Fantasy Football Top 10 Value Rookies

With the NFL Draft now complete for yet another offseason, the speculation begins to which rookie will take charge and prove their worth. While it’s an easier conversation to discuss the top end talent that will showcase their abilities, finding those rookie diamonds could be the difference in hoisting that coveted fantasy trophy.

So many players enter the NFL yearly and some never truly find their way. While we understand there are safer picks from this rookie class, we have identified a top 10 that could bear fruit as the season progresses. These players have the potential to be selected late in fantasy drafts or pilfered off the waiver-wire as the year moves forward. Either way, acknowledging this second tier of potential playmakers should be valuable in the second half of the 2019 season.       

Top 10 Value Rookies

AJ Brown | Tennessee Titans | Value Rank 1

As the first round of the draft progressed, the wide receiver class witnessed a colossal drop in value as NFL clubs waited until the second round to make their bidding seen. A large gasp from the fantasy masses came when the talented pass catching of AJ Brown fell to the Tennessee Titans.

The largest concern is the lack of faith in their quarterback Marcus Mariota to support his new weapons. AJ Brown is perhaps the most talented of his peers coming out of this draft and should be able to lift the overall output of Mariota. With that said, talking a late round flyer could be beneficial if Mariota manages to improve, or Ryan Tannehill finds his way on the field.

Good value is here, but red flags are attached to those throwing him the ball.     

Justice Hill | Baltimore Ravens | Value Rank 2

The most exciting value pick in our eyes went to the Baltimore Ravens when they chose to bring on the speedy Justice Hill.

Over the course of the past several seasons Coach John Harbaugh has been searching for a backfield tandem that he could truly trust without having to worry. Signing former New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram to begin the re-tinkering, drafting Justice Hill to be that complementary piece and change of pace will go a long way for this backfields success.

The NFL is a copycat league in many senses, and this appears to have the makings of what the Saints had with Ingram and Kamara. Before we get carried away, we aren’t suggesting that Hill is the next coming of Kamara, but the prospects of how this run game will be used; the formula is rather the same. Late round upside definitely exists here.       

Terry McLaurin | Washington Redskins | Value Rank 3

Right off the bat, some may scoff at the notion of us ranking Terry McLaurin ahead of now teammate Kelvin Harmon on this Redskins offense. With a receiving core that will see massive changeover to the core as we enter the season, we simply have to go with the fact that McLaurin has history with now starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State.

While Harmon might be the better of the two talent wise, chemistry accounts for a lot and we can easily envision McLaurin taking over for the loss of Jamison Crowder in the slot for this offense. Having a smooth release and precise route running ability, point per reception will be the fabric of McLaurin’s game with high potential.

Flex starter probability will be something to watch out for here, very good value.  

Kelvin Harmon | Washington Redskins | Value Rank 4

The second half of the new receiver installation in Washington, North Carolina State product Kelvin Harmon is prime to take over the number one receiving duties from day one.

Possessing good height and weight to be the teams outside threat, his overall speed does leave us a little concerned, hence why we have placed him behind his teammate Terry McLaurin. Also, for any young quarterback just getting his feet wet in the NFL, they typically favor shorter throws which could leave Harmon with fewer targets.

There is potential here, but we are more cautious for drafting Harmon over McLaurin.  

Hakeem Butler | Arizona Cardinals | Value Rank 5

Witnessing the giant six-foot, six-inch tall receiver fall to the Cardinals all the way in the fourth round was quite shocking to say the least. Holding great height and weight teamed with sub 4.5 speed, the Cardinals scored huge with fantastic value for Butler.

For those unfamiliar with Butler, the reason he took a tumble down the draft board was simply due to his many drops in his college career. While this is an obvious concern for any wide receiver, the situation he’s now fortunate enough to be in could become a perfect match.

With the future hall of famer Larry Fitzgerald on the roster to help instruct this young man, Butler could become one of the biggest fantasy steals come draft time. You can’t coach talent, and Butler has a boat load of that to work with.

Noah Fant | Denver Broncos | Value Rank 6

With ADF’s final NFL mock draft, we had the Vikings taking a shot on Iowa product Noah Fant, but to witness him find a home in Denver, we are also very intrigued with the possibilities.

The Denver Broncos have had their issues finding a replacement at the tight end spot ever since they lost Julius Thomas to free agency. With Joe Flacco now the starter entering training camp, the prospects of Fant to have a gigantic role is on the horizon. With virtually zero competition standing in his way; it truly is Fant’s job to lose.

With the tight end position having seen its struggles over the past few seasons to provide for fantasy owners, this rookie has the makings to become a real difference maker.  Late round starter appeal is on the menu for Noah Fant.   

Darrell Henderson | Los Angeles Rams | Value Rank 7

With all the buzz surrounding the Rams star Todd Gurley and that hampered arthritic knee condition, speculation rose early in the draft process to suggest Los Angeles would in fact select another runner to help ease the workload.

Going back to review Darrell Henderson’s tape from his days in Memphis, we again found ourselves impressed with the ability he possesses. Henderson was a statistical machine in his sophomore and junior seasons racking up yards and touchdowns with ease. The clear need was to find a capable change of pace back to keep this Rams offense moving and they may have found their man.

From day one, Henderson has appeal to become the best handcuff in fantasy on a very talented offense under Sean McVay.    

Devin Singletary | Buffalo Bills | Value Rank 8

As the Buffalo Bills continue to revamp their roster in hopes to become more competitive in the AFC East, their third round selection does have a great deal of intrigue for the upcoming campaign.

While the Bills backfield is already a crowed group with LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, and TJ Yeldon already having their place on the team, Devin Singletary will be given every opportunity to make plays as that change of pace back in 2019. Though this league has changed to support players with lack of size, Singletary will have to prove he can handle the punishment.

Being a player known for having a nose for the endzone, Singletary scored a whopping 66 touchdowns in his time with Florida Atlantic and should find ways to get the ball as the year moves forward. Patience will be key for Singletary as his carries should increase in the second half of the season.    

Irv Smith | Minnesota Vikings | Value Rank 9

For those who follow ADF, you know we have never been shy in out displeasure for the Vikings current tight end Kyle Rudolph. We always want to see more from Rudolph and we believe Minnesota has also seen enough.

Selecting former Alabama prospect Irv Smith to join a cast of characters ready to take the next step in their offensive development, Smith could find a way to jump Rudolph for more playing time. Smith has very sound athletic ability which could increase the overall output of this offense while giving Kirk Cousins another dynamic weapon.

Even as we sing heavy praise for the potential in Smith, we truly need to see how the tight end battle unfolds in camp to appropriately assign placement. For the future, Smith should be the guy in Minnesota.    

David Sills | Buffalo Bills | Value Rank 10

For those that don’t know, allow us to educate you on the fantastic potential of undrafted free agent signee – David Sills.

The Buffalo Bills hit an absolute home run when they snagged Sills after the draft as the skillset he possesses, the Bills don’t currently have on this roster. Sills has great size and speed to man the outside with the obvious threat of being the Bills go-to target in the redzone. While he may never fully become a weekly flex starter, the matchup potential is very high.

David Sills will become a name to watch off the waiver-wire as the year moves forward.

Honorable Mention

Deebo Samuel (SF), Dwayne Haskins (WAS), Rodney Anderson (CIN), Miles Boykin (BAL), Dawson Knox (BUF), Hunter Renfrow (OAK), Drew Lock (DEN).