Bold Predictions – 2019 Fantasy Rookie Of the Year (FROY)

FROY is that one rookie that enters the NFL and is that stud player that most any fantasy owner can count on week in and week out during their first year as an NFL player. FROY’s should not even be counted on by fantasy owners from day one but maybe a nice surprise as the season unfolds. FROY’s are not always the consensus first pick in the dynasty rookie draft as they can be that hidden gem that some owner finds in the late first/early second round of fantasy rookie drafts so let’s figure out who this year’s FROY is as I have struggled with that guy this year.

As a matter of fact I traded most of my 2019 rookie picks in dynasty leagues for that reason simply because I am not buying into many of the players other than the TE’s and some of the WR’s who were available in this years’ rookie draft but one player who I feel will be the best fantasy rookie for the 2019 season does not play either of those positions but instead is Running Back Miles Sanders whom the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the 21st pick in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Why do I believe that he will be more productive than the rest of the 2019 NFL Draft Class? First and foremost is because I feel that the Tight End position was the strongest of this years’ draft class, however, history has proven that Tight Ends take a year or two longer to transition from the Collegiate level to the Pro’s although that window is getting smaller as more and more College teams are implementing a pro-style offense.  But that is not enough to sway me when it comes to predicting the FROY.

Secondly, I believe that Sanders is in the best situation and is arguably the best every-down Running Back from the 2019 draft class. Sorry but I am not buying into the Josh Jacobs feel-good story with him being the first Running Back drafted while being brought up through the school of hard knocks as he is not the first and certainly not the last to be brought up in a broken home and I sincerely hope he has a successful career/life but that doesn’t change my position on how I feel about who the FROY will be in 2019.  I am sure Josh will have a fine career in the NFL but in my opinion, Miles has a better rookie year as he was the second Running Back drafted just one round and twenty-nine picks later.

Last but not least, I truly do like a few of the rookie Wide Receivers coming into the league this year but I just don’t see them producing FROY stats this year as they are on teams where they are either waiting in line on the depth chart, depending on a questionable Quarterback to get them the ball or just simply need a year or two to get acclimated to the next level.

I’m not saying that one or two of those receivers will not have a solid rookie campaign as I contemplated a couple of them when writing this article but I believe a running back like Sanders will have a larger impact during his rookie debut. Miles was stuck behind Saquon Barkley at Penn State but showed his skill last year which was his only year as a starting Running Back for the Nittany Lions when he rushed for nearly 1300 yards and 9 TD’s, averaging 5.8 YPC while catching 24 passes out of the backfield for 139 yards.

Summary:

Miles is currently second on the Eagles depth chart with newly acquired veteran Jordan Howard ahead of him and Corey Clement on his heels but I do expect the cream to rise to the top with Sanders eventually taking the lead and not looking back. I just wish I had a share or two of him to enjoy the ride. Who is your favorite FROY this year?

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