2014 Fantasy Football: 10 Rookies Who Could Be Relevant This Season

2014 Fantasy Football: 10 Rookies Who Could Be Relevant

Sammy Watkins Draft
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It seems like some college players are just built for the pros, and NFL rookies are making a bigger fantasy football impact than ever before. The success of a rookie player greatly depends on his circumstances, but some first-year players will have great opportunities for fantasy relevance this season.

Here are 10 NFL rookies who could be fantasy relevant in 2014.

10. Johnny Manziel: QB, Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel Fantasy Football Rookie
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10. Johnny Manziel: QB, Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel Fantasy Football Rookie
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Brian Hoyer is better than people give him credit for, but Manziel could lead the team by Week 6 if Hoyer isn't productive and the boo birds come out in Cleveland. He doesn't have many targets for his passing attack outside of Jordan Cameron, but Manziel's fantasy value is in his dual-threat ability. Similar to Tim Tebow, Johnny Football could rack up solid points from his rushing skills.

9. Sammy Watkins: WR, Buffalo Bills

Sammy Watkins Fantasy Football Rookie
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9. Sammy Watkins: WR, Buffalo Bills

Sammy Watkins Fantasy Football Rookie
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Even though he is considered the best wide receiver in his draft class, Sammy Watkins will be limited by how well E.J. Manuel performs. The Bills' organization seems to have faith in its quarterback, but the NFL community hasn't seen enough of Manuel to finalize an opinion. Watkins could also be limited by a potential run-heavy offense, but he could still build a nice rapport with his quarterback and become the go-to guy in the passing attack.

8. Derek Carr: QB, Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr Fantasy Football Rookie
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8. Derek Carr: QB, Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr Fantasy Football Rookie
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Out of all the rookie quarterbacks entering the NFL in 2014, Derek Carr has one of the best chances to start. If he can become the owner of a better preseason than Matt Schaub, it will be hard for the Oakland Raiders to sit Carr. He will have a cluster of receivers with various skill sets surrounding him, and his arm strength could help him find fantasy relevance in the right matchups.

7. Mike Evans: WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans Fantasy Football Rookie
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7. Mike Evans: WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans Fantasy Football Rookie
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Wide receiver Mike Evans finds himself in a nice situation as a complement to Vincent Jackson. Evans is a well-rounded player, and he could quickly become one of Josh McCown's favorite targets.

6. Kelvin Benjamin: WR, Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin Fantasy Football Rookie
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6. Kelvin Benjamin: WR, Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin Fantasy Football Rookie
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Cam Newton has to throw the ball to someone, and at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Kelvin Benjamin is a solid target. Benjamin caught 15 touchdowns in his final season with FSU, and he could easily become fantasy relevant as a rookie.

5. Bishop Sankey: RB, Tennessee Titans

Bishop Sankey Fantasy Football Rookie
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5. Bishop Sankey: RB, Tennessee Titans

Bishop Sankey Fantasy Football Rookie
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Chris Johnson is now a member of the New York Jets, and a new era for the Titans' rushing attack is now in effect. The main competition for rookie Bishop Sankey is inconsistent and injury-prone Shonn Greene. Johnson ran the ball 279 times last season, so Sankey has a strong opportunity to become a consistent fantasy option.

4. Brandin Cooks: WR, New Orleans Saints

Brandin Cooks Fantasy Football Rookie
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4. Brandin Cooks: WR, New Orleans Saints

Brandin Cooks Fantasy Football Rookie
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Even though he is a wide receiver, the New Orleans Saints are hoping that Brandin Cooks can replicate the playmaking-ability of Darren Sproles. He is on a very powerful offense, and it doesn't get much better than catching passes from Drew Brees. I think Cooks will either be at the bottom of the top-20 receivers this season or he will fall just outside, but he will find relevance in certain matchups throughout the year.

3. Terrance West: RB, Cleveland Browns

Terrance West Fantasy Football Rookie
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3. Terrance West: RB, Cleveland Browns

Terrance West Fantasy Football
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The Cleveland Browns will focus on the rushing attack due to the suspension to receiver Josh Gordon, and rookie Terrance West will have a chance to make some noise. He will have to share the ball with Ben Tate to start the season, but the Browns will give more touches to the back who is most productive.

2. Charles Sims: RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Charles Sims Fantasy Football Rookie
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2. Charles Sims: RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Charles Sims Fantasy Football Rookie
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers plan to use a committee in 2014, and despite the presence of Doug Martin, rookie Charles Sims was a third-round pick. There isn't much to knock on Sims' game, as he is a strong runner, has great hands and excellent field vision. Martin could quickly lose his starting role, and Sims should be on your radar.

1. Eric Ebron: TE, Detroit Lions

Eric Ebron Fantasy Football Rookie
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1. Eric Ebron: TE, Detroit Lions

Eric Ebron Fantasy Football Rookie
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Rookie tight ends aren't known for fantasy production, but Eric Ebron has been called the next Jimmy Graham. He has one of the easiest schedules for tight ends, and being on a pass-happy offense doesn't hurt. Ebron could quickly make his mark as a fantasy stud.


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