NFL Draft Day Two Winners and Losers: Veteran Edition

Ryan McDowell Posted On May 2, 2015

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We’re now through the glitz and glamour of the first two days of the NFL Draft. You won’t be seeing a gold carpet or Louis Vuitton shoes in rounds four through seven on the final day of the draft. Instead, you see NFL hopefuls waiting to hear their name called or the phone to ring following the draft. While we wait and they wait, we are left to speculate about the picks that have been made so far in the opening three rounds and how they might impact current players around the league. With nearly every pick, winners and losers can be identified.

Just a reminder, there is plenty of action left in draft weekend and time for some of these winners to become losers and vice versa.

Winners

Andre Ellington, RB ARI

I have been one of the biggest detractors of Cardinals’ running back Andre Ellington and while the team did select a rookie runner on day two, David Johnson, I don’t think he’s exactly a threat to Ellington’s touches. Barring a surprise trade of Adrian Peterson to Arizona, it looks like Ellington’s role could be safe for 2015.

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Joe Flacco, QB BAL

You saw Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco among my day one winners after the team added receiver Breshad Perriman and he’s here again with the addition of tight end Maxx Williams, the unanimous top tight end in this class. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens grabbed one more wideout on the draft’s final day. With the addition of these two rookies, along with new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, we could be looking at a QB1 season from Flacco.

Joseph Randle/Darren McFadden, RBs DAL

Cowboys’ running back Darren McFadden also makes a return appearance to the winners list, and I included his teammate Joseph Randle as well. One of the big surprises of the draft so far is the fact the Cowboys have not selected a rookie running back. While there is still time and some solid backs available, McFadden/Randle owners are actually starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel and these two could end up with some real dynasty value.

Doug Martin/Charles Sims, RBs TB

Another pair of teammates with the potential for increased value is the Buccaneers backs, Doug Martin and Charles Sims. First of all, the Bucs have yet to add a rookie running back, but they have drafted some players who could help increase rushing production, namely quarterback Jameis Winston and a pair of offensive linemen.

Jonathan Stewart, RB CAR and Lamar Miller, RB MIA

I include these two starting running backs together as their story is very similar at this point. After showing some hesitation in the past, their respective teams made Jonathan Stewart and Lamar Miller starting running backs and both enjoyed breakout seasons in 2014. With that said, there was speculation a rookie running back could come in and at least create a timeshare, if not steal the job outright. That doesn’t look to be the case though and with some other running backs we once thought were safe options now losing value, these two should continue to climb the running back ranks.

Brandin Cooks, WR NO

It’s somewhat of a surprise the New Orleans Saints have yet to add any new pass catchers, considering they dealt both Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills away earlier this off-season. While they have some contributors like Marques Colston and Josh Hill, this is looking like it could be Brandin Cooks team and he could be a total target hog. Of course, if that results in double coverage on Cooks every game, it may not be such a bright spot. Also, if you’re digging deep, long shots like Brandon Coleman or Seantavious Jones could see some meaningful playing time this year.

Losers

Nick Foles, QB STL

I’m not a fan of new Rams quarterback Sean Mannion and I don’t expect him to have a major impact in St. Louis, but the fact the Rams felt necessary to spend a third round pick on a quarterback has me concerned about the future of Nick Foles in the Gateway City. Foles’ value has been on the decline since his injury sidelined him during last season and it only got worse when he was dealt to the Rams. He’s now a middling QB2 at best.

Isaiah Crowell/Terrance West, RBs CLE

Like Tre Mason on Thursday, another young running back took a hit in value on day two. Actually, it was a pair of backs as the Cleveland Browns surprisingly drafted Miami’s Duke Johnson, leaving us to wonder how he will fit in with second year backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Much like the Colts’ and Dolphins’ receivers we mentioned yesterday, this is likely to hurt the value of all three as they cancel out each other’s dynasty value.

Theo Riddick, RB DET

When the Detroit Lions released veteran running back Reggie Bush, young back Theo Riddick became a popular sleeper in dynasty leagues. That took a hit in round two when the Lions selected Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah. Abudullah and Joique Bell should form a solid duo, while Riddick is left with almost no value.

Justin Hunter, WR TEN

Hunter entered the NFL with high expectations and a lot of hype from dynasty players. He’s failed to live up to either of those in his first two seasons and the Titans may be ready to give up on Hunter as a starter after they drafted talented but troubled Dorial Green-Beckham. Green-Beckham is instantly the most talented receiver on the Titans’ roster and if he can mature off the field, he should push Hunter to the bench.

Mychal Rivera, TE OAK

The Oakland Raiders have many holes on their team, so choosing to use one of the day two picks on tight end Clive Walford from Miami tells us all we need to know about Mychal Rivera and his future. Rivera had some solid games down the stretch in the 2014 season and was worthy of stashing in deep dynasty leagues, but that’s probably not the case anymore.

Dennis Pitta, TE BAL

Things have not been looking good for the NFL future of Ravens’ tight end Dennis Pitta following his second major hip injury early in the 2014 season and we got another sign of what is to come when the Ravens selected the top tight end off the board, Minnesota’s Maxx Williams. Unfortunately, this means Pitta’ career could be over. Pitta can safely be dropped in most dynasty formats.

We’ll be back tomorrow following the final rounds of the draft with more veteran winners and losers.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.