NFL Draft 2011: Julio Jones and the Top 10 Fantasy Football Rookies (with Clips)
Now that the draft is over, we can get to the real fun—predicting how these rookies will help us win our fantasy leagues!
Fantasy football is almost just as important as our favorite team winning the Super Bowl. We prepare all summer for the drafts, constantly search for the most up-to-the-minute injury news and analyze every matchup to become the fantasy champion.
We want to be right on our studs and sleeper candidates just so we can brag to our friends for the following year.
This year’s draft had a major impact on fantasy football as there are a lot of rookies who could explode on the fantasy scene in 2011.
Here are your top 10 fantasy football rookies.
10. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers QB
1 of 10Height: 6’5”
Weight: 248 lbs
Career Passing Stats: 2,908 yards, 30 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
Career Rushing Stats: 1,586 yards, 24 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.59
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 34.0
Broad Jump – 126.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.92
20-yard Shuttle – 4.18
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Cam Newton has the tools to succeed in this league, but he is still not as accurate as anybody would like.
His lack of experience and accuracy will cause him to scramble most of the year and pick up massive yards on the ground. His playmaking ability will make him a viable fantasy option down the stretch as he quickly picks up the speed of the game.
We saw Vince Young make an impact down the stretch at times, Newton has the ability to make an impact in the fantasy playoffs.
9. Ryan Williams, Arizona Cardinals RB
2 of 10Height: 5’9”
Weight: 212 lbs
Career Stats: 403 attempts, 2,132 yards, 30 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.61
Bench Press – 19.0
Vertical Jump – 40.0
Broad Jump – 123.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.96
20-yard Shuttle – 4.18
60-yard Shuttle – 11.4
Tim Hightower could be out of Arizona, which will give Ryan Williams every opportunity to make a major impact. Beanie Wells suffered through injury all of last season, which could cause head coach Ken Whisenhunt to reduce his carries.
Williams is one of the best backs in this class. He has the speed, vision, agility and instincts to be successful at the next level. He could dominate the carries in the backfield as Whisenhunt looks to Wells to close out games.
8. Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams TE
3 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 243 lbs
Career Stats: 78 receptions, 1,160 yards, 8 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.75
Bench Press – 25.0
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 122.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.94
20-yard Shuttle – 4.15
60-yard Shuttle – 11.9
The Rams needed to give Sam Bradford a supporting cast to allow him take this team to the top—they went full force with three of their first four selections—Kendricks in the second, Austin Pettis in the third and Greg Salas in the fourth.
Bradford now has solid, sure-handed options to target, but Lance will be the biggest beneficiary.
He is a big, reliable receiver who will be able to work the middle of the field and become Sam’s No.1 target inside the red zone. Expect good things.
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7. Leonhard Hankerson, Washington Redskins WR
4 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 209 lbs
Career Stats: 556 receptions, 2,834 yards, 29 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.43
Bench Press – 14.0
Vertical Jump – 36.0
Broad Jump – 117.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.94
20-yard Shuttle – 4.21
60-yard Shuttle – 11.37
Santana Moss is not a lock to return to the team. This means that Hankerson, who had no business dropping to the middle of the third round, would be the best receiver on the team and No. 1 target.
He will dominate the targets as a rookie and with his route running and sure hands, he will haul in just about every pass thrown his way.
Anytime a fantasy player can grab a potential No.1 receiver, they have to jump at the opportunity—even if the quarterback play is expected to be poor.
6. Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions RB
5 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 227 lbs
Career Stats: 424 attempts, 2,557 yards, 23 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.59
Bench Press – 21.0
Vertical Jump – 38.0
Broad Jump – 122.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.82
20-yard Shuttle - 4.4
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Detroit traded back into the second round to land my No. 2 running back in the class. Leshoure is the perfect back to pair with Jahvid Best with his all-around elite potential.
Mikel has great speed, durability, power, agility and ball security.
I fully expect Leshoure to receive the bulk of the carries towards the middle of the season for the stretch run to keep Best healthy for the playoffs.
He has the talent to become the best running back from this class and even rivaled Mark Ingram heading into the draft according to some analysts.
5. Titus Young, Detroit Lions WR
6 of 10Height: 5’11”
Weight: 174 lbs
Career Stats: 204 receptions, 3,063yards, 25 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.53
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – 123.0
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
The Lions grabbed Titus Young to be their new leading receptions receiver.
Calvin Johnson is the No. 1 target, but he will command a ton of attention, leaving Young more than enough room to dominate the field. Matthew Stafford will lock on to Young early and often to pick up first downs.
This is a quick receiver who knows how to get open. Playing opposite Johnson, he will have no problem adjusting to the NFL.
I wouldn’t expect him to rack up the touchdowns, as Megatron will still be among the league leaders in that category, but you just can’t rule out six touchdowns in this explosive offense.
4. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints RB
7 of 10Height: 5’9”
Weight: 215 lbs
Career Stats: 572 attempts, 3,261 yards, 42 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.62
Bench Press – 21.0
Vertical Jump – 31.5
Broad Jump – 118.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.13
20-yard Shuttle – 4.62
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Ingram lands in a great destination. Although he will split carries in New Orleans, he is the perfect complement to Drew Brees and the aerial attack.
With his power running style, ability to pass black and receive—he is the ideal back for Sean Payton’s offense. Expect to see him on the field early and often to wear down defenses early or late depending on the weekly game plan.
In this system, he is going to be an extremely productive back—the best back in New Orleans since Deuce McAllister.
3. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals WR
8 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 211 lbs
Career Stats: 166 receptions, 2,619 yards, 23 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.5
Bench Press – 18.0
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 126.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.91
20-yard Shuttle – 4.21
60-yard Shuttle – 11.46
Green is a phenomenal talent—the best wide receiver prospect in any class since Calvin Johnson.
He has the ideal leaping ability, separation skills, footwork, balance, speed and hands. He can do it all and will be leaned upon heavily as a rookie.
Expect him to dominate receiving touchdowns in Cincinnati, even if Chad Ochocinco is still around to bother the Bengals management. He will be able to dominate nearly ever cornerback he will face in 2011.
2. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons WR
9 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs
Career Stats: 179 receptions, 2,653 yards, 15 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.39
Bench Press – 17.0
Vertical Jump – 38.5
Broad Jump – 135.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.66
20-yard Shuttle – 4.25
60-yard Shuttle – 11.07
Julio Jones will excel in this league as soon as Week 1with the Atlanta Falcons. This is the ideal situation for a talent like Jones, who now won’t face the pressure of being a No.1 receiver.
As teams try to stop Roddy White, one of the best receivers in the league, Jones will be left to dominate single coverage.
This is one of the deadliest No. 2 receivers in the league. Matt Ryan will constantly find him open all over the field.
His touchdown total may not be high with White and Tony Gonzalez around, but he should be the rookie league leader in yards and receptions.
1. Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins RB
10 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 230 lbs
Career Stats: 545 attempts, 2,850 yards, 30 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – N/A
Bench Press – 21.0
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – N/A
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle –N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
Thomas enters the perfect situation for any rookie in this class as far as fantasy is concerned. The Dolphins revamped the offensive line and are not expected to bring back Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams.
He will become the new workhorse back in Tony Sparano’s offense. We all know the head coach wants nothing more than to run the ball effectively.
With his vision and power, he is going to dominate behind Jake Long, Mike Pouncey and this powerful offensive line.
He will be a threat to carry the rock between 250-300 times as rookie in this offense. Sparano landed one of the perfect backs for his system, and he will run him into the ground as soon as possible.
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