What’s Next For Day Two: Quarterbacks and Running Backs

Ryan McDowell Posted On April 24, 2020

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With a few hours now to rest, recover and reflect about the exciting happenings of the first round of the NFL Draft, it is now time to look ahead to what we can expect over the next two days as dynasty fantasy footballers.

The Chiefs found a new starting running back, sending shockwaves through the dynasty landscape, while a half-dozen teams improved their receiving corps. There are others left with holes to fill at the four key fantasy football positions. Fortunately for them, there is plenty of talent remaining on the board.

With the beginning of the second round just a few hours away, here is a look at some teams who still have specific needs at the quarterback and running back positions, along with some rookies who could fill those openings.

Quarterback

New England Patriots

The Patriots traded down and out of the first round even with the opportunity to select Jordan Love. With Hall of Famer Tom Brady now in Tampa, the Pats’ depth chart includes veteran Brian Hoyer and second-year man Jarett Stidham. We can’t pencil in either of these as the 2020 starter yet, but New England, and other teams with a quarterback need, still have multiple veteran options, including Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton.

Pittsburgh Steelers

With an aging quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have to be considering selecting a rookie from this class – that becomes even more important when recalling the pathetic play from Big Ben’s backups last season. The trouble is the Steelers have limited draft capital. After not picking in the opening round, Pittsburgh has two picks on day two, with a total of just six for the entire weekend.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts signed veteran Philip Rivers, formerly of the Chargers, but that was just on a one-year deal and this team will again be looking to fill a hole in 2021. Indy was long linked to Love, but after trading out of the first round, they missed out on him. The addition of a rookie could also signal the end of Jacoby Brissett’s time with the Colts.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s difficult to predict what the tanking Jaguars might do, especially at the quarterback position. They were able to get rid of veteran Nick Foles and his overpriced contract – that leaves them with last year’s surprise, Gardner Minshew, though it is unclear if they are comfortable with him as their long-term starter.

Las Vegas Raiders

Although the Raiders have a pair of veterans in Derek Carr and newly-signed Marcus Mariota, neither are likely the franchise quarterback they need as they begin their new journey in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Oakland has already missed out on the players who project as that long-term leader.

New Orleans Saints

According to reports, veteran Drew Brees nearly retired following the 2019 season and will almost certainly make that decision after 2020. Unless you believe the hype that 29-year-old Taysom Hill is the next franchise signal caller, the Saints should be looking for Brees’ heir apparent.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have been the story of the off-season after stealing Brady away from New England, but we all know his career is winding down. It would not be a surprise if 2020 was Brady’s final year in the league and this team will be left to fill the most important role on the field. They could start this process this weekend.

Best Available Rookie QBs

Jacob Eason, Washington
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma
Jake Fromm, Georgia

Running Back

Buffalo Bills

The Bills hit with Devin Singletary a year ago, but he is not the typical lead back. This team could add a power back to share the backfield with him.

New York Jets

The Jets kept veteran Le’Veon Bell on the roster and he’ll be the starter in 2020, but there are no real long-term options behind Bell on the depth chart. This team should draft Bell’s eventual replacement this weekend. It doesn’t hurt that they own an extra third-round pick.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins made three picks last night, but still have a ton of needs. Among them is running back after the team had to rely on players like Patrick Laird last season. There is no doubt Miami will add a back this weekend and that player will likely be viewed as the starter in Miami.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens backfield is strong with the trio of Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, but there is speculation this could be Ingram’s final season in Baltimore. Adding a rookie who could eventually serve as Ingram’s replacement is the type of luxury pick the Ravens can afford to make.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers had made it clear they will be adding a rookie back after James Conner’s consistent injury woes. Given the usual strength of the Pittsburgh offense, this is one of the top landing spots for rookie backs and if they invest in one of these players with their second-round pick, he would be in contention to be the 1.01 rookie pick.

Houston Texans

The Texans already acquired veteran David Johnson to help solve their backfield woes, but that should not eliminate them from contention for a rookie back. Given the decisions this Houston team and general manager/head coach Bill O’Brien have made recently, it’s difficult to project.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans locked in bruising back Derrick Henry with their Franchise Tag and dumped veteran backup Dion Lewis. This team must add another running back and the quality of the pick they use to do that will tell us a lot about their future plans for Henry.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts do have a reliable backfield duo of Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines, but either of those spots could be upgraded. Realistically, Indy has too many other needs to make the luxury pick, so Mack is likely safe for another year.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags are reportedly shopping starter Leonard Fournette and if that’s the case, they would likely be looking for his replacement. Even if they don’t deal Fournette, it doesn’t sound like they have a ton of interest in picking up his fifth-year option at the end of the season. Even if the opportunity is there, this might be a situation to avoid.

Los Angeles Chargers

After parting ways with veteran Melvin Gordon and locking up Austin Ekeler with a long-term deal, the Chargers have a hole on their depth chart. Ekeler has shown he can carry the load, but the Chargers might feel the need for another back, depending on how they value backup Justin Jackson.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins used a day two pick on Derrius Guice in 2018 but he just can’t seem to stay healthy. That has left veteran Adrian Peterson to carry the load. How Washington attacks the backfield over the next two days will tell us how confident they are with Guice’s health moving forward.

Detroit Lions

Another young back who hasn’t lived up to the hype is Kerryon Johnson, who missed much of the 2019 season with an injury. A team that wants to focus on running the ball, the Lions may have had enough of trusting Johnson with the keys to their backfield.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons gave up on veteran Devonta Freeman and took a chance on former Ram Todd Gurley, giving him a one-year deal. We can assume he’s the starter in 2020 but like Houston, this team should still be considering a rookie back.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronald Jones just isn’t it. For the second straight season, Jones struggled and this team is clearly focused on competing right away. With Brady in town and multiple high-end receiving options, any rookie back landing with the Bucs will see a value boost.

San Francisco 49ers

After watching them march to the Super Bowl, it may not seem like this 49ers team has a running back need, and they may not feel that way, either. However, the reality is Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon have been free agent busts and Matt Breida is reportedly on the trade block – that leaves journeyman Raheem Mostert as the lone option.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks surprisingly used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny two years ago and that has not worked out well. With Penny and starter Chris Carson both out with serious injuries, Seattle could invest another valuable pick on the position.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams pulled the plug on Gurley, leaving them with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. With limited draft capital and needs on defense, the Rams might be forced to roll with this duo into the 2020 season.

Best Available Rookie RBs

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
D’Andre Swift, Georgia
JK Dobbins, Ohio State
Cam Akers, Florida State
Zack Moss, Utah
AJ Dillon, Boston College

Author
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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.