NFL Rookie Drafting Strategy
#1 Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty comes into this season as the obvious number one rookie. His landing spot is great for him to be an every down back. His draft capital is as high as any RB can get. The analysis is simple he's going to get the opportunity, and he's got the talent.
#2 Tetairoa McMillan
McMillan is coming into a great situation. The Panthers need him to be a star, and he has the potential to be a stud. Bryce Young finished last season looking to be trending up and needing a number one WR to go to. Tet could fill that spot and make both guys potentially strong fantasy options this season. At 6'5" he's got the size and with his college credentials he can be a high-volume target. Don't overthink this one, he's going to find success for fantasy.
#3 Quinshon Judkins
This is where rookie drafts get interesting because the water is a lot muddier. For me, the pick here is Judkins. He lands on a team that needs a lead back and Judkins has proven he can be successful both as a three down back and also in a two headed monster backfield. Many comparisons you find out there for Judkins are Nick Chubb and we all know how well he worked out at the Browns prior to injuries. His adaptability and talent fit well anywhere.
#4 Omarion Hampton
This may very well be the toughest spot in rookie drafts in general. Because at this point you have to start figuring out what the opportunity is going to look like as well as the skill of the player. Although the Chargers signed Najee Harris before the draft I still think Omarion Hampton is the pick here. Aside from Najee, the next man up should be Hampton no question and Najee only on a one-year deal so they have no commitment to him. Hampton could take over the lead role in this backfield by midseason or he could be the backup all year long. I think talent eventually wins out and Hampton takes over the roll mid-to-late this season. Which lands him in the fourth pick.
#5 Kaleb Johnson
Johnson may not seem like a good pick here to some with some of the other guys available but what I like about him is how similar he is to Najee Harris and how Mike Tomlin and the Steelers use their RBs, including how they used Najee Harris. Johnson to me is Najee 2.0. I think he has a similar style to Najee and might even be able to advance it. Either way Steelers RBs are always bell cows and they gave enough draft capital to get him to tell me Kaleb is their guy to step in to it this year. Jaylen Warren is still around and will probably sit in his similar role to accompany Johnson.
Colston Loveland
Colston lovelanded in maybe the best spot he could've in the NFL. Ben Johnson has taken rookie TE's and made them immediately fantasy relevant just a couple of years ago and here he is with another talented TE that he could get those high value targets to. Talent, landing spot, Head coach, Talented QB, draft capital; he hit everything you look for in a rookie for fantasy football purposes. You'd be ok to reach on him anywhere if you're in a TE league and he's still a good pick even in flex leagues.
TreVeyon Henderson
There is a theme developing with the rookies this year. The running backs are really good. Henderson has all the tools and not a huge blocker to carries with just Rhamondre Stevenson in front of him. He could earn a lot of carries but has all the skills required to carve out some fantasy value even before he takes over the backfield. He's a great blocker and pass catcher as well as talented runner. It may be a few weeks, but the value should come to fruition this season sometime.
Matthew Golden
Matthew could be this year's draft's Golden nugget. He comes in with all the talent you want. He's got the speed to take the top off the defense, a QB who could be one of the top 10 in the league, and no real target hog returning to the Packers. If Golden can take over as Love's favorite target he could easily end up as a WR1. I like everything about Golden, I think he could win some leagues for people this season;
Nick Nash
The Hail Mary for this rookie draft season for me is Nick Nash. Former Quarterback turned WR Nick Nash was incredible in his first season as a WR leading college football in basically every WR stat. His contested catch numbers don't jump off the page. His speed isn't insane like some guys, but he's got the feeling of a guy who might become a star. I think he's worth a shot at the end of all drafts because the landing spot is nice where he could become the WR2 and if he gets on the field he knows how to make plays and get into the endzone. It may be a hail mary for fantasy purposes but I love the odds.