Rookies Who Will Make an Instant Fantasy Impact
Michael Carter RB Jets
While I don't think that Michael Carter is the best running back in this class, he has been put in a situation where he is going to get the load. The Jets have a young, but talented offensive line that he'll be able to run behind. The number two running back is Tevin Coleman, so I'm pretty confident Carter's going to handle at least 80% of the carries. Carter is going to thrive in the Kyle Shanahan type of offense and his footwork allows him to squeeze in between small gaps. What makes Carter so special is his ability to cut on a dime and reverse field. He's a phenomenal east-west runner and is extremely agile. I expect him to get at least 10 carries and a few targets per game.
Najee Harris RB Steelers
I haven't been as high on a running back coming out of the draft since Saquon Barkley. Najee Harris is so damn talented and he is going to get a lot of carries in Pittsburgh. Harris' pure vision, burst, and athleticism is going to separate him from the pack, I just get worried about the Steelers' play calling. Last year, it seemed like the Steelers threw the ball on every down, but with their new offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, I'm hopeful they'll be a more productive running team. With that being said, Harris is still capable of being a number one receiver in the Steelers' offense. He's also just a fun player to watch. If it's hurdling, juking, or just outrunning defenders, Harris makes people miss. I expect an extremely productive rookie year out of the Steelers number one running back.
Kyle Pitts TE Falcons
There are certain players that I don't care where they end up, I'm confident they will be ballers. Kyle Pitts is one of those players. Thankfully, he landed with Arthur Smith, an offensive genius, who is going to make him a nightmare for defenses. Now with Julio Jones in Tennessee, there will be more targets for Pitts in that offense. He can be lined up as an in-line tight end and out wide as a receiver. Matt Ryan can just throw the ball up because Pitts makes 50-50 balls look like 80-20 balls in his direction. He genuinely has the ability to completely take over a game. Looking at the tight end position, Pitts could be in that top tier of guys. George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Mark Andrews, TJ Hockenson, and Kyle Pitts. Those are the elite fantasy options at tight end as well as Robert Tonyan if Aaron Rodgers is playing. I expect Pitts to be thrown into the fire immediately and get around 10 targets a game.
Elijah Moore WR Jets
We have another Jet on this list. Elijah Moore is an extremely reliable target who will be Zach Wilson's favorite receiver. When it comes to running routes, Moore is an absolute technician. I've never seen a receiver make so many DB's bite on slant-and-go's. I expect him to tear defenses up from the slot and be the Jets' version of Cole Beasely. The Jets have a revamped receiving core with Corey Davis and Denzel Mims on the outside and now with Moore on the inside. I'm curious to see how Mike LaFleur (the Jets' offensive coordinator) uses Moore on reverses and in pre-snap motion. Moore should be one of the Jets' top weapon from day one.
Amari Rodgers WR Packers
Nobody has any clue about what the Packers QB room will look like by the start of the season, but we do know how their receiver room looks. With Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all capable of playing on the outside, that leaves Rodgers to dominate from the slot. However, he's a guy who can line up anywhere on the field. If it's in the backfield, as a return man, in the slot, or on the outside, Rodgers should get a lot of production this season. I expect Matt LaFleur to use him similarly to how the Packers used to use Randall Cobb. Whether or not Amari Rodgers is the only A. Rodgers playing for the Packers this season, I expect him to be an instant impact rookie for Green Bay.
