Which combine rookie will make the most immediate fantasy impact?
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- Michael Fabiano NFL.com Fantasy Editor
Have his Hyde
Running backs have the best shot to make the biggest rookie impact, so I'm going with Ohio State's Carlos Hyde. He did pull a hamstring in his first 40-yard dash at the combine, but Hyde remains the top-rated player at his position according to NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock. Much like those old E.F. Hutton ads, when Mike talks, I listen. A punishing runner who could earn a true featured role at the next level, Hyde could be a fantasy star if he lands with a running back-needy team like Cleveland -- and the Browns have the third pick in the second round.
This is a tough one for me. One of the rookie quarterbacks such as Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles will have some replacement-week value at some point. But that's too easy. And as a fighting champion, I don't want to take an easy way out. So I'm going to go with Sammy Watkins. If you follow me on Twitter (seriously, help a brother out here), you know I've raved about Mike Evans all year. But I kind of got a wandering eye when Watkins went out and absolutely murdered it in the Orange Bowl against Ohio State. Dude had 16 receptions for 227 yards and it would have been more if the end zone hadn't gotten in the way. And then he went out and was even more impressive during the combine. He's going to be a brute for any team lucky enough to draft him. Except St. Louis. I'm tired of them ruining great fantasy prospects. So stay away!
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- Jason Smith NFL.com Fantasy Analyst
Spin the roulette wheel
There are two guys I really like to have an immediate fantasy impact. The first is Sammy Watkins who has everything you want from a wide receiver. He's completely polished with the ability to blow by defensive backs after catching both short and long passes. It's a deep draft at receiver but he's the diamond. I'll be very happy getting him as my third receiver. I love Eric Ebron too, but I'm still wary of the Tyler Eifert effect. If Ebron gets drafted by a team without a talented incumbent -- which you think a team would do, but the Bengals aren't every team -- he'll be a Week 1 starter for you. He's big, fast and reminds me of a more athletic Jordan Cameron. Hey, you'll be playing roulette with your tight end spot anyway, why not draft someone with breakout-type potential? And if he falters, well, at least you know the roulette wheel enough to be comfortable on it.