2020 was a surprisingly great year for rookies. With the likes of Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, and James Robinson, the rookie class provided fantastic fantasy football production. For that reason, everyone will be searching for the next rookies to offer immediate value in fantasy football next year.
This year’s rookie class is a great one for fantasy football. This is one of the deepest classes for the quarterback position. Also, there are a plethora of running backs, wide receivers, and a tight end that could become a top player sooner, rather than later.
Ultimately, it’ll depend on where each rookie is drafted. We won’t know that answer until the end of April, so for now, everything is just speculation. However, there is at least one rookie in each position that has the potential to be an immediate fantasy football option in 2021. Even if they happen to be drafted on a team with a loaded depth chart. Here are the top potential rookies for fantasy football next year.
Fantasy Football: Potential Top Rookies
QB – Trevor Lawrence
It’s probably not a shock to see Trevor Lawrence on the list of best potential fantasy football rookies. The kid has been dominating the collegiate level since 2018. This past season, Lawrence went on a tear, putting up 3,153 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and an impressive 69.2% pass completion percentage. Had Clemson played a full season, Lawrence would likely have finished with a career year in 2020.
We haven’t seen a QB prospect quite like this since Andrew Luck. Some even compare Lawrence to the Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning in terms of potential. This could come to fruition almost immediately, as it’s almost a foregone conclusion the Jacksonville Jaguars will pick him first overall.
For this reason, Lawrence will be playing as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Considering how good Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow were last year, Lawrence has the potential to provide that same level of production for fantasy football. For redraft leagues, he should be a great late-round flyer, similar to how most rookie quarterbacks are valued in their first season.
RB – Najee Harris
After having a spectacular senior year at Alabama, Najee Harris enters the NFL draft as one of the best running back prospects. His final season was a career year, as he ended with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. Harris aims to become an immediate starter wherever he goes.
At 6-2, 230 lbs, Harrs has the size to dominate the game. He runs the ball like a mini-Derrick Henry, which makes Harris a legitimate running back for the NFL. I like his chances to be a great fantasy football option in 2021.
His value will depend on where he gets drafted. He’s good enough to become a starter for almost any team in the league. But if he’s drafted by a franchise that needs a starter, Harris becomes a valuable asset in the fantasy football world.
The ideal landing spots are the Pittsburgh Steelers or Miami Dolphins. If that comes to fruition, he may receive the same level of hype Clyde Edwards-Helaire had at the beginning of last year.
WR – Rashod Bateman
Rashod Bateman has been receiving more hype as the NFL draft approaches. His college tape is impressive. He’s a big-bodied wide receiver that can challenge any opposing secondary in the league.
He’s not quite at the top of draft boards for his position. Guys like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith are likely to be drafted ahead of him in the NFL draft and fantasy football drafts alike. However, Bateman has the potential to blow the roof off in the league next year.
Bateman is in a similar situation Justin Jefferson was in last year. He’s viewed as a solid prospect, but there are other receivers listed ahead of him on the draft boards. People may be overlooking Bateman as an immediate fantasy football option, even though he could very well be the best WR in his class.
I like his chances to provide production in his rookie season. Due to his draft projections, he could be someone that is drafted by a playoff-caliber team in the NFL. If that’s the case, he’ll be playing on a much better roster than his peers, and could be a force in fantasy football.
TE – Kyle Pitts
It’s rare to see a tight end of this caliber enter the league. I don’t remember a time when someone like Kyle Pitts entered the NFL draft. He’s a mismatch nightmare for any defense and has the potential to provide production right away. He finished his final season at Florida with 770 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
The guy is a generational athlete, especially for the TE position. He has dominated college football the last two years. Pitts is a freak athlete that can take advantage of the defenders around him. At 6-6, 246 lbs, not many safeties or corners are going to be able to match up with him one-on-one.
Typically, the TE position doesn’t amount to much in the NFL until they reach the third or fourth year of their careers. They’re like fine wine. The more they age the better they become. However, with Kyle Pitts, he brings a completely different element to the game.
Any QB in the league is going to aim towards a 6-6 freak athlete, no matter what position they play. Do yourself a favor, and draft Kyle Pitts if you don’t get Travis Kelce, George Kittle, or Darren Waller in fantasy football next year.
