There will be plenty of question marks about the immediate potential of rookie wide receivers following a down year in terms of fantasy production among first-year players at the position. Mike Williams of the Los Angeles Chargers dealt with injuries all season and didn’t get much of an opportunity to show what he can do. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t figure out how to maximize John Ross’ potential and Corey Davis seemed stuck in neutral all season for the Tennessee Titans. While that will lead to caution among fantasy football managers when it comes to how highly they consider rookie wide receivers, we have identified five highly skilled players that have the potential to produce at a high level right away. Here is a look at the five rookie wide receivers that will have the biggest impact in fantasy football.
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
Moore wasn’t selected until pick No. 24 of the 2018 NFL Draft but he was the first wide receiver taken off the board and should be the first rookie receiver selected in fantasy football drafts. The 6’0’’, 215-pound Maryland product was the Big Ten Receiver of the Year and first-team Big Ten last season. With a 4.43 second 40-yard dash time and excellent hands, Moore has the talent to step right in and produce for the Panthers. The fact that Carolina needs help at wide receiver should force their hand with giving Moore as many opportunities as can be expected for a rookie wide out. All things considered, Moore is definitely the top ranked rookie wide receiver on the board.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Two picks after the Panthers selected Moore, the Falcons picked Ridley with the No. 26 overall pick and forever linked these two players that will compete in the NFC South as rookies. The first-team SEC receiver is two years older than Moore and should also be ready to step right in to an NFL lineup after three years at Alabama. Ridley won’t need to be the go-to guy in Atlanta right away. That said, the presence of Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel and tight end Austin Hooper should open up plenty of room for Ridley to get favorable looks in his rookie season. The addition of Ridley is one of the reasons why the Falcons are among the favorites in the NFC, according to BetDSI.
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals turned some heads with the selection of Kirk, who some feel doesn’t have the same long-term upside as wide receivers that went after him in the draft in Michael Gallup and Courtland Sutton. That said, Arizona was hit hard by injuries at the position last year and Larry Fitzgerald isn’t getting and younger so Kirk could have a more defined role as a rookie than those other players. The Texas A&M alumni should be a viable fantasy option in 2018.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Gallup is an interesting case study for a number of reasons. First of all, he was a third round pick out of Colorado State that does not appear to be as refined as some of the other names on this list at this point. Second, he is one of the best pure rookie talents at the position despite playing in the Mountain West. Third, the Cowboys have a major need at the position following Dez Bryant’s exit and Terrance Williams’ offseason incidents. Gallup is far from a lock to produce at a high level in his rookie season. However, there are plenty of signs that indicate he has the potential to put up big numbers right away even though it’s clearly a case of buyer beware.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Sutton was taken in the second round with the 40th overall pick, well ahead of Gallup. However, he will have to compete with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders for touches in Denver while also getting on the same page as new quarterback Case Keenum. It will be a substantial leap for the SMU alumni. While he has the potential to be a productive wide receiver down the road, expectations should be somewhat tempered for the final rookie receiver on this list as he adjusts to the NFL.
