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 2016.
The Lone Star
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
2016 star potential: ★★★★★
The best running back in the draft found the perfect home, and the fantasy football world rejoiced. Elliott has an elite three-down skill set and playing behind the Cowboys' collection of menacing run blockers, the 20-year-old will be a RB1 with a realistic chance to finish as a top-five back. If you're hoping to draft Elliott, be prepared to spend a first-round pick to secure his services in August.
Instant Impact
Corey Coleman, WR, Browns
2016 star potential: ★★★★☆
Coleman isn't the most talented receiver in this class, but he ends up with a team in desperate need of a playmaker in the passing game. The Browns are so devoid of talent at wideout, they used a total of four draft picks on the position. Coleman will see starters snaps right away and his devastating speed will allow him to win downfield in an offense that will often be in catch-up mode. There's no guarantee he can produce in year one, but he has WR3 potential and should be the first rookie receiver off the board in fantasy drafts.
Jordan Howard, RB, Bears
2016 star potential: ★★★★☆
Despite being selected on the third day of the draft, Howard finds himself with one of the easier paths to production. Chicago was reportedly interested in C.J. Anderson during free agency, leading one to believe the front office isn't completely satisfied with the backs on their roster, and for good reason. Outside of a couple big games, Jeremy Langford was underwhelming en route to averaging 3.6 yards per carry last season and Ka'Deem Carey wasn't much better. Howard is a powerful 230-pound runner who could break camp as the favorite for early-down carries and goal-line work.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings
2016 star potential: ★★★☆☆
Treadwell would have been a more exciting fantasy prospect as a rookie if he had ended up in a different jersey. The Vikings are on the rise, but their gameplan is clear - good defense and a strong running game. Minnesota attempted the fewest passes of any team in 2015 and Teddy Bridgewater has yet to prove himself as a consistent NFL quarterback. Even if Treadwell immediately emerges as the team's top receiving option, which he likely will, he'll need to overcome the limitations of the offense to be anything more than a fringe fantasy starter.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
2016 star potential: ★★★☆☆
Unlike Treadwell, Shepard will be playing in an offense that loves to pass the ball and will give him every opportunity to excel playing alongside Odell Beckham Jr. With it looking doubtful that Victor Cruz will ever play meaningful snaps again, the Giants are in need of a second receiving option. Shepard projects as a hard-working slot receiver, who will menace opposing defenses. A breakout season as a rookie is not out of the question.
C.J. Prosise, RB, Seahawks
2016 star potential: ★★★☆☆
Do the Seahawks know something we don't about Thomas Rawls' ankle injury? Reports have suggested Rawls will be ready for Week 1 and it all seemed very straight forward until Seattle drafted three running backs, including Prosise and Alex Collins, in the third and fifth rounds, respectively. Head coach Pete Carroll said the team plans to use Prosise as a passing-down back, but left the possibility open for him to play on early downs as well. Rawls was a fantasy star in his starts last year, but until we know more about his recovery, Prosise is a very intriguing fantasy prospect.
Watch List
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins - He's arguably the best wideout in the draft, but joins a crowded receiving corps in Washington. If he can win the starting job from Pierre Garcon, Doctson has WR2 upside.
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans - Talent-wise, Henry sits alone in a tier between Elliott and the rest of the class. However, the presence of DeMarco Murray in Tennessee will lead to a timeshare and complicate his production this season.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals - Fantasy owners that aren't familiar with the Pitt star will be soon thank the opportunity he'll receive in Cincy. He'll quickly become the third option in the passing game behind A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert.
Paul Perkins, RB, Giants - Is there a Giants running back fantasy owners can feel confident in? Not at the moment, but Perkins represents hope, and that's at least worth monitoring throughout the offseason and training camp.
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens - Buck Allen should lead the way in Baltimore, but even he will have to beat out Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro for carries. Dixon has the talent to start, if he can find a way to climb over his competition.
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos - It's unlikely Booker can beat out C.J. Anderson as the team's lead back. However, it is possible Anderson has another slow start or gets injured, opening the door for the rookie.
Will Fuller, WR, Texans - DeAndre Hopkins is excited for the arrival of his new teammate, but fantasy owners don't need to be ... at least not yet. Both Fuller and third-rounder Braxton Miller will need time to develop.
Michael Thomas, WR, Saints - Drew Brees has made many players into fantasy contributors and Thomas could be the latest. Expect a few big games as a rookie, but predicting which weeks they will happen will be tough.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins - Unless a free agent addition like Arian Foster arrives in Miami, Jay Ajayi will be the lead back. Drake should carve himself out a passing-down role, making him a potential sleeper in PPR drafts.
Jared Goff, QB, Rams - Go look at the names listed under WR on the Rams depth chart, then come back and without laughing try to tell me you are considering Goff as a fantasy option.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, Rams - The fourth-round pick joins the uninspiring group of Rams receivers you just looked at. The team's lack of a pass-catching talent will at least give Cooper a chance to make an impact.
Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles - A backfield made up of an injury-prone Ryan Mathews and soon-to-be 33-year-old Darren Sproles is a scary proposition. Smallwood will see the field in 2016; it's only a matter of time.
Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers - The top tight end selected in this year's draft will get to learn from one of the best, Antonio Gates. Fantasy numbers will come, just not this year.
Tyler Ervin, RB, Texans - Ervin is a Dion Lewis-type back, who is guaranteed to flash once the players take the field. A significant offensive role likely isn't coming this year though.
Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons - Normally it's wise to stay away from rookie tight ends, but the Falcons haven't had a reliable option at the position since Tony Gonzalez left. Be cautious, but Hooper is worth scouting in the preseason.