NFL Rookie Fantasy Players to Watch – NFC East

Here is a look at the offensive players drafted that could be 2011 fantasy impact players. And hey – with guys like LeGarrette Blount, Chris Ivory, Colt McCoy and Dez Bryant all making waves as rookies in 2010, it’s hard to say that any of these young players aren’t the next big thing (potentially) in fantasy circles.

Focusing now on the NFC side of things, we’ll start where the Draft took place…Good ole’ New York.

The New York Giants focused primarily on defense in this Draft, and in my opinion got one of the top steals of the weekend in Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara. As for skill position players, they selected a WR in the 3rd round in Jerrel Jernigan out of Troy and finished up their selections with RB Da’Rel Scott from Maryland.

Starting with Jernigan, the slot-man can fit right in with Eli Manning and his already potent arsenal of young WRs. He will be in a crowded corp. for sure, but his ability to break away from coverage will earn him plenty of targets. He can put together a solid rookie campaign should the Giants offense and Manning stay consistent to match their potential.

Bottom line for Jernigan: This is one of those solid-fit situations, where an un-heralded rookie could make waves his first year because his abilities match the teams needs quite well. He may not be a draft-able player just yet, but deeper PPR leagues could see him flying of the waiver-wires if he clicks with Manning.

Likely scenario: Look for a solid 40-50 reception season out of Jernigan with a few scores.

Best case: Jordan Shipley.

Da’Rel Scott enters a Giants backfield which could get a lot thinner once football office-season activities resume. The unknown futures of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs create opportunity for the 7th round pick should one of them leave, and Scott as great speed with his 4.34 40-yd dash time at the combine, and should be able to take a some plays to the outside and create extra yards. He wont be a reliable fantasy back unless he is thrust into extra duty because of injuries. He wont be an every-down back at this level.

Bottom line for Scott: With his inability to be a 3rd-down/goal-line guy, Scott is nothing more than a hand-cuff if a current RB leaves. Scott as of the moment is an RB3 in NYC, but a vacated slot will bump him to RB2, making him a injury insurance policy to the last Giant RB standing.

Likely scenario: Could be a decent waiver-wire pick if player movement and/or injuries come into play. Not a draft-able player unless he earns an RB2 job to make him a decent hand-cuff play later in deep drafts.

Best case: unless there is a Bradshaw/Jacobs departure, who knows, but right now, it’s looking like Joe McKnight.

Moving down the Turnpike to Philly, we have another NFC East team in the Eagles who focused mainly of defense along with offensive line help. They did bolster their backfield with solid depth to help out LeSean McCoy. Fellow PITT product, Dion Lewis, is a solid player who could end up being a fine number 2 in a 1-2 PITT punch for the Eagles. This was a relative steal of a selection in the 5thround, and Lewis can be a perfect complement to McCoy, as he too has the ability to make defenders miss.

Bottom line for Lewis: McCoy is starting to become an elite back in this league, and Lewis lacks the overall attributes to ever steal his job, so for the time being, he is a late draft hand-cuff to McCoy.

Likely scenario: With the Eagles offense potent enough, it will be a hard bet to say this rookie will get tons of action. If you own McCoy, reserve a late-pick for Lewis to insure him.

Best case: Anthony Dixon.

On to the Cowboys, they had a nice balanced draft of O-line help, defensive need and solid skill-position picks. Focusing on the potential fantasy relevancy, their first skill player selection was RB DeMarco Murray from Oklahoma in the 3rd round. Murray joins a currently crowded backfield, but has the receiving ability to make a name for himself right away. He has a good combo of speed and power and should have a solid career if given the opportunity.

Bottom line for Murray: With the Dallas backfield lacking consistency, this pick could motivate the likes of Marion Barber and Felix Jones, while at the same time add a legit changeup option with Murray. Murray’s receiving ability makes him a guy to monitor in deep PPR dynasty leagues.

Likely scenario: Murrayis not going to be drafted ahead of the first two Dallas backs,and Tashard Choice is a wild card as always. This will be an interesting situation to monitor once off-season player movement picks up again, and once we get to training camp (god-willing), there could be a good battle going in Dallas for carries and overall touches.

Best case: Murray needs a current Cowboy RB to get out of Big D, and a significant injury to any back could make Murray a Jahvid Best type of rookie in terms of overall rookie stats, not overall talent and potential. He could catch 40 balls in regular duty.

In the 6th round the ‘Boys added some WR depth to an already strong group. It will be very difficult for East Carolina’s Dwayne Harris to find targets, let alone make the roster. Not a real fantasy relevant player at all, since Tony Romo has Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and TE Jason Witten as primary targets…to name a few.

Harris does not possess blazing speed, nor above average size at just 5’10’’, but his desire and work ethic make him a potential return man/special teamer so no need to put him on a radar just yet.

7th round RB, Shaun Chapas from Georgia is another hard-working rookie that will fight just to make the squad, but his passion and grit could land him on as a fullback, or even a short-yardage emergency guy. Think about a poor-man’s version of Toby Gerhart, but with less talent. He wont find his way on many fantasy rosters unless injuries simply decimate Dallas.

Finishing off in Washington, the Redskins challenged the Patriots for the stock-pile-drafters-of-the-year award. 12 overall picks and nearly half being skill position player, uncertainty and a lack of depth at RB and WR forced the Skins’ hand in selecting multiple options at each of those positions. Leading the charge was 3rd round pick, WR Leonard Hankerson from Miami. The 6’2’’ wide-out has the hands and the ability to perform inside the hash-marks on inside routes. He has decent, but not game-breaking speed, so this could be a solid possession play for Washington. It’s up for grabs in this WR corp. since all they really have as a viable WR option is Santana Moss, and then there is upstart Anthony Armstrong, so a rookie as a chance to succeed here.

Bottom line for Hankerson: With QB questions in Washington, still tough to predict what will be of these WR prospects but whoever is the signal caller is, it won’t make a huge difference here. Think of Hankerson as a future waiver-wire pick-up in deeper PPR leagues if he can lock down a possession role.

Likely scenario: Un-draftable in fantasy circles, but may be a mid-season add if he can prove to be a good over-the-middle type of WR.

Best case: David Gettis

The Redskins RB situation is not terrific with an aging Clinton Portis, and an inconsistent duo of Keiland Williams and Ryan Torain. Likely, one of those three guys will be wearing another uniform in 2011, so rookie Roy Helu from Nebraska could step in as a situational back. The 6’0’’ RB has nice size, and can make the first guy miss and grab solid yardage, but he is not a very versatile back and wont really factor in passing situations. His value could lay in 3rd down work and goal-line situations, but he is not looking like a fantasy option.

Bottom line for Helu: It is not likely he remains on the field enough to ever be a fantasy starter, but his value could be in goal-line situations eventually.

Likely scenario: He’ll get some touches, but nothing significant enough to roster as a rookie…unless Mike Shanahan decides to test drive a half-dozen RBs before he makes up his mind.

Best case: Keiland Williams.

Niles Paul, another Cornhusker like Helu, is a decent sized WR who could battle for targets in the Redskins unset WR corp. He is more of a hands and chain-moving guy than a deep threat speed-burner so he could challenge Hankerson for targets.

Bottom line for Paul: Monitor the situation with this WR group, as he or Hankerson could be a semi-decent PPR waiver-wire scoop up eventually, should one of them fall into the role and gel with their QB.

Likely scenario: Not a draftable fantasy player, and possibly could work into a posession role, but think special teams in the early going for Paul.

Best case: Golden Tate

The Skins finished their skill-position selections in the 6th round with RB Evan Royster from Penn State and WR Aldrick Robinson from SMU. Royster will battle for depth chart positioning with Helu and whoever remains in the current backfield in Washington. Royster on paper may have a decent shot since he can boast the fact he is Penn State’s all-time leading rusher. His 4.65 40-yd dash time doesn’t indicate he has NFL break-away speed, so the chances Royster can become a factor are not good.

As for Robinson, he could have a bit of an easier time getting on the field since the ‘Skins are desperate to find a young WR who can make plays. Robinson’s playmaking ability can come via slot duties, as he can beat press coverage and go over the middle. The Skins may have grabed a very sold slot man, and even though he was the 3rd WR they drafted, he can produce at the top of his teams class in the reception department.

Bottom line for Robinson: Will have to earn the slot role, but if he does, can be a guy to watch as a deep PPR bench player.

Likely scenario: Could settle in nicely since there is a thin WR set in WAS. A 35 reception rookie year is not unlikely for Robinson, who could be an excellent value selection at 178th overall.

Best case: Arrelious Benn