Second Round Beauties

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Everybody loves a good deal. From the complementary french fries with lunch to the extra third rounder you got as a deal sweetener, extra value is great to find.

This year, the second round of your rookie draft is absolutely loaded with value.

Recently, I did a one-man, three-round rookie mock draft on Twitter based off my rankings. I received several replies and they fell into three main categories: “You’re an idiot,” “I’m excited because I have a lot of second round picks” and “I’m surprised at how much talent is there.” I won’t be discussing the first category, no matter how much wife believes it to be true. I’m here to discuss fantasy, not reality, so I’ll stick to football.

What will follow below is a list of 15 players who are in that second round range when it comes to dynasty rookie drafts. Obviously, the size of your league dictates the number of picks in a round and differences around the breakpoints are inevitable, so I’ll give you a range of players in alphabetical order. The point is still the same though, there are good players, and excellent value to be had between picks 10 and 30 this season.

Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska

I’d be happy to land him in the first round, but if you’re in a heavy PPR league or you play in a 10-team league, he could show up in the second. He is a powerful runner when he gets a full head of steam.

Nelson Agholor, WR USC

He’s got a huge catch radius and good hands, making him a potential PPR star. He plays well in traffic and is a punt returner if your league gives you points for return yardage.

Jay Ajayi, RB Boise State

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I’m not crazy about him the way some are. I know of many who think he is the third best back in the draft and a couple of outliers who think he’s the second best. I do not share that opinion, but if he makes it out of the first round in your league, you can guarantee he won’t last long in the second.

Javorius Allen, RB USC

Allen is an explosive downhill runner who can run inside or outside. He’s also a good blocker and has good hands, which means his team doesn’t have to pull him off the field on passing downs.

Sammie Coates, WR Auburn

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t take Coates before the third round of my rookie draft, but if he’s your guy, the second is where you probably need to take him. I have concerns about his drops, mostly because his job is to catch the ball. Athletically though, he’s as talented as they come.

Jamison Crowder, WR Duke

He’s probably a late second-round player who is a smooth and runs good routes.

Mike Davis, RB South Carolina

I’m willing to admit that his production took a healthy step backwards in 2014 after the core of South Carolina’s offense moved on. Still, you always see him get the maximum yardage for what’s blocked for him. He has good hands and even flexed out wide on occasion.

Phillip Dorsett, WR Miami

He’s another player who I would take in the late first, but if your league goes on a running back run or somebody takes a quarterback in the first round, he may show up at the top of the second. He is stupid fast and has good enough hands. Depending on his landing spot, he could skyrocket up boards.

Rashad Greene, WR Florida State

If there’s one guy that is the poster boy for the value in the second round, it’s Greene. He has good speed with a 4.53 40-yard dash, great hands, played in a pro-style system with an NFL-caliber quarterback. I’m not a big believer in college numbers, but being first all-time in receptions at FSU says something. He may not have the dramatic upside of an Amari Cooper or Kevin White, but you’ll never have to think twice about plugging him into your lineup.

Justin Hardy, WR East Carolina

Another late second player, but he has plenty of potential as a PPR guy.

David Johnson, RB Northern Iowa

He’s a versatile back that can flex out to the wide receiver position, which demonstrates his excellent hands. He runs with power and is fast enough to run away from the defense when he needs to. Once considered a sleeper, he has worked his way up draft boards.

Duke Johnson, RB Miami

Johnson is another player who I could see going in the back half of the first round, but depending on your league, could land in the second. I see a back who has power, speed, and burst through the hole to go with nimble feet.

Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon

The quarterbacks are here just so I can talk about them a little, but depending on your league, they could slide into the second. Mariota is a good passer and obviously brings the added dimension of running.

Devin Smith, WR Ohio State

He’s known for the deep ball, and while he doesn’t have the most complex of route trees, he is more than a one-trick pony.

Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota

Unless something super crazy happens, he should be there for you in the second. He’s the best tight end in the draft by a wide margin, so if you need one, pull the trigger quickly.

Jameis Winston, QB Florida State

Winston is the presumed first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. There’s not much I can tell you that a billion other people haven’t already said. His upside with good weapons in Tampa Bay can’t be ignored.

T.J. Yeldon, RB Alabama

Some see him as the fourth-best running back in this draft, so he could go in the late first round. I saw him struggle to pick his way through the line cleanly. He is shifty and speedy, though.

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