Over the last two seasons, wide receivers like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs have all made big fantasy impacts in their rookie seasons. This year’s draft class should continue that trend.

Whether it’s the result of a perfect fit or an overwhelming bundle of talent, several wideouts taken in the 2016 NFL Draft should play a large role in fantasy football this upcoming season. Here are the five who I think hold the most fantasy value for the 2016 season.

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2016 Rookie Wide Receivers for Fantasy Football

Josh Doctson (WAS, WR) - Round 1, No. 22 Overall

Doctson was one of the most productive wideouts in college football last year, compiling 1,327 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in just 11 games played. The third receiver off the board in the NFL draft, he will be joining a solid receiving corps in Washington, headlined in 2015 by tight end Jordan Reed. Doctson will compete with veterans DeSeason Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder, all of whom are six feet or shorter. At 6’4”, Doctson will provide Kirk Cousins with a second formidable red zone option— Reed collected 11 of the team’s 30 receiving touchdowns, Garcon was second with six. The former TCU standout has excellent hands and can grab the football at its highest point over defenders. Doctson should make an impact right off the bat, and could finish as the most valuable rookie receiver in 2016.

Sterling Shepard (NYG, WR) - Round 2, No. 40 Overall

There were four wide receivers taken in this year’s draft before Shepard, whom the Giants selected with the No. 40 overall pick. However, Shepard might be the most appealing fantasy option among all rookie wideouts to start the season. He should slide directly into the No. 2 WR role behind Odell Beckham Jr., considering Victor Cruz hasn’t played since Week 6 of the 2014 season.

Last year, Eli Manning was fourth in the league in passing attempts and sixth in passing yards, so Shepard will join a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense. With Beckham attracting so many double-teams, Shepard should see a ton of targets. He is a strong route runner with good hands, and he should be even more valuable in PPR leagues.

Laquon Treadwell (MIN, WR) - Round 1, No. 23 Overall

Treadwell’s greatest value should come in dynasty leagues, but that doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact in his rookie year. The 20-year-old wideout will line up opposite Stefon Diggs, and with defenses focusing heavily on Adrian Peterson, Treadwell likely won’t draw many double teams.

NFL scouts were concerned with his 4.65 40-yard dash, but Treadwell is a big, physical receiver who can come up with 50/50 balls. He has great hands and can be a strong possession receiver, as well as a red zone target. Coming off of a broken leg and dislocated ankle that ended his sophomore season, in Treadwell's final season at Ole Miss, he put up an impressive line of — 1,153 yards with 11 touchdowns in 2015. He might just be the most talented of the rookie receivers. Peterson will remain the focal point of the offense, but Treadwell gives the Teddy Bridgewater-led Vikings a more dangerous passing attack.

Corey Coleman (CLE, WR) - Round 1, No. 15 Overall

Coleman was the first receiver to be drafted in 2016, but his new home in Cleveland will not do him any favors from a fantasy perspective. Robert Griffin III is slated to be under center for the Browns, and as the only legitimate outside target, Coleman is likely to see a lot of double teams from bigger cornerbacks.

With that said, Coleman has blazing speed with a 4.37 40 yard dash at his pro day, as well as showing endless athleticism. He is a home run threat who can take the top off of the defense. As the only Cleveland wide receiver worth owning, he should see a ton of targets. Plus, if Travis Benjamin can rack up 966 yards in 2015, Coleman should be able to at least reproduce that kind of stat line in 2016. Coleman is not a sure bet to produce in his rookie season, but his upside might be greater than that of any other wideout in the draft class.

Michael Thomas (NO, WR) - Round 2, No. 47 Overall

Thomas, the sixth Buckeye off the board, landed in the perfect system. Drew Brees leads a high-octane offense that amassed a league-high 1,326 passing attempts over the last two seasons. Brees has finished in the top two in passing yards in each of the last five seasons. He no longer has his favorite targets, Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston, and the arsenal of weapons in New Orleans is somewhat depleted. Speedy receivers Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead both stand below six feet tall, and Brandon Coleman is the only relevant wideout on the team with size. Thomas, 6’3”, has the physical tools to succeed at the NFL level, and should get a chance to prove himself right away.

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