Top 2019 Fantasy Football Rookies

With the 2019 NFL Draft now in the rear-view, it’s time to place evaluation markers on this new rookie class.

The intention to appropriately assign the correct value on players that should have standalone significance from day one is the objective.

While we fully understand talent can be measured in many ways, applying team systems and schemes to a player’s talent will go a long way in how successful they’ll become. The way in which a roster is constructed will also have an impact on statistical achievements. Nevertheless, as of today, we have identified 10 rookies with extremely high potential to garner great returns for your fantasy team.

Top Rookies for 2019

David Montgomery- RB, Chicago Bears

While most have the Raiders Josh Jacobs as their top-ranked fantasy player coming out of the 2019 rookie class, we simply can’t overlook the fantastic situation David Montgomery has found himself in.

Being selected by the up-and-coming Chicago Bears, Montgomery has the potential to slot in as the day one starter at running back. Though we understand the affinity for Tarik Cohen and his ability to steal carries, limiting the overall output for Montgomery, Coach Matt Nagy appears to have found his guy in the backfield and should provide every opportunity for success.

Adding to that, this Bears team is just scratching the surface of excellence with Mitchell Trubisky leading the way. With a receiving core comparable to some of the best the league has to offer, stacked boxes shouldn’t be a glaring concern. With a career rushing average of 4.7 yards per carry in college, buckle up and get ready for Chicago to exploit that skillset.

Miles Sanders- RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Though we may view former Penn State runner Miles Sanders a little higher than some, we truly believe it’s warranted and justifiable.

When the Eagles traded for Jordan Howard from the Chicago Bears before the NFL draft, we felt they would’ve been satisfied with their current situation in the running back room. Selecting Sanders will cloud the situation of who receives the lion’s share of the carries this season, but Sanders will separate himself as the year progresses.   

This backfield will undoubtedly witness a great level of timeshare between Howard and Sanders, but given his skillset, Coach Pederson will have to ride the hot hand. Our pre-draft comparison highlighted the unique ability of Sanders to mirror that of former Eagle LeSean McCoy. His impressive world class jump cut and change of direction will add dynamics to this offense to assist Carson Wentz and company.

Even as carries might be sparse to begin the season; the value in the second half of the year would permit ranking him here.

Josh Jacobs- RB, Oakland Raiders

While my initial evaluation was extremely close to home with Josh Jacobs as the top rookie target heading into fantasy draft season, I had no choice but to place him at three with the potential to see him rise as the offseason wears on.

The issue we have with Jacobs rests in his limited workload in his days with the Crimson Tide. Carrying the ball a mere 251 times over his three years under Coach Nick Saban leaves a lot to be desired. Historically, Alabama runners have shown limited levels of success in their history coming into the NFL. Outside of Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry and Shaun Alexander, you would be hard pressed to find any real game changers from that system including some colossal busts.  

With all that said, Jacobs finds himself in a glorious situation with virtually no real competition to stand in his way. With a team around him built to improve and succeed, Jacobs could find himself having a great season.

N’Keal Harry- WR, New England Patriots

With the 2019 NFL draft stacked with defensive talent (which was the driving force in the first round), the New England Patriots again snagged a top end prospect in the later stages. Finding great fortunate with pick 32, the Patriots filled a giant need while picking a supremely gifted talent.

N’Keal Harry is one of those players that could absolutely flourish in a system capable of providing him the ball. Gearing up to receive passes from future hall of famer Tom Brady, Harry has the potential to be a team leader in many statistical categories. Being compared to the likes of Dez Bryant, Harry does come with measurables two-inches taller then Bryant.

Heading to New England with a roster that has seen a great deal of changeover this offseason, Harry has the ability to be that plug-in day one starter on the outside. Red zone targets should be plentiful in 2019 for N’Keal Harry.

DK Metcalf- WR, Seattle Seahawks

NFL Draft Combine revelation - DK Metcalf set social media ablaze with his cyborg-like showing for individual drills. Having size, weight, and speed to go along with sound ability in catching passes, opened the eyes of scouts to believe he would be a first-round selection.

Though Metcalf did fall in the draft finding his home in Seattle with the last pick of the second round, the potential with him catching passes from Russell Wilson has us enthralled. Finding a player of this aptitude to stretch the field is something Wilson hasn’t had in his NFL career.

With the recent news that Doug Baldwin could be forced into early retirement due to injuries, Metcalf has the opportunity to become the Hawks go-to target early and often. This is a match made in heaven and Metcalf should end as the team’s best statistical receiver in 2019.         

Kyler Murray- QB, Arizona Cardinals

Selected with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Oklahoma product Kyler Murray showed his sound ability after taking over the reins from Baker Mayfield in the Sooners system. While the clear knock on Murray is his stature (standing five-foot, 10 inches), like most talented smaller quarterbacks, they seem to know how to make plays.

Murray was absolutely electric in 2018 accounting for a whopping 5362 total yards, to include generating over 1000 yards on the ground. If that wasn’t enough, Murray was able to find the endzone an astronomical 54 times in his junior season, (42 through the air and 12 on the ground), like we said – a true difference maker.

Now sitting on a roster with David Johnson behind him in the backfield and a receiving core with added weapons, Murray could be one of the biggest value selections in fantasy drafts.

Parris Campbell- WR, Indianapolis Colts

Outside of Miles Sanders, my favorite offensive rookie to come from the 2019 class is former Ohio State Buckeye – Parris Campbell. Before any snap judgments are placed on the vibrant receiver, review his tape to see what he actually could become.

Having spent ample amounts of time reviewing his overall output on film, we understand where skeptics would criticize, but it isn’t enough to place us in their circle. For purposes of comparing, Campbell is literally a Percy Harvin clone in our eyes with much greater upside. Some may scoff with that evaluation, but believe me when I tell you; the skillset is there to produce.

Landing with the Colts and Andrew Luck only provides more optimism for success as Indianapolis now has their true slot receiver. Evan as Campbell could be viewed as more of a gadget type of player, his speed and toughness will guarantee success in supporting TY Hilton. Value is off the charts for where Campbell can be selected.

Mecole Hardman- WR, Kansas City Chiefs

With all the controversy surrounding the Chiefs Tyreek Hill and his off-field indiscretions, Kansas City was forced to move in another direction by hopefully replacing the skillset which is likely forever lost from Hill.

Mecole Hardman is yet another of many talents that have come out of the Georgia Bulldogs system of late that essentially mimics the ability of Tyreek Hill. Primarily serving as the Bulldogs deep play threat and kick return specialist, Hardman should be able to carve out a role on this Chiefs offense and special teams.

Placing Hardman with the eighth ranking isn’t a form of disrespect, but rather we chose to employ the cautiously optimistic approach, as we simply can’t get carried away because Patrick Mahomes will be throwing him the ball. Proof on the field needs to take place before we can fully endorse Hardman but the value indicators are rising quickly.

Andy Isabella- WR, Arizona Cardinals

Although the buzz heading into the draft was the speculation of what the Cardinals would do with the first overall pick and their rostered quarterback Josh Rosen, it was subsequent picks Arizona secured thereafter which has us intrigued.

Clearly, the Cardinals required more firepower on offense with a receiving core that still holds future hall of famer Larry Fitzgerald. With the new regime applying their system, an over the middle presence in Andy Isabella should return loads of value to the fantasy community.  

Isabella proved in his four years of college that he could, in fact, become a reliable target racking up receptions in the process. Early comparisons have Isabella emulating that of a slightly bigger Wes Welker, to which we fully agree. Point per reception will become his forte with the accurate passing of Kyler Murray.

TJ Hockenson- TE, Detroit Lions

Having rookie tight ends ranked high isn’t something we normally subscribe to but in the case of the Lions newest addition, we have no choice. TJ Hockenson is a player we have grown to appreciate with his sound ability in both the run and pass games. While fantasy owners aren’t given points to players that block, all this means is that he should never leave the field of play.

To elaborate on tight ends that can hold their own in the run game, this will provide ample opportunities to disguise Hockenson via the play action pass. Redzone and goal line productivity should become the highest amongst his peers. With the tight end position having its issues for overall fantasy production these past few years, Hockenson could bring with him a breath of fresh air.