For the most part, few rookies make much of an impact in fantasy football even in normal seasons. This is no normal NFL season due to the NFL lockout. So, with one exception, ignore rookies when drafting your fantasy football team in 2011. Here are ten NFL who I believe will become fantasy football studs in 2011.
10. Emmanuel Sanders WR, Pittsburgh
Forget Sanders’ meager stats from 2010, the Steelers’ young receiver was playing more and more toward the end of the 2010 season. With Hines Ward seemingly in the NFL since the leather helmet days, look for Sanders to catch a lot of passes in 2011 with opposing defenses focusing on Mike Wallace.
9. Sam Bradford QB, St. Louis
What, a #1 NFL draft pick on a breakout list? Yeah, that’s right. If you took Bradford in a fantasy draft in 2010, you are either a diehard Rams fan or a fantasy football novice. Rookie QBs seldom make any impact on fantasy leagues in their first year. Bradford is a rookie no more. With some injured WRs back this season and a couple of new targets, look for Bradford to take a big step up in fantasy football.
8. Matt Stafford QB, Detroit
The only question about Stafford is can he play 16 games without an injury? Stafford took big strides in 2010 when healthy and with a much improved team around him, Matthew Stafford is a legitimate starting QB in fantasy football leagues.
7. Jacoby Ford WR, Oakland
One of the fastest players in the NFL, Ford as a rookie last season showed he was not just a sprinter as he showed ability to make tough catches and fight for the football. With former 1st round pick Darius Heyward-Bey still seeming lost much of the time and the Raiders having few options for the long passes preferred by Al Davis, Ford could make a move in 2011.
6. Mark Ingram RB, New Orleans
The one exception to the no rookie rule in fantasy football 2011 is this guy. Playing in a pro like atmosphere at Alabama under Nick Saban and being the son of a former NFL player by the same name has prepared Ingram much moreso than your typical rookie. The Saints, in spite of their passing prowess, get more rushing touchdowns than most teams in the NFL with Pierre Thomas formerly benefitting the most. Now it’s Ingram’s turn.
5.Jimmy Graham TE, New Orleans
Jeremy Shockey is gone, Lance Moore has a bad groin, and Robert Meacham is inconsistent. Look for Graham to benefit the most in the Saints pass-happy scheme.
4. Jerome Simpson WR, Cincinnati
With divas T.O. and Ochocinco departed, this guy will benefit the most. Simpson had a big game or two late in the 2010 season. However, the Bengal QB situation keeps Simpson from being ranked higher with Carson Palmer retired, at least for now and possibly a rookie under center for the guys in the (appropriate) stripes.
3. Beanie Wells RB, Arizona
Beanie has been kind of a weenie thus far in his NFL career. However, the team evidently feels this will be a breakout season for Wells with the trade of Tim Hightower (more on him later). Wells has been impressive in the preseason and finally appears to be ready to put up good fantasy numbers on a consistent basis. Especially if QB Kevin Kolb performs as expected.
2. Felix Jones RB, Dallas
Ever since high school, Felix Jones has been second fiddle to another back. Sharing the backfield with Darren McFadden at Arkansas and Marion Barber in Dallas along with injuries at the pro level have limited Jones’ production. Jones appears to be in the best shape of his career, has had an excellent preseason and the team is confident enough in Jones to release Barber. Don’t look for Felix Jones to take a backseat to anyone in the Dallas backfield in 2011.
1.Tim Hightower RB, Washington
The Shanahan zone blocking, one cut and go system has made fantasy football stars out of guys like Mike Anderson, not to mention Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis and others. Mike Anderson is the one most comparable to Hightower. Anderson put up huge fantasy numbers in Denver as a late round draft pick who started out at fullback. Hightower has apparently won the starting RB job in DC.