2018 Fantasy Football Rookie Outlook: Josh Rosen
In a deep group of likely first-round quarterbacks, Josh Rosen may be the most polarizing. Some analysts see him as the No. 1 quarterback and a top-five pick, while some others see him in line for an Aaron Rodgers-style fall.
As much as being “intellectually curious” can be considered a bad thing for a potential franchise quarterback, it’s being used as a black mark against Rosen. But leaving aside all of the fabricated concerns teams may have about him, what kind of impact could Rosen have for fantasy football owners as a rookie?
College Stats-UCLA
2015: 3,669 passing yards, 23 TD, 11 INT, 60% completions (13 G)
2016: 1,915 passing yards, 10 TD, 5 INT, 59.3% completions (6 G)
2017: 3,756 passing yards, 26 TD, 10 INT, 62.6% completions (11 G)
Strengths
– Is an incredibly polished pocket passer-footwork, balance and mechanics are top-notch
– Played under center in a pro-style offense
– Shows great poise under pressure; keeps eyes downfield, climbs pocket when necessary
– Is great at back shoulder throw-“throws receivers open”
– Shows supreme confidence all-around
– Shows good touch-adds and subtracts effectively
Weaknesses
– Durability is a concern-shoulder (2016) and concussion (2017)
– Is not mobile; accuracy falls off dramatically throwing on the move
– Takes unnecessary chances at times, with easier throws available
– Could throw with better anticipation
– Has below-average arm strength
– Could be “uncoachable”
Pro Comparisons: Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Jay Cutler
Potential Landing Spots
Rosen is not likely to go No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns, but the New York Jets (No. 3) and Denver Broncos (No. 5) should be his top suitors. The New York Giants at No. 2 could see him as Eli Manning’s heir apparent, with a chance to see action as a rookie. A little further down, the Miami Dolphins (No. 11), Buffalo Bills (No. 12), Arizona Cardinals (No. 15) and New England Patriots (No. 23 and No. 31) could move up for Rosen or wait to see if he falls to them.
Rosen’s clearest paths to immediate playing time exist with three teams-the Jets, the Broncos and the Bills. All three have signed veterans who are in line to start Week 1, but a combination of age (Josh McCown), coming off a career year (Case Keenum) and a short resume (A.J. McCarron) means Rosen could start fairly quickly for all three teams.
Shy of winning a training camp battle for a starting job, Rosen will not be draftable in fantasy outside of keeper leagues this year. But there is a path to being on the waiver wire radar at some point, and Rosen finishing his rookie season as a QB2 in 12-team leagues.
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