May 5, 2013
There will be many more 2013 Fantasy Football Rankings and features in the late spring and summer, including tons of 2013 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts, Player Rankings, Sleepers and Busts. I’ll also have an extensive 2013 NFL Fantasy Football Preseason Stock Report.
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Re-Draft
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Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
Le’Veon Bell wasn’t the first running back taken, and he’s not as famous as Eddie Lacy or Montee Ball, but he’s my No. 1 fantasy rookie. Bell is in the best situation. The Steelers have mediocre, fumble-prone running backs. If Bell takes care of the ball, he’ll secure the starting job, thanks to his ability to play on third down. He also figures to get the goal-line work.
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Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
The Bengals drafted Giovani Bernard before any other running back because they like his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and play on third down. Bernard has Doug Martin potential for this reason, but the problem is that BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be around to take carries, especially those near the goal line.
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Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers
Eddie Lacy was the favorite to be the top fantasy rookie after Day 2 of the draft – and then the Packers selected Johnathan Franklin. The two will negate each other’s fantasy value, which sucks. There’s a chance Lacy could approach double-digit touchdowns as Green Bay’s goal-line hammer, but I thought Mark Ingram would do the same for the Saints. These Alabama backs have been disappointments thus far.
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Johnathan Franklin, RB, Packers
Johnathan Franklin was chosen two rounds after Eddie Lacy, but he could be used more than the Alabama product. Franklin, viewed by some as the top running back prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft, is better as a receiver and blocker than Lacy, which is huge in Green Bay’s offense. Franklin will be selected later in fantasy drafts than Lacy, but he provides way more value.
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E.J. Manuel, QB, Bills
It could be argued that E.J. Manuel is the top fantasy rookie this year, which should tell you how bad this draft class was. Manuel will undoubtedly commit tons of turnovers, but he’ll pick up a bunch of rushing yards and some scores on the ground. He’ll be a viable QB2 option with a good amount of upside.
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Tavon Austin, WR, Rams
If any of these rookie wideouts are going to produce, it’ll be Tavon Austin, who will be an instant starter as the slot receiver in St. Louis’ offense. Austin will play Danny Amendola’s role, and Amendola caught 63 passes for 666 yards in 11 games in 2012. Austin figures to be more durable than Amendola, so he’ll be a solid, late-round PPR option. Unfortunately, people are familiar with his name, so he’ll probable be overdrafted in your league. I’m always cautious with rookie receivers in fantasy.
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Montee Ball, RB, Broncos
Don’t be the one to be duped into drafting John Fox’s rookie running back this year. Fox absolutely hates rookies and will play less-talented veterans over them. Ball will be overdrafted.
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Zac Stacy, RB, Rams
With Isaiah Pead hating football and Daryl Richardson being pretty mediocre, Zac Stacy has a legitimate shot to win the starting running back job in St. Louis.
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DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
DeAndre Hopkins is the overwhelming favorite to claim the No. 2 wideout position, given that his competition is Lestar Jean and Keshawn Martin. Hopkins is pro-ready with great route-running ability, so he could definitely be a decent producer in 2013. I hate trusting rookie receivers, but I wouldn’t be opposed to using a late-round flier on him.
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Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys
DeMarco Murray is very injury-prone. Once he goes down again, someone will have to step in as the starting running back. The favorite to do that is Joseph Randle, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State.
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Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders
Latavius Murray will be considered to start once Darren McFadden suffers his annual injury. As Injured Reserve once told me, “I’ve had tons of fantasy success drafting Darren McFadden’s backup.”
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Mike Gillislee, RB, Dolphins
Lamar Miller is slated to be the starting running back in Miami, but Mike Gillislee should be the No. 2 because the coaching staff hates Daniel Thomas. Gillislee is functional on third down, so Joe Philbin won’t hesitate to use him.
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Stepfan Taylor, RB, Cardinals
Both Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams are unreliable, so Stepfan Taylor might just be able to emerge as the starting running back at some point during the season. He’s worth a late-round flier.
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Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
Tyler Eifert has great long-term fantasy potential, given that Andy Dalton’s physical limitations will have him favor the Notre Dame prospect over the middle of the field. However, there are tons of fantasy tight ends better than Eifert this year. He’s just a TE2 with some upside.
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Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Vikings
Cordarrelle Patterson has all the talent in the world, but he won’t reach his statistical potential as long as Christian Ponder is his quarterback. Patterson also happens to be raw, so I wouldn’t bother using a fantasy pick on him until the very end of the draft.
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Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers
Markus Wheaton was the star receiver at the Senior Bowl. He’s very fast and should be able to take over Mike Wallace’s role in the offense. He’ll start sooner rather than later, so he’s someone to keep in mind for 2014.
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Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Keenan Allen is a pro-ready receiver who could make an impact this season. The problem is that it’s difficult to trust rookie receivers. Philip Rivers has shown signs of severe decline the past two seasons, but Danario Alexander proved last year that Rivers can still create a productive fantasy wideout. Allen could be a factor in the second half of the year once he becomes a bigger part of the offense.
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Knile Davis, RB, Chiefs
Knile Davis could get goal-line touches for the Chiefs. He could also be benched if he fumbles as much as he did at Arkansas.
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Justin Hunter, WR, Titans
Justin Hunter is the third receiver on an offense with a weak quarterback. Don’t bother.
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Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
It’s difficult enough to trust fantasy rookie tight ends, but Zach Ertz has to split targets with James Casey and perhaps even Brent Celek if he’s still around.
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Robert Woods, WR, Bills
A rookie receiver catching passes from a rookie quarterback in windy conditions? I’ll pass.
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Geno Smith, QB, Jets
Geno Smith is a better quarterback than E.J. Manuel in real life, but I prefer Manuel in fantasy right now because Smith doesn’t run as much. That’s why Smith is nothing more than a late-round fantasy option.
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Kenny Stills, WR, Saints
Kenny Stills is a real long shot to produce, but he could realistically leap Chris Givens and Joe Morgan to be the starter across from Marques Colston. He’s someone to watch in the preseason.
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Aaron Dobson, WR, Patriots
I’ve learned long ago to never trust a receiver drafted by Bill Belichick. Let someone else have Aaron Dobson.
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Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
Travis Kelce could actually start for the Chiefs this season, but he’ll have some competition from Tony Moeaki and Anthony Fasano. Either way, it’s better to stay away from a rookie tight end.
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Josh Boyce, WR, Patriots
What I said about Aaron Dobson also applies here. Bill Belichick has a terrible track record in terms of drafting receivers.
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Chris Harper, WR, Seahawks
Chris Harper needs an injury to Sidney Rice to be relevant, but as we’ve seen, Rice tends to get hurt a lot.
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Mike James, RB, Buccaneers
With LeGarrette Blount gone, Mike James has a chance to be the No. 2 back in Tampa Bay.
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Ace Sanders, WR, Jaguars
I didn’t think much of Ace Sanders from a fantasy perspective this season, but Justin Blackmon’s four-game suspension will open up an opportunity for him. Unfortunately, his quarterbacks are still Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne.
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Mychal Rivera, TE, Raiders
Mychal Rivera has a chance to be Oakland’s receiving tight end. There’s some PPR potential with that because the weak-armed Matt Flynn will have to settle for underneath stuff.
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Marquise Goodwin, WR, Bills
Marquise Goodwin is fast like Tavon Austin, but he’s not nearly as pro-ready as the West Virginia wideout. Goodwin is raw and should be treated as such in your fantasy draft.
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Quinton Patton, WR, 49ers
Quinton Patton will need injuries to see the field, but he’s someone to keep an eye on in 2014, as both Anquan Boldin and Mario Manningham will be heading for free agency.
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Marcus Lattimore, RB, 49ers
Marcus Lattimore may not play a single snap this season. He may not even see the field much in 2014. But he’ll be a stud fantasy back in 2015 and beyond when Frank Gore’s contract expires.
- Denard Robinson, RB, Jaguars
- Stedman Bailey, WR, Rams
- Ryan Swope, WR, Cardinals
- Christine Michael, RB, Seahawks
- Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Bills
- Aaron Mellette, WR, Ravens
- Matt Scott, QB, Jaguars
- Ryan Griffin, TE, Texans
- Nick Kasa, TE, Raiders
- Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals
- Theo Riddick, RB, Lions
- Kerwynn Williams, RB, Colts
- Dion Sims, TE, Dolphins
- Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
- Vance McDonald, TE, 49ers
- Gavin Escobar, TE, Cowboys
- Chris Gragg, TE, Bills
- Michael Williams, TE, Lions
- Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears
- Cobi Hamilton, WR, Bengals
- Kenjon Barner, RB, Panthers
- Jawan Jamison, RB, Redskins
- Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins
- Michael Cox, RB, Giants
- Rex Burkhead, RB, Bengals
- Spencer Ware, RB, Seahawks
- Corey Fuller, WR, Lions
- Justin Brown, WR, Steelers
- Caleb Sturgis, K, Dolphins
- Dustin Hopkins, K, Bills
- Levine Toilolo, TE, Falcons
- Tavarres King, WR, Broncos
- Brice Butler, WR, Raiders
- Tyler Wilson, QB, Raiders
- Mike Glennon, QB, Buccaneers
- Luke Willson, TE, Seahawks
- Alan Bonner, WR, Texans
- Charles Johnson, WR, Packers
- Matt Barkley, QB, Eagles
- Landry Jones, QB, Steelers
- Kevin Dorsey, WR, Dolphins
- D.C. Jefferson, TE, Cardinals
- Justice Cunningham, TE, Colts
- Ryan Nassib, QB, Giants
- Brad Sorensen, QB, Chargers
- Zac Dysert, QB, Broncos
- B.J. Daniels, QB, 49ers
- Sean Renfree, QB, Duke
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More 2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football: Home
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: RUNNING BACKS - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/5 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Season Features:
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: PPR - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Add/Drop: Week 15 - 12/9 (Walt)
Week 14 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Fan Duel Picks - 11/22 (Walt)
FanDuel FanDuel $15,000 Contest - 11/22
FanDuel Exclusive Offer to WalterFootball.com Readers - 8/24
FanDuel Week 1 $500 Freeroll - 8/24
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets (Printable Option):
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, 3-WR, Flex - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, PPR - 8/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Standard - 8/22 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Dynasty - 8/15 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-team, PPR - 8/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 3-WR - 8/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 7/26 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-teamer - 7/19 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/11 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 6/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Four-Man Mock - 6/13 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Quarterback Targets - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine: 10 Reasons Not to Buy It - 8/21 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football IDP Tips - 8/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/16 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Draft Boards for Sale - 6/13
2013 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 6/9 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Hot Finishers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: Overdrafted Players - 2/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
