Joshua Abbe| July 23rd, 2019
With the upcoming NFL season upon us and the 2019 rookie draft has come and gone most people in the offseason have forgotten about those that may have not lived up to the hype of their rookie season in 2018 coming out of the draft. Whether it be the team that drafted them or simply waiting their time on the depth chart, I’ve selected players that should be bought low in dynasty with expectations that 2019 will be their year and value come to fruition. Be sure to jump on these guys before the preseason starts and their value goes up before week one is here.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Drafted in the first round, the uphill climb with a bad offensive line and carousel of backs to contend with, nobody was sure Penny was the lead back. Eventually, Chris Carson took control and Pete Carroll continued to lean on Carson throughout the season leaving Penny with few snaps to show flashes or make a splash. Penny was taken in the first round with the Seahawks’ mindset to make him their RB1. He should be their lead back going into the preseason. He’s cut weight, bettered his conditioning, and worked on his maturity. Carson had post-season surgery for an injury as well. Buy Penny now while he is nearly 20 spots below Carson at his ADP and everyone else realizes it.
Josh Rosen, QB, Miami Dolphins
Arguably the best quarterback to come out the 2018 draft, Arizona selected Rosen to be their franchise guy. Though his rookie season wasn’t all it was made up to be with a struggling offense and poor play calling. Rosen was traded to Miami after Kliff Kingsbury got his way and drafted Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. With a fresh start and youth on his side, he has the talent and skillset to become a valuable piece in dynasty formats and even more so in superflex leagues. Battling with Ryan Fitzpatrick shouldn’t last long, as Fitzpatrick is a journeyman that Rosen can learn from. However, Miami wants their investment to start soon, so buy now because, with a decent wide receiver core and Kenyan Drake at the helm of the backfield, Rosen has the weapons to be productive.
James Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Washington comes into camp 15 pounds lighter and more knowledgeable of the playbook this offseason. Ben Roethlisberger led the league in pass attempts last season with 675. JuJu Smith-Schuster will take most of the coverages and double teams attention and Donte Moncrief was signed in the offseason to be the WR2. This should present a perfect opportunity for Washington to have a spot on the Steelers’ wide receiver corps whether it’s as the WR3 or contending for the WR2 spot going forward. As a rookie, he only had 30 targets with 16 grabs for 217 yards and a touchdown. Buy him now considering his quarterback loves to throw the ball and should double his numbers in the 2019 season and beyond.
Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos
Freeman was the given starter going into 2018 but quickly lost the role to another follow rookie, Phillip Lindsay. Freeman played the sidekick role well, contributing 521 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 130 touches. The 2018 third-round pick now faces a 2019 season with more possibilities to show the Broncos why they should’ve stuck with him. He is getting more work with the first-team unit and offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello hinted at split carries with Lindsay going forward. The offense is suited for Freeman now more than ever as it compares similarities to his college success at Oregon. Jump on him now, for when he takes over the load. He probably isn’t going to give it up.
Trey Quinn, WR, Washington Redskins
Quinn was Mr. Irrelevant in last year’s draft and I will blow up his name till I am blue in the face. Kept quiet all last season due to being behind Jamison Crowder and Redskins having the worst wide receiver corps in the league. With Crowder leaving in free agency, Quinn has the slot role all to his own and should be a target monster from the get-go. He has great hands and a mind for the playbook. Whether its Case Keenum or Dwayne Haskins, Quinn should lead the team in receptions next season and continue the “Adam Theilen” role going forward till teams figure it out. Consider him free in startups or buy him super cheap to someone maybe stashing him for depth but not playing him throughout the season.
Auden Tate, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
In only seven appearances during his 2018 rookie season, Tate had just four catches for 35 yards. He’s taken to new head coach Zac Taylor’s playbook quicker than he did Marvin Lewis’ and has already turned heads at minicamp that could lead to him taking the WR3 role away from a struggling John Ross. The upside for Tate is both Ross and A.J. Green have struggled with injuries over the last few years which could open up more snaps for Tate. Besides Green and Tyler Boyd, who else on the depth chart do you trust? Take a shot on Tate as he is basically free.
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