By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Published May 18, 2018.
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2018 Fantasy Football – Rookie Dynasty:
Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts
Wilkins is the only true big back in Indianapolis at the moment and could earn goal-line and short-yardage work.
Ito Smith, RB, Falcons
Smith showed good tackle breaking ability at Southern Miss and racked up huge numbers there. At 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, he likely can’t become a feature back, but he has diverse abilities that should keep him in the NFL, and with Tevin Coleman becoming a free agent in 2019, Smith could be in line to take his spot.
Jaylen Samuels, FB, Steelers
Samuels is considered a running back by the Steelers but has played multiple positions, one of which is tight end, which the Steelers might need if Vance McDonald can’t stay healthy. Samuels’ versatility and special teams ability should keep him on the roster, while Le’Veon Bell sitting out offseason work will help Samuels get reps with the first and second teams. James Conner had another MCL injury, so his future isn’t 100 percent, and Samuels could become Bell’s direct backup if he shows well.
Deon Cain, WR, Colts
Cain is built like a prototypical No. 1 receiver and has tremendous speed, which we know Andrew Luck can work with, but Cain will need to show better hands in the NFL.
John Kelly, RB, Rams
Kelly is a strong between-the-tackles runner and would likely be the early-down back in the Rams’ good offense if Todd Gurley were to suffer an injury.
Daurice Fountain, WR, Colts
Fountain has the longest arms of any rookie receiver and a 42.5-inch vertical, but also has trouble separating. Thankfully, he can win one-on-ones more often than not due to his catch radius and jumping ability. He also gets a weak receiving group to compete with and a very good quarterback throwing him the ball, hopefully.
D.J. Chark, WR, Jaguars
Chark is a combine superstar with 4.34 speed, and despite little tape due to a late start to his playing time, he has upside as a deep threat.
Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Packers
The draftniks loved St. Brown, but he fell hard in the 2018 NFL Draft. Thankfully, he fell into Green Bay and has a chance to stick on a team that has Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball.
Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Allen has a cannon for an arm but too many red flags to mention here. If he can develop and get his technique and decision-making under control, the arm talent is there.
Richie James, WR, 49ers
James was a touchdown machine at Middle Tennessee but was injured most of last season and underwhelmed at the combine. The production in college was good enough for me to give him some time in the NFL to develop, and if he can stick with the 49ers, he should be going to a strong offense under Shanahan.
Jordan Akins, TE, Texans
Akins is old for a rookie but that also means the Texans won’t waste time getting him on the field. They have many weapons, but the tight end is a big part of their offense, and if Akins can win the job, he should have decent upside.
Jaleel Scott, WR, Ravens
If you like Lamar Jackson, then Baltimore’s rookie receivers get a little bump, as they will likely be with Jackson on the second team as they all learn. Both Scott and Jordan Lasley need work, but both have the goods to learn with Jackson, and with no young foundation receivers in Baltimore, there should be room to move up in the organization.
Jordan Lasley, WR, Ravens
See above.
Kalen Ballage, RB, Dolphins
Ballage has the physical tools to be a plus back, but he didn’t quite play up to his physical traits in college. He does have three-down back upside if he can develop, much like Kenyon Drake, who he will be behind.
Mark Walton, RB, Bengals
Walton showed well in college when he wasn’t injured and could become a worthwhile fantasy back, but he will have both Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard to deal with for the next couple years.
Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
If Andrews hadn’t been drafted after Hayden Hurst, I’d have Andrews much higher. There is a chance Andrews could win the job and probably has more upside in the long run if given a chance to succeed.
Cedrick Wilson, WR, Cowboys
Wilson is raw and likely doesn’t have great upside, but if he can develop quickly, the Cowboys are in need of warm bodies in their receiving crew.
Auden Tate, WR, Bengals
Tate is a giant, measuring 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, but with that size comes a lack of speed, which means he’ll need to win contested catches with that huge catch radius.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers
MVS – yes, that’s how I’m referring to him! – has a lot of speed but lacks fundamentals. You’ve probably heard this before, but late-round receivers usually have one of speed or fundamentals, while early-round receivers usually have both. With MVS, he has something you can’t teach and needs something that you can, sort of. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Cowboys
Scarbrough has the ability to back up Ezekiel Elliott, but Scarbrough would likely just be the early-down back due to his lack of receiving skills.
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-50
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-50
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
More 2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/21 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/30 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/27 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/22 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/1 (Chet)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 7/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football 2-QB Dynasty Draft - 5/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Mid-Round Values - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Quarterback Preseason Targets Tracker - 8/30 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football D/ST Drafting - 8/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/15 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Quarterbacks - 8/15 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Target - 8/9 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football - PPR Draft Strategy: Rounds 1 and 2 - 7/27 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Doug Baldwin's Value - 7/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Chris Hogan's Value - 7/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Alvin Kamara's Value - 7/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Tight Ends - 7/11 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Wide Receivers - 7/6 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Running Backs - 7/5 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks - 7/4 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Better Than ADP - 6/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Better Than ADP - 6/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Target Shares - 6/22 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Points Per Game - 6/13 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 6/2
2018 Fantasy Football Value Players - 5/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Quarterback Look-Back - 1/28 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/28 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
