What’s Next for Day Two: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Ryan McDowell

With over twelve hours now to rest, recover and reflect about the exciting happenings of the first round of the NFL Draft, it is now time to look ahead to what we can expect over the next two days as dynasty fantasy footballers.

The Jaguars and Panthers found their running backs of the future and many teams are hoping they’ve solved their long-term quarterback concerns, but there are many teams left with holes to fill at the four key fantasy football positions and fortunately for them, there is plenty of talent remaining on the board.

With the beginning of the second round just a few hours away, here is a look at some teams who still have specific needs at the wide receiver and tight end positions, along with some rookies who could fill those openings.

Wide Receiver

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have only Sammy Watkins as a serious threat on the wide receiver depth chart. They let Robert Woods walk and replaced him with Corey Brown from Carolina, which is not exactly an impact move the team needs. They almost certainly have to add a wideout in the second or third round of the draft.

New York Jets

The Jets are rebuilding so have needs at basically every position on the field. Wide receiver is no exception after cutting Brandon Marshall earlier this off-season, rumors continue to circulate they will do the same with Eric Decker. Some young players like Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson showed promise in 2016, but neither are viewed as a team’s WR1.

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Baltimore Ravens

Rumored to be targeting Corey Davis in the first round, the Ravens never got the chance to take him. Mike Williams and John Ross were also gone before they made their selection. The team still has questions at receiver though with Breshad Perriman failing to live up to his first-round status and Steve Smith calling it a career.

Pittsburgh Steelers

This one really depends on Martavis Bryant. We learned earlier this week that Bryant has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL. Obviously, this could be huge news for the Steelers, who despite the presence of two of the best in the game, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, lacked the necessary playmakers to go the distance in 2016. If they believe in Bryant’s ability to stay on the field, they may pass on taking a receiver until Day Three, or maybe not at all.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs already made the big move of the weekend, jumping from late in the first round into the top ten to select Patrick Mahomes. Now they need to add some weapons for their future starting quarterback. Jeremy Maclin struggled in 2016 and that could simply be a down year for a solid wideout or maybe the beginning of the end. Tyreek Hill rejuvenated that offense in many ways and is expected to see many more opportunities going forward.

Dallas Cowboys

I can’t figure out the Cowboys. Every year the WR2 spot looks like a need, yet they continue to trot out Terrance Williams alongside star Dez Bryant. This off-season, they even signed Williams to a new deal. I see a huge hole that could be filled by a rookie, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas continues to roll status quo.

Carolina Panthers

Unless the Panthers see Christian McCaffrey as a full time wide receiver, there is a need to improve the position. Kelvin Benjamin disappointed in 2016 and Devin Funchess has never lived up to expectations. The team also lost role players Ted Ginn and Corey Brown, creating a bigger need.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams continue to invest in the wideout position, but have little to show for it. Once they finally got some production, Kenny Britt’s 1,000-yard performance last season, they let him walk in free agency. They did sign Robert Woods from Buffalo, but still need an alpha wide receiver for young quarterback Jared Goff.

Best Available

Juju Smith-Schuster, USC
Zay Jones, East Carolina
Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
ArDarius Stewart, Alabama
Chris Godwin, Penn State
Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech
Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
Malachi Dupre, LSU
Chad Hansen, California
Amara Darboh, Michigan

Tight End

Buffalo Bills

The Bills simply need playmaking pass catchers of any kind. They massively overpaid average talent Charles Clay and could look to replace him as early as tonight. Depending how the team handles the wide receiver position, and second or third round tight end could see a huge immediate opportunity.

New York Jets

The Jets never seem to use a tight end in their offense, but that could be due to the lack of talent they’ve had on the team in recent years. They took a shot on Austin Seferian-Jenkins last season, but it doesn’t look like that will pan out. They were even projected to select OJ Howard in the first round. Any rookie tight end could have the chance for immediate playing time, though the historic lack of usage would be a concern.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags dumped veteran Julius Thomas in an early off-season trade and now have only Marcedes Lewis left at the position. Lewis is past his prime and shouldn’t be considered as an NFL starter or a fantasy option. Jacksonville must look to the draft to fill this need.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have been searching for a consistent producer at the tight end spot since they lost the aforementioned Thomas to the Jags years ago. With a deep tight end class this year, they could fill the void and replace the trio Virgil Green, AJ Derby and Jeff Heuerman for good.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have relied on Jason Witten for years and he has rarely disappointed, but as he nears the end of his career, Dallas has to prepare for what’s next. This year is the ideal time to take a shot in the middle rounds on a young tight end with so many available talents.

Chicago Bears

The Bears need talent at so many positions, so it is not easy to assume they fill the need at tight end on Day Two, but a need is clearly there. Zach Miller was a nice reclamation project for the team before suffering a season ending injury last year and although they did sign Dion Sims away from the Dolphins, he’s a player who has never lived up to the hype.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are always looking for more offensive playmakers and after free agent signee Coby Fleener busted in 2016, they could add some depth to the position. Any rookie landing in the Saints offense automatically gets a value boost and a tight end would be no different.

Best Available

Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Jake Butt, Michigan
Gerald Everett, South Alabama
Jordan Leggett, Clemson

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ryan mcdowell