Rookie Draft Review

Jeff Haverlack Posted On May 18, 2014

ebron

As I do every year, I like to break down the rookie draft as it unfolds in my longest running dynasty league. The results are real, the excitement is palpable and hope springs eternal. This review highlights the first three rounds of our draft that officially starts when the first NFL team is “on the clock.”

Rather than summarize the picks following each round as I’ve done in the past, I’m going to perform a pick-by-pick analysis with each selection followed by a best-value and biggest-reach following each round. Keep in mind this ten team league employs a PPR format with no TE premium scoring, but rewards quarterbacks with SIX points per touchdown instead of four, making them a bit more desirable than in most leagues.

Use these results how you will as it is a live fire exercise. Let’s get to the recap:

Round One

1.01 Sammy Watkins, WR BUF

No surprise here as long as you aren’t one of the coaches who will risk a selection on Mike Evans here. Watkins is what elite receivers are made of and there shouldn’t be even a moment of consideration of Evans with this pick.

1.02 Mike Evans, WR TB

As much as Watkins is the clear 1.01 selection, Evans is the clear 1.02. The Bucs are establishing themselves with a young core of athletic receivers and Evans will learn the ropes from veteran Vincent Jackson.

1.03 Carlos Hyde, RB SF

The first running back off the board. It’s a relatively weak class overall, but Hyde falls to what could eventually be a great situation. The 49ers backfield is crowded and Marcus Lattimore waits in the wings, but is no sure thing to ever get his burst back. Hyde is young, healthy and a good fit for what San Francisco needs now.

1.04 Brandin Cooks, WR NO

Cooks is my third favorite receiver in this draft, especially in a PPR format. While many don’t like his situation, I do. He receives an immediate upgrade due to Drew Brees coupled with the Saints’ loss of Lance Moore and Darren Sproles. He’s ultra dynamic and should find his way into space.

1.05 Odell Beckham, WR NYG

Many prefer Beckham over Cooks for size and physicality and he should have an immediate role on the outside for the Giants. His role isn’t as clear-cut as the other receivers higher in this draft, but he’ll get his chances to show. Word is Victor Cruz will be primarily a slot receiver, kicking Beckham outside.

1.06 Bishop Sankey, RB TEN

The Titans have big needs at the running back position and Sankey is a back who can do it all. He’s a bit smallish for an every-down role, but he runs tougher than his size would suggest. It will be interesting to see how the Ttitans utilize Shonn Greene, but Sankey shouldn’t have much trouble establishing himself as the lead back come week one.

1.07 Eric Ebron, TE DET

Ebron couldn’t have gone to a much better situation for the potential to receive quality touches. He may not get the most targets in 2014, but within that offense, Ebron is going to get into his looks and should pay dividends in his first year.

1.08 Jordan Matthews, WR PHI

Matthews was a fast-riser after a great Combine – that, along with over 200 receptions in his final two collegiate years and legitimate 4.45 speed make for an intriguing selection. The Chip Kelly offense needs a dynamic bigger receiver and Matthews fits the bill perfectly. He should be on the field early in 2014 and rumor has it that he’ll be lined up in the slot to begin his career.

1.09 Teddy Bridgewater, QB MIN

This is an early selection considering other fantasy rookie drafts, but the coach at 1.09 needed a young quarterback. Bridgewater is the most NFL-ready in my view and I like his situation. It’s a reach based on other talent still on the board overall, but it fills a need for the selecting team. Remember, this league rewards six points for passing touchdowns, so you really have to own quality quarterbacks.

1.10 Marqise Lee, WR JAX

It was no secret Jacksonville would be looking to assemble a group of young receivers to go with their first round selection of Blake Bortles. Lee’s fall into the second round of the NFL draft provided a great opportunity for the Jaguars, who didn’t waste any time selecting him. He’s higher risk than he was early in 2013, but he’s NFL ready and falls to a great starting situation.

Round One Review

Biggest Reach – Teddy Bridgewater, QB MIN: I really like Bridgewater, but with three big name quarterbacks on the board and good skill position talent below this selection, it’s a reach. That’s not to say it isn’t a good reach, especially with a coach needing depth at the position, but I would have been inclined to wait and take my chances with my next pick.

Biggest Value – Marqise Lee, WR JAX: This call is dependent on which Marqise Lee you believe has been drafted. For me, I’ve seen enough to believe the 2013 version of Marqise Lee isn’t representative of the talent he is. Getting him with the last pick in the first round makes for an easy value selection in my book.

[inlinead]Round Two

2.01 Davante Adams, WR GB

Adams was ultra-productive in college and he’s ultra-intriguing in Green Bay. He’s a bit raw and fights concentration at times, but his athleticism and upside is easy to see. Plus points to his situation with Aaron Rogers at the helm. I like the pick in the second round and it shows just how deep this receiver class is.

2.02 Donte Moncrief, WR IND

Moncrief has the size and dynamic to be a productive receiver in time. He’s raw and will need to be patient in Indianapolis, but he has the upside to reward a coach willing to select him early. I didn’t expect him to go this early, though.

2.03 Kelvin Benjamin, WR CAR

There may be no greater mystery in this year’s draft, at least one not named Johnny Manziel. Once in the top five of my first round review, Benjamin continued to slip as other receivers saw their respective values rise. He is a massive specimen at 240 lbs. and I still think he has some tight end potential. He lands in a great starting situation so he’ll get his chance to to make his mark early. I hope it’s not too early for him.

2.04 Cody Latimer, WR DEN

This is a solid selection value here at 2.04 for Latimer. There may be no player with a higher ceiling in this year’s class, but owners will need to be patient. With Peyton Manning at the helm, there’s the chance Latimer does see the field early in 2014, but I believe it’s a greater likelihood that his first year will be anything other than notable. The real question here is just what is Latimer’s ceiling considering Manning is nearing the completion of his career.

2.05 Allen Robinson, WR JAX

It’s a great value for Robinson in the mid second round and he’s in a great situation as well. Cecil Shorts is still in town but you can expect to see both rookies on Sundays. I’m not as high on Robinson as many, but he’s grown on me the more tape I watch.

2.06 Johnny Manziel, QB CLE

He had to go eventually and a few coaches in our league were happy to see his name be called here – especially me. I really wanted nothing to do with him. But as much as I’m not a fan, I can’t say his talent isn’t intriguing. I’m just far happier knowing I didn’t have to make that call two picks from here.

2.07 Tre Mason, RB STL

Some call Tre Mason the best pro prospect at the running back position from the 2014 class. I don’t completely disagree and this is a good value pick.

2.08 Blake Bortles, QB JAX

I couldn’t let Bortles fall any further. I’m not ultra high on him, but he was the third pick off the board in the actual draft and his path to the starter’s job is as clear as any, so I took him with my selection here. I hope he sits for the first year or so, but I like his prototypical size and tangible skill set. He’s not off the charts in any one area, but I find it difficult not to like his potential. And I needed a young developmental quarterback anyway.

2.09 Josh Huff, WR PHI

Chip Kelly knows all about Huff from his days at Oregon. Somewhat of a tweener and with running back ability, Huff does possess good size, good enough speed and play-making dynamic that could be utilized early in Philly. I was very surprised to see him taken this early given other names on the board, but I have to admire the guts of the selecting coach with his throwing caution to the wind. This same owner is somewhat known for holding true to his gut feel about players and has been right more often than he’s been wrong.

2.10 CJ Mosley, LB BAL

First IDP off the board. We have a very simple “start-three IDP” format and Mosley should be an immediate starter inside for the Ravens. I don’t like to see IDPs taken so early, but Mosley does have the ability to suggest a higher than usual selection.

Round Two Review

Biggest Reach – Josh Huff, WR PHI: This is a close one as I’d like to select Moncrief here. But in the end, the selection of Huff considering names still on the board is very much a reach for me. I think he could have been had a full round later.

Biggest Value – Allen Robinson, WR JAX: I’d love to call my own number here with Bortles as I don’t feel he should have fallen this far. But quarterbacks just don’t carry the same value as other skill position players and the the Allen Robinson selection at 2.05 is an easy one to like as well. I could have seen Robinson being selected at the bottom of the first round so getting him a half-round later is a nice “get.”

Round Three

3.01 Jeremy Hill, RB CIN

My third ranked back in 2014, Hill fell primarily due to character and off-the-field issues. He’s young enough to put these items in his past and he fits the Bengals well. There’s strong speculation BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be dismissed to save cap space and Hill should step into the role without issue. If he keeps his nose clean, hel could produce early.

3.02 Terrance West, RB CLE

Every year finds another opportunity to chase the Cleveland starting running back situation. West was an early selection and given his talent combined with the oft-injured Ben Tate in front of him, stranger things have happened. West saw quite a bit of press leading up to the draft that certainly factored into his higher-than-expected fantasy selection.

3.03 Andre Williams, RB NYG

It’s obvious we’ve entered another tier here. Williams is a big, between-the-tackles runner and fits the Giants well. There’s not a lot of dynamic ability to be found here, but there should be a lot of opportunity. It’s a good pick for a team looking to strike gold in the third round.

3.04 Isaiah Crowell, RB CLE

And we keep chasing that Browns running back situation. Crowell was blazing up boards and even had a very high appearance on our own rookie rankings list from one of our writers. In the end, Crowell was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent (UDFA). Character flags and off-the-field issues aside, he does have a lot of talent. Odds may be long, but if he gets an early chance … watch out.

3.05 Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE TB

A good value pick here, ASJ fell further than expected as he should be very close to Ebron in opportunity. We’ll have to wait and see how often he’s targeted, but there’s upside here.

3.06 Charles Sims, RB TB

He should easily end up as the back up to Doug Martin, but I’m not overly enamored by Sims in this situation. I like him as a runner far more than as a Buccaneer.

3.07 Devonta Freeman, RB ATL

Another back who was seemingly drafted as a depth chart play, but with a clear path to the starting role. Behind both Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers, Freeman will likely spend a year learning the playbook, mastering his pass protection and performing the occasional short yardage back role. It’s hard not to like his situation here in the third round.

3.08 Jace Amaro, TE NYJ

I was hoping ASJ was going to fall here, but didn’t expect him to. Amaro is a nice consolation prize and I like him as much as I do ASJ. I swore I wouldn’t draft a Jet this year, but the tight end in this offense gets a lot of play. He’ll be much needed depth for me.

3.09 Derek Carr, QB OAK

Carr fell a bit more than expected, but not being in a clear starting situation likely sapped his value. He’s got great long term potential and it’s a high value selection deep in the third round.

3.10 Storm Johnson, RB JAX

I like his situation better than his ability to function as an every-down back. He’s worth a shot here, but people need to remember he was a seventh round draft choice and not guaranteed much of anything.

Round Three Review

Biggest Reach – Isaiah Crowell, RB CLE: The Cleveland running back situation needs to represent here. If not for the selection of Crowell at 3.04, the selection of West would have secured this honor. Instead, Crowell, who went completely undrafted was signed quickly following the draft. He has enormous potential but his situation, character and undrafted status all work against him to be off the board in the middle of the third round.

Biggest Value – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE TB: At 3.05, he was a good selection. ASJ could easily find himself as the top rookie tight end in 2014 given the speed and ability of the Buc receivers. Either way, it’s a good selection to make in the third round.

Summary Thoughts

Looking into our fourth round, good names can still be found. Just some of these names (and their selection): Martavis Bryant (4.02), Lache Seastrunk (4.04), Ka’Deem Carey (4.05) and Jarvis Landry (4.07). Landry falling to round four has to be the surprise of this draft.

So there you have it. If there are other names you are following and would like to know when they were drafted, please let me know and also feel free to post who you felt were the biggest reaches and value picks for each round in the comments below.

Follow me on Twitter: @DLF_Jeff

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Jeff Haverlack

Co-Founder at Dynasty League Football

Appreciative husband and proud father who poorly attempts to balance family life with his passion for creating the largest, most helpful and most impactful fantasy community on the planet! DLF was created for the community and we're committed to each member within it! Hope anyone playing this great game will call DLF home in some way!

You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff

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