What’s Next for Day Three: A Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Primer

Ryan McDowell Posted On April 25, 2020

Day Two of the 2020 NFL Draft was a feast for dynasty fantasy football players as 25 fantasy-relevant players came off the board. Even with all of those exciting picks, there are many needs and some exciting prospects still available as we enter day three of the draft. Here’s a quick look at some teams in need and the rookies they might be targeting.

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.

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
Jake Fromm, Georgia
Anthony Gordon, Washington State
Nate Stanley, Iowa

Running Back

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 add some young depth on day three.

Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins shockingly did not select a running back through two days and Jordan Howard looks like a winner through two days. There are still some rookie backs who could give him competition, though.

Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had made it clear they will be adding a rookie back after James Conner’s consistent injury woes. They haven’t done that yet and Conner owners are resting easy, at least for now.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Best Available Rookie RBs

Eno Benjamin, Arizona State
Lamical Perine, Florida
Anthony McFarland, Maryland
DeeJay Dallas, Miami

Wide Receiver

Carolina Panthers
Wide receiver didn’t look like a priority for the Panthers. After all, they have the young duo of DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel and just signed Robby Anderson away from the Jets. Now, rumors have Samuel on the trade block, which could leave Carolina adding another young receiver.

Chicago Bears
The Bears have plenty of needs, but receiver is near the top of the list. Chicago lost veteran Taylor Gabriel and have no depth behind starters Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. A speedy deep threat would be a nice addition to the veterans.

Detroit Lions
The Lions have found their alpha receiver in Kenny Golladay and underrated veteran Marvin Jones is still hanging around the roster. However, this team needs an injection of youth even after retaining Danny Amendola and signing Geronimo Allison.

Green Bay Packers
According to nearly every mock draft, the Packers were expected to use their first-round pick on a new receiver for Aaron Rodgers. Instead, they drafted his future replacement. They made things worse on day two, adding running back and tight end depth. Entering day three, Davante Adams still needs a running mate in the worst way.

New England Patriots
The Patriots did recently sign veteran Marqise Lee and traded for Mohamed Sanu at last year’s trade deadline. Those moves aren’t going to get it done, especially with a new quarterback under center. Even with Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry expected to start, this is a position New England should continue to upgrade.

Tennessee Titans
The Titans found their new WR1 last year in AJ Brown but have little behind him unless you are banking on a fourth-year breakout from Corey Davis. The Titans need more bodies on the receiver depth chart.

Washington Redskins
The Redskins top three receivers were all rookies a year ago and while Steven Sims and Kelvin Harmon showed some flashes, Washington needs a talent upgrade to pair with Terry McLaurin.

Best Available Rookie WRs

Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty
Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State
John Hightower, Boise State
Gabriel Davis, UCF
Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
KJ Hill, Ohio State

Tight End

Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have a pair of veteran tight ends in Charles Clay and Maxx Williams. They also rarely use the tight end and have a crowded receiver depth chart. It may look like Arizona has a need at the position, but it also wouldn’t be surprising if they roll with their current options.

Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals parted ways with longtime starter Tyler Eifert, leaving them with CJ Uzomah and last year’s second-rounder Drew Sample. With so many needs and an above-average receiver corps, this is another team that might just ignore the position despite the perceived need.

Washington Redskins
The Redskins lost veteran tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis following last season and now have a hole to fill. Washington does have athletic tight ends Jeremy Sprinkle and Logan Thomas, but neither has proven to be a consistent contributor.

Best Available Rookie TEs

Hunter Bryant, Washington
Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Colby Parkinson, Stanford
Thaddeus Moss, LSU

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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.