As always, there will be gems that come from rounds 4-7. If you’ve decided to ignore the players drafted in these rounds or undervalue your later rookie choices, you’re a novice dynasty league player. Here are some players who should merit consideration in your rookie drafts:
(4.01) Mardy Gilyard WR STL
Gilyard is a quick and smooth WR who has a knack for getting behind defenses. He’s found himself a great spot in STL with only Donnie Avery, Kennan Burton, and a host of others to beat out for time.
(4.03) Mike Williams WR TB
The Bucs were serious about upgrading their WR corps by adding Arrelious Benn and now Mike Williams. He has serious talent, but serious baggage that makes Dez Bryant look like the Pope. Keep him on your lists, though. He’s a guy who three years down the road could be a pretty good player.
(4.09) Marcus Easley WR BUF
He could compete with Steve Johnson, James Hardy, and Lee Evans for some touches. Unfortunately, they still have no QB.
(4.10) Jacoby Ford WR OAK
Was there any pick more predictable than this one?
(4.14) Joe McKnight RB NYJ
You can forget about McKnight being a great late first or early second round gem in fantasy drafts. This was an absolutely brutal spot for him to go. He could eventually replace LT in the backfield, and I have to assume Leon Washington may be gone, but he would have been much more draftable in NE or SEA.
(4.15 / 4.16 / 4.20) Dennis Pitta TE BAL, Garrett Graham TE HOU and Aaron Hernandez TE NE
I get taking the best player available, but the TE class was blown to bits in the 4th round. It’s really Gresham and everyone else now as Pitta teams with Dickson, Hernandez teams with Gronkowski, and Graham teams with Moeaki. Yuck. While some of these guys are more blockers than pass catchers, it’s going to be tough to truly decipher how they’re going to be used. You can usually find a good sleeper in the 3rd or 4th round, but it’s going to be tough to pick since these teams likely see all six of these guys as one dimensional players. You obviously want the pass catchers, but their reps are going to be limited.
(4.24) Mike Kafka QB PHI
One of my favorite sleepers coming in, but there were better spots than this. Â I was hoping for Buffalo for him, but Philly took him first. Â He’s a guy you could stash, but he’d likely just eat up roster space for you. Â You could hope for a Matt Schaub scenario at best with him now.
(4.27) Clay Harbor TE PHI
No threat to Celek, and no threat for time immediately, either. Â Keep an eye on him as he has some speed and strength, but Celek is a pro bowler.
For the last three rounds, I’ll only be noting players of interest, not every player taken.
(5.24) John Skelton QB ARI
He was the big risers in the QB class this year and is worthy of a roster spot in a deep league. Â After all, we know what Derek Anderson is and we think we know what Matt Leinart is, too.
(5.37) Jonathan Crompton QB SD
For those of us hoping he’d have a fighting chance soon, we’re left disappointed.
(6.04) Anthony Dixon RB SF
At one point, I thought Houston would take him in round three, but his lack of speed killed him. Â He’s more of a threat to Coffee than Gore any time soon.
(6.08) Â Carlton Mitchell WR CLE
Sleeper alert! Â This guy can burn and Cleveland has little to work with. Â I’d keep an eye on him.
(6.11) Â Deji Karim RB JAX
Sleeper alert #2! Â Think a poor man’s Brian Westbrook. Â I think he’s worth a 3rd round pick in rookie drafts.
(6.12) Â Dan LeFevour QB CHI
It’s too bad for him, really. Â The Bears are heavily invested in Cutler for the foreseeable future. Â He would have been better served in Buffalo, Cleveland or Carolina.
(6.19) Jonathan Dwyer RB PIT
Easily the most disappointing draft pick from a dynasty perspective. Â His fall took him from a possible first rounder to a probable 3rd round dynasty pick. Â Ouch. Â There’s no assurance he’d even make the team behind Mendenhall.
(6.22) Dezmon Briscoe WR CIN
A really curious pick here for the Bengals. Â They needed WRs with speed and that’s not Briscoe’s M.O. Â He’ll have some trouble making the roster after his freefall on draft day.
(6.24) James Starks RB GB
Starks was one of my favorite sleepers going into the draft and he merits consideration in the 3rd round of rookie drafts. Â He’s a small school guy (Buffalo), but he has a lot of talent. Â Look for him to push Brandon Jackson for the #2 RB job in GB.
(6.31) Charles Scott RB PHI
The Eagles needed a power back to compliment McCoy. Â If Mike Bell is unimpressive, Scott could steal his roster spot.
(6.35) Tony Pike QB CAR
No chance to beat out Clausen long-term, but I think this shows the Panthers really weren’t sold on Moore.
(7.02) Levi Brown QB BUF
Brian Brohm may very well get a chance to start for this team next year – that’s amazing. Â Brown is a guy to keep tabs on for sure. Â Really, when you have four QBs, you probably don’t have any. Â I see Mallett or Locker in their future.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
