The NFL Draft and Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookies: What’s Next for Day Two
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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’s now time to look ahead to what we can expect over the next two days as dynasty fantasy footballers.
A pair of starting wide receivers were traded, 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 fantasy-relevant positions, along with some rookies who could fill those openings.
Quarterback
For the first time since 1997, only one quarterback was selected in the first round. We knew the quarterback class was not a strong one, but this was still a surprising turn. Many teams could still use a quarterback upgrade and there are four rookies that are likely to hear their name called on Day Two.
The Atlanta Falcons (Marcus Mariota), New Orleans Saints (Jameis Winston) and Seattle Seahawks (Drew Lock) have each signed or traded for a stop-gap quarterback this offseason, but that should not stop them from adding a rookie signal caller. Before the Draft began, the Giants declined the fifth-year option on quarterback Daniel Jones. That could lead new head coach Brian Daboll to consider taking a shot on a rookie. The Lions (Jared Goff) and Panthers (Sam Darnold) clearly are not happy with their incumbent starters.
Top Remaining Rookies
Malik Willis
Matt Corral
Sam Howell
Desmond Ridder
Running Back
As most expected, there were no running backs selected in the opening round on Thursday. This should not be viewed as a knock on the top backs as teams are not willing to invest major assets into the backfield. A pair of running backs could still end up at the top of rookie drafts.
There are five teams to watch on Day Two that could be investing in the running back position. The Falcons whiffed last year on the Mike Davis signing and were bailed out by the play of Cordarrelle Patterson. That duo is all they have right now, so a young back would fit in well and have early opportunity. The Texans are in a similar spot with veterans Rex Burkhead and Marlon Mack. Both teams will struggle on the field in 2022 but offer a talented rookie immediate playing time.
On the other end of the spectrum are contenders like Buffalo and Tampa Bay. The Bills had been mentioned as a possible landing spot for a Day One back and could pull the trigger on Day Two. The Buccaneers already re-signed veterans Leonard Fournette and Giovani Bernard but should consider adding youth to their backfield.
The team that most would consider the biggest Day One winners, the Jets, might be looking to upgrade their backfield next. Michael Carter was a success as a rookie last season but he needs help – a power back would be the ideal pairing with Carter.
Top Remaining Rookies
Breece Hall
Kenneth Walker III
Isaiah Spiller
Wide Receiver
No records were set, but there were six wideouts drafted on Day One (and two others traded), including three former Buckeyes all drafted in a row. Dynasty managers were most excited to see a few contenders with a need at the position add some help – that didn’t happen and after the trades of AJ Brown and Marquise Brown, two other teams could now be looking for upgrades at wideout.
The Packers, Chiefs and Cowboys each traded away their top wide receiver this off-season and all three would be a dream landing spot from a dynasty standpoint. Unfortunately, those teams went other directions in Round One. The Ravens (Rashod Bateman), Colts (Michael Pittman), Browns (Amari Cooper) and Bears (Darnell Mooney) each have one reliable target but the depth chart gets sketchy in short order. Those teams should all be interested in adding receiver depth, as early as Friday.
Top Remaining Rookies
Skyy Moore
George Pickens
Christian Watson
John Metchie
Tight End
No one expected a tight end to be drafted on Day One, so that is one area where there were no surprises on Thursday night. Day Two could be another slow one at the position in this thin class. While there are several teams, including some top contenders, who could use help at the position, the overall class is weak, which is a reminder to temper expectations for young tight ends.
The Buccaneers are still waiting on a final response from Rob Gronkowski and how they handle the tight end position over the next six rounds could give a hint of their expectation for the future Hall of Famer. The Bengals lost CJ Uzomah and replaced him with Hayden Hurst on a one-year deal. Even after using a Day Two pick on Drew Sample recently, they could add another to the tight end room. The Giants, Colts and Texans are other teams who could offer early playing time for a rookie tight end.
Top Remaining Rookies
Trey McBride
Greg Dulcich
Jelani Woods
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