Fantasy Football 2014: 10 Rookies Who Won’t Be Relevant

10 Rookies Who Won't Be Relevant In Fantasy Football In 2014

EJ Manuel Bills
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Fantasy Football often comes down to elite players like Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson, but a few rookies each season will shine and help a team to ultimate victory. However, some rookies struggle to adjust to the NFL, just like EJ Manuel (pictured) and Tavon Austin last season. Here are 10 candidates who won't help your teams this upcoming fantasy football season.

10. Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Carlos Hyde 49ers
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10. Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Carlos Hyde 49ers
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Although Carlos Hyde was a second-round pick, his road to cracking the lineup in San Francisco will be tough. Not only is Frank Gore still the lead back in San Francisco, but backing him up will be Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore. Hyde could pass one or two of these players, but he won't have many carries this year.

9. Troy Niklas, TE, Arizona Cardinals

Troy Niklas Cardinals
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9. Troy Niklas, TE, Arizona Cardinals

Troy Niklas Cardinals
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The Arizona Cardinals have not been known for producing quality tight ends in recent years, and 2014 will be no different. Even after drafting Troy Niklas in the third round, the Cardinals still won't use the tight end much in the passing game. Niklas will also have to earn his spot this year, as he will have to beat out both John Carlson and Rob Housler to be a starter. Niklas will be good down the road, but not as a rookie.

8. Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Charles Sims Buccaneers
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8. Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Charles Sims Buccaneers
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Just like Hyde, Tampa Bay running back Charles Sims joins a team that is already crowded in the backfield. Doug Martin will once again be the feature back for the Bucs, but his backups are pretty solid, too. Both Bobby Rainey and Mike James showed flashes last year, and while Sims has the potential to produce in the next two to three years, don't count on him to be a difference maker this season.

7. Cody Latimer, WR, Denver Broncos

Cody Latimer Broncos
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7. Cody Latimer, WR, Denver Broncos

Cody Latimer Broncos
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Cody Latimer is in one of the best positions to succeed among rookie wide receivers with Peyton Manning in Denver, but he is still a raw prospect who needs some time to learn the game. Even if Latimer did crack the lineup as a rookie, he will lose targets to players like Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Emmanuel Sanders and Julius Thomas.

6. Dri Archer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dri Archer Steelers
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6. Dri Archer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dri Archer Steelers
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Dri Archer is the fastest player in this year's draft with a 4.29 40-yard dash, but what position will he play in the NFL? As a running back, Archer will be stuck behind two solid players in Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount. As a wide receiver, Archer will be buried in the depth chart behind players like Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Lance Moore and Martavis Bryant. Archer's only impact will be on special teams this season.

5. De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

De'Anthony Thomas Chiefs
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5. De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

De'Anthony Thomas Chiefs
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Much like Archer, Kansas City has to decide how they will use De'Anthony Thomas. As a running back, Thomas won't get any significant carries in the backfield with Jamaal Charles firmly entrenched as the starter. As a receiver, Thomas could be in the slot, but he will have to learn how to run true NFL routes and not the gimmick routes at Oregon. Thomas could be effective in the NFL, but not as a rookie.

4. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr Raiders
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4. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr Raiders
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If the Raiders think that Derek Carr can supplant Matt Schaub, it's not going to happen. Schaub is still a good quarterback despite what happened last year. Carr does have all the tools to be a successful quarterback, but struggled against teams with elite pass rushers last year at Fresno State. A year sitting and learning behind Schaub will help Carr heading into the 2015 season.

3. Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Donte Moncrief Colts
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3. Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Donte Moncrief Colts
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Just like Latimer in Denver, Donte Moncrief is a promising rookie who will be buried in the depth chart behind some talented players. With Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks and T.Y. Hilton already in the fold, the Colts have enough proven weapons for Andrew Luck on the outside. Even if Moncrief cracked the rotation, he will also lose targets to two good tight ends in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen.

2. Josh Huff, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Josh Huff Eagles
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2. Josh Huff, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Josh Huff Eagles
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With both Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin re-signed this offseason, and fellow rookie Jordan Matthews on the roster, it's tough to see Huff being higher than even the No. 4 receiver in his rookie year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Huff will also lose targets in the passing game to running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles. The former Oregon Duck is a developmental player down the road, not an instant contributor.

1. Tom Savage, QB, Houston Texans

Tom Savage Texans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. Tom Savage, QB, Houston Texans

Tom Savage Texans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans have some intriguing weapons for rookie QB Tom Savage, but he won't see any in-game action in 2014. Savage does have all the intangibles to be a good quarterback, but he is still a major project at this point and needs at least a year to learn how to play the position. Savage will have his time to shine, but it won't be as a rookie.


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