Fantasy football RB: 13 Rookies ready for impact

T.J. Yeldon-Jacksonville Jaguars

Yeldon is the other member of the “big 3” of this year’s rookie RB class.  While he doesn’t have an established offense like Melvin Gordon to step into, he also has less competition as he joins the Jaguars after being drafted in the third round.

Yeldon will share time in the backfield with Denard Robinson, but Robinson is seen more as a change-of-pace back with big-play potential but not as much as a grinder who plays a heavy workload.

Yeldon could easily get more snaps than either of the two backs taken ahead of him, and should get every opportunity to be a fantasy contributor this season.

His ultimate value will depend on how far forward the Jaguars’ offense can step forward in their second year with Blake Bortles at QB.  If Bortles improves and the offense scores more points, Yeldon could easily end up as a very valuable RB2 or an elite flex option.

Right now, Yeldon is being drafted as the 24th back off the board just behind Todd Gurley.  He doesn’t have the upside of Gurley, but he also doesn’t have the injury risk.  Depending on your other backs, I actually would advise taking Yeldon over Gurley if you don’t have the bandwidth to take on Gurley’s high-risk. I would take Gordon over Yeldon, but only because the situation he’s stepping in to is much better than Yeldon’s.

Next: Ameer Abdullah-Detroit Lions