Fantasy Football: The Top 5 Rookie Wide Receivers for 2018

3. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons

ADP: 10.05 (WR45)

Projected Fantasy Points: 68.21 (WR68)

It's easy to see the appeal with Calvin Ridley. Following three years in Alabama's powerhouse program, the experienced 23-year-old went off the board with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL Draft and as the second wide receiver selected in 2018.

The Atlanta Falcons got themselves a productive receiver often limited by the run-first approach his team took in college. After starting his career with 89 catches, 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns as a freshman, Ridley dropped off with just 769 yards (still with 7 touchdowns) in Year 2 followed by an uptick in yards (967) but career-lows in catches (63) and touchdowns (5) in 2017.

Ridley is a speedy (4.43) and talented 6'1" receiver, but will the high draft capital spent on him translate to more playing time? We know Julio Jones is the go-to dude in Atlanta, but Mohamed Sanu is a very good possession receiver, too. He's coming off career-high marks in catches (67) and touchdowns (5), and he will look to prove himself once again as he faces a potential out in his contract following this season.

The opportunity is up in the air with Ridley. Unless Jones or Sanu go down for a game or two, he may be limited to the Taylor Gabriel role, which produced 68 catches on 101 targets across the previous two seasons. In line with that, our models project him for 63 targets, 38 catches, 492 yards and 3.2 touchdowns in his debut season.

As WR45 -- 17 spots ahead of Sanu -- in non-PPR drafts, Ridley might be a little overvalued right now. The future is a different story as he's being selected, on average, as the first rookie wideout (WR37) in startup dynasty drafts.