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Rookies are one of the most important parts of dynasty leagues, as they can make or break the future of your team. Generally, there are only a few rookies that have immediate success. There are also rookies that will need a couple years to make an impact in the NFL.
In this article, I will be focusing around my top five tiers of rookies. Each tier will have an explanation of why each player is where they are. Keep in mind, these rankings are for dynasty, so they do not strictly mean each of these rookies will finish this season in their respective positions.
If you have any questions about my rankings, shoot me a message on Twitter at @BalesSJustin. Enjoy!
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2017 NFL Rookies - Dynasty/Keeper Rankings Tier 1
1) Kareem Hunt
2) Leonard Fournette
3) Corey Davis
4) Christian McCaffrey
5) Dalvin Cook
6) Joe Mixon
Hunt as the best rookie in this draft is not the popular pick. He is the unquestioned workhorse for the Chiefs, though, and he will not be giving his job back. Andy Reid has produced elite fantasy backs throughout his career, and Hunt is the next name to join the list. Fournette was a dominant prospect coming out of high school, and he's also an elite prospect in the NFL. He is second in my rankings because of injury concerns, though. Davis is in a great spot with a young quarterback in Tennessee, but he also faces plenty of competition for targets, which is why he fell. McCaffrey, Cook, and Mixon are fairly interchangeable depending on what skillset you like. All three are complete running backs, who are in good positions on their teams, which is why they made the first tier.
2017 NFL Rookies - Dynasty/Keeper Rankings Tier 2
1) O.J. Howard
2) Mike Williams
3) Alvin Kamara
4) Zay Jones
5) John Ross
6) Evan Engram
7) David Njoku
Howard is an elite tight end prospect, but sharing snaps with Cameron Brate forced him into the second tier. Williams has the skillset of a number one wide receiver, but he has had trouble staying healthy throughout his college and short NFL career. Kamara is a receiving back that enters a crowded backfield, but Kamara could take over as a workhorse back in just a couple of seasons. Jones has flashed elite upside in preseason, and he could quickly become the Bills top option if Jordan Matthews tests free agency. Ross is an extremely talented wide receiver, but he's currently buried on the depth chart and he has struggled to stay healthy throughout his football career. Engram and Njoku are two more tight ends that are seemingly interchangeable, but they both come with elite receiving potential, and they have plenty of upside for the future.
2017 NFL Rookies - Dynasty/Keeper Rankings Tier 3
1) Juju Smith-Schuster
2) Chris Godwin
3) Kenny Golladay
4) Patrick Mahomes
5) Samaje Perine
6) D'Onta Foreman
7) Cooper Kupp
8) Jamaal Williams
Smith-Schuster, Godwin, and Golladay are all interesting options to start the third tier. They could all see the field this season, but they are receivers for the future. Each of them comes with tremendous upside, but their situations need to shake out a bit before moving them higher in the tiers. Mahomes has flashed elite upside in preseason and it is only a matter of time before he becomes one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Perine and Foreman are two running backs that could overtake the starters this season, depending on how their teams feel about them. With that being said, it is not likely, and they are running backs that have brighter futures than potential this season. Kupp is seemingly a favorite of Jared Goff, and he has a bright future ahead of him. Williams is in a good position for snaps in Green Bay, but he has struggled throughout preseason to lose ground between him and Ty Montgomery.
2017 NFL Rookies - Dynasty/Keeper Rankings Tier 4
1) Marlon Mack
2) Carlos Henderson
3) Taywan Taylor
4) Joe Williams
5) Chad Williams
6) ArDarius Stewart
Mack and Williams are two running backs, who could be the running back of the future for their organization. With that being said, nothing is guaranteed, which is why they are only in the fourth tier. There is not too much distance between Henderson, Taylor, Williams, and Stewart, as all four wide receivers come with tremendous upside, but also have plenty of obstacles in their way before making an impact.
2017 NFL Rookies - Dynasty/Keeper Rankings Tier 5
1) Deshaun Watson
2) Mitchell Trubisky
3) Gerald Everett
4) Noah Brown
5) Chad Hansen
6) De'Angelo Henderson
7) Dede Westbrook
8) Adam Shaheen
9) Jonnu Smith
Watson and Trubisky are two quarterbacks that come with plenty of upside, but also plenty of risk. Everett, Shaheen, Smith are three high upside tight ends, who are all in good situations for their careers, but will struggle for snaps this season. Henderson has flashed upside throughout the preseason, but he has also struggled with ball handling, which could keep him off the field this season. Brown, Hansen, and Westbrook are in good positions to make an impact throughout their careers, but they all come with red flags, as well.
More 2017 Dynasty League Strategy
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