Back in early January, I posted my initial run of 2016 fantasy football rankings.
However, there is a key demographic of the NFL missing from those rankings: incoming rookies.
Since we don't know which teams they will play for, we can't lump them in with the veterans just yet. So for those of you who want to look deeper than my top 25 rookies overall, I've broken them down by position as well.
NOTE: Each player's overall rank among rookies appears before his name.
Top fantasy rookie quarterbacks
24. Jared Goff, California
The favorite by many to be the first quarterback drafted this year, possibly as early as No. 2 overall, Goff has a good shot to be under center in Week 1 of the 2016 season. At 6- foot-4, 215 pounds, Goff is a pocket passer with sufficient size and a great arm. His accuracy is good, but could be better, and he handles pressure very well. Goff shows good touch and his cannon arm produces accurate deep balls. He isn't going to add anything with his legs and will need to improve his decision-making, but the latter is a common trait for most rookie passers. Goff has small hands and isn't very athletic -- he performed poorly in the vertical jump and short shuttle at the combine -- but he makes up for it with pristine passing ability. One of the youngest quarterbacks who will be drafted this year, Goff won't turn 22 until October. He tossed 78 touchdowns and 20 interceptions during his final two seasons at Cal. He has the look of a franchise quarterback and will thus be well worth consideration in the second round of rookie drafts.
25. Carson Wentz, North Dakota State
Although Goff is this year's consensus No. 1 rookie quarterback, there are plenty who prefer Wentz. He's bigger, older, much more athletic and has shown exceptional accuracy. Wentz stands 6- foot-5, 237 pounds and turns 24 in December. Although it's a step down from some others who will be selected this year, he has plenty of arm strength to go with his top-notch accuracy. Wentz threw the ball well at the combine and came in above average in nearly every drill, especially the three-cone, short shuttle and broad jump. Similar to Blake Bortles or Alex Smith, Wentz figures to add a few hundred rushing yards each year, but some offensive coordinators may choose to take bigger advantage of his dual-threat ability. Either way, the rushing production is sure to add to his fantasy appeal.
32. Paxton Lynch, Memphis
Joining Goff and Wentz as the clear top-three incoming quarterbacks, Lynch enters the league after a highly productive tenure at Memphis. Despite standing a massive 6- foot-7 and 244 pounds, Lynch is extremely athletic/mobile for his size, drawing comparisons to Joe Flacco. He has good arm strength and is fairly accurate with his throws. Lynch's 0.9 percent interception rate is best among quarterback prospects, but he played a conservative game at Memphis. Lynch's average depth of throw was just 7.6 yards, which is near the basement at the position. He's likely headed to a quarterback-needy team late in the first round. Lynch tested very well at the combine, including the highest vertical jump.
51. Cardale Jones, Ohio State
An intriguing, albeit raw quarterback prospect, Jones attempted a grand total of 269 passes during his tenure at Ohio State. That includes 176 attempts in 2015, in which he tossed only eight touchdowns to five interceptions while posting a dismal 51.6 total QBR (worst among quarterbacks who were at the combine). On the plus side, Jones has great size (6-5/253), a big arm and has shown fairly decent accuracy. He is a terrific athlete and figures to add value with his legs, possibly via designed runs. Jones is obviously a bit of a project, so the fact that he turns 24 in September does not help his cause. His upside pushes him ahead of some other quarterback prospects, who are more likely headed for backup gigs.
69. Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech
There's a pretty huge dip after the top three quarterbacks in this year's class, but I think Driskel has a better shot than the field of nailing down a backup/spot-start role. Driskel struggled badly during his tenure at Florida, but broke out during his one season at Louisiana Tech (albeit against lesser competition). He has ideal size (6-foot-4/234 pounds) and strength for the position. He's a great athlete, as shown by a position-best 40-yard dash (4.56) and broad jump (122 inches) at the combine. His tape shows a willingness and ability to scramble for yards when necessary. Driskel also sports quality arm strength, but accuracy is a big concern. He was off target on 14 percent of his throws last season, which is worst among quarterbacks who attended the combine.
70. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
Conservative, efficient, accurate passer with huge hands who adds a ton with his legs. Racked up 160 carries, 588 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015. Posted 10 or more rushing touchdowns in each of the past three years. Far from a conventional pocket passer, but competitiveness and track record are intriguing.
71. Kevin Hogan, Stanford
Not asked to throw much at Stanford, but was extremely efficient when he did. Completed 68 percent of his passes last season despite averaging a hefty 10.1 yards per throw. Also a good athlete, Hogan followed up last season's 85 carries for 336 yards and six touchdowns with a strong combine performance.
72. Connor Cook, Michigan State
Has the size (6-4/217) you want in your quarterback, but not much else. Arm strength is average, accuracy is inconsistent and doesn't add anything with his legs. Threw deep quite a bit at MSU (10.4 average depth of throw), but completion (56 percent) and off-target (14 percent) rates are concerns. Has the looks of a backup.
78. Brandon Allen, Arkansas
Undersized at 6-1/217 with small hands and an average arm, but was super-efficient at Arkansas. Good pocket awareness, accuracy and decision-making. Ability to consistently move the chains stands out on tape. Converted a first down on prospect-high 45 percent of attempts in 2015. Total QBR of 87.9 was highest among passers who attended the combine.
79. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State
Once considered a potential first overall pick in this draft, dismal play at Penn State during the past two seasons has crushed Hackenberg's stock. The 21-year-old has an ideal frame (6-4, 223) and a good arm. He shows decent poise in the pocket, but his accuracy, decision-making and awareness are problematic. Hackenberg completed a horrendous 54 percent of his throws last season, which was dead last among quarterbacks who attended the combine. He was off target on 13 percent of his throws and recorded a first down on a prospect-low 26 percent of his attempts. Hackenberg's physical tools are sure to attract teams, but the bust potential here is very high.
80. Jacoby Brissett, NC State
Big (6-4/231), mobile quarterback with an average arm and pedestrian accuracy. Will add value with his running ability, but passing inefficiencies are a major concern.
95. Cody Kessler, USC
Productive collegiate career, but grossly undersized at 6-1, 220 pounds. Arm strength and accuracy are fine, but nothing special. Pocket passer who adds nothing with his legs. Will compete for a backup gig.
96. Nate Sudfeld, Indiana
Massive pocket passer at 6-6, 234 pounds. Has good arm strength, but struggles with accuracy.