KIPER'S TOP 10 FANTASY IMPACT ROOKIES
ROOKIE REPORT
BRANDIN COOKS SAINTS WR The Saints moved up to No. 20 overall for Cooks, a clear indication they covet what the 5-foot-10 burner can do immediately. The losses of WR Lance Moore and RB Darren Sproles (108 catches combined in '13) will allow Cooks to soak up targets in the slot and on underneath throws—70-plus catches is realistic.
MIKE EVANS BUCS WR Defenses already have trouble sizing up 6-foot-5 Vincent Jackson. So Evans, also 6-5, should draw even more favorable matchups for probable starter Josh McCown to target. I ranked Evans a little low because the Bucs want to run, but he has added red zone appeal.
MARQISE LEE JAGUARS WR The Jags' top target is … Cecil Shorts III. So I had to pick one of their two second-round WRs. The edge goes to Lee over Allen Robinson because he's dynamic after the catch and should be a staple in coordinator Jedd Fisch's offense, no matter the QB.
JACE AMARO JETS TE I debated between Amaro and Eric Ebron (No. 10 overall pick to Detroit) and gave the bump to Amaro because I think he'll be more critical for the Jets. He's the big (6-6, 265), quick target they lack, while the Lions will spread it out to Megatron & Co.
CARLOS HYDE 49ERS RB Frank Gore has been durable, but he dipped to 4.1 ypc last season. The 49ers don't draft Hyde in Round 2 unless they plan to use him. He becomes the most explosive RB on this roster, and I foresee a platoon, with Marcus Lattimore potentially working his way in.
BISHOP SANKEY TITANS RB Chris Johnson had 279 carries last season. His backup, Shonn Greene? Seventy-seven at just 3.8 yards a pop—and he's coming off knee surgery. With CJ2K now a Jet, the Titans had Week 1 in mind when they made Sankey the first back drafted; he should be ready for 200-plus carries. 1
SAMMY WATKINS BILLS WR Buffalo gave up a first- and a fourth-rounder to give EJ Manuel a WR who can provide yards after the catch and relieve the pressure to go deep. Watkins made his hay at Clemson after the catch (10.3 per in '13), and the Bills will get him plenty of touches at or near the line. 3 JEREMY HILL BENGALS RB The pick of Hill in Round 2 should tell you the Bengals have given up on BenJarvus Green-Ellis as a bell cow—he hasn't averaged 4 ypc since he was a Patriot. The Law Firm's and Giovani Bernard's carries should be reduced in a three-man platoon approach. 4 ODELL BECKHAM GIANTS WR With Hakeem Nicks in Indy, there are targets to be had in Jersey. Eli Manning will learn quickly that Beckham separates better than Rueben Randle or Mario Manningham, and it won't shock me if the first-rounder sees 85 to 100 targets. 5 KELVIN BENJAMIN PANTHERS WR I'm not convinced that Benjamin (who was my 12th-rated WR) is ready to be an effective route runner and space creator. But no roster has fewer playmakers at the position. At 6-foot-5, 240, he'll see his share of targets. 6
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ESPN FANTASY FOOTBALL 23
KIPER'S ROOKIE SLEEPERS
1. MIKE EVANS BUCCANEERS WR
2. SAMMY WATKINS BILLS WR
3. JORDAN MATTHEWS EAGLES WR
4. ERIC EBRON
LIONS TE
5. B R A N D I N C O O K S SAINTS WR
6. BISHOP SANKEY TITANS RB
7. CARLOS HYDE 49ERS RB
8. ODELL BECKHAM GIANTS WR
9. DAVANTE ADAMS
PACKERS WR
10. KELVIN BENJAMIN PANTHERS WR
11. CODY LATIMER
BRONCOS WR
12. MARQISE LEE
JAGUARS WR
13. ALLEN ROBINSON
JAGUARS WR
14. JEREMY HILL
BENGALS RB
15. TRE MASON RAMS RB
STASH LIST
DAVANTE ADAMS PACKERS WR There's a better-than-good chance that Adams will be Aaron Rodgers' third read— no minor role when your QB regularly tops 4,000 yards.
KA'DEEM CAREY BEARS RB Matt Forte is durable, but every RB needs a No. 2 in today's NFL. Carey lacks top-end speed, but his lateral moves keep carries alive.
JERICK MCKINNON VIKINGS RB McKinnon is a freak athlete and the only explosive RB behind Adrian Peterson. If AD goes down, McKinnon, a 5-9 blur, could take off.
ANDRE WILLIAMS GIANTS RB When Rashad Jennings is your No. 1 RB, there will be plenty of carries up for grabs, and Williams knew how to turn them into yards at BC.
BRUCE ELLINGTON 49ERS WR The Niners could have a fourth-round steal in Ellington, whose reliable hands and quickness were worthy of a Round 2 pick.
JAMES WHITE PATRIOTS RB Forget an injury—White just needs a Pats RB to fumble (seven in '13) to see the field. He lost the ball only twice in four years at Wiscy.
TRE MASON RAMS RB St. Louis has Zac Stacy, but Mason could make the Rams a two-back team in a hurry—and he teams back up with OT Greg Robinson.
DEVONTA FREEMAN FALCONS RB Steven Jackson turns 31, and Jacquizz Rodgers won't see many carries. If age slows Jackson, Freeman's fresh legs should benefit.
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