FFPC Rookie Draft #1 Review
Editor’s Note: We hope you’ll enjoy a little FFPC draft coverage! The high stakes component makes for an intriguing variable and readers should appreciate these coaches paying the price to compete at this level while also giving these drafts extra attention. The FFPC games are unlike any other in the industry due to their length of time and visibility in the space. Since beginning their dynasty games in 2010, they only continue to gain in popularity. Whereas DLF is a place you can call home for the best dynasty content to win your league(s), the FFPC provides the best platform to apply our content – the top competition on the planet and huge dollar purses are just an added bonus!
Welcome to our first installment of our 2017 FFPC draft coverage!
DLF and the FFPC are partners again 2017 and, as such, we’ll be covering a number of rookie and maiden dynasty drafts to be used as another source of reference for your own drafts. The thought here is that the “high stakes” label brings with it a higher degree of fantasy coaching experience and performance. These coaches are putting serious money on the line with the hope of greater payouts at the end of the rainbow and you can bet that most coaches put a lot of work and research into each selection. With this particular FFPC dynasty league requiring a $2,500 entry fee, there’s no room for mistakes. But this year, the FFPC has introduced lower-stakes games as well so there’s a game for anyone that wants to play.
This review is a $2,500 12-team rookie/free agent draft. Standard scoring Point Per Reception (PPR) format with the exception that tight ends receive 1.5 PPR. Passing touchdowns are worth the standard four points while rushing and receiving touchdowns bring six points each.
For review purposes I will be covering the first three rounds of this draft concluding with a few notable late round selections highlighted. The full seven round draft can be found at the bottom of the article. Each pick will be listed along with some thoughts about the selection. Following each round will be a short review of the round in addition to my assessment of best value and biggest reach.
If you’re ready to step up to the most serious competition on the planet, we highly suggest you check out the FFPC Dynasty Games!
Let’s dive in!
Round One
1.01 Corey Davis, WR TEN
Not much mystery here as Davis has been the top pick in most every rookie draft I’ve scouted this year. Unless you’re in dire need of a running back, Davis’ blend of speed, size and athleticism is difficult to pass up at the 1.01. For what it’s worth, I still rank Leonard Fournette as the top player in this year’s draft class but I don’t fault the selection of Davis.
1.02 Leonard Fournette, RB JAX
The aforementioned Fournette brings a combination of raw power mixed with deceptive speed and agility. I believe he’s a small measure above Todd Gurley as a total package though it remains to be seen if he can contribute on third down. Sharing the backfield with T.J. Yeldon, he likely won’t be called on often in this capacity but the Jaguars badly need what he brings to the table. He’s an easy selection at any selection you can get him in rookie drafts, including the 1.01.
1.03 Christian McCaffrey, RB CAR
McCaffrey’s dynamic is undeniable and unmistakable. He carries with him, not only a high draft grade but also great mystery as to how he’ll actually be used in the backfield, Debate continues as to whether he can be durable and productive enough to be an every down back. While I don’t question his immense upside, he carries too much risk for me to selection him any higher than the 1.03. In PPR formats, he could be pure gold.
1.04 Joe Mixon, RB CIN
Mixon has been on a steady rise every since declaring for the NFL draft. His past transgressions are well known as is his athleticism and upside. Many scouts believe that Mixon is the best all-around back in this class and it’s hard to argue that fact when reviewing tape. He’s fluid and powerful in the run game and receives the ball naturally in a single motion out of the backfield in the passing game. His landing spot could have been better but he’ll see touches immediately.
1.05 O.J. Howard, TE TB
We have our first surprise of this draft. In tight end premium leagues, a top-tier tight end is worth his weight in gold. The problem here is that few tight ends produce quickly, even when selected in the first round. Howard looks to have all the tools to be a force at the position, but selecting him at the 1.05 is a huge leap of faith.
1.06 Dalvin Cook, RB MIN
Prior to the NFL Draft, Cook had been discussed as, possibly, the top back in the draft. Following a sub-part Combine performance and a so-so situation in Minnesota, he’s now frequently selected at the 1.05 and 1.06 selections in rookie drafts. Fellow backfield-mate Latavius Murray is still recovering from injury and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Cook seizes the reins and never looks back. If you are in need of running back help, Cook’s poor three-months plays to your benefit.
1.07 Alvin Kamara, RB NO
Another surprising selection. No doubt Kamara has ability but he also has a shallow college resume’. His Nola landing spot is intriguing and owners will need to be patient while they wait for the two-headed monster situation of Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson to play out. But in time, Kamara’s situation is one that should provide opportunity. I believe it’s just too early at 1.07 for this selection given other players on the board.
1.08 David Njoku, TE CLE
With Mike Williams still on the board, the selection of Njoku is obviously a play into the premium tight end scoring format of FFPC leagues. He’s arguably the most dynamic player at the tight end position in 2017 but his Cleveland situation leaves much to be desired. Njoku is frequently being selected at 1.09 and 1.10 in drafts so this premium value isn’t much of a stretch in a vacuum save that of a player or two still remaining on the board.
1.09 Mike Williams, WR SD
This is as low as I’ve seen Williams fall in any draft this year. I still have Davis and Williams ranked as 1a and 1b at the receiver position and his selection at 1.09 is a steal. With the size, hands and enough speed vs. top competition he could easily out-produce Corey Davis in 2017, though Davis’ starting situation is far better. But, on the end of passes from Philip Rivers, I like his prospects quite a bit. This is a case where I believe fantasy is overthinking it.
1.10 Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster, WR PIT
If there’s one team that drafts well at the receiver position, it’s Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster limped into the NFL Draft after a poor 2016 season and a rather average NFL Combine. But his 1.10 selection is about average from most drafts I’ve surveyed and his upside as a Steeler is immense though with a crowded depth chart. This ‘chalk’ selection is an easy one to make if you are looking for receiver help near the end of the first round. But recall that fellow much-hyped receivers Robert Woods, Marquise Lee and Nelson Agholor have all been pedestrian at the next level, at best.
1.11 Kareem Hunt, RB KC
Hunt was a late riser into the draft and finds himself in an upside-situation in Kansas City. Many believe that the departure of Jamaal Charles and an uninspiring Spencer Ware combine to provide for starter’s touches for Hunt. While I’m not in that camp, the variables present do suggest that he’ll see the field in, at least, a limited role in 2017. For a non-first-round running back, this is as much as you can hope for when picking outside the top-ten in your rookie draft.
1.12 Evan Engram, TE NYG
Engram has fantastic dynamic and his situation is as good as you’ll find. The Giants have the offense to spread the field and Eli Manning uses his tight ends well. There’s still a player I would have selected before Engram, but the TE premium scoring is in play. As the third tight end off the board, 2017 is going to provide a very interesting study-topic in future years.
Summary
With the first six picks, it seemed this draft was going to resemble what I’ve seen routinely this year. But with the selection of Kamara at 1.07, things took a turn. I have yet to see a draft where Mike Williams falls to 1.09 and there’s also another top name missing from the first round: John Ross. What gives here?
I can’t recall another draft where three tight ends were selected in the first round. 2017 is a good year at the position and in tight end premium formats, it’s not unexpected, but still unusual.
Best Value: Mike Williams
He’s too good of a prospec,t and as talented as Corey Davis, to fall to 1.09. In a rookie draft, especially if your team finished well enough to pick at 1.09, this is Christmas come early!
Biggest Reach: Alvin Kamara
I just can’t get there with the selection of Kamara, not with Mike Williams and John Ross still on the board. Even if the coach has needs at running back, rather than reach for one, I much prefer a selection of a better prospect and then seeking a trade. Kamara does have a chance to be good in time, but there’s too much risk in a high stakes league to pass on quality that will see field time much earlier.
Round Two
2.01 Samaje Perine, RB WAS
The fast-rising Perine has been a popular choice in the late first round and represents an intriguing selection with the first pick of the second round. With Matt Jones likely out of the rotation and Rob Kelley now sitting atop the depth chart, Perine is an injury away from seeing significant time. Furthermore, even without injury, Perine has a short-yardage, downhill-style that could provide touches at the goal line and an expanding workload.
2.02 John Ross, WR CIN
As noted earlier, I have yet to see a draft with Ross falling out of the first round. Even with TE premium scoring, Ross is a first-round selection. The Bengals have an offense that should move the ball and Ross fills an immediate slot-role that should pay dividends immediately. At 2.02, to a coach already getting Fournette at 1.02, there’s reason to celebrate here.
2.03 Marlon Mack, RB IND
This is on par with Mack’s selections in most rookie drafts. Playing behind the aged Frank Gore, Mack has the dynamic to be an early producer for the Colts. Indi just signed Christine Michael as well so there will be competition but this is an intriguing selection early in the second round.
2.04 Zay Jones, WR BUF
Jones was ultra-productive at East Carolina and turned in a fine Combine performance as well. If not for his Buffalo landing spot, I would be much higher on his prospects. That said, he’ll be in line for field time early and his all around athletic ability should provide upside for a team that seems ready to move on from Sammy Watkins. Jones has been selected as early as the bottom of round one.
2.05 Joe Williams, RB SF
This is one of my favorite upside targets in rookie drafts since landing in San Francisco. Williams has the size and speed to be a producer and, if not for an odd ‘retirement’ from college football last year, would have been selected much higher. Anytime the head coach pounds his fist on the table for a player, especially at a position in a depth chart where there is much to be desired, it bodes well for the selected player. In this case, Williams is a name that you could see rising into the bottom part of the first round.
2.06 Marshawn Lynch, RB OAK
This is also a free agent draft as well. Beast mode is back in the NFL and his situation is a good one! I thought he had another year or two in him when he hung up his cleats to begin with so his emergence in Oakland is not surprising. He’s an immediate starter and if he can be your RB3, you’re sitting pretty with a back that should see a lot of touches in key situations.
2.07 Curtis Samuel, WR CAR
I’ll be honest in that Samuel is a mystery to me. Seems best as a tweener-gadget-player not in the mold of a running back or wide receiver. He brings a dynamic lacking in the Panther offense but I’m concerned that there won’t be enough opportunity for him to be fantasy relevant.
2.08 D’onta Foreman, RB HOU
Foreman is a wild card selection in the middle of the second round but with the upside I like from my mid-tier backs. He’s a back possessing the size that would suggest more power but, instead, he runs seeking angles and daylight than more than seams and gaps. He’s difficult to project in an NFL scheme but he’s easy to root for and his situation is enough to hold his value at this selections.
2.09 Gerald Everett, TE LAR
Everett slipped under the radar for some time and is a dynamic threat as a move tight end. Leading all tight ends in missed tackles forced over his past two seasons, it’s no wonder why the Rams stepped up to select him in an offense badly in need of play-making receivers. He’s in line for immediate playing time and I won’t be surprised to see his stock rise in future drafts on potential alone. The Rams’ offense will need to find increased production to reward selecting coaches but there’s upside here.
2.10 Chris Godwin, WR TB
Godwin in an intriguing size-speed receiver who should immediately vie for field-time in an intriguing and young Tampa offense. It’s said he’s off to a fast start in camp. I’ve seen Godwin selected early in the second round so this selection represents a fair value for an upside target in an offense that could provide a spark.
2.11 Jeremy McNichols, RB TB
I’m not as high on McNichols as most but it’s tough to not like his situation in TB. Doug Martin is looking strong early in camp and it’s not likely that McNichols would outplay him early into the season but Martin is anything but durable. Charles Sims still has value as well but is a free agent in 2018.
2.12 Adam Shaheen, TE CHI
The D2 prospect was a surprise selection by the Bears in the second round and I don’t think he’s a second round rookie prospect in fantasy. That said, Chicago’s depth chart is wide open at the position and Shaheen’s athletic ability will provide an opportunity. Remember that tight ends normally have a very long integration time in the NFL. Owners must be patient, especially outside the first round.
Summary
Outside of John Ross falling into the second round, this is a standard looking second round. Still value to be had with names remaining on the board that I believe are second round prospects. No quarterbacks yet to be selected which is not a great surprise, especially in this format where the number of keepers is at the low end. Near-term production is always desired in high stakes fantasy and quarterbacks just don’t rate unless rosters are deep.
Best Value: John Ross
To be sure, I’m not a fan of ‘small’ receivers. I’ve been burned to many times, most recently with Tavon Austin. But Ross is a quality route runner and has outside-receiver ability in an offense that can utilize his talent. He’s a superior value here in the second round.
Biggest Reach: Adam Shaheen
Shaheen has talent and opportunity but even in this format and with some upside names still on the board, I believe he may have still been available at the end of the third. Either way, I’d prefer to find a player with more long range production potential in a position with a faster integration period over that of forcing a selection.
Round 3
3.01 Jamaal Williams, RB GB
Williams is a single-dimensional runner but falls to a great situation in Green Bay. For later round running backs, you want opportunity as quickly as possible which provides the chance for early impact or the ability to quickly cut them from your roster. Williams is just that.
3.02 James Conner, RB PIT
No better person in this draft and no easier person to root for. The selection of Conner by his hometown club was certainly magical and he’s going to need more magic to be productive any time soon. He’s a bit in the mold of Arian Foster so there’s potential there if he can find his way to the field.
3.03 Cooper Kupp, LAR
I love Kupp’s game and his only-fair Combine was perfect from a fantasy perspective if you had watched any of Kupp’s tape. He’s not an athlete that will “wow” with his Combine numbers but all you need to know is that he produces when he’s on the field, including against top D1 talent when given the opportunity.
3.04 Wayne Gallman, RB NYG
I’m higher on Gallman than most and love his landing spot in New York. He’s an upright runner but has an NFL skill-set that could allow him to well outproduce this third round selection. He doesn’t excel in any one areas which can be a kiss of death for back,s but with not much ahead of him on the depth chart, anything is possible.
3.05 Carlos Henderson, WR DEN
Another under-the-radar receiver with a nice opportunity in an offense with potential. Henderson is a tough player that will play in the slot with potential return duties as well.
3.06 Taywan Taylor, WR
Tay-Tay finds himself in an offense shallow on talent which bodes well for his first-year potential. He won’t start over Corey Davis or Rishard Matthews but he put up big numbers vs. top talent at Western Kentucky and he’ll be in the mix for WR3 duties.
3.07 Jonathan Williams, RB BUF
The departure of Mike Gillislee gives Williams an opportunity and he’s a great add here in the third round. I would have selected Williams over many of the rookies selected in the past 10 selections.
3.08 Elijah Hood, RB OAK
Hood has good size but little else to suggest that he’ll amount to anything in the NFL. He’s on a roster which will make for very tough sledding for anything more than RB4 duties.
3.09 Devontae Booker, RB DEN
What in the heck is he still doing on the board as a second-year player in this third round. Something tells me that some coaches fell asleep. He didn’t impress in 2016 but as a second-year player in an unsettled backfield, sky is the limit for Booker. He’s no worse than a mid-second-round selection in this draft in my estimation.
3.10 Jamaal Charles, RB DEN
Charles will attempt to resurrect his career in Denver, a backfield that should provide opportunities. At 30 years of age to start the season, it’s an unknown as to what Charles has left in the tank.
3.11 Quincy Enunwa, WR NYJ
I really like Enunwa and he shouldn’t be available here. After losing Brandon Marshall, the Jets’ receiver corps. is wide open and Enunwa is easy to project as a starter. He’s gritty, tough and should have a solid season in ’17.
3.12 Kenny Golladay, WR DET
I’m higher than most on Golladay and this is a good-get late in the third round. He’s already pushing for WR3 duty and while it’s still early, he’s got the size and dynamic to push for immediate playing time. At 6’4″, 218 lbs. and with 4.5 speed, there’s a lot to like here.
Summary
This third round highlights the struggle between selection of rookies that likely won’t produce in the NFL in any material way vs. veteran players which could. In fact, third round rookies produce materially approximately 15% of the time. Give me a veteran with a known role over a shot in the dark any day. Selections of Booker and Enunwa make a ton of sense here. Beyond those selections there was some nice value found in this third round.
Best Value: Cooper Kupp
I see Kupp as an NFL receiver without any doubt and I’m very high on his skill set. He possesses suction cup hands and resides in a situation which should provide early opportunities for experience and production. I don’t expect significant production in year one but this is as much due to the Rams’ anemic offense and quarterback situation as it is about Kupp’s rookie status. His intelligence and route-running should combine for a steady increase in production.
Biggest Reach: Elijah Hood
I’d like to say James Connor but I’m not betting against him or the gods that dictate his fate. Someone has a plan for this kid. For Hood, there’s simply not enough dynamic for me to project a solid role in the near term such that I believe he could stick on a roster of this format. It’s not a huge reach.
That wraps up our review of a live high stakes FFPC dynasty rookie draft! If you’re ready to take the plunge and prove you’ve got what it takes to dominate, simply head on over and get signed up today! Below you can find the full draft board.
Follow me on Twitter: @DLF_Jeff
Full Draft Board
You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
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