With the NFL season quickly approaching, The Tailg8.com will be taking a deep dive into one of our love’s: Fantasy Football. We will be examining each team and figuring out which rookie has the chance to contribute most to your fantasy team. We will start with the NFC and work our way around the league.
NFC South
Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tampa is above average in most offensive skill positions except the RB position. Ronald Jones has the ability to compete for 1st and 2nd down touches immediately against Peyton Barber and Charles Sims. While watching Jones USC highlight tape I noticed two things, he has a nose for the endzone and from his Fr year to Jr year he got a lot stronger and much more physical. Ronald does not have tons of experience catching the ball out of the backfield, but wont see the turf much on 3rd down with Jacquizz Rodgers on the depth chart. Jones is currently being selected on average as rb 26 according to Fantasy Pros and right around the tail end of the 4th round. I am high on Jones and think he could make a great RB2 for you roster.(4th-5th round talent)
Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons- When a DC has to worry about names such as Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman,Tevin Coleman, Matt Ryan and Mohamed Sanu that can allow you slip in under the radar and make a splash as a rookie. Insert Calvin Ridley who was the number 1 WR on my draft board.The one noticeable thing about Ridley is how clean he runs his routes. He will jump into the WR 3 role and find a way to make things happen. I’ve stated in a previous article that I can see Matt Ryan throw for 5,000 yards and Ridley is a big reason as to why. Currently being drafted has WR 47 an average draft position of middle of the 9th round according to Fantasy Pros. I think that is a steal. Ridley by the years end will become the Number 2 WR for Matty Ice. (Round 6th -8th Talent)
D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers- If you see Torrey Smith, Devin Funchess, and Curtis Samuel sitting at the top of your WR depth chart heading into the NFL draft there is a chance you will want to go ahead and draft a WR. Insert D.J. Moore, WR out of Maryland. Moore is playmaker that is going to give Cam Newton a much needed weapon at his disposal. He runs a solid 4.42 and what appears to be above average hands, will succeed in the slot, and could struggle against big physical corners. Currently he is being drafted as the 48th WR off the board and around the end of round 9 in a 12 man league. I expect D.J to be a good depth wide receiver early in the season and could develop into a good flex player or fill in during the tough bye week situations.(Round 8-10 Talent)
Tre’Quan Smith, WR, New Orlean Saints- Tre is a player I am happy to say I got to watch in college. Tre made a leaping one handed catch inside the 5 yard line while going out of bounds seem easy against Temple University. I was surprised to see him fall deep into the 3rd round. The UCF Knights ran a video game offense and no better QB for him to see if his game can translate to the next level then Drew Brees. The biggest issue is the talent ahead of him. Tre, will not be taking reps away from Michael Thomas or Ted Ginn. Tre’Quan is not draft worthy just yet unless you are in a deep keeper league or want to gamble on a long shot with your last pick. He is someone you should write down and follow to see how the Saints decide to use him (Not Draft Worthy)
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