Rookie drafts are arguably the best part of the dynasty fantasy football experience. For some, it’s like being an amateur NFL general manager, navigating your way through the draft. Part of that experience is finding sleepers in the middle or later rounds, just like NFL general managers. With rookie drafts underway, let’s look at my four favorite rookie picks with an ADP outside the top 30.
The ADP is from the Faceoff Sports Network. The ADP range is from mock drafts completed May 1 through May 4.
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): ADP 30.7 | RB12
The Browns have two talented running backs already on the roster in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. They have been the focal point of the offense the past few years. However, Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson are entering the final year of their contracts and probably won’t be back with the team in 2023. Ford would be the favorite to earn that critical No. 2 running back role with both out of the way. In his final year at Cincinnati, Ford had over 1,500 scrimmage yards and an 8.5 percent touchdown rate. He is one of my favorite running backs to target, especially in leagues where he can sit on my taxi squad for a year.
Jelani Woods (TE – IND): ADP 32.3 | TE2
Usually, I don’t draft tight ends in the rookie draft. However, I am breaking that rule this year and targeting Woods. He had an excellent pre-draft process and an outstanding athletic profile. Plus, landing with the Colts was perfect. While Indianapolis re-signed Mo Alie-Cox this offseason, they can get out of his contract after next season. Not only should Woods see the field early in his career, but he has a quarterback that favors throwing to his tight ends in Matt Ryan. He will be a popular name on sleeper tight-end lists a year from now. Furthermore, don’t be surprised when Woods is the best fantasy tight end from this draft class in three years.
Keaontay Ingram (RB – ARI): ADP 34 | RB13
Arizona had to make some decisions this offseason at the running back position. They re-signed James Conner before free agency started and let Chase Edmonds walk. Behind Conner on the depth chart are Eno Benjamin and Ingram. While the Cardinals claim they love Benjamin, all 34 of his career rushing attempts came last year. He has been primarily a special teams player so far in his career. Despite his sixth-round selection, Ingram is a solid running back. During his time at Texas, Ingram was a potential Day 2 pick before transferring to USC. When Conner gets hurt, Ingram is the handcuff you want to own. During the weeks that Conner is out, Ingram will have mid RB2 value. He is the Khalil Herbert-like running back this year.
Romeo Doubs (WR – GB): ADP 35.7 | WR16
After trading away Davante Adams, every mock draft had the Packers taking a wide receiver in the first round. Instead, the Packers waited till Day 2 to grab a wide receiver and traded up for Christian Watson. While Watson gets all the hype as the Packer wide receiver to draft, Doubs is a sneaky good mid-round target. He had over 2,100 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in his final 20 games at Nevada. Doubs won’t turn into the next Adams, but he could become the new No. 1 wide receiver in Green Bay this season. After the first two rounds, it’s all about the upside a player can offer. No wide receiver has more upside than Doubs in this range.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
