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The 2018 NFL Draft has concluded and a new batch of rookie skill position players is ready to light up the fantasy community in the upcoming season. Although there are likely going to be a number of eventually underwhelming players (as it so happens every year), rookies are criminally undervalued in fantasy circles due to their lack of proven experience at the NFL level.
Regardless of this lack of experience, time and time again we see rookie players making an impact and providing insane value for the fantasy owners who took a gamble on them at the draft or with an early season waiver wire pick. Through the last few seasons, there have been countless rookie sensations who are now staples of fantasy lineups as a result of the increase in college performance and talent level.
Although it is generally harder for rookie wide receivers to make a significant impact in fantasy football, there have still been some promising players in recent years who have made a splash in their first action in the NFL. It's harder to predict who will make the leap to the next level, and wide receivers generally take longer to adjust to the style of play that the NFL demands, but there is still potential in this class to put up fantasy numbers right away. When you're done here, be sure to check out our running back analysis.
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Rookie WRs to Watch in Redraft
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
The first receiver off the board in 2018, D.J. Moore was selected 24th overall by the Carolina Panthers. The Maryland product was originally projected as a mid-first round pick, but 24th was a fair selection for the top player in an underwhelming class at the position. Moore was outstanding for Maryland over the last year, racking up an insane target share while earning over 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns for the Terrapins.
The Panthers have several playmakers but lack depth at the receiving position. With big-bodied Devin Funchess entrenched as the top receiver and tight end Greg Olsen a solid option, Moore will have to contend with the pair for targets out of the gate. Furthermore, running back Christian McCaffrey and hybrid RB/WR Curtis Samuel will siphon off more targets - and let's not forget about wide receiver Torrey Smith as well.
Although there seem to be several options to target in the Panthers passing game that will limit Moore's target share out of the gate, Moore has the natural ability to firmly plant himself as a favorite target of quarterback Cam Newton and make sure he gets his fair share of looks throughout the course of the season. Moore's ceiling is likely the production of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster from the 2017 season, which would make him a steal in fantasy drafts this fall.
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
Heralded as one of the top wide receivers coming into college, Kirk put up three very solid seasons as a wide receiver for the Aggies. With over 900 yards in every season, Kirk demonstrated that he could compete at a top level among the best players at the position. Therefore, it was no surprise that Kirk was selected in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals; the team likely got great value for him as he was projected to be a borderline first round pick.
With new quarterback Sam Bradford (and potentially rookie Josh Rosen) looking to help revive the team's offense, Kirk has the chance to immediately make an impact for the team. Larry Fitzgerald has been a target hog his entire career, and the team has running back David Johnson, who is an unreal receiving threat from his position. Still, Kirk has the ability and pedigree to plant himself as the third receiving option on a pass-happy team with a quarterback who makes accurate throws short - all recipes for success for rookie wide receivers. Target Kirk late in redraft formats - he could produce very nicely for you and return great value.
Antonio Callaway, Cleveland Browns
This is a bit of a dart throw, but Antonio Callaway has bona fide first round talent and goes to what is shaping up to be a powerful offense in Cleveland (I know, temper expectations, it's Cleveland, but still!). A fourth-round pick and a great value for the Browns, Callaway is an immense talent with significant background issues that could hinder his career in the long-term. Nevertheless, the former Gator has shown that he has what it takes to perform at a top level and could help a versatile Browns offense become even more deadly.
Although there will be heavy competition for targets between Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, and Corey Coleman (as well as second-year tight end David Njoku and pass catching back Duke Johnson), Callaway has the talent to make himself an option for quarterback Tyrod Taylor out of the gates. This is a case where you prefer talent to opportunity, and Callaway could force the team to give him opportunities if he has a good offseason and stays out of trouble. This is much more of a lottery ticket pick, but if you need receivers late, why not take a flier on someone with top-level upside at the position who will cost almost no draft capital.
