NFL Draft Day Three Winners and Losers: Veteran Edition

Ken Kelly Posted On April 27, 2020

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 full of wide receivers and quarterbacks and it delivered. By the end of the night, four quarterbacks, one running back, and six receivers came off the board. It was a wild run in the middle of round one, that’s for sure. The second day promised another mini-run on receivers and a big day for running backs and it delivered as well with a whole host or receivers taken off the board. The third round should not be forgotten, however. There were a few moves made that could have a big impact in dynasty leagues.

With these talented players entering the league, NFL veterans will feel the impact, some fearing for their respective jobs while others will breathe a sigh of relief. Let’s take a look at some of the players who could see their dynasty value affected by the selections that came on the third day. While some of these players could still be in danger, things now need to be kept in perspective. A lot of third day picks don’t even make rosters, no less become starters.

Winners

Jarrett Stidham, QB NE

It’s clear now the Patriots are more than comfortable going with Stidham if no free agent or trade possibilities arise. It’s an amazing vote of confidence in Stidham or the franchise just sticking it to Tom Brady and saying they can win without him. Regardless, Stidham made it through the entire draft unscathed and that was a shocker.

Gardner Minshew, QB JAX

Much like Stidham, Minshew was given a huge boost when his franchise decided to pass on the position in the draft. With Nick Foles out of the picture, the Jags will do with Minshew. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, they’ll probably get Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields – that seems worth a one-year roll of the dice.

Matt Breida, RB MIA

One of the biggest winners of day three was actually Breida, who really needed a change of scenery and got it with a trade to Miami. We broke down the move here and his ADP should be rising a bit now.

Todd Gurley, RB ATL

A lot of draft experts felt the Falcons would address the running back position early since they have Gurley on a one-year deal. Instead, they chose to let it ride this season and hope his injuries are in the past. He’ll enter the year as the unquestioned three down runner for Atlanta and has a chance to recoup his dynasty value.

Losers

Justin Jackson, RB LAC

The Chargers added UCLA running back Josh Kelley on the third day and he should have a realistic chance to challenge Jackson for carries behind Austin Ekeler. Kelley is no sure bet to be productive, but he fits the mold of what could make a good committee with Ekeler.

Trenton Cannon, RB NYJ

Unbelievably, Cannon was the direct backup to Le’Veon Bell and had a chance to get himself on the dynasty radar. Instead, the Jets took Lamical Perine and he should slot in as the backup to Bell. Perine has some sleeper potential as a player behind an aging back who the franchise would frankly rather not even have.

Jacoby Brissett, QB IND

Brissett’s future is rather murky. After the signing of Philip Rivers, many expected Brissett to be trade, perhaps to his former team, the New England Patriots. Instead, Brissett has hung around on the roster and saw the Colts grab the talented and enigmatic Jacob Eason on day three. It’s possible those two compete to be the backup this year and it’s clear the Colts don’t see Brissett as their future.

Benny Snell, RB PIT

The Steelers surprisingly passed on the running back position during the first three rounds of the draft, but came back and grabbed Anthony McFarland on day three. While McFarland isn’t expected to compete with James Conner and Jaylen Samuels for snaps early (and that can honestly be debated), he has the ability to knock Snell off the roster.

Scotty Miller and Justin Watson, WRs TB

The slot receiver in Tampa Bay needs to be monitored really closely this off-season. Tampa used a fifth round pick on Tyler Johnson, throwing one more name into the competition. While Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski will get the lion’s share of the action, the battle to be the WR3 should be in the back of every dynasty owner’s mind.

Jordan Howard, RB MIA

The trade of Breida to the Dolphins ended the idea of Howard being a truly featured back. While Breida is no Saquon Barkley, he’s still good enough to see the field and could even bump Howard down the depth chart.

Chase Edmonds, RB ARI

There’s no guarantee Eno Benjamin even makes the Cardinals roster. However, he really slid in the draft and should give Edmonds some real competition to be the backup to Kenyan Drake.

Cam Newton and Jameis Wintson, QBs

No starting jobs came open and the phone isn’t ringing for Newton. Meanwhile, it looks like Winston is going to end up being a backup to Drew Brees this season. Unbelievable. I’m not sure anything could really ever humble Newton, but this would be it.

Aaron Rodgers, QB GB

Why give him anyone to throw to, right?

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK