First round rookies get all the attention and hype, but players drafted from Round 2 on often make as big an impact as the big names. Rookies drafted in the second round and beyond also tend to be incredibly cheap buys in auction drafts and available deep in snake formats.
Here are five second-round or later rookies that will get a chance to make noise in 2015.
Tevin Coleman, RB Atlanta Falcons
Coleman was an absolute beast in 2014 at Indiana, racking up more than 2,000 yards rushing and scoring 15 rushing touchdowns. Coleman is a wrecking ball, checking in at 6'1, 210 pounds, and he has a clean line to the top of Atlanta's depth chart.
Devonta Freeman didn't distinguish himself last year behind Steven Jackson, and Antone Smith is unproven beyond a few big plays as an everydown back. Coleman might not be the next great NFL superstar, but in fantasy football opportunity is king, and Coleman, a third-round pick, will have a great chance to be a Week 1 starter.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Tennessee Titans
Green-Beckham, a wide receiver compared physically to Calvin Johnson, fell all the way down to No. 40 overall in the second round because of admittedly serious off-field issues. In addition to numerous infractions involving marijuana, DGB was dismissed from Missouri's team for allegedly pushing a woman down a flight of stairs. Green-Beckham was never charged in the incident.
He is so talented, however, that despite that many red flags, and him not playing at all last season, he still went in Round 2. If he keeps his head on straight, immediate impact is likely.
T.J. Yeldon, RB Jacksonville Jaguars
Yeldon is a bruiser from Alabama looking to follow in Eddie Lacy's footsteps. Last year Toby Gerhart was such a disaster that the Jags turned to a former college quarterback, Denard Robinson, as their featured back. Robinson performed well, but they prefer to use him in a Swiss Army knife capacity.
2014 was Yeldon's least productive season in Alabama, but the upside is that Yeldon's worst season yielded 979 yards, 11 touchdowns and five yards per carry. Even if he splits the load with Robinson more than expected, Yeldon will be used as a goal-line hammer.
Jay Ajayi, RB Miami Dolphins
Ajayi isn't a threat to overtake Lamar Miller as the lead dog in the Dolphins' backfield, but if Miami wants to limit Miller's exposure to punishment Ajayi might become a valuable third-down option a la Darren Sproles. He showed receiving chops last year at Boise State, catching 50 passes for 535 yards and four touchdowns. Should something happen to Miller, Ajayi's role would likely expand. Not bad for a fifth-round pick!
Maxx Williams, TE Baltimore Ravens
Williams, a second-round pick, is going to fill the Dennis Pitta role. Joe Flacco loves throwing it to his big-bodied tight ends, and Williams is huge. At 6'4, 250-plus pounds Williams proved his red zone capabilities with 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Minnesota. He will continue to draw red zone targets at the NFL level with Flacco throwing, and not much besides fellow rookie Breshad Perriman on the outside.
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