👉 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


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

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




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Max Muncy

With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks "Looking to Trade Back" in This Week's Draft
NFL

Garrett Nussmeier Could Need Surgery Down the Road on his Spine
Kayvon Thibodeaux

Now Unlikely to be Dealt
Anton Harrison

Jaguars Exercise Anton Harrison's Fifth-Year Option
Darnell Wright

Bears Picking Up Fifth-Year Option for Darnell Wright
Sean Tucker

Buccaneers Re-Sign Running Back Sean Tucker
Fred Warner

Without Restrictions at Start of Offseason Program
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Talking Trade Regarding Brandon Aiyuk With Draft Looming
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Not Present for Start of Offseason Program
Daniel Jones

Progressing "Really Well," Colts Hoping he's Ready for Week 1
Jimmy Garoppolo

Considering Retirement
Matthew Stafford

Rams, Matthew Stafford Have Made "Significant Progress" Toward New Extension
Patrick Mahomes

Present for Start of Team's Offseason Program
NFL

Jadarian Price a Potential First-Rounder in Rookie Drafts
Jordan McLaughlin

Ruled Out for Game 2
NFL

Nicholas Singleton a Mid-Round Pick with Upside
Ron Harper Jr.

Probable for Game 2
Austin Reaves

to Remain Out Tuesday
NFL

Is Makai Lemon the Top Rookie Receiver in Fantasy Football?
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Still Out Tuesday
Anthony Edwards

Active on Monday Night
Kevin Durant

a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Day-to-Day After Being Hit on the Hand on Monday
Mick Abel

Injury Described as "Not Too Serious"
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Place Brendan Donovan on Injured List With Groin Strain
NFL

Is Fernando Mendoza an Undisputed First-Round Pick in Rookie Drafts?
NFL

Omar Cooper Jr. a Top-Five Rookie Receiver in Fantasy Football?
Joel Embiid

is Officially Ruled Out for Game 2
Sonny Gray

Heading to the Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Wins Defensive Player of the Year
Puka Nacua

Present for Rams First Day of Offseason Program
Odell Beckham Jr.

Works Out for Giants on Monday
OG Anunoby

is Available to Play for Monday's Game 2
Onyeka Okongwu

is Cleared to Play During Game 2 on Monday
Brandon Aubrey

Cowboys Make Brandon Aubrey the Highest-Paid Kicker in the League
Immanuel Quickley

is Ruled Out for Game 2
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Expected to Miss Around Three Months
Edwin Uceta

Shut Down for 2-3 Weeks; Is he Still Stash-Worthy?
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Doubtful for Game 2
Brad Keller

Will "Probably" Earn First Save Situation in Modified Phillies Bullpen
Roope Hintz

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Injury
Ross Johnston

Won't Play in Game 1 Against Oilers
Artem Zub

Considered a Game-Time Decision Monday
Tyler Kleven

Remains Out Monday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl

Expected to Return Monday
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Sonny Gray

Leaves Monday's Start Early With Hamstring Tightness
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Mick Abel

Twins Placing Mick Abel on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
Deni Avdija

Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Paolo Banchero

Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Jalen Duren

Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Cade Cunningham

Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Logan Cooley

Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal
David Pastrnak

Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points
Jalen Williams

Posts All-Around Line in Game 1
Tage Thompson

Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut
Devin Booker

Delivers in Tough Game 1 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Drops 35 Points in Playoff Debut
Jake Guentzel

Records Three Assists Sunday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Hurt in Game 1 Loss
Leon Draisaitl

Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks
Corbin Carroll

Expected Back Tuesday; Injury Concern Appears Minor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts 25 Points in Series Opener
Paul George

Delivers 17 Points Against Boston
Tyrese Maxey

Leads 76ers in Game 1 Defeat
Juan Soto

is on Track to Return Next Homestand
Corbin Carroll

Exits Sunday's Game with Back Tightness
Artem Zub

Uncertain for Game 2
Karel Vejmelka

Makes Playoff Debut Sunday
Carter Hart

in Vegas Crease for Playoff Opener
Jeremy Swayman

Begins Fifth Postseason Campaign
Alex Lyon

Available for Game 1
Dominic James

Activated From Injured Reserve
Tarik Skubal

Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday
Raisel Iglesias

Dealing With Shoulder Issue
Kyle Larson

Should not be Underestimated for the Win at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Can Denny Hamlin Dominate at Kansas Again?
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Should Contend for First Win at Kansas
Joel Eriksson Ek

Powers Minnesota Past Dallas in Opening Game
Tyler Reddick

Fastest in Practice and Qualifying for Kansas Race
Ryan Blaney

Could Score another Top-10 Finish at Kansas
Ty Gibbs

Poised to Continue Hot Streak at Kansas
Chris Buescher

Always Consistent, Has Speed Heading Into Kansas
William Byron

is A Solid DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Carson Hocevar

Poised for Career-Best Run at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Kansas?
Chase Elliott

Is A Favorable DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano be Considered Playable In DFS This Week at Kansas?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Favorable Driver to Consider for Kansas Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Worthy DFS Option for Kansas?
Brad Keselowski

Could Brad Keselowski be A Sneaky DFS Option for Kansas?
Daniel Suarez

Should DFS Managers Roster Daniel Suarez at Kansas?
Jhoan Duran

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Kyle Stowers

Will be Activated on Sunday
Max Muncy

has Another Multi-Homer Game at Coors Field
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Expected to Make Season Debut on Saturday
Austin Riley

Hits Two Home Runs in Shutout Win Over Phillies
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
Sahith Theegala

Brings Strong Form Into Harbour Town
Wyndham Clark

Needs Putter to Show Up at RBC Heritage
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF