👉 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

Brandon Ingram

Won't Play in Game 7 Against Cavaliers
Ranger Suarez

Exits Sunday's Start with Hamstring Tightness
Agustín Ramírez

Marlins Demote Agustin Ramirez to Triple-A
Victor Hedman

Will Not Play Sunday Versus Montreal
Noah Dobson

Will Play Against Tampa Bay on Sunday
Marvin Mims Jr.

Path to Dynasty Relevance May Require a Change in Scenery
Tank Bigsby

Remains a High-End Dynasty Handcuff Running Back in Philadelphia
Ben Rice

Exits Sunday's Contest with Left Hand Contusion
Hunter Henry

Long-Term Future in New England in Question After NFL Draft?
Matthew Golden

a Prime Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Heading into 2026
Kevin Huerter

is Out for Game 7
Jalen Coker

Carries Breakout Potential into 2026
Dak Prescott

Remains a Dynasty QB1 Heading into 2026
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Could be Done in Boston
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
Cal Raleigh

Considered Day-to-Day With Soreness in his Side
Brandon Ingram

is Downgraded to Doubtful for Game 7
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Jonathan Isaac

Remains Out for Game 7
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Joe Ryan

Exits Early From Start on Sunday Due to Elbow Soreness
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Daniel Palencia

Cubs Reinstate Daniel Palencia From the Injured List on Sunday
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Place Ronald Acuna Jr. on Injured List With Strained Hamstring
Nick Lodolo

Expected to Make Season Debut on Friday
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
CeeDee Lamb

Is CeeDee Lamb Being Undervalued?
Bijan Robinson

Could Just Be Entering His Dynasty Prime
Derrick White

Delivers All-Around Line in Game 7 Loss
Neemias Queta

Finishes with Double-Double in Playoff Loss
Malik Washington

Emerging as a Low-Cost Dynasty Buy Out of Ambiguous Receiver Room
Jaylen Brown

Posts Strong Line but Celtics Fall Short
Diego Pavia

Ravens Noncommital on Diego Pavia's Future with Team
Tyrese Maxey

Dominates in Series-Clinching Victory
David Njoku

Visiting the Chargers on Monday
VJ Edgecombe

Provides Key Spark in Game 7 Win
Patrick Mahomes

Expected to Participate in OTAs
Joel Embiid

Delivers 34 Points in Series Clincher
Ayo Dosunmu

Considered Day-to-Day Ahead of Game 1
Mike Reilly

Delivers Two Assists in Game 1 Win
Logan Stankoven

Establishes New Franchise Record With Five-Game Goal Streak
Frederik Andersen

Records Second Postseason Shutout
Radko Gudas

Ducks Hope to See Radko Gudas Return During Second Round
Josh Manson

Day-to-Day Ahead of Game 1 Against Wild
Joel Kiviranta

Considered Day-to-Day
Joel Eriksson Ek

Questionable for Game 1 Against Avalanche
Cal Raleigh

Scratched From Lineup, No Reason Given
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits with Left Hamstring Tightness
Anthony Edwards

Remains Week-to-Week
Joel Embiid

Available for Game 7 Against Celtics
Paul George

Cleared to Play Saturday
Jonathan Isaac

Remains Doubtful on Injury Report
Kevin Huerter

Uncertain for Sunday
Brandon Ingram

Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 7
Franz Wagner

Won't Be Available for Game 7
Jayson Tatum

Won't Play in Saturday's Game 7
Owen Tippett

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Jonas Brodin

to Miss Game 1 Against Avalanche
Nikita Zadorov

Played Through Torn MCL in Playoffs
Connor McDavid

Played With Fractured Foot Against Ducks
Alexander Nikishin

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Nikolaj Ehlers

Expected to Play Saturday
Jayson Tatum

Added to Injury Report as Questionable
Greg Dulcich

Carries Breakout Potential into 2026
Kaelon Black

Well-Positioned for Dynasty Success Following NFL Draft
J'Mari Taylor

Can J'Mari Taylor Break Through Crowded Running Back Depth Chart in Jacksonville?
Eli Raridon

Dynasty Stock Rising Following NFL Draft
Michael Trigg

Facing Uphill Battle for a Roster Spot in Dallas
Matthew Hibner

Is Matthew Hibner the Tight End of the Future in Baltimore?
Seth McGowan

Likely to be RB3 to Begin his Rookie Season
Caleb Douglas

a Low-Upside Dynasty Stash Competing for a Role in Miami
Francis Mauigoa

Giants "Comfortable" With Francis Mauigoa's Back
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Leaves With Side Tightness, Considered Day-to-Day
Jacob Misiorowski

Leaves Start Early on Friday With Hamstring Cramp
Brandon Nimmo

Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early on Friday
Ryan Helsley

Placed on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Dylan Holloway

Signs Five-Year Extension With Blues
Barrett Hayton

Jack McBain Iffy for Friday
Logan Stanley

a Game-Time Decision Friday
Viktor Arvidsson

Ruled Out Friday
TB

Nicholas Paul Set to Return Friday
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Ready for Action Friday
Ryan Pepiot

to Miss the Rest of the Season, Scheduled for Hip Surgery
Brandon Woodruff

Goes on Injured List With Shoulder Inflammation
Nico Hoerner

Leaves Friday's Game Early With Neck Tightness
Jack Della Maddalena

Returns At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Set For UFC Perth Main Event
Quillan Salkilld

Set For Co-Main Event
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Tim Elliott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Ollie Schmid

Set For His UFC Debut
Marwan Rahiki

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Wyatt Langford

Suffers Setback With Forearm Injury
Brandon Woodruff

to Get Some Time Off
Michael Harris II

Could be Forced to the Injured List
Luis Robert Jr.

Officially Placed on Injured List
Gary Woodland

Riding Momentum Into Cadillac Championship
Jordan Spieth

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Cadillac Championship
Adam Scott

Looks Poised for Another Strong Finish at Doral
Maverick McNealy

Needs Approach Game to Click at Doral
CFB

Jameson Williams Files Lawsuit Against NCAA, SEC, Big Ten
Harry Hall

Volatility Continues at Cadillac Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Trump National Doral
Pierceson Coody

a Risky Value Play at Cadillac Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Offers Upside with Risk at Cadillac Championship
Justin Thomas

a Scary Proposition at Cadillac Championship
Scottie Scheffler

The Leading Favorite at Cadillac Championship
Collin Morikawa

Still a Smash Play at Cadillac Championship
Viktor Hovland

Showed at Augusta He Can Finish Well
Sepp Straka

Attempting to Finish Better in Miami
PGA

J.J Spaun Enduring Roller Coaster Start to 2026
Min Woo Lee

Seeks to Make Adjustments at Cadillac Championship
Max Homa

May Struggle at Old Doral This Weekend
Ben Griffin

Rebounds From Rough Stretch as Miami Looms
Shane Lowry

Searching For Answers at Cadillac Championship
Russell Henley

Daunting Test at Doral Likely Not a Place For Russell Henley
Justin Rose

Returns to Action After Finishing Third at Masters Tournament
Hideki Matsuyama

Has The Approach Game to Win at Cadillac Championship
CFB

Brendan Sorsby Facing Potential Permanent Loss of Eligibility
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF