Fantasy Football: Brandin Cooks and other rookies to help your fantasy team
By James Kim
Now that the 2014 NFL Draft is in the books, here is a look at a few rookies that can help your fantasy team this upcoming season.
Brandin Cooks (WR, New Orleans Saints)
The Saints traded up to get this guy. That has to mean something… right?
Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins (2) runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during their game in the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Cooks will immediately fill the hole left by the departures of Lance Moore and Darren Sproles.
Cooks is elusive and fast (4.33, 40) and his speed will definitely be showcased in the speed track they call the Superdome.
Drew Brees loves to spread the ball around to his receivers and while Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston are firmly in front of Cooks, he ought to get enough looks to showcase his abilities.
Sammy Watkins (WR, Buffalo Bills)
Watkins is probably the most polished receiver in this year’s rookie class.
He’s got the size-speed combination that could wreak havoc to opposing defenses. Now that Stevie Johnson’s been shipped away to San Francisco, Watkins will be thrust into a starting role.
However, his quarterback, E.J. Manuel, didn’t really overwhelm everyone, but if Manuel can play up to his draft position, Watkins might make some sweet music for your fantasy team.
Mike Evans (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Evans is big.
By big, I mean he’s 6’5’’ and 231 pounds of receiving goodness. While not a burner, he’s big and fast enough to scare defensive backs.
He’ll start opposite Vincent Jackson, since Mike Williams was traded to Buffalo.
Jackson will most likely be seeing double coverage freeing up Evans against single coverage. Evans’ size will make him an immediate red zone threat.
Bishop Sankey (RB, Tennessee Titans)
Dec 27, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Huskies tailback Bishop Sankey (25) scores on a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the BYU Cougars in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Technically, Shonn Greene is the starter, but it won’t take long for Sankey to take the starters reps from Greene.
While not certainly a huge back, he has the ability to truck over defenders or run past them. What really makes Sankey valuable is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
At first, Sankey will play a change of pace back like Giovani Bernard in 2013, but don’t be surprised if he’s is the starter midway through the season.
Eric Ebron (TE, Detroit Lions)
Detroit likes to throw, throw, throw and throw.
The Lions have been in the top five in pass attempts the last four years. Detroit already has Brandon Pettigrew and Christian Fauria at tight end, but Ebron is the most talented pass catcher among the group.
Ebron will get plenty of looks in that pass happy offense in the Motor City. The Lions will look to play Ebron in more of a slot receiver role versus a traditional tight end mainly because Ebron’s pass blocking skills are a bit lacking.
Knowing how much Detroit likes to throw, it isn’t out of the question to think that Ebron will produce big numbers.
Jace Amaro (TE, New York Jets)
Quick, name the starting tight ends for the Jets.
Exactly.
Like Ebron in Detroit, Amaro isn’t known for his blocking abilities, but more for his knack for catching the ball.
Amaro is by far the most talented pass catching tight end the Jets have and will be used more as a slot receiver type to cover the middle of the field.