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How much does landing spot matter when evaluating the incoming rookie class for dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts? Dave breaks down how you should factor in landing spot.
The NFL Draft has concluded. It was an exciting three days that saw a historic run on offensive players. This is great news for dynasty fantasy football players.
With rookie draft season in full swing, now is a good time to have a quick dialogue regarding a highly debated topic across dynasty leagues: how much does landing spot matter for incoming rookies?
Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller on X and checking out RotoBaller.com. Let’s discuss just how much you should weigh landing spot during your dynasty rookie drafts.
Editor's Note: RotoBaller’s Dynasty content delivers year-round dynasty fantasy football rankings, trade advice, rookie analysis, and player outlooks. Build a title-winning roster with sleepers, stash targets, and our full dynasty fantasy football guide.
How Much Does Landing Spot Matter in Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Drafts?
How much should you factor in landing spot for incoming rookies? It’s tough to say as so much goes into it. We first need to start with the talent of the player in question. How advanced is their skill set? What are their strengths? How do their strengths align with their new team's offensive system? Would they benefit from sitting, or are they ready to go on Day 1?
These all are important questions we must ask. However, there are times when players succeed in situations that seemingly look bleak.
Look at last year, for instance. C.J. Stroud was the second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was taken by the Houston Texans. That was seen as an awful landing spot as Houston had no weapons, a rookie head coach, a first-time offensive coordinator calling plays, and one of the worst rosters in the NFL. In Superflex leagues, he routinely fell to the middle/end of the first round of rookie drafts. Whoops.
Stroud balled out en route to winning the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
CJ Stroud with his 3rd Touchdown Pass of the 1st Half ‼️ @CJ7STROUD pic.twitter.com/rVzVZGzyzz
— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) January 13, 2024
Then, you have situations where a middling player is elevated due to a perceived ideal landing spot. Clyde Edwards-Helaire being drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs is a recent example.
In case you were wondering why Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the Chiefs RB3 pic.twitter.com/cSSFNTEqhT
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) September 8, 2023
Before the NFL Draft, Edwards-Helaire was not seen as one of the top running backs in the 2020 class. Once he landed with the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid compared him to the great Brian Westbrook, Edwards-Helaire flew up draft boards and was routinely taken as the 1.01 in drafts ahead of Jonathan Taylor. Whoops again.
Knowledge can help you in this regard. The more you know about incoming rookies, coaching staffs, and offensive systems, the better you will be at spotting values or potential landmines in rookie drafts.
In short, landing spot matters, but only to a certain extent. Unless things are really bad, elite talent usually finds a way to emerge.
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