As OTA's get underway fantasy football preparation is beginning. One of the most exciting parts of getting ready for the fantasy football season is figuring out which rookies will make the biggest impact right off the bat. Before training camp starts, here are the best five rookies to pick in redraft leagues.
Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bills' move to move up to No. 4 and take Sammy Watkins was bold and laudable, but the Bucs lucked out that they didn't snag Evans. The Texas A&M pass-catcher looks like a Larry Fitzgerald clone, and had similar numbers in college. At 6-foot-5, 225 lbs. he and Vincent Jackson will be arguably the most imposing tandem in football, and good luck trying to double both guys. Chances are Evans will be left for one-on-one battles, and it'll be up to Mike Glennon or Josh McCown to be competent enough to get it to him.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB Minnesota Vikings
Bridgewater was the third quarterback taken in this draft, and the final pick of Round 1. A mistake was made by many teams here, and the Vikes landed themselves a fantastic passer. He was the most accurate QB in the class, completing 71 percent of his passes in 2013 for Louisville.
His accuracy will allow him to throw second-year wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson open, get him in open space, and make defenses respect Minny's passing game. He's also got super athletic wideout Jerome Simpson at his disposal, and a massive red zone target in tight end Kyle Rudolph. In two-QB leagues he will be a major asset, and I wouldn't be surprised if he turns into a Top 10 fantasy QB.
Bishop Sankey, RB Tennessee Titans
I couldn't tell you if he's the best running back talent in this class, but these days opportunity is everything. The Titans let go of Chris Johnson, knowing that Shonn Greene's the guy behind him. That means they're comfortable handing the reins to Sankey, since Greene's proven to be little more than an effective handcuff.
Sankey's got decent size, nice college production, and has shown pass catching ability which is a huge separator in fantasy. I expect his stock to rise rapidly during training camp, which will remove his bargain status, but he figures to be the best rookie rusher.
Marqise Lee, WR Jacksonville Jaguars
If Lee had left school a year earlier, he'd be a Top 10 pick. This year, he landed in Jacksonville in Round 2, which isn't as bad as it seems. He has the ability of a No. 1 WR, and in Jacksonville he's actually surrounded by talent. Cecil Shorts is a very good player, Allen Robinson is there as well, and Justin Blackmon's an X-factor. If Blackmon's troubles keep him off the field, Lee will be playing a lot, and with Toby Gerhart in the backfield I think the Jags might get pass-happy. They seem committed to Chad Henne this season, not rookie Blake Bortles, and that works in Lee's favor. He's a competent veteran who can get him the ball. All Lee needs to do is hang on to it.
Jace Amaro, TE New York Jets
Eric Ebron was taken No. 10 overall, but no TE in the draft will have a bigger role from Day 1 than Amaro. He only had one big-time season as a collegiate, but it was spectacular. He reeled in 106 passes for 1,352 yards and seven touchdowns for Texas Tech, and has beast-like size.
He doesn't profile as the type of athlete Ebron does, but his production is undeniable, and the need for him in the Jets offense, which is hoping for Geno Smith to win the QB battle with Michael Vick, is great. Like Sankey, he's even more of an opportunity pick than a talent grab.
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