Fantasy Football: 2014 NFL Draft Breakdown

These are the ideal situations/fits for each rookie player drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, and how they could make a major impact on your fantasy football season. Consider them all huge sleepers if they fall into the right situations listed below.

Quarterback

Blake Bortles

Houston Texans (Round 1-Pick 1) I cannot think of a better situation for a rookie quarterback to walk into than this year’s Houston Texan team. Bill O’Brien is one of the better quarterback coaches in the league and this offensive roster is stacked with elite talented players at each skill position.

Derek Carr

Cleveland Browns (1-4) Good offensive line? Check. Good running game? Check. Receiving targets? Check. Josh Gordon, Greg Little, Jordan Cameron and Ben Tate are all Pro-Bowl caliber players and would make the transition to the NFL a whole lot easier for this rookie QB.

Johnny Manziel

Minnesota Vikings (1-8) Oh my… Defensive coordinators are already having nightmares of this potential combination of Johnny Manziel, Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson, three of the most unique and physically gifted in the NFL all on the field at the same time.

Teddy Bridgewater

Dallas Cowboys (1-16) This is obviously a luxury pick being these draft projections are for fantasy owners only but my oh my this situation could not be any more tailor made for Teddy Bridgewater to come in and succeed immediately if Tony Romo gets hurt or traded.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Arizona Cardinals (1-20) Carson Palmer is not getting any younger and this offensive is filled with talented weapons that would make life easy for any rookie quarterback. It may not happen right away but by the end of the season the best quarterback option for the Cardinals could be Garoppolo.

Sleeper: Logan Thomas

Denver Broncos (6-207) This is just a match made in heaven. Logan Thomas is arguably the most talented quarterback in this draft. He just needs time to master his craft, and what better place to do it than in Denver with future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning showing him the way.

Wide Receivers

Sammy Watkins

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) The Jaguars may not have the most talented team in the league or the best quarterback but Chad Henne is good enough to get Sammy Watkins the ball 5-7 times a game and let him do his thing. Expect lots of big plays here and tons of fantasy points.

Mike Evans

Oakland Raiders (1-5) Another not so talented team but they will force feed a guy like Mike Evans the ball who will be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses from week 1. Matt Schaub knows how to feed the ball to big talented receivers. (see Andre Johnsons stats when Matt Schaub is the QB)

Odell Beckham Jr.

New York Giants (1-12) NY needs a receiver after the departure of Hakeem Nicks and what better way to solve that problem than bring in Odell Beckham Jr. who can line up in the slot or outside and use his speed to create a lot of stress for opponents secondaries.

Brandin Cooks

Baltimore Ravens (1-17) Cooks should compliment Torrey Smith very nicely in Baltimore and give strong armed Joe Flacco another elite downfield weapon. Cooks speed (4.33 forty) will rival that of any other player in the league and there is no better QB to get him the ball downfield than Mr.Flacco himself.

Marqise Lee

Green Bay Packers (1-21) Lee fits in with the mold of Green Bay wide receivers. He is extremely quick, explosive, runs excellent routes and is impossible to cover. Having a future Hall-of-Famer QB getting him the ball consistently does not hurt either.

Sleeper: Devin Street

St.Louis Rams (4-110) Sam Bradford needs help in the worst way. It has been like that since his rookie season and St.Louis is just recently looking to give him that help. Street is another guy to add to the receiver mix who could be a starter and eventual #1 WR with his rare size and speed combination.

Running back

Tre Mason

Tennessee Titans (2-42) Who knew Tennessee get let Chris Johnson walk out of town for nothing and replace him with an even better option in the second round? Tennessee knew, and Tre Mason will quickly show why he is the best running back in this draft with his rare combo of speed and agility.

Carlos Hyde

Baltimore Ravens (2-48) Ray Rice might (and should) be on the way out in Baltimore. In could step Carlos Hyde who is a tough and physical runner that might not replaces Ray Rice and his stats right away for fantasy owners but by the end of the season he could be one of the steals of the draft.

Bishop Sankey

New Orleans Saints (2-58) The Saints are not known for relying on running backs which disappoints fantasy owners but let’s pretend that changes this season. Sankey is as good a dynamic duel threat as you will find in this draft and his electrifying speed could add a new dimension to this powerful offense.

Jeremy Hill

New England Patriots (2-62) Bill Belichick loves drafting him some running backs, add Jeremy Hill to the mix who could be the best of the bunch. Hill combines dominate and powerful running with a rare quick burst for 235lbs. He is a true three down back which Belichick will rely on to carry the load.

Ka’Deem Carey

Houston Texans (4-101) Arian Foster has had a lot of wear and tear during his career. The 300 carry and 50 catch seasons are starting to pile up and it is time to add a new young running back to the mix. Carey is quick and has big play ability that could thrive if given an opportunity.

Sleeper: Isaiah Crowell

Minnesota Vikings (6-184) Injury prone and character questions... But the most talented running back in this draft class is worth taking a chance on in round 6. Especially considering who his mentor would be if Minnesota drafted him here. The sky is the limit for Crowell, but he will have a short leash.

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron

Detroit Lions (1-10) With Calvin Johnson routinely getting double teams it is time this Detroit offense brought in another elite pass catching option to either stop those double teams or take advantage of them. Either way Eric Ebron has the talent to be a top 5 tight end in all fantasy leagues for 2014.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Atlanta Falcons (2-37) Atlanta needs to replace Tony Gonzalez with this selection and Austin Seferian-Jenkins is about as good an option as you will ever find. He is has a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism that could see him become Matt Ryan’s new best friend in an already explosive offense.

Jace Amaro

Buffalo Bills (2-41) Another team with a young quarterback that they need to surround with talent. Amaro is quick in short spaces, a great route runner and knows how to go up and get the ball. For an offense that faces plenty of 8 man defensive fronts he is a great option to help stretch the defense.

Troy Niklas

New York Giants (2-43) Troy Niklas is Tom Coughlins type of tight end. He is big, strong, a good blocker and has good enough hands to be a threat in the passing game and the Giants are starving for talent at the tight end position. Niklas would be the week 1 starter and help fantasy owners as a late sleeper.

C.J. Fiedorowicz

Green Bay Packers (3-85) Aaron Rodgers meet your new best friend. Fiedorowicz is a very athletic 6’5 big bodied tight end. He is a very underrated pass catcher that would thrive in an Aaron Rodgers led offense who likes to feature the tight end, especially in the red zone.

Sleeper: A.C. Leonard

New England Patriots (7-244) Another favorite of Belichiks is tight ends, he seems to snag one every year and this year selects former Florida Gator A.C. Leonard who has battled some personal issues over the years. But the talent and speed is there (4.5 forty) to succeed in this double tight end oriented offense.

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