What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.

[DYNASTY] The Rookie 100 51-100 (1 Viewer)

Bloom

Moderator
Link to 1-50

Now we enter the murkier part of the rookie rankings. There are relatively small differences between the quality of the overall package of these players and the hundred of so players on my watch list. This is the time in your rookie draft to take players that you "have a feeling" about. It wouldn't surprise me if 25 of these names are not in the post draft rookie 100. One thing you will notice right away from the 51-100 list is that there are a lot of good safeties and LBs to be had late in your rookie drafts.

Don't worry if your favorite sleeper is not on the list. There are at least 30-40 players that I could be convinced into putting in the top 100. This year's draft class is one of the deepest in recent memory - players with first day grades will be lasting well into the second day. Colin Lindsay at GBN commented on how many quality players he left off his top 200! The post rookie draft waiver period in dynasty leagues is going to be like a 2nd rookie draft because surprising names will go undrafted in every league. Please bring up players you like that didn't make the list, and i'll give you my .02 as to why they didn't make the cut (as of today).

51. Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina - Excellent all around safety is better in coverage than Bing, but not as big a hitter or playmaker. I wouldn't argue if you ranked him #1 among safeties, both he and Bing have stud potential. Ko is 22, but came out as a soph.

52. Brad Smith, QB/WR/RB, Missou - Smith has terrific open field running skills and is a born leader, but is without a position as he doesn't project well as a QB at the next level - his Hula Bowl week seemed to cinch this. He's a gamebreaker and should eventually play a role in an offense somewhere, but he's highly speculative. Great pick if you love boom/bust types.

53. Cedric Humes, RB, Va Tech - Doesn't quite have the speed of Howard, but is otherwise similar - big power runner with good speed and vision that was overshadowed by other players in college. Humes is a gamer (played with broken arm) and had a solid Senior Bowl week. Situation could vault him 20-25 spots on this list (PIT, NE, CAR)

54. Garrett Mills, FB/TE, Tulsa - If this guy lands on a team with a creative offensive coordinator, watch out. He was ultraproductive as a receiver and has some of the best hands, regardless of position, in this whole draft class. Prepare to get tired of Chris Cooley comparisons. Worked mostly on transition to FB at Senior Bowl.

55. Jason Avant, WR, Michigan - Steady WR projects as a possession WR, something that deflates his ranking in a class of a lot of intriguing athletes at WR. Had an up and down week at the Senior Bowl - pulling out of a tailspin in the middle of the week. Will be more valuable for real football than fantasy.

56. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP - Athletically, he's right there with anyone in this LB class, but he lacks advanced instincts and is not the most physical LB. Had a solid week at the Senior Bowl. Could jump up 15+ spots if the combine numbers are as good as advertised.

57. Tim Day, TE, Oregon - As a route runner and pure receiver, Day is not far behind the other TEs on this list. The reason he's so far below them is that he lacks the outstanding athleticism and big play ability to get into the upper echelon of fantasy TEs. Guys like Day can become startable if they become a favorite target for their QB, and Day should at least be a decent fantasy backup TE. Had very good week at EW Shrine Game.

58. Cory Rodgers, WR, TCU - Rodgers is still very raw as a WR and could have used another year in school, but this explosive top notch return man will contribute right away on special teams while his WR game develops. Has upside to spare, another boom/bust pick.

59. Joel Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado - Another of the nice 2nd tier of TEs in this class that will be good depth with some upside. All of these guys are value picks in the later rounds. Joel is more of a receiving TE, but he showed off his blocking and receiving skills in the Senior Bowl.

60. Bruce Gradkowski, QB, Toledo - The 2nd MAC QB on the list, Gradkowski has top intangibles and is very accurate and mobile. He's fast enough to get some decent rushing stats, always a bonus for fantasy QBs. He doesn't have a cannon, but this could be overcome in a WCO scheme. Vaguely reminds me of Jeff Garcia. Had good week of practice at the EW Shrine Game, but threw some floaters in the game.

61. Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame - Fasano is definitely one of the best (if not best) two way TE in this draft, but he lacks the pure receiving skills of the TEs above him. This is somewhat offset by the fact that his blocking will keep him on the field a lot, and he still has above average receiving ability. Another terrific value pick.

62. David Thomas, TE, Texas - I see him as a bigger, but less athletic and natural receiver version of Garrett Mills. Thomas still has good hands and is a powerful runner after the catch, but he lacks the speed to be a downfield threat, and the size to be a true end of the line TE. He was Vince Young's favorite target at UT, and like the rest of this cluster of 2nd tier TEs, he offers upside if he can settle into that kind of role in the pros.

63. Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Clemson - If Whitehurst exhibited better decision-making over the course of his college career, he'd be a lot higher on this list. He's got an ideal QB frame, good arm, and decent mobility. He made a good showing at the Senior Bowl despite recent throwing shoulder surgery. Boom/bust pick.

64. Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB, Florida St - This tweener is not quite the freakish athlete that Manny Lawson is, but he's got good pass rush skills and should be productive in a 3-4 scheme. Had a good Senior Bowl and will go on the first day, limitations of 3-4 OLB stats keeps him low on this list.

65. Tamba Hali, DE, PSU - Makes up for lack of elite tools with endless motor. He should be a starting quality fantasy DE. Had a good Senior Bowl, cementing first round status.

66. Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State - Whitner has a scary speed/hitting combination for a safety. He can rush the QB, bring down the INT, and blow up plays all over the place with his sub 4.5 speed. I wouldn't be that surprised if he ends up being the best fantasy safety from this draft.

67. Dale Robinson, LB, Arizona St. - "Manimal" is a beast of a tackler in the middle, a physical hitter that consistently made plays in the backfield this year. Lack of top timed speed puts him in the 2nd tier of LBs.

68. Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama - Croyle was not as big a story as Cutler at the Senior Bowl, but he did just as much to enhance his stock with his arm, intelligence, and intangibles. I still can't get behind him as a good pick because he looks like the kind of QB that is going to be broken in two in the NFL.

69. Marques Colston, WR, Hofstra - Small school sleeper alert. Colston is a tall, somewhat slight WR who made a big splash at the EW Shrine Game. He could really rocket up this list with a good combine. Has more upside than most players in the bottom 50.

70. Michael Huff, S/CB, Texas - Huff's eventual position will make all the difference in his ranking. If the versatile DB is slotted at FS, He moves up 10-25 slots. At CB, he nearly falls off the list. This ranking splits the difference.

71. Jimmy Williams, S/CB, Virginia Tech - Very similar situation as Huff, but has a lot more experience at CB.

72. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College - The stock of this long-framed, very athletic DE has been dropping all year. He has been struggling with injuries and has never regained his elite status of 2004. He's still a very solid pick if you are looking to restock at DE.

73. Terrence Whitehead, RB, Oregon - I see this tough, versatile back as a Verron Haynes type FB/RB tweener. Still, those guys get chances to carry the load because of injuries in the NFL, and sometimes seize them. What I particularly like about him is that he loves contact and knows how to finish a run. He's a longshot to make a fantasy impact, but watching him run over guys at the Senior Bowl just like he has all year convinced me that he's worth a late pick.

74. Bernard Pollard, SS, Purdue - A big time hitter at strong safety, Pollard should put up good tackling numbers in the NFL. Part of a nice 2nd tier at SS with guys like Bullocks, Blue and Whitner.

75. Kellen Clemens, QB, Oregon - The light bulb really came on for Clemens when the spread offense was insituted this year. Too bad the smart, elusive, quick draw QB's season ended early with an ankle injury. It was severe enough that he still won't be able to work out at the combine, but this could be just what you need to steal him late in your rookie drafts.

76. Greg Blue, SS, Georgia - Coming off a so-so showing at the Senior Bowl, this big fast hitter of a safety is similar to Dwayne Slay in that he may lack the natural coverage skills to stay at safety.

77. Devin Aromashadu, WR, Auburn - Devin was somewhat overlooked at Auburn, but showed the combination of size, speed, and physical play to generate some interest during the Senior Bowl week. His style and situation reminds me of Brandon Jones last year.

78. Mike Bell, RB, Arizona - Bell has the size and toughness you need to run between the tackles in the NFL, but I see him as a career backup type RB at best, because he lacks any single outstanding tool. Had an ok week at the Senior Bowl, but didn't distinguish himself.

79. Daniel Bullocks, SS, Nebraska - Following his brother Josh (NO) to the pros, Bullocks had a very good week of practice at the senior Bowl and projects a very solid safety in the NFL.

80. Dwayne Slay, SS/LB, Texas Tech - Maybe the most vicious hitter in this draft, Slay might also lack the technique and disclipine to stay in the defensive backfield in the pros. I see him as a slower version of Thomas Davis.

81. Delanie Walker, WR, CMSU - Walker has a very intriguing mix of a powerful build (6'1' 232) and speed (in the 4.5s reportedly). He is very raw as a WR, but that unique package gives a WR coach a very interesting weapon to develop. Combine numbers will be a big factor and could get Walker a lot higher on this list.

82. Terna Nande, LB, Miami-OH - This speed/strength/athleticism freak of an LB is sure to get some notice after his combine numbers come out. His season was derailed by a lacerated liver, but he should move up this list if he performs up to his reputation at the combine.

83. Devin Hester, CB/WR, Miami-Fl - My gut says that Hester's speed will go to waste, and he will simply be a return specialist in the NFL. He hasn't really progressed at CB at Miami, and I'm skeptical that he'll ever be startable on offense. Still, I can't keep him off this list, because his speed represents big-time upside at WR if he ever "gets it".

84. Michael Robinson, ???, Penn St - Robinson is going to help an NFL team win, I'm just not sure he'll help your fantasy team win. He could end up anywhere from safety to WR to 3rd down RB. Chances are he will be a non-factor for fantasy. Robinson has no shot at QB, this much is sure from his Senior Bowl. Still, he seems like a guy who could "get it" at WR down the line, and is a "football player" above all and a fun flier to take late in your draft.

85. Marcus Vick, QB, Virginia Tech - If you liked Maurice Clarett, you'll LOVE Marcus Vick. He's a big time risk to return absolutely nothing for your pick, but some GM, and someone in your league will be convinced that Vick will turn it around, so this low a ranking is basically a recommendation to pass on him. If by chance he does, he would pay dividends as a running fantasy QB that is more balanced his brother, but not as explosive.

86. Skyler Green, WR, LSU - Poor Skyler. He had the bad luck of playing next to Sinorice Moss in the Senior Bowl. Green will be a solid return man/slot receiver, but doesn't seem to have the natural WR skills to make an impact for fantasy.

87. Rocky McIntosh, LB, Miami-Fl - This athletic LB showed a knack for being around the ball at Miami, and was the most outstanding LB all week at the Shrine Game.

88. A.J. Nicholson, LB, Florida ST - A.J. was on his way to being a rising star in the draft before a sexual assault complaint was made against him at the Orange Bowl. His stock is dropping, but he's a top notch physical tackler at LB and should be a productive pro. Lack of elite timed speed puts him in the 2nd tier of LBs.

89. Gerris Wilkinson, LB, Georgia Tech - Wilkinson really enhanced his stock at the Senior Bowl with a solid week. He's got the frame to roam the middle and is a productive tackler. He's also played some at OLB and DE.

90. Freddie Roach, LB, Alabama - Big physical ILB optimistically projects as a Jeremiah Trotter type tackling machine because his rugged style allows him to take on blockers and get through traffic. Had a strong Senior Bowl.

91. Stephen Tulloch, LB, NC State - Another LB that seems to always be around the play. Played in the middle at NC State, but could be in for a transition to WLB.

92. Kevin Simon, LB, Tennessee - A boom/bust LB, Simon has shown the ability to be a true 3 down LB in college. He's also missed the better parts of two season with injuries. A clean bill of health at the combine will send him up this list with a bullet.

93. A.J. Harris, RB, NIU - The 3rd RB on this list that was playing in the shadow of other RBs during his career, Harris has been stuck behind Michael Turner and Garrett Wolfe. He has the size/speed/inside running combo to work at the NFL level. Combine will be huge for him.

94. Drew Olson, QB, UCLA - You might not find someone more down on Olson than I am. I know he was productive at UCLA this year, coming off a severe knee injury, but he just looks feeble to me in the pocket. I have to rank him because of how efficient he was during the year, but he looked like a bust to me during the EW Shrine week.

95. Gerald Riggs, RB, Tennessee - The RB that outplayed Cedric Houston in 2004 has experienced a tumble in value in 2005 due to a serious leg injury and mediocre play. Riggs has the frame, vision, and bloodline, but he looks like a backup RB in the pros at best to me.

96. David Anderson, WR, Colorado St. - Anderson is known for having some of the best hands in all of college football, but he looks like only a slot/possession WR type in the pros to me, due his size and lack of top end speed. He was very consistent in the EW Shrine practices, and will help whatever team he lands on, but he's a longshot to make a fantasy impact.

97. Freddie Keiaho, LB, SD St - Freddie racked up tackles like no one's business for the Aztecs, averaging around 10 a game in the middle vacated by Kirk Morrison. He's a former RB that can chase plays down all over the field.

98. Barrick Nealy, QB/WR, Texas St - This rugged strong arm small school QB was really unmasked at the Hula Bowl as having little potential at QB. He was supposed to play more at WR, but an injury forced him to work almost the whole week at QB. Tall, physical, and a good open field runner, Nealy is an interesting WR prospect, and I'll move him up this list if he is drafted as a WR.

99. Troy Bergeron, WR, Arena League - Bergeron has track speed and was a very productive receiver in the AFL. He's very very raw at WR because the AFL is such a different game for receivers, but he's got very intriguing tools.

100. Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Alabama St. - Jackson showed NFL tools all week at the Shrine Game, but he also showed maddening inconsistency. He is a project that may return nothing, but his tools give him a shot to be a top QB if it all comes together.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
:bloomshouldbeonstaff:

seriously, I don't follow college football at all, and its a tremendous help to get early FANTASY analysis like this from bloom all the time!!!!!!!

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice work Bloom.I would think Huff will surely be a S in the pros.I see him cracking your top 50 after the draft.Not sure if CB is the ideal position for him long term...........

 
Nice list. Brad Smith and Michael Robinson are interesting players. So far they haven't gone the Matt Jones route but maybe they will be convinced.

 
I think if Whitehurst can regain his pre-surgery arm strength he could be a good pro.

 
If Michael Robinson is drafted as a WR then I think he'll be a very intriguing fantasy option. There's a pretty strong recent history of these athletic QBs becoming solid NFL wideouts (Bennett, Ward, Boldin, Battle, Randle El).

 
66. Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State - Whitner has a scary speed/hitting combination for a safety. He can rush the QB, bring down the INT, and blow up plays all over the place with his sub 4.5 speed. I wouldn't be that surprised if he ends up being the best fantasy safety from this draft.
he's also a film room junkie
 
66. Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State - Whitner has a scary speed/hitting combination for a safety. He can rush the QB, bring down the INT, and blow up plays all over the place with his sub 4.5 speed. I wouldn't be that surprised if he ends up being the best fantasy safety from this draft.
he's also a film room junkie
Whitner will be making a nice move up the rankings when the post combine rookie 100 comes out. He's a fantastic IDP prospect.
 
OSU homer

I find it interesting you have Whitner listed in your Top 100 but not Anthony Schlegel orMike Kudla
There are all kinds of LBs that deserve consideration, including Schlegel. He, Tim McGarigle, and Brandon Hoyte are 3 "gamer" types that won't do well in the draft because of their mesaureables, but they bring it on the field. I expect them to be late 2nd day picks, and if they catch on, then theyll be on my waiver pickup radar. Still, an LB has to be a physical specimen to get on my board, unless his gameplay was off the charts. Kudla is not included because its just hard for DEs to have a lot of worth in dynasty IDP leagues. Only the elite 10-20 have any value, so a DE has to be top prospect to be worthing drafting in your dynasty league.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top