There have been some amazing transitions throughout the evolution of fantasy football, and it likely isn’t going to stop now. First, there were standard season-long leagues. Eventually, PPR leagues developed, but most leagues continued to be only for one season. The dynasty league was the next development, but it was more of a limited dynasty league, as many leagues had a maximum number of keepers. The dynasty league is shifting to allow as many keepers as the teams would like, while only having a rookie draft.
Generally, dynasty leagues allow as many keepers as each team pleases, while having a draft that is filled with rookies and free agents. It’s impossible to know what free agents will be available in everyone’s leagues, so these rankings are only for rookies. If you want to see where I have ranked other players ranked, be sure to check out my Dynasty League Rankings.
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2016 NFL Rookie Rankings Analysis
The 2016 rookie class was not filled with many dominant quarterbacks. As is the case in any draft, quarterbacks were over-selected, as Goff and Wentz were the first two players taken. Keep in mind that the draft position of players in the NFL Draft should have little to no impact on the draft position of the players in your rookie draft. This is especially true when dealing with quarterbacks.
The running backs in this class are fairly impressive. Ezekiel Elliott is in a tier of his own, but the other running backs come with great upside. There are 12 running backs in the top 25 rookies, which shows the depth of this class. The majority of the running backs have great hands out of the backfield, which will help them get on the field immediately, and it also helps them in PPR formats. As everyone knows, running backs are never safe picks because of the running-back-by-committee mentality in the NFL, but that doesn’t take away from their potential.
Wide receivers are one of the best examples of a position that doesn’t need draft pedigree to be successful. The best example is Antonio Brown, who was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He’s now one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, while other receivers that were drafted before him, such as Arrelious Benn and Jordan Shipley, have fizzled out. Obviously first round picks may have a bit more leeway than the later-round players, but there is definitely value to be had late in the draft.
Tight end is a position that tends to go overlooked, especially in rookie drafts. Sure, there might not be the next Rob Gronkowski any time soon, but there will be TE1s coming in the draft. Plus, someone has to become the new Gronkowski at some point. Keep in mind, tight ends are quickly becoming receivers in the NFL, and they are a sneaky way to get great PPR points if they are in the right situation.
Overall, this draft was fairly loaded with running backs and wide receivers. The tight ends aren’t elite, but they do come with upside. The same can be said for the quarterbacks, although they all come with quite a bit of risk, as well.
2016 Rookie Fantasy Football League Rankings
1 | Ezekiel Elliott | RB |
2 | Josh Doctson | WR |
3 | Corey Coleman | WR |
4 | Sterling Shepard | WR |
5 | Laquon Treadwell | WR |
6 | Mike Thomas | WR |
7 | Derrick Henry | RB |
8 | Kenneth Dixon | RB |
9 | Tajae Sharpe | WR |
10 | C.J. Prosise | RB |
11 | Will Fuller | WR |
12 | Paul Perkins | RB |
13 | Leonte Carroo | WR |
14 | Kenyan Drake | RB |
15 | Jordan Howard | RB |
16 | Tyler Boyd | WR |
17 | Devontae Booker | RB |
18 | Malcolm Mitchell | WR |
19 | Hunter Henry | TE |
20 | Carson Wentz | QB |
21 | Jared Goff | QB |
22 | Jonathan Williams | RB |
23 | Wendell Smallwood | RB |
24 | Alex Collins | RB |
25 | DeAndre Washington | RB |
26 | Pharoh Cooper | WR |
27 | Rashard Higgins | WR |
28 | Paxton Lynch | QB |
29 | Keith Marshall | RB |
30 | Braxton Miller | WR |
31 | Austin Hooper | TE |
32 | Tyler Ervin | RB |
33 | Michael Thomas | WR |
34 | Tyler Higbee | TE |
35 | Jordan Payton | WR |
36 | Demarcus Robinson | WR |
37 | Josh Ferguson | RB |
38 | Kolby Listenbee | WR |
39 | Ricardo Louis | WR |
40 | Jerell Adams | TE |
41 | Kenny Lawler | WR |
42 | Cardale Jones | QB |
43 | Charone Peake | WR |
44 | Kelvin Taylor | RB |
45 | Darius Jackson | RB |
46 | Dak Prescott | QB |
47 | Daniel Braverman | WR |
48 | Connor Cooker | QB |
49 | Cody Kessler | QB |
50 | Chris Moore | WR |
51 | Nick Vannett | TE |
52 | Thomas Duarte | TE |
53 | Christian Hackenberg | QB |
54 | Jeff Driskel | QB |
55 | Jakeem Grant | WR |
56 | Aaron Burbridge | WR |
57 | Seth DeValve | TE |
58 | Jacoby Brissett | QB |
59 | Kevin Hogan | QB |
60 | Keyarris Garrett | WR |
61 | Roger Lewis | WR |
62 | Daniel Lasco | RB |
63 | Devin Lucien | WR |
64 | Moritz Boehringer | WR |
65 | Brandon Wilds | RB |
66 | Marquez North | WR |
67 | Cody Core | WR |
68 | Mitch Mathews | WR |
69 | Demarcus Ayers | WR |
70 | Dwayne Washington | RB |
71 | Trevor Davis | WR |
72 | Devin Fuller | WR |
73 | Temarrick Hemmingway | TE |
74 | Rico Gathers | TE |
75 | Keenan Reynolds | WR |
76 | Tyreek Hill | WR |
77 | Devon Johnson | RB |
78 | Nate Sudfeld | QB |
79 | Brandon Allen | QB |
80 | Devon Cajuste | WR |
81 | Cayleb Jones | WR |
82 | DJ Foster | RB |
83 | Zac Brooks | RB |
84 | Beau Sandland | TE |
85 | David Morgan | TE |
86 | Jalin Marshall | WR |
87 | Jake Rudock | QB |
88 | Brandon Doughty | QB |
89 | Byron Marshall | WR |
90 | Bryce Williams | TE |
91 | Trevone Boykin | QB |
92 | Jay Lee | WR |
93 | Nelson Spruce | WR |
94 | Peyton Barter | RB |
95 | Hunter Sharp | WR |
96 | D'haquille Williams | WR |
97 | Jhurell Pressley | RB |
98 | Jaydon Mickens | WR |
99 | K.J. Maye | WR |
100 | Dom Williams | WR |
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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.