NFL Draft: Day Three Recap for Offensive Players
We’ve all see the lists of impact players selected on the final day of the NFL Draft. Just last year included Dak Prescott, Tyreek Hill and Jordan Howard, among others. The point is for dynasty owners is to continue to pay attention even after the biggest names in the rookie class are off the board. Here’s our team-by-team breakdown of how NFL teams managed their Day Three picks to add some offensive skill players to their respective roster.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals added former North Carolina running back TJ Logan in the fifth round. While he was not highly acclaimed entering the draft, he does have impressive speed and with relatively little competition, he could ascend to the backup role behind superstar David Johnson.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had three fifth round picks and used two of them on running back Brian Hill and tight end Eric Saubert. Hill will have some stiff competition for playing time behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, so this is somewhat of a disappointing landing spot for a promising player. Saubert is huge at 6’5” and over 250 pounds and has a long way to go coming from small school Drake. He shouldn’t threaten Austin Hooper for the first couple of years.
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Baltimore Ravens
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have had some quarterback drama this off-season, but finally settled on a restructured contract to keep starter Tyrod Taylor in town. Even the consideration of cutting Taylor has to be a concern moving forward, so it would make sense they’d add a rookie. They took Nathan Peterman from Pittsburgh in the late fifth round. Is he good enough to challenge Taylor early on? The weekend looks initially like win for Taylor.
Carolina Panthers
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
Chicago Bears
The Bears entered the weekend with many needs, but running back was not really one of those. They nailed one of the Day Three picks last season with Jordan Howard and also have Jeremy Langford, who has had some success in the league. That didn’t stop them from adding speedster Tarik Cohen, who can break a big play at any time he touches the ball. I don’t think he’s worthy of a draft pick in typical dynasty leagues, but he’s a player to watch as the Bears seem unsatisfied with Langford.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had already improved their receiver corps after spending the ninth overall pick on Combine record-setter John Ross, but they clearly see a need there as they also added former Tennessee receiver Josh Malone in the fourth round. Malone was once a highly-regarded prospect, but struggled late in his college career. He figures to be behind AJ Green, Ross and Tyler Eifert for targets, not to mention veteran Brandon LaFell and last year’s rookie Tyler Boyd. Late in the draft, the Bengals added defender turned running back Brandon Wilson from Houston.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns added a big back, former North Carolina State’s Matt Dayes with their final pick. Dayes will be a long-shot to make the roster or see carries with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson ahead of him.
Dallas Cowboys
I was hoping the Cowboys would add a wide receiver in this draft, but I was expecting someone who could play outside as a potential replacement for Terrance Williams. Instead, they grabbed a player who looks like another version of Cole Beasley in former Tar Heel slot man, Ryan Switzer. Beasley seems to have plenty of game left, so I’ll be interested to see how they use Switzer, but I think this hurts his dynasty value. Later in the draft, Dallas added former Ohio State receiver Noah Brown, who looks more like a tight end.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos continued to add weapons to their offense. I love their fifth-round pick, former Michigan tight end Jake Butt, who suffered a torn ACL in his bowl game. Butt could end up on the PUP list or maybe even missing the entire season, but I still love the idea of stashing him in deep dynasty leagues. He could easily be the team’s starter in 2018, or maybe sooner if he’s healthy. Denver also added undersized receiver and special teams dynamo Isaiah McKenzie from Georgia. With the Denver running game disappointing in 2016, they added small back De’Angelo Henderson who could see a chance if Devontae Booker continues to struggle. Finally, the Broncos made former Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly Mr. Irrelevant with the draft’s final pick. The Denver quarterback situation is far from settled, so Kelly, currently dealing with a serious injury, could contribute in 2018.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were expected to add a tight end to give Eric Ebron some competition, but they waited longer than most expected. In the fourth-round, they chose big tight end Michael Roberts. The Lions can now use both Ebron and Roberts in 2TE sets and with his size, Roberts could be a prime red zone target. He’s not quite worth a roster spot in the average dynasty league, but if Ebron continues to disappoint, Roberts’ role could grow. Late in the sixth round, Detroit took a shot on former Hurricanes’ quarterback Brad Kaaya, who was expected to be drafted much earlier. There’s no shot to steal the starting job from Matthew Stafford, but Kaaya could serve as a reliable backup, meaning he’s not really an option in dynasty leagues.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers were among the busiest teams on Day Three when it comes to offensive skill position players. With Ty Montgomery as the current lead back, they were expected to select a running back, but they did one better and drafted two of them on Day Three. That began in the fourth round with BYU’s Jamaal Williams and they then added fifth rounder Aaron Jones. Williams is a perfect fit with Montgomery in a committee attack and should be considered as early as the late first round of rookie drafts. Jones is also intriguing, but will have to fight for a role in this offense. Anytime the Packers draft a wide receiver, it gets my attention. This time, they added a pair, namely Purdue’s DeAngelo Yancey and LSU’s Malachi Dupre. With the Packers’ crowded depth chart, Yancey and Dupre might need to wait to see the field, but each is worth stashing with a late round rookie pick or a waiver wire pickup.
Houston Texans
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
Indianapolis Colts
Another team in need of some running back help is the Colts, who have no backup plan for Frank Gore. Maybe they do now after drafting Marlon Mack in the fourth round. Mack is not a player I would expect to push Gore for early-down carries, but he could help to ease the overall workload of the veteran. He’s another third tier back to consider in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver didn’t look like a need for the Jaguars, but when a Heisman finalist is available in the fourth round, teams have to consider him. That’s what Jacksonville did, taking Dede Westbrook from Oklahoma to add to their depth chart including Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns, among others. Westbrook has injury and off-field concerns, but if he can overcome those, he could man the slot for the Jags.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs chose former Michigan wideout Jehu Chesson, who could see the field early in Kansas City. Last year, the Chiefs saw Jeremy Maclin take a step back, but the breakout of Tyreek Hill help ease that, while Chris Conley has never capitalized on his huge Combine performance a couple of years ago.
Los Angeles Chargers
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams grabbed Twitter favorite Cooper Kupp on Day Two, but had enough concern with their wide receiver group to go back for more, drafting Josh Reynolds from Texas A&M in the fourth round. I saw multiple sentiments soon after the pick that Reynolds might be the most talented wideout on the team. Both he and Kupp should be second round targets in dynasty rookie drafts.
Miami Dolphins
Although wide receiver was not necessarily a need for Miami, they made a value pick on former Virginia Tech wideout Isaiah Ford in Round Seven of the draft. Ford is a Matt Harmon favorite and his slide to the end of the draft is surprising. With this draft capital, he becomes a late-round target in dynasty rookie drafts playing behind Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings need as many playmakers as possible on offense and added two more interesting options on the draft’s final day. First, they chose South Florida receiver Rodney Adams, a speedy and productive player who could shadow and backup Stefon Diggs. Next, they added tight end Bucky Hodges, who surprisingly fell to the sixth round. While Hodges was viewed as the TE4 for dynasty leagues prior to the draft, the massive drop he experienced along with some nice landing spots for second tier tight ends pushed Hodges way down the line. They Vikings also took another speedy receiver, Stacy Coley from Miami. He was once a highly thought of prospect, but struggled with drops and inconsistency in his final two seasons.
New England Patriots
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
New Orleans Saints
No offensive skill players drafted on Day Three.
New York Giants
The Giants had a huge need in their backfield and may have found someone to partially fill that gap in former Clemson starter Wayne Gallman. While Gallman may not have been an overly hyped prospect, he was a productive member of the National Championship team and could pair with Paul Perkins to form a solid committee. Gallman is yet another second-round rookie option.
New York Jets
The Jets have needs all over the field and made some progress in filling those holes on offense on Day Three. The began by adding wide receiver Chad Hansen in the fourth-round. Depending on what the team does with veteran Eric Decker, Hansen could compete immediately with fellow rookie ArDarius Stewart, Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa for targets in the Jets’ tanking offense. Early in the fifth round, New York tried to fill their need at tight end with Jordan Leggett, who could earn a starting role immediately. Finally, they added some depth behind veterans Matt Forte and Bilal Powell in the form of Elijah McGuire, a solid receiver back.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders added some depth to their backfield, using a seventh rounder on Elijah Hood. Before the addition of veteran Marshawn Lynch, Hood might have had a chance at some goal line carries, but right now, I don’t see how he fits with Lynch, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are yet another team with multiple Day Three skill position picks, adding special teams beast Mack Hollins from North Carolina. Hollins was even called a poor man’s Mike Evans by the NFL Network crew. This earlier than expected draft spot should result in a climb in Hollins’ dynasty value, but he’s still likely just a third rounder in rookie drafts. Philly added more speed to their offense and special teams with running back Donnel Pumphrey and wideout Shelton Gibson. Neither will be targets in dynasty drafts, but should be monitored, especially Gibson.
Pittsburgh Steelers
With the retirement talk from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, not to mention his annual injury issues, the Steelers were expected to add a backup and potential eventual replacement for Big Ben. They used the 135th overall pick, the same selection that was used last year on Dak Prescott, to add Joshua Dobbs. Once expected to need to switch positions to have a chance at playing in the league, Dobbs is now in a prime spot to see the field in the 2017 season when Roethlisberger gets nicked up.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are rebuilding with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan and that process continued on Day Three, adding running back Joe Williams, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Trent Taylor. Williams has really nice speed and could fit well paired with starter Carlos Hyde, but isn’t enough of a threat to lower Hyde’s value. The 49ers tight ends have never lived up to expectations and Kittle is a blocking tight end who could also see some targets. Finally, Taylor is yet another undersized receiver after San Francisco already signed Aldrick Robinson and Marquise Goodwin. None of these three should be considered until late in rookie drafts, if at all.
Seattle Seahawks
Based on their draft, the Seahawks are confident in their current offensive depth chart, focusing mainly on the defensive side of the ball. Late in the draft though, they did add depth pieces with David Moore from East Central (OK) and running back Chris Carson. Both are big bodied guys who will have to compete for a roster spot and hold no dynasty value.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After injuries to both Doug Martin and Charles Sims in 2016, paired with Martin’s suspension and Sims’ struggles, the Bucs were expected to add a back. They did just that in the fifth round, ending the surprising fall of Boise State pass-catching back Jeremy McNichols. If Martin is cut, as recent rumors suggest, McNichols gets a huge boost in dynasty value.
Tennessee Titans
After focusing on offense through the first three rounds, the Titans spent the majority of their Day three picks on the defensive side of the ball. They did use their final pick on undersized running back Khalfani Muhammad, one of the fastest players in the draft.
Washington Redskins
Many have waited all weekend to see how the Redskins would fill their running back needs, but they made us wait until Round Four, selecting former Oklahoma back Samaje Perine. He should rather easily overtake Rob Kelley and could be the Skins starter as early as Week One. This landing spot has Perine in contention to be a late first rounder or early second round rookie draft pick. Washington also added depth pass-catchers in tight end Jeremy Sprinkle and receiver Robert Davis. Keep Sprinkle on speed dial in case of another Jordan Reed injury.
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