What’s Next for Day Three of the NFL Draft?
With three rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft in the books, dynasty owners have a good idea how the value of the top rookies (and some key veterans) are shaping up. There are still many talented rookies available and opportunities to fill on NFL rosters.
With NFL teams searching for late round diamonds in the rough, here is a look at some teams who still have specific needs at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end positions, along with some rookies who could fill those openings. We’ll post a day three recap later on Saturday.
Quarterback
New York Jets
Although the Jets have become well-known for drafting quarterbacks, they still have a major question mark about the position both in 2017 and down the road. They signed veteran Josh McCown to potentially bridge the gap and passed on the chance to use yet another second day pick to find their future quarterback. Perhaps this is a sign of some confidence in their past draft picks, or maybe they see something they like in a Day Three prospect.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Clearly, the Steelers are not as desperate for help at the quarterback spot as the Jets and Browns, but starter Ben Roethlisberger has been hinting at retirement and always seems to be nicked up. There is little behind him on the depth chart, so the Steelers could still opt to add a developmental player late in the draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars
We all know about the struggles of Blake Bortles, who despite posting impressive fantasy numbers during his short career has been highly ineffective as a quarterback. The Jags must feel like they have every piece in place…except for the quarterback. I don’t think any rookie would be handed the job at this point, but don’t be surprised to see the Jags add a young signal caller in the final rounds of the draft.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cards are yet another team with reported interest in finding an eventual replacement for an aging quarterback, though they might be more motivated. Carson Palmer is already 37 years old and there have been rumors he and Larry Fitzgerald could retire following the 2017 season. Arizona had been linked to Patrick Mahomes pre-draft, but the Chiefs big move up squashed that plan.
Best Available
Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh
Brad Kaaya, Miami
Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
Running Back
New York Jets
This is a team that needs everything. Both veterans Matt Forte and Bilal Powell have contracts that essentially keep them in town for at least another year, but neither can be viewed as the long-term answer for a team that is only worried about the long-term.
Baltimore Ravens
It is difficult to know what the Ravens might do. Of course, they drafted Kenneth Dixon a year ago, but only used a Day Three pick, and then signed veteran Danny Woodhead earlier this off-season. The Ravens have a deep running back depth chart, but they have very little invested in the group and could take another shot on a late rounder.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have survived, but not thrived, the past couple of years with veteran Frank Gore, but there is little depth behind him and no plan for the future. I was shocked this team didn’t use a pick in the first three rounds on a runner, but there are still some attractive options and this would be an appealing landing spot from a dynasty perspective.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos were reportedly very interested in trading up to draft Christian McCaffrey, but that didn’t happen. They also didn’t use a Day Two pick on a back which has to be viewed as a sign of confidence in starter CJ Anderson. With Devontae Booker struggling at times during his rookie season, they could use a Day Three pick on a rookie back.
New York Giants
The Giants run game has struggled for years and they finally dumped veteran Rashad Jennings after the 2016 season – that leaves Paul Perkins and Shane Vereen, who can’t seem to stay healthy. A team that is set to win now must be looking to improve at the running back position and I can’t imagine they are confident in Perkins and Vereen.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles offense was a huge disappointment last season and much of that had to do with their running game. Darren Sproles was his usual productive self, but Ryan Mathews once again couldn’t stay on the field. The Eagles had been linked with former Florida State back Dalvin Cook, but the Vikings traded up ahead of them and grabbed Cook on Day Two. This is one of the biggest remaining gaps and opportunities for immediate production.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins continue to try and fill the void left by Alfred Morris. They thought Matt Jones was the answer, but he flopped and although undrafted free agent Robert Kelley was a nice surprise, it is difficult to see him as a long-term play.
Green Bay Packers
With Eddie Lacy now gone, the Packers can’t be too confident in their depth chart. Currently, former wide receiver Ty Montgomery is listed as their starter. He certainly earned a backfield role based on his impressive performance last season, but he belongs in a committee, not a backfield all to himself. The Packers had their choice of Cook, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon or anyone else at the top of the second round and chose to bypass the running back position. Unless this team has a great deal of confidence in Christine Michael, they should select a running back on Day Three of the draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs offense is looking to be a fun one for fans and fantasy players alike. Along with young talents like Jameis Winston and Mike Evans, Tampa added tight end OJ Howard in the first round and Chris Godwin in the third round. Now they just need to figure out the running back spot. Both Doug Martin (injury, suspension) and Charles Sims (injury, poor play) were disappointments in 2016 and there is a rumor Martin might be cut.
Best Available
Marlon Mack, South Florida
Jamaal Williams, BYU
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
Wayne Gallman, Clemson
Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
Joe Williams, Utah
Elijah McGuire, Louisiana Lafayette
Elijah Hood, North Carolina
Aaron Jones, UTEP
Corey Clement, Wisconsin
Brian Hill, Wyoming
Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Wide Receiver
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. They then surprisingly failed to take a receiver in Rounds Two or Three. 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.
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. The longer they wait on receiver, the more confidence they could have in Chris Conley.
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 wideout 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.
Best Available
Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
Malachi Dupre, LSU
Chad Hansen, California
Ishmael Zamora, Baylor
Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech
KD Cannon, Baylor
Josh Malone, Tennessee
Artavis Scott, Clemson
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
Travin Dural, LSU
Jehu Chesson, 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 on the draft’s final day. The addition of receiver Zay Jones helps the offense, but they can’t feel overly confident in Clay.
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 of 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.
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
Jake Butt, Michigan
Jordan Leggett, Clemson
Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Cole Hikutini, Louisville
Michael Roberts, Toledo
Eric Saubert, Drake
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