While plenty can change between now and Week 1, here's a preliminary rankings list of the Class of 2014's key skill players, from a fantasy perspective.
QUARTERBACK
Johnny Manziel, Browns: As soon as he gets the starting assignment, Manziel's rushing ability will allow him to make an immediate fantasy splash.
Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings: Will eventually overtake Matt Cassel and the Vikings do have some solid receiving weapons.
Blake Bortles, Jaguars: May have to work behind Chad Henne for a spell before he gets to run the offense.
Derek Carr, Raiders: Behind Matt Schaub for now, but gives the Raiders some long-term upside at what has been a trouble spot for the team.
Tom Savage, Texans: Has to contend with Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.J. Yates and Case Keenum, but could see action as the season progresses.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Patriots: Will be groomed as Tom Brady's potential successor, but destined for third-string duties as long as Ryan Mallett remains on the team.
RUNNING BACK
Bishop Sankey, Titans: Likely to seize control of the team's backfield before long, with only Shonn Greene (who has knee issues) in the way.
Terrance West, Browns: Given Ben Tate's injury history, he's a break away from making an impact.
Jeremy Hill, Bengals: Destined to work in tandem with Giovani Bernard, but for now the Bengals still roster BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Tre Mason, Rams: Hampered by the presence of Zac Stacy, but figures to
While plenty can change between now and Week 1, here's a preliminary rankings list of the Class of 2014's key skill players, from a fantasy perspective.
QUARTERBACK
Johnny Manziel, Browns: As soon as he gets the starting assignment, Manziel's rushing ability will allow him to make an immediate fantasy splash.
Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings: Will eventually overtake Matt Cassel and the Vikings do have some solid receiving weapons.
Blake Bortles, Jaguars: May have to work behind Chad Henne for a spell before he gets to run the offense.
Derek Carr, Raiders: Behind Matt Schaub for now, but gives the Raiders some long-term upside at what has been a trouble spot for the team.
Tom Savage, Texans: Has to contend with Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.J. Yates and Case Keenum, but could see action as the season progresses.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Patriots: Will be groomed as Tom Brady's potential successor, but destined for third-string duties as long as Ryan Mallett remains on the team.
RUNNING BACK
Bishop Sankey, Titans: Likely to seize control of the team's backfield before long, with only Shonn Greene (who has knee issues) in the way.
Terrance West, Browns: Given Ben Tate's injury history, he's a break away from making an impact.
Jeremy Hill, Bengals: Destined to work in tandem with Giovani Bernard, but for now the Bengals still roster BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Tre Mason, Rams: Hampered by the presence of Zac Stacy, but figures to emerge as the team's No. 2 back out of the gate.
Ka'Deem Carey, Bears: Meet your Matt Forte insurance policy.
Carlos Hyde, 49ers: A nice blend of power and speed, but his value is hurt by joining a crowded backfield headed by the reliable Frank Gore.
Charles Sims, Buccaneers: He'll work behind Doug Martin, but should catch enough passes to help out in PPR formats.
Jerick McKinnon, Vikings: Still has to beat out Matt Asiata to earn the Vikings' top backup job behind Adrian Peterson.
Andre Williams, Giants: Behind the likes of Rashad Jennings and David Wilson (if healthy) for the time being, but could end up being a decent in-season add.
Dri Archer, Steelers: He can fly, but will probably make his biggest initial impact in the return game.
Devonta Freeman, Falcons: Has a chance to slot in as Steven Jackson's long-term replacement, but initial value hinges on his ability to overtake Jacquizz Rodgers and thus provide insurance value for Jackson.
James White, Patriots: Figures to carve out a change-of-pace role behind Shane Vereen, while Stevan Ridley does the heavy lifting, which puts him an injury or two away from fantasy utility.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ravens: Works behind Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, but if Rice misses time through injury or NFL discipline, bump him up a notch or two.
Alfred Blue, Texans: Behind Arian Foster and Andre Brown, who have both dealt with injuries in the past.
WIDE RECEIVER
Mike Evans, Buccaneers: Set to start alongside Vincent Jackson; has the size and skill to make an immediate impact in the red zone.
Sammy Watkins, Bills: Has a chance to immediately serve as the Bills' top wideout, but his value hinges on the development of EJ Manuel.
Brandin Cooks, Saints: Though Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Kenny Stills are still around, the speedy Cooks will have a playmaking role in the wake of the departures of Darren Sproles and Lance Moore.
Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers: Carolina has an immediate need for a top wideout target, a role Benjamin could fill right away.
Jordan Matthews, Eagles: While Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper man the outside, he figures to work the slot in Chip Kelly's offense.
Odell Beckham, Giants: Bump him up if he overtakes Rueben Randle as the preseason rolls along.
Marqise Lee, Jaguars: With not much set behind Cecil Shorts in the Jags' receiving corps, the door is open for Lee or Allen Robinson to emerge as fantasy sleepers.
Allen Robinson, Jaguars: Along with Marqise Lee, he has a chance to see looks out of the gate, but the Jags' offense remains a work in progress.
Martavis Bryant, Steelers: At 6-4, he could make noise as a red zone weapon, with someone needing to make up for the loss of Jerricho Cotchery's 10 touchdowns.
Cody Latimer, Broncos: Slots behind Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Emmanuel Sanders, but a player to keep an eye on if injuries hit, given Denver's prolific passing offense.
Donte Moncrief, Colts: Could emerge as a rookie if injuries hamper Reggie Wayne and/or Hakeem Nicks.
Davante Adams, Packers: A Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb or Jarrett Boykin injury away from fantasy relevance.
Shaq Evans, Jets: Has a chance, with Eric Decker the only sure thing the Jets have on the outside.
Jarvis Landry, Dolphins: Behind Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, but could work his way into the team's No. 3 WR gig.
De'Anthony Thomas, Chiefs: Has a chance to fill the slot receiver/returner void created by the departure of Dexter McCluster in free agency.
Josh Huff, Eagles: Less likely to make an initial impact than Jordan Matthews, but still worth tracking.
Paul Richardson, Seahawks: Can stretch the field to be sure, but no lock to see consistent playing time to begin with.
TIGHT END
Eric Ebron, Lions: Provides enough of a red-zone receiving threat to go along with Calvin Johnson to carve out value in deeper formats despite the continued presence of Brandon Pettigrew.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Buccaneers: Joins big wideouts Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to give the Bucs an imposing trio of red zone options.
Jace Amaro, Jets: Should emerge as the Jets' top TE option over Jeff Cumberland and has a chance to make an impact if he develops chemistry with the team's TBD quarterback.
Troy Niklas, Cardinals: Can block, but hindered by the presence of Rob Housler.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Texans: A strong blocker, who figures to slot behind Garrett Graham and Ryan Griffin in the pass-catching department.
Richard Rodgers/Colt Lyerla, Packers: Either could factor into a possible Jermichael Finley replacement committee.
