Fantasy Upside
Make no mistake, Josh Rosen is ready to play as a rookie, and the presence of Sam Bradford on the Cardinals roster should not preclude the No. 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft from starting right away. Rosen, an impressive prospect since his high school days, completed 60 percent of his passes at 7.5 yards per attempt with 23 passing touchdowns and just 11 interceptions as an 18-year-old true freshman at UCLA in 2015. He can have a similar immediate impact in Arizona in 2018, mainly because his outstanding footwork and reliable, pinpoint accuracy at the short and intermediate levels make him an ideal candidate to run a West Coast Offense in the NFL.
Fantasy Downside
According to NFL.com, Rosen lacks "plus arm strength." In addition, the league's scouting report suggests that Rosen will need to quell concerns surrounding leadership and coachability early on in order to establish a strong first impression and get his career off on the right foot. All of this plays into comments from his college coach, Jim Mora Jr., indicating Rosen is easily bored if not mentally challenged.
2018 Bottom Line
If one of the knocks against Rosen is indeed the fact he's "too smart," then incoming Cardinals coordinator Mike McCoy's version of the West Coast offense—which has been characterized as too complicated in past seasons—could make this a match made in heaven. Assuming Rosen earns the starting nod this season, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald will provide the rookie with a solid fantasy foundation, even though the offensive line is still a work in progress. Don't be in a rush to invest draft capital, but don't be afraid to make a quick move in free agency if he starts fast.