We are back at it again for the third and final part of the Freshman 15 series. I felt like the rookies I have gone through during this series have the best chance to make a fantasy impact this year. There are plenty of rookies that will have bright futures in this draft class, but the 15 players that I have mentioned can have an impact immediately.
Copyright: Jassen Vinlove/USA Today
Tua Tagovailoa
Tank for Tua is finally over and he landed with the Miami Dolphins. Tua has been known to make the right play - every single time. He rarely made mistakes, goes through his progressions with ease, and seems to have a backup camera installed in the back of his helmet. He knows when to get the extra yards, and knows when to slide. Tua checks all the boxes as a stud QB for the NFL except one, his durability. He has a hip of a grandma, which isn’t ideal to play a violent sport. Tua played one full college year at Alabama, and he put on a show, but in his 9 games in the 2019 season he was on pace to go insane. Recorded 33 TDs with only 3 INTs, for 2840 yards in that short time frame. Alabama was Rolling over everyone until he got hurt.
The Dolphins did everything they could to get Tua last season, until FitzMagic started playing. He gave the Fins life, and made the world know that Devante Parker is a good football player(I have been trying to tell people that for years). It has yet to be confirmed who will be the starter Week 1. I am of personal belief that they roll out FitzMagic to start the season until Tua gets a better understanding of the playbook, no need to rush the future of the franchise. I really like what they are doing down in Miami, and if Tua is as good as we all think he is, the future is bright in the sunshine state.
Copyright: The Register-Guard
Justin Herbert
I've never seen a duck throw a ball that hard in my life. Justin Herbert may not be the most accurate quarterback in the draft but he is replacing Phillip Rivers, AKA Mr 4th Quarter Interception. He excels in a fast moving offense, filled with screens and short passes in the middle of the field. He lacks the precision to consistently put the ball in a great spot towards the sidelines. He could have top level potential if he focuses more, and makes better decisions but that is with most rookie QBs.
Herbert walks into solid weapons to help him look good in his rookie campaign, that is if/when he gets the chance to start. Keenan Allen has had three straight seasons with 1,200 yards and 6 TDs. Mike Williams is coming off of a 1,000 yard season and the season before that he scored 10 TDs. Austin Ekeler had a massive year last year with 92 catches out of the backfield for 8 TDs. It will just be up to Herbert on whether he can perform at a NFL level or not when he gets the chance to play.
Copyright: Ryan Cameron
D'Andre Swift
Is the Kerryon hype over and done with? Apparently so for Matt Patricia and the Lions, as they went out and drafted D’Andre Swift in the beginning of the 2nd round. He is a great pass catching back, knows how to pass block, and has the ability to make defenders miss or run them over. His ability to both be agile and powerful often keeps defenders on their heels and makes it easier for him to make a move and break a long run off. He is coming off of back to back 1,000 yard seasons at Georgia, and had a total of 20 TDs in his three years for the Bulldogs.
The Lions have not been known for a good run game as of late, but Matt Patricia would love to have a three down back to take some weight off of Stafford. The Lions thought that Kerryon would be the answer, but that experiment might be over after he has continued to struggle to stay healthy. I’m expecting a 50/50 split in the beginning of the season, but by the end I could see Swift taking the starting job from Kerryon.
Copyright: Icon Sportswire
Jonathan Taylor
What more can you say about a man who had back to back 2,000 yard seasons, at least 13 TDs in every year, and averaged 6.7 YPC throughout his career in Wisconsin? He is a battering ram with the ball, not afraid to run anyone over at any time. It usually takes two defenders to bring this animal down. Somehow he runs a 4.4 40 yard dash at his size. He knows how to be agile if he has to be. His pass catching ability is still to be determined, however in his 2019 season he showed flashes of his ability, grabbing 26 balls through the air. Taylor is easily the best power back in the class and might be the best overall back when all things are said and done.
My concern for Taylor is the workload he has already received, and the status of the running back room in Indy. He has seen 926 touches in college, and was on the field for most of the plays for Wisconsin. He has some miles on those legs already, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He will be competing with Marlon Mack for the starting job, and Naheim Hines for the 3rd down role, which has proven to be fantasy relevant with Rivers under center. I could see a 50/50 split all year long, but Taylor could still be fantasy relevant just based on efficiency alone.
Copyright: USC Athletics
Michael Pittman Jr
Michael Pittman is a big body receiver coming out of USC in the 2nd round to the Colts. He is a 6’4, big bodied WR willing to fight off defenders starting at the line of scrimmage. He has a limited route tree, but runs those routes well. He has massive hands that will catch most footballs thrown his way, as long as he isn’t trying to turn downfield prematurely. He can break tackles in the open field with ease. What I find to be most important given his landing spot is his ability to block. Pittman was born to play football. His father won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers back in 2003.
Fun fact, Philip Rivers LOVES tall wide receivers. I would have put him higher on this list, and in my rankings if the Colts threw the ball more, but they plan to run the ball more often than not. Pittman’s blocking ability will have him on the field more often than not.
Comments