With all the offensive linemen, defensive players and quarterbacks taken in the first two rounds, you might not think this draft class will have an impact on your fantasy draft this summer. It’s time to rethink that because these six rookies should be impact players on their teams, and maybe on your team.
Pharoh Cooper, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams
2015 NCAA Season: 66 catches, 973 yards, eight touchdowns, 24 rushes, 11 yards, one touchdown, fourth round pick, South Carolina
Cooper has been working with the first team offense in the slot almost all the way through the Rams organized team activities. In fact, he’s took more snaps with the first team than No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. Cooper started two seasons with the Gamecocks and was a star in both, surpassing 1,000 yards as a sophomore. The Rams have two known starters and both are going to be outside guys in this offense, Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin. Cooper should have plenty of opportunities to catch the ball as the Rams open up their offense and defenses keep their eyes in the backfield on Todd Gurley.
Projected 2016: 45 catches, 650 yards, four touchdowns, 10 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown
Robert Aguayo, Kicker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2015: NCAA season: 49-for-49 on extra points, 21-of-26 on field goals, 112 total points, second round pick, Florida State
Not concerned with kickers on your fantasy team? You should be. No player will more consistently produce points for you than a kicker. The Bucs attempted 40 field goals last season and 34 extra points to varying degrees of success. With Aguayo’s power, that field goal number should go up as should the Bucs overall scoring.
Projected 2016: 36 field goals made, 35 extra points
Tyler Boyd, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
2015 NCAA season: 91 catches, 926 yards, six touchdowns, 40 rushes, 349 yards, second round, Pittsburgh
With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu both hitting the road in free agency, the stage is set for Boyd to walk right into a starting job with the Bengals. All he has to do is beat out Brandon Tate and Brandon LaFell. Boyd’s production at Pitt was outstanding. He started every game since his freshman season and last year, though he set a career-high in catches, was the first season he didn’t surpass 1,000 yards receiving.
Projected 2016: 65 catches, 800 yards, five touchdowns
Sterling Shepard, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
2015 NCAA season: 86 catches, 1,288 yards, 11 touchdowns, second round, Oklahoma
Shepard’s production took a leap every season with the Sooners and he’s joining a team aching for a wideout to compliment Odell Beckham Jr. Shepard played big in the big games for Oklahoma. Like Cooper, he’s already working with the starters except he’s in an offense that really wants to throw it. A few days ago the Giants coaches even said if the season started that day, he’d be their starting “X” receiver.
Projected 2016: 70 catches, 950 yards, seven touchdowns
Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
2015 NCAA season: 78 catches, 1,326 yards, 14 touchdowns, first round, TCU
If you’re looking for this season’s Odell Beckham Jr., here’s your guy. Doctson joins a team with a couple of entrenched starters with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but the Redskins just cut their No. 3 wideout Andre Roberts and after the first month, don’t be surprised to see Doctson starting on the outside and Garcon moved to the slot. The fact is, Garcon may not make it past the final cut of the preseason if Doctson is ready to go day one.
Projected 2016: 85 catches, 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns
Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
2015 NCAA season: 289 carries, 1,821 yards, 23 touchdowns, 27 catches, 206 yards, first round, Ohio State
As easy calls go, Elliott should go high in your fantasy football draft. The Cowboys have all but handed the starting job to him already. He’ll be running behind the best offensive line in the NFL. With Tony Romo and Dez Bryant back, there’s no way teams will be able to just key on the run so he should have plenty of room to move in the open field. Not only that, but Romo will use him as an outlet in the passing game too.
Projected 2016: 250 carries, 1,450 yards, 12 touchdowns, 40 catches, 500 yards, four touchdowns
