Fantasy Football: Where Do Top Rookies Rank in 2014 Projections?

The NFL draft has finally come and gone. We can now begin to assimilate where the top rookies will fit in the hierarchy of fantasy football rankings heading into the 2014 season.

Yes, it's very early and we have not seen these guys in camp and such, but it's still a fun exercise to project how guys like Sammy Watkins, Bishop Sankey, Mike Evans, etc., will do this year. This year's class of rookie prospects will bring some mega talent to the table that will be hard to ignore.

What follows in this slideshow are early rankings at the four major positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end), which now, of course, includes the rookie class. Rookies will be highlighted with analysis and projections.

Quarterbacks

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Top 25

1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
4. Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions
5. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
6. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
8. Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
10. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
11. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
12. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
13. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
14. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
15. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
18. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Eli Manning, New York Giants
20. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
21. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
22. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
23. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
24. EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills
25. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings

2,833 passing yards, 276 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns and 18 interceptions

You shouldn’t expect the world from Teddy Bridgewater, who will still have to fight to win the job, but in the end he should eventually leapfrog Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel. It should be interesting to see how he gels with emerging playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson, as well as veterans Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson and Kyle Rudolph.

Bridgewater is a low-end No. 2 QB for fantasy purposes in seasonal leagues. However, in dynasty/keeper leagues, he'll have broader appeal, as he could be the top rookie quarterback, even better than Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles.

Running Backs

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Top 40

1. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
2. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
5. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
6. Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
8. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
9. Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions
10. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
11. Montee Ball, Denver Broncos
12. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13. Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams
14. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
15. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
16. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
18. Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans

2014 Projections: 260 carries, 917 rushing yards, 53 receptions for 456 yards and nine total touchdowns

Bishop Sankey has the best chance for immediate fantasy success considering he has to only contend with Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster for carries in Tennessee. Sankey has the most upside of the three and should start from day one.Sankey will prove to be a very solid No. 2 back for your fantasy team and makes for a fine selection in rounds two or three in most leagues.

19. Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins
20. Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
21. Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
22. Shane Vereen, New England Patriots
23. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
24. Chris Johnson, New York Jets
25. Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns
26. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
27. Toby Gerhart, Jacksonville Jaguars
28. Maurice Jones-Drew, Oakland Raiders
29. Rashad Jennings, New York Giants
30. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers

2014 Projections: 221 carries, 722 rushing yards, 25 receptions for 219 yards and eight total touchdowns

While the 49ers were not the most ideal fit (from a fantasy perspective), at least initially, Carlos Hyde may work his way up the chain of command and perhaps be starting games toward the end of the season. Hyde will have to compliment Frank Gore at first, and if Marcus Lattimore is healthy, he will also contend for carries.

But Hyde, who was selected in the second round, is likely the future in San Francisco and they will not have him rot on the bench. Hyde will make his mark soon enough and is a fringe No. 2 back as early as next year. He has more value in dynasty/keeper leagues since he's potentially the best back on pure talent entering the league.

31. Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons
32. Joique Bell, Detroit Lions
33. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
34. Terrance West, Cleveland Browns

2014 Projections: 238 carries,  833 rushing yards, 43 receptions for 492  yards and five total touchdowns

Terrance West is probably one of the better kept secrets in the NFL. West has big-play ability and offers the Browns some fresh new legs at the position. While the Browns signed Ben Tate in the offseason, he has never been one for consistency, nor has been a model of perfect health.

With Manziel (or whoever quarterbacks the Browns) perhaps missing Josh Gordon for the year, expect the Browns to hand the ball off a lot this year, and at a minimum, West and Tate will likely be a tandem that splits the load. West has the most promise of the two and could be a steal in round five or six to be a No. 3 back for fantasy purposes.

35. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
36. Andre Williams, New York Giants

2014 Projections: 215 carries, 587 rushing yards, 8 receptions for 48 yards and seven total touchdowns

Remember when the Giants had their version of thunder and lightning with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs splitting the load a couple of years ago?

Well, that's probably what's in store this year when Andre Williams teams up with the versatile Rashad Jennings. Jennings will likely be the lead back for the Giants, but Williams will get his touches and perhaps be New York's designated goal-line back, much the same way Jacobs was used back in the day.

Williams has limited big-play ability, but he'll make his touches count and he makes for a low-end No. 3/high-end No. 4 running back in most leagues.

37. Chris Ivory, New York Jets
38. Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

2014 Projections: 150 carries, 614 rushing yards, 27 receptions for 300 yards and four total touchdowns

It may be only a matter of time before Devonta Freeman is the lead back in Atlanta. With Steven Jackson on the back nine of his career, Freeman will offer the Falcons some youth at the position, which is something they desperately need.

Jackson will still be labeled the lead back, but by the end of the year, Freeman could potentially be a big part of the Falcons offense.

Freeman is fantastic, high-end No.4 back to scoop up in the later rounds of all drafts.

39. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
40. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Wide Receivers

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Note: With Josh Gordon's pending suspension looming, he was left off this list for the time being.

Top 50

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
2. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
3. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
5. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
6. Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
8. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
10. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
11. Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
12. Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers
13. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
14. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
15. DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins
16. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
17. Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
18. Victor Cruz, New York Giants
19. Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks
20. Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
21. Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins
22. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
23. Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
24. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills

2014 Projections: 58 receptions for 1,103 yards and seven touchdowns

Although going to Buffalo is not the hottest spot for instant fantasy success, Sammy Watkins is one of those transcendent type of athletes that can succeed anywhere.

Watkins has been favorably compared to A.J. Green and Julio Jones, and Watkins can have a similar-type season that Green and Jones enjoyed their rookie years. Watkins should be on your radar as a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 receiver and one to target in rounds five or six.

25. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
26. Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles
27. Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts
28. Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys
29. Eric Decker, New York Jets
30. Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
31. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014 Projections: 60 receptions for 933 yards and six touchdowns

With Vincent Jackson opposite him, Mike Evans could get loose for a few big plays in his career. The thing is, the new quarterback in town, Josh McCown, had a similar set of receivers to work with in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jefferey last year in Chicago and Jackson and Evans could come close to replicating that pair.

While we shouldn't put the cart before the horse here, Evans does have big-play ability and at 6'5”, 225 pounds, he has also has freakish size to dominate. Evans, is best suited being a No. 3 receiver next year, but he'll be a No. 1 receiver in no time.

32. Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans
33. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
34. Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins
35. Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos
36. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
37. Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers

2014 Projections: 55 receptions for 777 yards and six touchdowns

With Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn leaving town, Cam Newton will need a new toy to play with and Kelvin Benjamin will be just that for him.

At 6'5”, 235 pounds, Benjamin could just out-leap everybody and get the ball. He'll be a force in the red zone and be Newton's primary target. He is a decent wide receiver to target as a low-end No.3/high-end No.4  for your squad.

38. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
39. Danny Amendola, New England Patriots
40. Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals
41. Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints

2014 Projections: 53 receptions for 766 yards and five touchdowns

If Brandin Cooks becomes Drew Brees and the Saints No. 2 receiver, Cooks has the chance to explode. As it is, he still has to fend off Kenny Stills.

With his speed and athletic ability, though, he's a natural fit in the Saints' high-octane offense.

Expect some bumps and bruises along the way, but in keeper/dynasty leagues he should be high on your board. As for seasonal leagues, he has No. 4 wide receiver appeal.

42. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

2014 projections: 54 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns

The Giants wanted a speedy deep threat and they got one when they selected Odell Beckham Jr. with the 12th pick.

It may take some time for him to adjust to the nuances of the game, but once he gets it down, Beckham Jr. will make his mark. The Giants have not had this type of athlete in a long time and they'll use him in a variety of packages. He's a high-end No. 4 receiver to target late in drafts and one who has legitimate upside.

43. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
44. Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers
45. Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams
46. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
47. Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars
48. Rueben Randle, New York Giants
49. Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
50. James Jones, Oakland Raiders

Tight Ends

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Top 20

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
2. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
3. Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos
4. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
5. Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns
6. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
7. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
8. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens
9. Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears
10. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
11. Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

2014 Projections: 44 receptions for 597 yards and seven touchdowns

Not many tight ends come along with the size and speed that Eric Ebron possesses.

While rookie tight ends are a crap shoot most of the time, Ebron is the guy you roll the dice on. Playing with Matt Stafford in the Lions' potent offense, Ebron will fit in like a glove in Detroit. While he wont get you a ton of yards (at least early on), he has the chance to be a red-zone beast for years to come.

Ebron will be a fringe starter in 12-team leagues next year. However, his appeal in dynasty/keeper leagues is off the charts.

12. Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
13. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
14. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
16. Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins
18. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014 Projections: 42 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns

Austin Seferian-Jenkins will have more value in keeper/dynasty leagues, but don't sleep on him in 2014 either.

Playing in a now loaded offense with Josh McCown as his quarterback, Vincent Jackson and fellow rookie Mike Evans at receiver and Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Mike James at running back, Seferian-Jenkins could fly under the radar and blossom right off the bat.

While nothing more than a No. 2 tight end for next year, Seferian-Jenkins has tremendous promise and one to keep your eye on.

19. Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers
20. Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts