2016 NFL Draft: Top 10 potential fantasy football superstars

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman (1) catches a touchdown pass over TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Ranthony Texada (11) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, these top 10 athletes have some serious potential to not only make an impact on the teams that draft but also when it comes to their fantasy football value.

Finally! The draft is here and the 2016 season is among us! If your anything like me, you’ve been counting down to the draft as after it’s all said and done, we separate the boys from the men.

But, that’s not the best part! The best part is we can start analyzing and building our fantasy football leagues right off the bat. Well, who am I kidding, I have been planning another victory since last season.

With a few gaps left open for this year’s draft class prospects, my roster is almost complete. But, do rookies have what it takes to fully function and excel in fantasy leagues across the globe?

Personally, I think it depends on the player and the team that drafts them. Without further ado, here are the top 10 potential fantasy superstars of 2016.

Next: 10. This running back will explode in fantasy leagues

October 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

10. Devontae Booker

Give Devontae Booker one season or an injury fill-in position and it’s guaranteed he will be lighting up the scoreboard. At the end of last season, Booker totaled 1,261 rushing yards.

Although these numbers are over 1,000 less than other draftees, Booker averaged almost one touchdown every game. Booker also has receiving capabilities and can be used in multiple plays which will result in more fantasy points.

NFL Comparison: Jeremy Langford. Langford didn’t consistently score big fantasy points, however in daily fantasy leagues, he was drafted on a week-to-week basis depending on the match-up. Finishing the end of last season with under 600 rushing yards is nothing to brag about; believe in that Booker can exceed Langford’s statistics.

Next: 9. This running back will score many fantasy points

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) scores a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

9. Derrick Henry

In 2015, Derrick Henry had a record-breaking season. He finished the year with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He scored at least one touchdown every week, but usually averaged two or three touchdowns in his match-ups.

Weekly touchdowns and over 2,000 rushing yards are ideal for any fantasy team. Although Henry is projected to be drafted after running back Ezekiel Elliott, he still earns a place on any fantasy roster.

NFL Comparison: LeGarrette Blount. Unfortunately the New England Patriots don’t utilize Blount and his fantasy value and ownership is very low. However, given the right team, Henry will be able to showcase his talents and is projected as a first-round pick.

Next: 8. This wide receiver is already posting NFL stats

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller (right) breaks the tackle of Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) on his way to a second half touchdown during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

8. Will Fuller

College stats don’t really compare to NFL stats, but when you have a wide receiver like Will Fuller, you can’t helped but to be impressed. In 2015, he had over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns; there were only three games he didn’t score all season.

Fuller is projected as a first-round pick, however it is unclear if he’ll be drafted to a starting position. But last season, we did see many players increase their fantasy value as high valued players fell short due to injuries. This could be the situation for Fuller, so don’t rule him out initially.

NFL Comparison: Ted Ginn Jr. A Super Bowl competitor is not a bad thing to be compared to. Although Ginn Jr. was not consistent all season, he earned a little over 230 fantasy points averaging about 16 pints per game. Those points wouldn’t be too shabby coming from a rookie.

Next: 7. A quarterback that could surprise many

Oct 31, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

7. Paxton Lynch

With only a select few quarterbacks projected to be drafted in the first round, Paxton Lynch is the first quarterback to make the list. During his first college year in 2013, Lynch managed over 2,000 yards. That was only a glimpse of what he would become.

Last year, Lynch brought in 3,376 passing yards with a 66 percent completion rate. He also completed 28 touchdowns; it’s no wonder he is a first round prospect. If Lynch continues to excel like he has over the years, fantasy owners will be fighting to add him to their roster.

NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco. Hopefully Lynch doesn’t totally follow in Flacco’s footsteps, as he is coming off major injury this season. With Lynch’s capabilities and talents, he has the skill-set to turn into a great starting quarterback like Flacco.

Next: 6. This wide receiver had 3,000 receiving yards

Sep 19, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

6. Josh Doctson

Although there isn’t a shortage in wide receivers, adding a handful to the NFL is any fantasy owners dream; wide receivers generally rank up the most points. So, even if Josh Doctson doesn’t earn a weekly starting role, he’s definitely a receiver to keep an eye on.

He ended his college career with over 3,000 receiving yards; 1,327 came from 2015 alone. Doctson also had 14 touchdowns last year, almost averaging one per game.

NFL Comparison: Jordan Matthews. Doctson shows similar characteristics to Matthews. And, that isn’t a bad thing; Mathews averaged almost 20 fantasy points per game. If Doctson keeps it up, he will be a fantasy legend.

Next: 5. This wide receiver had 20 touchdowns in 2015

Sep 26, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Corey Coleman (1) eludes the tackle by Rice Owls safety VJ Banks (19) and scores a touchdown during the second quarter at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5. Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman is a name to remember! Last year, Coleman ended the season with 1,363 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Yes, 20 touchdowns!

Coleman impressed everyone with his speed and versatility on the field. This well-rounded player is sure to be one of the top fantasy prospects in future seasons to come. If he keeps up the touchdown stats, he will be a starter in no time.

NFL Comparison: Emmanuel Sanders. Numbers like what Coleman totaled have an ability to constantly post double-digit fantasy points.

Next: 4. This wide receiver will make NFL history one day

Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) is tackled by Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jared Collins (29) during the fourth quarter of the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Arkansas won 53-52. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

4. Laquon Treadwell

Laquon Treadwell might not be Brandon Marshall, but he is on his way to make some NFL noise. Treadwell ended the 2015 season with over 1,100 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Treadwell is one of the top highlighted receivers in this year’s draft, which offers fantasy value to this player. A starting role on any team definitely means a starting role on any fantasy roster. However, it would be suggested to give him a few weeks to break into the NFL, so stash him on the bench in the meantime.

NFL Comparison: DeAndre Hopkins. If Treadwell is anything like Hopkins, draft him early. Hopkins finished last season with the seventh most fantasy points; 11 touchdowns and over 1,300 yards that left fantasy owners winning all season long.

Next: 3. A quarterback that could potentially be a superstar

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

3. Carson Wentz

Since the Super Bowl, we have heard numerous names thrown around as the number one overall pick of 2016. First Laremy Tunsil, then Jalen Ramsey and now Carson Wentz.

When it comes to Wentz, there’s no surprise there. Although he missed two months in 2015 due to a wrist injury, he still managed to throw for over 1,600 yards.

In 2014 when Wentz was healthy, he finished the season with over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. If he proves to be the superstar he is projected to be, Wentz may find himself in a starting position on fantasy leagues.

NFL Comparison: Alex Smith. Smith was a boom or bust last fantasy season. However, Wentz is a bit more athletic and is already showing signs or going above and beyond Smith’s average should he get a starting role.

Next: 2. Another quarterback that could surprise many

Nov 14, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jared Goff

If you haven’t heard the name Jared Goff by now, you will know him by the end of the upcoming season. Goff finished the 2015 season with over 4,700 passing yards. That is almost double the yards he threw for in 2013.

Although it’s not recommended to start a rookie quarterback in any fantasy league, Goff could be an option in a two quarterback league. Especially if he lands a starting role this season.

Although Jameis Winston didn’t score as many points as Cam Newton last season, he scored decent fantasy points as a rookie. Given the right opportunity and match-up, Goff might just have what it takes to dominate your league.

NFL Comparison: Matt Ryan. Keep in mind, Ryan had a terrible fantasy season. But, it wasn’t terrible every week, and if a rookie is showing signs and qualities of a starting quarterback, then he’s definitely heading in the right direction. If he earns a starting role, Goff will be bring many fantasy points to owners everywhere if he’s in a favorable match-up.

Next: 1. He will take fantasy leagues by storm

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ezekiel Elliott

Running backs are always a hard pick in fantasy football. With only a handful of high scoring backs, Ezekiel Elliott definitely earned the No. 1 spot on this fantasy football list.

Last year, Elliott ended the season with a little over 1,800 rushing yards. In his three years at Ohio State, he totaled almost 4,000 rushing yards. If he post numbers like this in the NFL, any roster would be lucky to have him as their featured back.

Elliott has the overall complete package. He has rushing and catching abilities that will separate him from those at his position, even established running backs.

More jets: Exclusive Interview with Joe Caporoso

NFL Comparison: Adrian Peterson. Peterson was drafted early in the first round, as Elliott is projected to be as well. Peterson ended last season averaging about 16 fantasy points per game.

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