👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


The Rookie Report - Revisiting the 2018-2019 Rookies With An Eye On Next Season (Part 2)

Earlier this season, I took a look at the early returns on this year's rookie class and made player comparisons as well as what I thought their short and long term potential would be.

Now that these kids have had a season of ball under their belts, it's time to revisit those comparisons and see where I was right and wrong. Part of being a great fantasy player is being able to recalibrate expectations after gaining additional context. It's important to be able to adjust expectations based off of additional film and numbers -- being able to do so correctly is a skill that will translate year to year - not just help you during the current season.

In the first part, I looked at rookies who started producing as soon as the season began. This week I look at later picks who saw their roles solidify as their rookie seasons progressed. Remember that player comparisons are in terms of what they provide in fantasy, not their actual games.

Featured Promo: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and 6 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT NOW

 

Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings

Original Player Comparison: Montrezl Harrell, New Player Comparison: Nikola Vucevic

As the season progressed, Bagley's free throw percentage has steadily improved to the point where he's not exclusively a punt free throw guy too, an the defensive stats he flashed in his rookie season have a lot of promise in terms of his future fantasy profile.

He's even managed to add some 3s to his game, making him very close to a 1/1/1 guy. He should be able to get there with a few more minutes, and that makes his profile look a lot closer to a different 2019 breakout star, Nikola Vucevic, who is one of the very few in the game who can provide that 1/1/1 production from a C spot. Bagley is there too, and that make him a pretty exciting player next season, especially if he can make further strides in his free throw shooting.

2019 Draft Outlook: Top 50

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers

Original Player Comparison: Jeff Teague, New Player Comparison: Darren Collison

Shai fell off pretty hard during the middle of the season but has managed to pick up again to close out the year. Next year, he should solidly be in the top 100 with upside and is someone that I'd be looking to pick up for a number of different strategies.

Teague wasn't a great comparison looking back as SGA plays a lot off the ball and his lower assist numbers and solid field goal percentage play closer to Darren Collison than Teague. With a bump in minutes and a solid role next season, he should be able to produce similar to what Collison does now.

2019 Draft Outlook: Top 100

 

Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns

Original Player Comparison: Gary Harris, New Player Comparison: Patrick Beverley

Bridges is probably the rookie who fell off the most in the second half of the season. Despite the recent struggles, I still see a future top 100 guy off the strength of his insanely high steal rate and other contributions across the board.

I don't see Bridges becoming a scorer on the level of Harris so a better comparison would be Patrick Beverley. PatBev doesn't need to score to return value and the ability to contribute decently in so many categories made him a top 60-70 type player for the seasons in which he was healthy. Bridges can get there as well, but there are still deficiencies in both these guys' games and they don't fit neatly into every strategy.

2019 Draft Outlook: Top 80

 

Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

Original Player Comparison: Nerlens Noel, New Player Comparison: Rudy Gobert

Even my optimistic outlook on Robinson wasn't good enough as he was better than anyone could have expected this season, pushing top 50 value once given decent minutes. Robinson's block rate is absolutely off the charts insane but he's also showing he can score and rebound at a very high level.

I'm comfortable now giving him the Rudy Gobert comparison, and I actually thing his upside is higher than Gobert fantasy-wise once he is able to get over his foul issues and if the Knicks let DeAndre Jordan go and hand Mitch Rob the starting job from the start of next season. I think he's going to be very overdrafted next year, but still believe he has a great chance to be a top 20 player. I just wouldn't pay top 20 prices for that just yet.

2019 Draft Outlook: Top 20

 

Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers

Original Player Comparison: Rodney Hood, New Player Comparison: Andrew Wiggins

Sexton has had a very good last 2 months scoring-wise, putting up over 20 points per game on a reasonable 46% from the field but even during this stretch he has not provided anything else.

The Rodney Hood comparison is probably a bit harsh but Sexton is that kind of player, and it's fair to compare him to Wiggins who is pretty much the ceiling for what a guy who scores and does nothing else can do, which is not saying much. Sexton is still a bad fantasy player and will be one of the most overrated players in the draft next year unless he can take some serious steps forward in his game in something other than scoring. I won't be owning him anywhere.

2019 Draft Outlook: Top 120

 

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cole Payton

Dynasty Managers Will Have to be Patient with Cole Payton
Taylen Green

Does Taylen Green's Speed Get Him on the Dynasty Radar?
Jack Endries

Is Jack Endries the Tight End of the Future in Cincinnati?
CJ Daniels

a Developmental Stash in Dynasty Leagues
Garrett Nussmeier

a Low-Risk Target with Upside in Dynasty Leagues?
Jam Miller

Has Sneaky Value if He Can Earn a Roster Spot
Justice Hill

a Dynasty Drop Candidate Wherever He's Still Rostered
J'Mari Taylor

Is J'Mari Taylor Worth a Taxi-Squad Spot in Deep Dynasty Leagues?
Greg Dulcich

Has a Lack of Competition Made Greg Dulcich a Dynasty Sleeper?
Carson Beck

a Worthy Investment in the Later Rounds of Rookie Drafts
Devon Toews

Logs Two Assists In Game 3 Defeat
Brett Howden

Nets 10th Postseason Goal
Mitchell Marner

Delivers Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Mark Stone

Returns With Multi-Point Effort
Valeri Nichushkin

Exits Early Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon

Hurt in Game 3 Loss
Isaiah Hartenstein

Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
De'Aaron Fox

Records Double-Double as Spurs Even Series
Victor Wembanyama

Sets Tone Early as Spurs Force a Pivotal Game 5
Isaac Guerendo

Could be a Drop Candidate in Dynasty Leagues in 2026
Jayden Higgins

' Dynasty Arrow is Pointing Up With Clear Path to WR2 Role in Houston
Jakobi Meyers

a Sell-High Candidate in Dynasty Formats?
Drake Maye

to Make a Big Leap in 2026 in Second Season With Josh McDaniels?
Jamal Murray

Earns First Career All-NBA Selection
Kevin Durant

Becomes First Player to Make All-NBA Team With Five Franchises
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Victor Wembanyama Lead All-NBA First Team
Taylor Hall

Enjoying Life in Carolina
Mark Stone

Returns to Action Sunday
Cale Makar

Rejoins Avalanche Lineup Sunday
Cason Wallace

Joins Starting Unit Sunday
De'Aaron Fox

Doesn't "Feel Great" Entering Game 4
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Sunday
Christian Watson

Is Christian Watson on the Verge of a Legitimate Breakout?
Khalil Shakir

Dynasty Value in Decline
Travis Hunter

Still a Risky Buy, Even at his Sunken Dynasty Cost
Gunnar Helm

a Dynasty Sleeper with Room to Grow
Drake Maye

Is Drake Maye Becoming the Most Valuable Player in Superflex Dynasty Leagues?
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Pat Freiermuth

Steelers Restructure Pat Freiermuth's Contract
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
Jordan Mason

a Short-Term Dynasty Depth Piece
Evan Mobley

Tallies Series-High 24 Points on Saturday
Donovan Mitchell

Struggles at the Line Saturday
Karl-Anthony Towns

Continues Playmaking Surge on Saturday
OG Anunoby

Delivers Clean Shooting Line Saturday
Mikal Bridges

Fills Box Score in Game 3 Win
Jalen Brunson

Pushes Knicks Closer to NBA Finals
Orlando Magic

Magic Interview Jeff Van Gundy for Head-Coaching Position
Phillip Danault

Extends Point Streak to Three Games
Josh Anderson

Nets Two Goals in Painful Loss
Jalen Chatfield

Delivers Two Assists in Crucial Win
Mark Jankowski

Contributes Two Assists in Game 2 Victory
Eric Robinson

Scores in Second Consecutive Game
Nikolaj Ehlers

Tallies Two Goals as Hurricanes Bounce Back Saturday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Magic Reportedly Have Giannis Antetokounmpo on Their Radar
MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Nazem Kadri

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Ross Colton

Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Jack Eichel

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Ivan Barbashev

Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF