After the first round of the NFL Draft, I shared my thoughts on the veterans who were affected, both positively and negatively, by some of the selections made. After Day Two of the draft, the picture of 2016 is becoming more clear as teams fill their respective needs in rounds two and three. Here are some veterans who were impacted by the happenings on Day Two:
Winners
Eli Manning, QB NYG
Entering this weekend, the Giants had arguably the worst wide receiver depth in the league behind their stud Odell Beckham. It was clear they would add a rookie and they did that in Round Two, selecting Sterling Shepard, who is well-known as the best route runner in the class. Shepard will give Manning another legitimate weapon.
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Jay Ajayi, RB MIA
After targeting a variety of running backs in free agency and missing on them all, we all knew the Dolphins would select a rookie this weekend. When they made former Alabama back Kenyan Drake their choice, Ajayi owners breathed a sign of relief. Drake can play a role in this offense but is not a threat to be the lead back.
Ryan Tannehill, QB MIA
The Dolphins offense and their quarterback have already enjoyed a boost this off-season with the addition of head coach Adam Gase, but now Tannehill has another receiver as Leonte Carroo joins DeVante Parker and Jarvis Landry. Throw in the team’s selection of Laremy Tunsil in the first round and Tannehill can feel ever safer in the pocket.
Brock Osweiler, QB HOU
Another quarterback with some new toys in his offense is the Texans’ Osweiler. After adding deep threat Will Fuller in the first round, and Texans added even more speed at the position with former Ohio State receiver and quarterback Braxton Miller. I have my doubts about Miller’s dynasty value, but another option for Osweiler should be a positive.
Tyrod Taylor, QB BUF
Sometimes players can see a bump in value as a result of the picks their team don’t make. One example of this is Taylor, the Bills quarterback. The Bills were rumored to be looking at Paxton Lynch in the first round, but opted for Shaq Lawson. With multiple quarterback options available in the second round, they again chose to ignore the position, entrenching Taylor as the team’s starter for 2016.
Jeremy Langford, RB CHI
Yet another example of passive increase in dynasty value is in Chicago, the draft’s host city. With Matt Forte gone, the Bears were expected to add a running back to pair with second year man Langford. The longer they wait to make that move, the more value Langford gains. There are still some rookie running back potholes Langford must avoid on the draft’s final day, but he’s made it this far.
Losers
DeMarco Murray, RB TEN
One of the most surprising picks of the evening was the Titans selection of Heisman winner Derrick Henry. The Titans got solid value on Henry, but the pick was noteworthy due to their earlier trade for Murray. There is already some debate about which player will be the team’s starter, but in a dynasty league, I’ll be opting for the younger player. Murray’s value took a significant hit after this pick.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB FA
The Jets must have felt like their back was up against a wall. After passing on Lynch in the first round, the team selected former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round. This was necessary in part due to the contract dispute with last season’s starter, Fitzpatrick. With the Broncos adding a rookie in round one, Fitzpatrick had few options left. Early reports say Fitzpatrick will sign a one-year deal to return to New York, where he would be expected to start in 2016. This is likely the best situation for Fitzpatrick, but it definitely did not come under the terms he had hoped.
Brandon LaFell, WR CIN
The Bengals were desperate enough to sign LaFell earlier this off-season, but there was no doubt they would add a rookie receiver this weekend. They did that in the second round, selecting former Pitt star Tyler Boyd. It’s not a huge ding for LaFell, considering he had very little value beforehand, but it does probably move him from roster worthy to waiver wire fodder.
Jaelen Strong, WR HOU
I mentioned Strong yesterday as a player losing value and that happened again on Day Two as the Texans added Miller. The Texans have to envision three wide receiver sets with DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Miller, with Strong waiting in the wings. Of course, Miller and Fuller are no sure things as they are two of the most criticized receivers in this rookie class. If you are a fan of Strong, now is definitely the time to buy and stash.
Thomas Rawls, RB SEA
Much like his counterpart in Chicago, Rawls was left to be the lead back after the departure of the veteran former starter. For Seattle, that occurred when Marshawn Lynch retired and while the team has Christine Michael, they needed more. They chose Notre Dame’s CJ Prosise late in the third round and this instantly looks like a running back by committee. Prosise can do a little bit of everything and he’s easily a better pass catcher than Rawls. Rawls should be the lead guy here, but Prosise will eat into his production.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB NE
One of the strangest picks of the night was the Patriots selection of North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett. First of all, this pick feels like a reach, which the Patriots have become known for, yet always seem to get away with. They also already have a young quarterback in Garoppolo, who could get his chance to start with a Tom Brady suspension. This picks shows me the Pats either lack trust in Garoppolo or are considering trading their young backup, as they have done in the past. Regardless, it doesn’t look like a good sign for Garoppolo’s dynasty value.
Jimmy Graham, TE SEA
We all know about the horrific injury suffered by Graham last season. While there were some early opinions that he would never return to his usual high level of play, recent news was much more positive. Then came the Seahawks selection of former Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett. This was considered a weak tight end class and the fact that Seattle felt compelled to use a third round pick on the position is not a good sign for Graham’s future, at least early in the season.
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I’m not sure I see Graham as a loser because of the Vannett selection. He’s strictly an in-line tight end and wasn’t brought to Seattle to catch passes. If Graham isn’t ready then Luke Willson will pick up the slack, not Vannett. The only thing that would make Graham a loser is if he can’t rehab from his injury, not anything the Seahawks did in the draft.
Agreed. Also don’t see how Jimmy G is a loser. Pats need a backup for garoppolo for 4 games with Brady out so they drafted one. If anything this is a sign they’ll let him walk after his contract so he can go after a starting gig instead of sitting behind Brady for 3+ more years.
