Dynasty players have been looking forward to this weekend for weeks, maybe even months. The first round of the NFL Draft was expected to be somewhat of a letdown this season, with fewer offensive skill position players selected – that’s exactly what we experienced. However, day two featured a flurry of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends taken and many of those picks have created some real dynasty intrigue.
With these talented players entering the league, NFL veterans will feel the results, some fearing for their respective jobs while others will breathe a sigh of relief, at least for another 12 hours or so. Let’s take a look at some of the players who could see their dynasty value affected by the players taken in rounds two and three.
Winners
Marcus Mariota, QB TEN
The Titans have to be running short on patience with the oft-injured and inconsistent Mariota. However, with the selection of AJ Brown and the free agent signing of Adam Humphries to accompany Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor on the roster, he’s being put in the best possible position to be successful. If Mariota falters this year, it won’t be because of a lack of roster talent. While much of the press focused on his teammate DK Metcalf, Brown can really play and should help the Titans immediately.
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Patrick Mahomes, QB KC
We’ll get to the other Chiefs wide receiver news shortly, but Kansas City seemed to move quickly to address what could be a possible need with the speedy Mecole Hardman from Georgia. With Sammy Watkins being, well, Sammy Watkins, Kansas City needed to make sure they had an insurance policy in place. Mahomes should love Hardman’s skill-set. Had the Chiefs ended day two without addressing the position, it could have proven costly for Mahomes.
Andrew Luck, QB IND
Many have wondered just what the Colts and Luck would do with a truly talented speedster on the roster – they have it now with Parris Campbell. With an offensive line that has the ability to give Luck time to throw, Campbell should have a chance to flourish and Luck has a shiny new toy in the process.
Russell Wilson, QB SEA
With the news that Doug Baldwin could actually be forced to retire going public, the Seahawks need at receiver became desperate in a hurry tonight. They addressed the need by trading up and nabbing the physically gifted Metcalf. Wilson avoided tragedy and while Metcalf has light years to go before being nearly as good as Baldwin, he has a chance to be a future star.
Lamar Miller, RB HOU
The Texans had four draft picks in the first two days and used none of them on a running back. While he’s not exactly out of the woods here, Miller (and his dynasty owners) have to breathing a sigh of relief.
Marlon Mack, RB IND
The Colts were a chic pick to make a splash at running back, but they’ve resisted that temptation thus far. Mack proved to be a very effective player in fantasy and reality last year, but he’s never been able to stay healthy enough to put together a full season. Perhaps he’ll have a chance to do that this year.
Ronald Jones, RB TB
Much like Mack and Miller, Jones has dodged a bullet so far. The news from Tampa recently makes it seem the new coaching staff is really impressed with Jones. However, he was an absolute bust as a rookie and it’s hard to see Tampa making it through Saturday without addressing the position.
…and even though Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins aren’t veterans (after all, they’ve been in the league for all of one day), it’s nice to see the Cardinals (Andy Isabella) and the Redskins (Terry McLaurin) find weapons for their new quarterbacks.
Losers
Dante Pettis, WR SF
The additions of both Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd throw the 49ers wide receiver depth chart into total chaos. Pettis in particular has been a riser in dynasty circles this off-season, but this is going to throw cold water on that.
Joe Flacco, QB DEN
The Broncos added Noah Fant yesterday and passed on Drew Lock, only to see Lock fall right into their laps in round two. Flacco was destined to be a short-term solution in Denver, but the patience the Broncos will exhibit with him has just been shortened. Lock is a personal favorite of John Elway and will take over sooner, rather than later. In a perfect world, Lock would sit behind Flacco all season, but Flacco’s play will likely dictate if that actually happens. Regardless, Flacco will be looking over his shoulder at a rookie for the second season in a row.
Kyle Rudolph, TE MIN
The Vikings stunned many when they took tight end Irv Smith, Jr. in the second round. Trade rumors are swirling with Rudolph right now and it’s quite possible he gets moved. Rudolph was angling for a new deal, but it’s not looking like that’s going to happen in the Twin Cities. If he does stay, this is the last year of his contract and the Vikings won’t be hesitant in deploying their young tight end.
Jordan Howard, RB PHI
Boy, Howard just can’t catch a break. After falling out of favor in Chicago, he landed with the Eagles this off-season. Unfortunately for him, Philadelphia pounced on Miles Sanders in round two and that puts Howard’s grip on the starting job in serious jeopardy. Boy, how the mighty have fallen.
Tyreek Hill, WR KC
It’s been quite a week for Hill. The release of a very disturbing audio recording, combined with the Chiefs maneuvering a way to get Mecole Hardman could mean this is the beginning of the end for Hill. If so, it’s a sad ending for a player who was a star on the field and seemingly far from the same off of it.
Nelson Agholor, WR PHI
With the addition of JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Agholor really needs a change of scenery. He may get just that and find a way to salvage some value. If not, he’s going to be pretty tough to trust.
Devin Funchess, WR IND
Make no mistake, Parris Campbell has the talent to make Funchess more than worried about his role in the offense.
Doug Baldwin, WR SEA
If the reports are true (and the drafting of Metcalf is an indication they could be), it’s an untimely end to a career that was really impressive and often overlooked.
Donte Moncrief and James Washington, WRs PIT
The Steelers are synonymous with successful draft selections at wide receiver and they really seem smitten with new rookie Diontae Johnson. While JuJu Smith-Schuster is the unquestioned alpha dog, there are targets to be had with the departure of Antonio Brown. Moncrief and Washington just got some new competition.
Todd Gurley, RB LAR
Look, this is easy. If Gurley is healthy, there’s nobody on the planet who is going to be taking carries away from him. The Rams selection of Darrell Henderson could indicate he’s not. Gurley owners have to be hoping this is more of a hit to the value of Malcolm Brown, but time will tell.
Mike Davis, RB CHI
For a few weeks, Davis was a starting running back. Unfortunately, the Bears took David Montgomery with their first selection on Friday. When a team uses the first of only five draft picks they have in a given year on a position you currently hold, it’s clear what they’re thinking.
LeSean McCoy, RB BUF
At this point, it looks like the Bills are simply trying to add as many running backs as the Patriots in hopes that somehow makes them competitive. The addition of Devin Singletary further clouds McCoy’s future.
Jimmy Graham, TE GB
The Packers paid Graham a roster bonus, but could still move on from him after taking Jace Sternberger in round three. Regardless, it’s clear the days of “Superstar” Jimmy Graham look to be over as injuries have taken much of his explosion away.
We’ll finish up the series after tomorrow’s final rounds.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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Devonta Freeman. Huge winner. Especially with falcons using both 1st rd picks on OL.
