May 12, 2017
There will be many more 2017 Fantasy Football Rankings and features in the late spring and summer, including tons of 2017 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts, Player Rankings, Sleepers and Busts. I’ll also have an extensive 2017 NFL Fantasy Football Preseason Stock Report.
2017 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Re-Draft
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Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars
Tom Coughlin told Leonard Fournette that he wants him to put the ball into the end zone. I’m sure Fournette’s fantasy owners will appreciate that mindset. Fournette should open as an RB2, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he closed out as a fantasy RB1 to finish the 2017 campaign. Jacksonville didn’t select him fourth overall to split a workload.
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Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
Christian McCaffrey will split the running workload with Jonathan Stewart for the first year or two, so he’ll be a much more exciting PPR option in the early going. McCaffrey is likely to catch a ton of passes, as Cam Newton will aim to get McCaffrey involved rather than do almost everything himself. McCaffrey’s outlook will improve when Stewart moves on.
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Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
Dalvin Cook slipped in the 2017 NFL Draft because of some character concerns and poor testing numbers. However, he has excellent vision, and it’d be an upset if he didn’t start at some point in the near future.
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Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
Joe Mixon would’ve been a top-15 pick had he not punched a woman several years ago. However, the Bengals have given him a second chance, and he’ll have an opportunity to become a stud running back in the NFL. Mixon will be splitting time with two other running backs as a rookie, but for the long haul, there’s RB1 potential if he can stay out of trouble.
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Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs
Kareem Hunt catches passes out of the backfield well and happens to be a great fit in Andy Reid’s offense. He’ll compete with Spencer Ware to be the starting running back, and there’s a very good chance Hunt will win the job.
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Joe Williams, RB, 49ers
Joe Williams has a chance to be San Francisco’s starting running back, as the scuttlebutt is that the 49ers don’t like Carlos Hyde in their offense. Kyle Shanahan specifically asked John Lynch to spend a fourth-round pick on Williams, so I’d have to believe that Williams will see some sort of a workload as a rookie, which I’m betting will increase as the season progresses.
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Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins
Samaje Perine has a legitimate chance to be the Redskins’ starting running back. Either way, he’ll split the workload with Robert Kelley early in his career. Perine has RB2-type upside in 2017, as the Redskins’ running back competition will be an interesting one to watch.
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Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
Mike Williams is a big threat, whom I’m sure Philip Rivers will target frequently in the red zone. Williams could be the Chargers’ No. 1 receiver at some point this year if Keenan Allen gets hurt again. Allen has an extensive injury history, so there’s plenty of potential for Williams to be a great fantasy receiver for the long haul.
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Corey Davis, WR, Titans
At least one team was going to pass on Corey Davis in the second round because of durability concerns. Davis was overdrafted, but he’ll serve as a big target for Marcus Mariota, who is excellent in the red zone. Steve Smith compared Davis to Terrell Owens, so there’s definitely upside here.
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Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Alvin Kamara will have to compete with Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson for touches. That may make Kamara sound unappealing, but Ingram was benched last year for Tim Hightower, while Peterson looked decrepit when we last saw him. Kamara could be a big producer by the end of 2017, and he looks even better in dynasty/keeper formats.
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Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
Several teams had third-round grades on Deshaun Watson, so he was a major reach. However, he’ll likely start as a rookie, and if he does, he’ll pick up plenty of rushing yardage, making him a viable QB2.
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John Ross, WR, Bengals
John Ross has 4.21 speed, but his ability doesn’t mesh well with Andy Dalton’s limitations. Still, he should be productive with the Bengals, and he could eventually flirt with WR2/WR3 status. I wouldn’t draft him until late this year, however.
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O.J. Howard, TE, Buccaneers
Though O.J. Howard has great long-term potential in keeper/dynasty leagues, I would avoid him in re-draft formats this year, as rookie tight ends seldom produce on a high level. Howard could catch six to eight touchdowns, but he’ll be sharing targets with lots of other weapons.
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Zay Jones, WR, Bills
Zay Jones is likely going to be Buffalo’s No. 2 receiver this season, but he’ll be the top wideout the following year because the Bills are allowing Sammy Watkins to walk for some reason. Jones has WR2 potential for the future, but as for now, he’s a WR4 without much upside because of Tyrod Taylor.
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JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster has potential to produce as a rookie because of the offense he plays in. However, he’ll have to compete with Martavis Bryant and Sammie Coates – they can argue whom he’ll supplant – and Smith-Schuster was just seen as a Round 2-3 prospect anyway.
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Evan Engram, TE, Giants
Evan Engram has drawn comparisons to Jordan Reed coming out of Ole Miss, so he definitely has tons of potential. However, he’s difficult to trust right away because he’s a rookie tight end, and Eli Manning won’t be around for the long haul, so Engram’s long-term future is somewhat cloudy.
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David Njoku, TE, Browns
David Njoku has great potential, but also happens to be very raw. He’ll have every opportunity, with the Browns cutting Gary Bardnidge, but he can’t be trusted as a rookie. His value will soar if the Browns can eventually find a competent quarterback.
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D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans
Lamar Miller is entrenched as Houston’s starting running back, but D’Onta Foreman could start some games if Miller goes down with an injury. It remains to be seen if Foreman will even be the No. 2 running back, but he has a good chance to be. He could also be the starter in some time.
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Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
Given that Frank Gore is now 34, Marlon Mack could conceivably start a handful of games as a rookie. If he shows well, he could be Indianapolis’ starting running back in 2018 and beyond.
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Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers
The only running back Jamaal Williams has to pass on the depth chart is Ty Montgomery. He’ll get competition from fellow rookie Aaron Jones, but he has high upside as a late-round flier.
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Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
This is an almost copy-paste: The only running back Aaron Jones has to pass on the depth chart is Ty Montgomery. He’ll get competition from fellow rookie Jamaal Williams, but he has high upside as a late-round flier.
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James Conner, RB, Steelers
DeAngelo Williams is gone, so James Conner was drafted to be Le’Veon Bell’s direct backup. Considering that Bell misses time every year, Conner should be able to start some games, so he’s not a bad late-round choice.
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Wayne Gallman, RB, Giants
Wayne Gallman has a chance to start some games for the Giants this season, but he’ll likely be in a heavy rotation. Still, the upside is there, as the Giants don’t have any strong running backs.
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Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
Curtis Samuel will play Ted Ginn’s role in Carolina’s offense. Samuel has some long-term potential, but there are suddenly too many mouths to feed in Carolina.
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Gerald Everett, TE, Rams
Gerald Everett is an athletic player with upside, but he’ll never reach his statistical potential as long as Jared Goff is playing quarterback.
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Adam Shaheen, TE, Bears
Adam Shaheen is extremely athletic, but very raw. It could be a while until he contributes, especially as long as Zach Miller is on the roster.
- Carlos Henderson, WR, Broncos
- Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
- Jordan Leggett, TE, Jets
- ArDarius Stewart, WR, Jets
- Chad Hansen, WR, Jets
- Jeremy McNichols, RB, Buccaneers
- Brian Hill, RB, Falcons
- Elijah McGuire, RB, Jets
- De’Angelo Henderson, RB, Broncos
- Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Eagles
- T.J. Logan, RB, Cardinals
- Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears
- Michael Roberts, TE, Lions
- Taywan Taylor, WR, Titans
- Chad Williams, WR, Cardinals
- DeAngelo Yancey, WR, Packers
- Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans
- Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
- Josh Reynolds, WR, Rams
- Amara Darboh, WR, Seahawks
- Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions
- Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars
- Mack Hollins, WR, Eagles
- Josh Malone, WR, Bengals
- Jehu Chesson, WR, Chiefs
- Elijah Hood, RB, Raiders
- Devante Mays, RB, Packers
- Khalfani Muhammad, RB, Titans
- Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
- Matthew Dayes, RB, Browns
- Rodney Adams, WR, Vikings
- Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Broncos
- Trent Taylor, WR, 49ers
- Robert Davis, WR, Redskins
- Stacy Coley, WR, Vikings
- David Moore, WR, Seahawks
- Isaiah Ford, WR, Dolphins
- Noah Brown, WR, Cowboys
- Malachi Dupre, WR, Packers
- George Kittle, TE, 49ers
- Bucky Hodges, TE, Vikings
- Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Redskins
- Eric Saubert, TE, Falcons
- DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns
- Shelton Gibson, WR, Eagles
- Ryan Switzer, WR, Cowboys
- Mason Schreck, TE, Bengals
- Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Bears
- C.J. Beathard, QB, 49ers
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
- Davis Webb, QB, Giants
- Joshua Dobbs, QB, Steelers
- Nathan Peterman, QB, Bills
- Brad Kaaya, QB, Lions
- Chad Kelly, QB, Broncos
- Jake Butt, TE, Broncos
More 2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/18 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/18 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/31 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB, PPR - 8/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/24 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/17 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/10 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/3 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/27 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/26 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/20 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/14 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/13 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/16 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/31 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
