Fantasy Rookie Report: NFL first year players impacted most in preseason

Stock Up Continued

Laviska Shenault

Laviska Shenault had a rollercoaster career at the University of Colorado. Once in the conversation as the top receiver in college football, he didn’t take the next step in his junior season and ended up falling to the second round. The Jacksonville Jaguars appear delighted to have been the beneficiary, with Shenault earning praise from the coaching staff and front office.

Perhaps most exciting, though, is the rapport he’s building with Gardner Minshew. The Jags are light on receiving options and figure to be playing from behind a lot this season, so the fact that Shenault could start opposite top option DJ Chark should have managers salivating. Head coach Doug Marrone has talked up Shenault’s ability to play multiple positions. If he’s given the opportunity to run the ball then his value could increase significantly.

Chase Claypool

Settle down. I know that the last thing that people want is another pass-catching option behind JuJu Smith-Schuster in Pittsburgh, but it’s the hand that we’ve been dealt. Chase Claypool is 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the Combine. Not many players are built that way. He’ll have to compete with Diontae Johnson and James Washington for targets, but he continues to draw the plaudits in training camp. He’s impressed Ben Roethlisberger and should have a role immediately.