

1. Baker Mayfield – Mayfield is probably going to be the Week 1 starter in Cleveland, and his play-making ability is better than any other quarterback in this draft class. Plus, people laugh at the Browns, but this kid has some talent around him – Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, David Njoku, Duke Johnson, Nick Chubb. I’m all in on Mayfield.

2. Josh Rosen – I think Rosen is in undoubtedly the best situation to start in 2018. He’s NFL-ready and has bona fide NFL superstars around him in Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson.

3. Sam Darnold – Darnold is going to get an opportunity to start in 2018, but you can’t help but wonder about the talent on that Jets offense.

4. Lamar Jackson – I love Jackson’s play-making ability and find his arm truly underrated. I just don’t see him playing in 2018, barring something happening to Joe Flacco.

5. Josh Allen – I just don’t buy Josh Allen.

Tight End

It’s not an inspiring class of tight ends and all, and I don’t find it so different from the quarterback position minus my #1…if you end up with one of these guys, it might be as a project.

1. Hayden Hurst – Hurst is the only guy really worth drafting in 2018, and I think he could become a bona fide stud at the position. Plus, he’s going to Baltimore where they need every offensive play-maker they can get. Opportunity abound.

2. Mike Gesicki – He’s a pure pass-catcher with ball skills which lends well for fantasy points. But, if he’s a liability in the run game, how often will he see the field? I like his opportunity in Miami.

3. Ian Thomas – Some durability concerns and not a lot of production in college, but man – you can’t help but be wowed by the kids athleticism and potential. He could prove to be a steal for the Panthers.

4. Chris Herndon – In case you can’t tell, I like my fantasy tight ends to be athletic pass-catchers. Herndon is that guy. He’s raw, but he has an opportunity to become a big time play-maker for the New York Jets.

5. Troy Fumagalli – He’s a competitor….probably noted more for his blocking than pass-catching ability. But, he just had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I could see him scoring several TDs for the Broncos this season.

Sleepers: I know a lot of folks were high on Dallas Goedert going into the draft, but he’s going to have a hard time finding real value unless he can somehow supplant Zach Ertz in Philadelphia.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley