Seton Hall
Jorie Mickens predicts the three top offensive rookies in fantasy football for 2019
Date: May 22, 2019By: Jorie Mickens
As rookie minicamps wrap up and OTAs are set to begin, it is time to look ahead to the 2019 Fantasy Football season. In 2018, players like Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield, James Conner and Phillip Lindsay helped dominate fantasy leagues.
18 of the first 32 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft were defensive players, but that does not mean there are no offensive standouts from this year’s draft class. Here are three offensive players likely to make an immediate impact in their rookie seasons.
1. Josh Jacobs (RB – OAK)
The Raiders offensive line might scare away fantasy owners from taking Jacobs, but when a team selects a RB in the first round, they are going to use him. Do not expect Jacobs to have a Barkley-esque season, but the Raiders depth chart is thin at RB.
Head coach John Gruden is going to utilize his dual-threat RB in wake of Marshawn Lynch’s retirement. Do not forget about the addition of Antonio Brown, his presence will make it difficult for opposing defenses to crowd the box, allowing Jacobs to have more room to operate in the backfield.
Jacobs amassed 11 rushing touchdowns, three receiving touchdowns and 887 yards from scrimmage on a top-six Alabama offense last season. Expect Jacobs to be a high-end RB two for the 2019 NFL season.
2. Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)
Plenty of QBs have been selected number one overall in previous drafts, but many do not have the opportunity to start from day one. If you do not like spending high draft capital on QBs, Murray is a steal with potential to be a low-end QB one during the season. Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Murray’s relationship dates back to when Murray was a sophomore in high school.
A video surfaced in January when Kingsbury said, “Kyler is a freak man, he’s a really good young player…I would take him with the first pick in the draft if I could.”
Expect Murray to utilize his 4.38 40-yard dash speed, the same way Lamar Jackson did at the end of the season last year. Murray may not have the weapons he did at Oklahoma but expect him to be a sleeper pick, (Average Draft Position: 10.12) to rack up big fantasy numbers this year.
3. Mecole Hardman (WR – KC)
Speedy receiver in an Andy Reid offense with an MVP quarterback? Yes please. With Tyreek Hill’s eligibility for the 2019 season in question, Hardman could have a breakout year for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hardman ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, but he is more than just a speed demon. Hardman hauled in seven receiving touchdowns for Georgia last season, a team known for their “ground and pound” playstyle. If Hill is unable to take the field this upcoming season, expect Hardman to step in and contribute right away.
Honorable Mentions: N’Keal Harry (WR – NE), David Montgomery (RB – CHI), Noah Fant (DEN – TE).
Jorie Mickens can be reached at jorie.mickens@student.shu.edu.
