Editor’s Note: Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft by checking out our 2019 Rookie Draft Guide, which is now updated with post-draft profiles for all your favorite prospects, our current Dynasty Rookie Rankings and our convenient Rookie Draft Cheat Sheet. Looking to move or acquire some of those picks? Make sure you take a look at our new Dynasty Trade Analyzer to get maximum value. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football draft preparation.
The second round features a whopping six more receivers, one more tight end, our first quarterback and three running backs who look be long-term stashes for very patient dynasty owners. This round is going to be a whirlwind in rookie drafts with no real leaders in the clubhouse for any draft slot. However, with the volatility in this draft, the possibility of players drafted in this round outperforming many first round players isn’t just possible, but probable. Savvy dynasty owners have likely moved back for multiple picks in this area as a result.
Let’s keep moving through the draft board! If you missed it, make sure you check out our 2019 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings: Consensus First Round.
SECOND ROUND TIER ONE (FOURTH TIER OVERALL)
The tiers and commentary I’ll make on this post are my own, comprised of my opinions. Tier one in round two (fourth overall tier) has three receivers who were surprise picks in the draft for different reasons, the two stash running backs, the final blue chip tight end prospect and a boom or bust pick at quarterback like we haven’t seen in some time.
2.01 = Mecole Hardman, WR KC
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Hardman was a surprise pick of the Chiefs at #56 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s a dynamic kick and punt returner in the mold of, well, Tyreek Hill. If Hill has indeed played his final down in Kansas City, Hardman is going to make a huge jump in both rookie rankings and rookie ADP. In the pre-draft process, Hardman was projected as a fourth round selection. After this landing spot and the circumstances surrounding it, Hardman is going to be a chic pick in the late first or early second round of rookie drafts. Stay tuned on the Hill news for sure. Hardman represents a massive wild card in early rookie drafts.
2.02 = Andy Isabella, WR ARI
The Cardinals were one of the most desperate teams in search of receiving talent and they found some serious track-level speed with Isabella. With Larry Fitzgerald nearing the end of his career, Isabella has a real chance to join Christian Kirk as staple receivers in the new Kyler Murray-led Air Raid offense in the desert. Isabella will be a very interesting selection in rookie drafts as he’s very small in stature but also extremely quick and fast. Compared often to Brandin Cooks, dynasty owners (and the Cardinals) can only hope he can produce the same way. For dynasty owners who believe in Murray, Isabella will be in play in round two of rookie drafts. There is some danger in this pick, however, and ironically it comes with the player we have next.
2.03 = Hakeem Butler, WR ARI
Wow. Butler slid all the way to pick #103 and was quickly gobbled up by the Arizona Cardinals with the first pick of day three in round four. Many believed Butler would be the second receiver taken and become a sure fire first round rookie draft pick. Instead, he was the second receiver taken by the Cardinals as he joined the aforementioned Isabella on the depth chart. Butler has great physical ability, but some incredibly inconsistent hands. If he can increase his catch radius and prove to be more consistent as a pass catcher, the Cardinals could have a future star on their hands. Early returns will be tough for Butler as he’s squarely behind Fitzgerald, Kirk and likely a few others on the depth chart (another rookie we’ll mention later on in our analysis could stand in his way in desert as well). However, he could develop into a true WR1 in time. Butler now has the looks of a massive boom or bust prospect, likely in round two of rookie drafts.
2.04 = Darrell Henderson, RB LAR
An amazingly productive runner who set the FBS record for yards per carry with 8.2, Henderson lands as competition with Malcolm Brown to be Todd Gurley‘s primary backup. However, unless Gurley’s knee injury truly is a serious concern, it’s hard to see Henderson having too much short-term value. He has the look of a better pick in reality than fantasy and dynasty owners were clearly hoping he would have gone to a place like Houston or Indianapolis and challenged for a starting job. As it stands, Henderson is likely going to be a lottery ticket pick at the top of round two, especially for those who own Gurley.
2.05 = Kyler Murray, QB ARI
Murray rose all the way up to the first pick in the draft and will replace Josh Rosen as the starter in Arizona this season. He’s a perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense and will have a legitimate chance to produce early and often in the desert. Questions will persist about about his size and lack of traditional measureables. However, his one season in Oklahoma was electric and his offensive fit seems perfect. Murray will likely be a second round pick in 1QB drafts, but also one with a high ceiling and low floor. Feel lucky?
2.06 =Devin Singletary, RB BUF
Of course the Bills would draft a running back, right? Singletary enters a running back room that already has LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore and the newly signed TJ Yeldon in tow. However, McCoy has been the subject of trade rumors and the drafting of Singletary could accelerate his departure. As it stands, Singletary may have to sit back and watch the others age a little more around him before getting his shot. Still, this is an ultra-productive player who could have a very bright long-term future on a team dedicated to running the football. While other locations would have been better for his short-term value, those who have played in dynasty leagues long enough recognize a talented player falling to a bad spot could mean second round rookie draft sleeper value. Remember, most of the other running backs in Buffalo are on the cusp of getting AARP cards.
2.07 =. Irv Smith, Jr., TE MIN
Most dynasty owners were hoping to see Smith go to a team with a clear need at tight end – he didn’t, at least for now. However, Kyle Rudolph is on the last year of his deal and Smith will be next in line at tight end for the Vikings if they decide to move on. A player with great RAC ability and physical traits, he could be a late bloomer and actually benefit from a year behind Rudolph. Patient dynasty owners will target Smith late in round two or even in round three as a player who could break out in dynasty leagues for patient owners. Rudolph has also been the subject of trade rumors as of late, so that could accelerate his value if he’s moved.
SECOND ROUND TIER TWO (FIFTH TIER OVERALL)
The rest of the second round consists of two running backs who will not be starters, two receivers with great potential and one shocking development.
2.08 = Damien Harris, RB NE
It really wouldn’t be an NFL Draft without the Patriots ruining something. This year, it’s the value of Harris, who many dynasty owners were hoping would go to a team where he could have a legitimate chance to handle early down work and be a starter. Instead, he became a luxury pick for a Patriots team that has Sony Michel and James White under contract. The drafting of Harris could put the roster spot of Rex Burkhead in trouble, but finding a clear path to value for Harris now looks pretty difficult. He was our 10th ranked prospect prior to the draft, but his rookie ADP is sure to tumble into the second round now. However, there is some real security in knowing Bill Belichick hates us all. Expect Harris to have a few six touchdown games, followed by a month with no carries. Fun!
2.09 = Justice Hill, RB BAL
Hill was dominant at the NFL Combine as he led all running backs in the 40, vertical jump and broad jump – that proved to be enough for Baltimore to nab him in round four. He needs work in the receiving game, but he should be a great change of pace to Mark Ingram and could push for third down work in Baltimore early on. Hill doesn’t fit the mold of a starter in the NFL but has the chops to carve out a nice career, especially landing on a team dedicated to running the ball more than any other in football. He is likely going to be a late second or third round pick in rookie drafts. The Ravens rushing attack can support more than one player pretty easily.
2.10 = Diontae Johnson, WR PIT
The Steelers surprised a lot of people when they took Johnson at the top of the third round. However, if there’s one team to trust when it comes to evaluating wide receivers, it’s probably this one. Johnson doesn’t have tape against elite competition, but he makes people miss and has some real quick twitch ability. His landing spot is enough to vault his rookie ADP up into rounds two or three. The loss of Antonio Brown does open up some time for another receiver and the book is still out on James Washington. If you believe in the Steelers and the way they seem to mine this position, Johnson could be a nice value here.
2.11 = Miles Boykin, WR BAL
Boykin was one of the fastest risers in draft circles this year and he ended up landing with the Ravens in round three. With fellow rookie Marquise Brown on the roster, Baltimore has added two pretty dynamic athletes to a position room that didn’t boast too many of them. It’s fair to wonder if Boykin is truly a late bloomer or just a workout freak, but the Ravens need playmakers and swung for the fences here. Boykin only has one year of production, but off-the-charts physical ability. He is truly going to be a boom or bust pick, likely late in round two or early in round three of rookie drafts.
2.12 = Kelvin Harmon, WR WAS
Yikes. Harmon’s lack of speed really sent his stock plunging and he was the likely the biggest faller from pre to post-draft rookie draft capital status. In fact, Harmon was the top prospect overall on many draft boards and a top five at the position in nearly all of them. He is tough and gritty, but NFL scouts and executives obviously believed he didn’t have the quickness and athleticism to be successful since he lasted all the way to pick #206 in round six of the draft. Harmon still has great potential, but his stock has dropped to the late second round of rookie drafts, at best. Dynasty owners will likely reach for him, but a lot of sixth round receivers end up on practice squads, not starting lineups.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
“Expect Harris to have a few six touchdown games…”
I’ll take ’em!!!!
;O)
