Every once in a while I like to throw a rapid-fire column at ya. We live in an era dominated by the quick-and-easy – whether it be TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube – so we need to keep up with the times in our industry, too.
One sentence per rookie. Here we go!
No. 1 overall pick, Trevor Lawrence, QB: I’m not buying in in fantasy or when it comes to Jacksonville as a team (I love that under 6.5 wins on DraftKings Sportsbook).
No. 2, Zach Wilson, QB: I finally have some optimism when it comes to my favorite team; I expect Wilson to outperform his current QB27 spot.
No. 3, Trey Lance, QB: That finger injury reopened the door for Jimmy Garoppolo; Lance better hope Jimmy G doesn’t start with 2 or 3 consecutive victories.
No. 4, Kyle Pitts, TE: Atlanta’s fans are sad to see Julio Jones go, but Pitts’ fantasy owners should be ecstatic; should be second in line behind Calvin Ridley. (Pitts’ Over/Under on DK Sportsbook is 800.5 yards.)
No. 5, Ja’Marr Chase, WR: I do honestly believe he’s the best all-around wide receiver in this draft class, but it’s difficult to project targets when you consider the presence of both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
No. 6, Jaylen Waddle, WR: I’d like Waddle a lot better if Miami could figure out its downfield passing attack; I don’t think Tua meshes with his skillset, out the gate.
No. 10, DeVonta Smith, WR: I feel like he’s a more complete all-around receiver than his former teammate, Waddle, but I also feel like Jalen Reagor is lying in the weeds for improved production this season.
No. 11, Justin Fields, QB: Andy Dalton in the early going, but we know he’s just a prototypical placeholder; we’ll see Fields sooner rather than later.
No. 15, Mac Jones, QB: Cam Newton’s out of the way, so New England’s offensive line just needs to keep pressure off the rookie; he’s good with clean looks.
No. 20, Kadarius Toney, WR: I guess GM Gettleman is feeling set with his defense after last season; Toney can’t be a Redraft play with New York’s crowded offensive situation.
No. 24, Najee Harris, RB: Usually I run away from the Hype Train, but I’m jumpin’ on this one; Najee should be a safe play in both Redraft and Dynasty. (Najee’s Over/Under on DK Sportsbook is 990.5.)
No. 25, Travis Etienne, RB: We’ll see ya next year, rook!
No. 27, Rashod Bateman, WR: Something always seems to go wrong with these Baltimore wide receivers; another tough break.
No. 34, Elijah Moore, WR: As the resident NYJ expert, I think we are jumping the gun here; Jamison Crowder isn’t stepping aside in the short-term.
No. 35, Javonte Williams, RB: RB27 seems just a little too aggressive for me; I’m going Damien Harris and Gus Edwards over him in Redraft.
No. 49, Rondale Moore, WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Andy Isabella; not your time yet, young man.
No. 88, Trey Sermon, RB: I happen to like Raheem Mostert a lot, but this is a run-heavy attack and he can’t seem to remain healthy; Sermon looks reasonable at RB32.
No. 107, Michael Carter, RB: Did not impress me at all in the preseason; NYJ should have kept Josh Adams and placed MC on the practice squad in the short-term.
Ultimately, to me, the best value plays look like Wilson and Sermon. The best “safe” plays are Pitts and Harris. Everyone else is operating within a hit-or-miss gray area.
John Frascella is a published sports author and Senior Fantasy Analyst for Aaron Torres Online. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things fantasy football.
Make sure to subscribe to John's NFL gambling podcast.
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe on Spotify
Listen below