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Fantasy: Which rookies will emerge as stars in 2017?

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This year's crop of rookies features an influx of running backs with a chance to produce right away, which is important for fantasy since the position is getting extremely thin in terms of high-end starting options. Unfortunately, the receivers don't offer as much in the way of Year 1 potential.

Here's an early look at the top fantasy rookies, as well as some of the other first-year players to keep an eye on heading into 2017.

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars

2017 star potential: ★★★★★

Fournette isn't the freak talent Adrian Peterson was coming out and doesn't have the offensive line Ezekiel Elliott flourished behind last season, but those who are knocking him because he was drafted by the Jaguars are going to regret it. Jacksonville is a team on the rise and workhorse running backs are a dying bread in the NFL, so consider Fournette a newborn from an endangered species. The LSU product brings a complete skill set to the table and while he's not a natural pass catcher, he'll be competent enough to haul in 30-plus passes per season. The biggest question around Fournette is his ADP price tag, which could be very expensive when he flashes in the preseason, but he slides into my rankings as a high-end RB2 worthy of a third-round pick.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals

2017 star potential: ★★★★★

No one should be surprised the Bengals took a running back early in the draft, after all, Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard haven't established a consistent rushing attack despite playing behind a solid offensive line the last few years. While Mixon is an upgrade on talent at running back, the Bengals' offensive line is about to become the new problem after Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler bounced in free agency. Some fantasy owners may avoid Mixon altogether due to his checkered past, but there's little doubt he will become the Bengals' starter and his stats will be good enough to force him into relevance. That means you'll need to make the same decision NFL teams faced - are you willing to select players like Mixon or Tyreek Hill on your team? I can't tell you what to do there, only that he's likely going to rush for 1,000 yards this year in Cincy and is on the radar as a low-end RB2.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers

2017 star potential: ★★★★★

There's a strong chance McCaffrey's hype train gets out of control by the time late August rolls around and most fantasy drafts are taking place. Even the people who disliked the bravado of Cam Newton and company two years ago are going to be ready to jump on the Carolina bandwagon after they spent a year struggling in a post-Super Bowl hangover. McCaffrey will restore excitement to the Panthers' offense and is the kind of player who will carve up defenses as a runner and receiver. Pro Football Focus' Scott Barrett points out that since Newton's arrival, no team has targeted running backs less often than the Panthers. However, picking McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel is a sign the team is ready to change that stat. Unless the team releases Jonathan Stewart, McCaffrey's ceiling will be capped slightly, but he's looking like a low-end RB2.

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins

2017 star potential: ★★★★☆

The cries of support for Perine becoming a fantasy star in Washington weren't as loud as I expected during the draft, but they're coming. Perine's a very underrated prospect due to a lack of elite athleticism, however, he's entering a situation with a quality offensive line and little competition. Rob Kelley was serviceable last season, but only because the incumbent Matt Jones fell flat on his face. Jones is now reportedly being made available for a trade, which would leave Kelley and pass-catching back Chris Thompson to battle Perine. Everyone will be looking for this year's Jordan Howard, a Day 3 pick who could rise to fantasy starter level. Perine has an excellent chance to be that guy.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings

2017 star potential: ★★★★☆

The Vikings are making sure their running back cupboard is full, but the success of their rushing attack in the post-Adrian Peterson era will depend on the attempts to upgrade their offensive line. Cook's disappointing combine and character issues caused his stock to drop into the second round, but he's a solid prospect and as we've seen countless times, opportunity can be everything for running backs. Latavius Murray is dealing with an ankle issue that could sideline him into training camp and Jerick McKinnon had his chance to take the starting role and wasn't able to deliver last season. Cook should be viewed as the favorite to win the job, but Murray and McKinnon will be involved and the blocking issues could limit all three backs.

Corey Davis, WR, Titans

2017 star potential: ★★★★☆

Davis was the top receiver off the board this year and is the only one with a chance to emerge as an instant No. 1 target. Marcus Mariota is among the better young quarterbacks to get attached to and is in need of an elite option downfield with Rishard Matthews being only an adequate talent and tight end Delanie Walker passing his prime. Davis didn't get talked up as much as he should have prior to the draft because he wasn't able to work out for teams, but he was my favorite receiver in this class. Based on his landing spot, he's the only rookie wideout I'll be targeting in fantasy drafts this year, with my eyes set on him as a WR3 with upside in the middle rounds.

Watch List

Mike Williams, WR, Chargers - Normally a top-10 receiver would be in the section above, but Williams is joining a Chargers team loaded at the position. He'll have his moments as a rookie, but Philip Rivers is going to spread the ball around too much to expect Williams to go off in 2017. Unless of course the Chargers' receiving corps continues to be plagued by injuries.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints - With everyone focused on Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram, Kamara could sneak in as the new passing-down back in New Orleans. Worth a fantasy flier in the later rounds.

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Eagles - Much like Kamara, Humphrey has a chance to be a strong PPR player and gets a chance to learn from one of the best in Darren Sproles.

John Ross, WR, Bengals - The combine speed champ will bring a new element to the Bengals' offense, but A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, and even Brandon LaFell are all going to remain ahead of him on the depth chart this season. Ross will score a few deep touchdowns, but he'll be a shaky play week to week.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs - Spencer Ware performed better than his stats indicate last season, with lingering injuries causing him some trouble down the stretch. Hunt will need Ware to get hurt if he's going to unseat him as the starter, but he should step in as his immediate backup.

Zay Jones, WR, Bills - The team desperately needs Jones to produce in Year 1, but fantasy owners shouldn't get too excited over any Bills receiver not named Sammy Watkins.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers - Samuel will help bring a new speed element to the Panthers' offense, primarily as a slot receiver, but he won't be a consistent fantasy option.

D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texans - If Lamar Miller figures out how to find the end zone, then Foreman will be an afterthought. The most likely rookie-season scenario is as a complementary back behind Miller.

Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers - Ty Montgomery will lead the Packers in touches, but Williams could easily take over the big-back Eddie Lacy role. Aaron Jones - who was taken a round later - will also be in the mix.

Marlon Mack, RB, Colts - Frank Gore will be 34 years old when the season begins and Robert Turbin is not a starting NFL running back, which leaves the door cracked for Mack.

Jeremy McNichols, RB, Buccaneers - Doug Martin seems like he's on the path to earning back the team's trust and the starting job. If he doesn't, this backfield will be a wide-open competition.

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