By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
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Connor Cook, QB, Raiders Cook has the short- and mid-range accuracy to be a starter in the NFL, but will most likely need to wait until his rookie deal is over or a Derek Carr suffers a serious injury. For the time being, Cook has long-term upside for dynasty leagues, but in the short term, he’s not worth much for redraft leagues.
Chris Moore, WR, Ravens There is room in this Ravens receiving group for upward mobility, but Moore is mostly just a deep threat and will need to grow as an all-around receiver to become worthwhile in fantasy. The Ravens have not developed receivers with any consistency, so Moore will need to buck that trend.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams Higbee is possibly the most talented tight end from the 2016 NFL Draft, but also appears to be a not very nice guy as he allegedly beat a man nearly to death while drunk – the legal process has yet to play out in that case. Add in the fact that tight ends have trouble contributing early in their careers, and Higbee could be incarcerated for all we know. I do think he’s worth the risk in dynasty leagues though, so take a flier on him if you are weak at tight end.
Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Patriots The Patriots have been notoriously bad at drafting wide receivers, but Mitchell has a good chance to beat that history. He’s a great route runner and can play all the receiver positions, and despite his smallish size, he plays bigger than he is and can make contested receptions. There isn’t so much competition in New England that he can’t win a spot, with Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan being his main competition for snaps. Mitchell makes for a first- or second-round rookie dynasty pick and a late-round re-draft flier this year.
Ricardo Louis, WR, Browns Like Corey Coleman, who the Browns drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Louis lands on a team without much of a veteran presence at the wide receiver position. Louis has elite speed, but he is still a project who needs to become a better route runner and shore up his hands. There is room for him to grow in Cleveland, but he’s more of a late dynasty-rookie pick than re-draft this season.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, Rams Cooper will join a host of misfits in the L.A. Rams’ receiver group and does have a nice skill set. The trouble is that he is similar to Tavon Austin in that skill set, which is great for what it is, but lacks consistency. The Rams should get their passing game going with Jared Goff moving forward, but this season is dedicated to bringing Goff along while Todd Gurley and the defense grind out games. Cooper won’t have a chance at being a fantasy player until then, and even then he’s probably going to be inconsistent.
Tyler Ervin, RB, Texans Ervin has the look of a draft steal, as he has tremendous speed and shiftiness while being able to catch the ball. But as an overall running back he lacks in some fundamentals, including patience as a runner. The good news is that he does have the ability to beat out Alfred Blue and Jonathon Grimes, but it isn’t a slam-dunk. I like his physical attributes, and he should learn a lot under Bill O’Brien, but I’m not sold on him as Lamar Miller’s handcuff for this season quite yet.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs Robinson has plenty of red flags as he served four separate suspensions at Florida, but he also has the athleticism and raw ability to make it in the NFL. We’ve watched plenty of NFL players fall out of the league with poor work ethic and life choices, so I don’t think we can bank on Robinson, but if, and this is of course a big if, if Robinson can dedicate himself, he has good upside as a NFL receiver.
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens Dixon landed in a good position with Baltimore, and his ability is much higher than his late draft selection would indicate. He is a tough runner, can block, has good vision and is an excellent pass catcher. His combine results don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t throw up any red flags after watching his tape. The Ravens have Justin Forsett penciled in as this year’s starter, but the aging back is susceptible to competition. Buck Allen is also a good pass-catching back, but does not run as well between the tackles as Dixon and neither does Forsett. Dixon just went eighth overall in the Rotoworld dynasty rookie draft and was the second running back off the board, going ahead of Derrick Henry.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys Prescott landed in a good place, as Tony Romo is 36 years old and coming off about a hundred broken collar bones, but Prescott’s also not all that great. He has escapability and one-read accuracy, but his mechanics are a mess and he will have trouble reading a NFL defense. I’m not sold that Prescott can learn and improve fast enough to be a viable backup to Romo.
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos Booker landed in a good spot for running backs, as the Broncos will look to run the ball and play defense to win games. Right now, he has C.J. Anderson in front of him, and it will most likely stay that way as long as Anderson is healthy, but Booker has the ability to compete with Anderson and to beat out Ronnie Hillman for the No. 2 spot. Add to that Anderson’s inability to put a full 16-game season together, and Booker makes for a nice handcuff pick this season.
Cardale Jones, QB, Bills Jones has the making of a very good pro quarterback, with the size and arm talent to settle in as a pocket passer versus his miscasting in the spread offense of Ohio State. The Bills won’t commit to Tyrod Taylor, and that leaves Jones securely in the picture as Buffalo’s future starting quarterback. I like Taylor a lot, but his running style is a concern, as he was often dinged up last season. If he is hurt this year, Jones could make a run at the job, and if his ability can catch up with the Bills’ scheme, he could stick. Of course, Rex Ryan and quarterbacks usually don’t go hand in hand, but Jones could be the diamond in the rough.
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
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2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
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2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
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2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
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2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
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2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
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2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)
NFL Picks - Nov. 23
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
