Fantasy Football: Rookie Ramifications

Written by: Austin Thomas

The NFL Draft is over and now, as dynasty managers, we look forward to our own fantasy rookie drafts. Unlike NFL scouting teams that prepare all year long, and the front offices who finalize their big boards in the days before the draft, we as fantasy GMs have roughly hours, weeks, or months with all the information at our fingertips; while only focusing on a handful of offensive players, to make our decisions easier. Although we as fantasy consumers spend countless hours studying film or have fun making our spreadsheets to decide which players we cherish versus fade, so we have a small taste of the preparations that go into it. If you're not that kooky like some of us, I'm here to give you my analysis on all players that were selected within the first three rounds of the NFL draft along with some additional sleepers.

**I'm a believer in tiers > rankings, so I'll divide each position into tiers and players will be in alphabetical order.

QUARTERBACKS:

TIER ONE:

• Anthony Richardson: Indianapolis Colts

  • The tier's boom or bust player. Anthony Richardson possesses tremendous upside with his rushing prowess. Everybody wants to knock on his inaccuracy, but we've seen players improve that aspect of their game within a couple of years in the league. Josh Allen is the best example of this. Allen's completion percentage during his final college season was 56.3%, then he improved each of his first three NFL seasons (52.8%➡️58.8%➡️69.2%). Now don't mistake me for saying Anthony Richardson will have a Josh Allen-like curve, but I'm just pointing out that players can improve their passing with good coaching, and Richardson was blessed with Shane Steichen. Steichen was a huge reason for the MVP-like jump from Jalen Hurts last season, so if there is a coach to get the best out of Richardson, it's Shane Steichen. Regardless of where you stand on Richardson, he's a mobile QB and you're drafting him for his dynamic rushing upside. Add in the offensive talent around him and his transition into the NFL should go smoothly.

• Bryce Young: Carolina Panthers

  • The #1 overall player in the draft has to be in the top tier for QBs. Bryce Young goes to an ideal landing spot surrounded by offensive-minded coaches that have been around some hall-of-fame level talent in their careers. Young's leadership and playmaking skills will make him an asset in dynasty leagues for years to come. He even has a chance to elevate his value this season if he can outduel a mediocre NFC South division and lead his squad to the playoffs in his rookie season. The NFC as a whole is lacking QB star-power, so Young could find himself cemented in the top-12 sooner rather than later with a strong rookie performance.

• CJ Stroud: Houston Texans

  • I still stand by my statement claiming CJ Stroud is the best pure-pocket passer in this draft class. Unfortunately for him, it's a "dying breed" according to some NFL executives and most teams are looking for multi-dimensional players under center now. Well, the counterargument to that is players like Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Derek Carr among others have been successful in this "new age" of the NFL. From a fantasy standpoint, I think Stroud's ceiling is severely capped due to his low rushing totals, but if he can modify his game similar to when he played against Georgia in the college playoffs, where he rushed 12-times for 34-yards, he can push his floor a little bit higher.

TIER TWO:

• Will Levis: Tennessee Titans

  • Pre-draft I was not keen on Will Levis, but the Tennessee Titans trading up in the early second to select him has me intrigued. We've also heard rumblings of a Ryan Tannehill trade, which makes things even more interesting. I think he'll be a better fantasy asset than a real-life player due to his rushing upside, but I think Levis could be in the mid to low QB2 range if he becomes the full-time starter.

TIER THREE:

• Hendon Hooker: Detroit Lions

  • At one point people were mocking Hendon Hooker to sneak into the back end of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but ultimately fell into the third where Detroit took him. The fantasy community instantly locked in on Hooker overtaking Jared Goff at some point, but I'd pump the brakes on that sentiment. There are currently conversations of the Lions extending Goff, putting to rest any argument that Hooker would be the "future" signal caller of the Lions. Superflex league or not, I wouldn't waste a pick on Hooker as he's recovering from a major knee injury and likely headed toward a backup role with no starting gig in sight as long as Goff remains with the team.

• Stetson Bennett: Los Angeles Rams

  • The Los Angeles Rams had several coaches vouching for Stetson Bennett, which is a good sign for him. I love Bennett's leadership and moxie as a player, but he's not a long-term solution. I think he could serve as a good career backup and string along solid performances in a pinch. People want to write him off because of his age, but with the nature of Matthew Stafford's injury, the Rams needed to add a competent passer behind Stafford as they lacked production from the position once he went down. Bennett is a good target in the final round of your rookie draft as a dart throw that's one injury away from playing meaningful snaps.

RUNNING BACKS:

TIER ONE:

• Bijan Robinson: Atlanta Falcons

  • The RB1 of this class and the first running back taken in the top ten since Saquon Barkley in 2018 is destined for greatness. Robinson is an elite athlete that is going to feast in the Atlanta Falcon's running scheme. He's also a very capable receiver that'll boost his value even more. First-round rookie RBs have a good track record of finishing as a RB1 early in their career and Robinson should be the next. My 1.01 in this rookie class no matter the format.

• Jahmyr Gibbs: Detroit Lions

  • Alright, so Jahmyr Gibbs is technically in tier one by himself while Bijan Robinson is in tier zero. Listen, I don't care about the weight at all. You know he'll bulk up to the desired 200 lbs by the start of the NFL season. Gibbs has the first-round pedigree you want in an elite fantasy RB asset and is likely going to see a lot of targets in the passing game with the suspension of WR Jameson Williams. I wouldn't be surprised if Gibbs finished in the top three in targets on the team this season and on. Think of an Alvin Kamara clone in a sneaky-good Lions offense.

TIER TWO:

• Devon Achane: Miami Dolphins

  • There is a divide on Devon Achane. You either like him or you don't and hardly an in-between. He's one of those players who was middle of the pack in the pre-draft rankings but landed in a prime landing spot that fits his playing style perfectly. He's shot up draft boards since the draft into the mid-first round of rookie drafts. I think that's a tad high for him, but he'll carve out a sizable role in the Miami offense and has sneaky RB2 value. If you need a running back you could certainly do worse.

• Kendre Miller: New Orleans Saints

  • Pre-draft we saw Kendre Miller go as high as RB3 and I think he'll still fall in that RB3-RB5 range. Those who think Miller is going to benefit from a possible Alvin Kamara suspension are partially right. Miller hardly had a receiving profile in college, he had 29 career receptions in three seasons. Doesn't translate to a Kamara-like role does it? If anything he'll fight for touches against Jamaal Williams this season. I like the long-term outlook for Miller better than his short-term. Where he gets drafted in your rookie draft will determine if he's a value or not, early to the mid-second is probably my sweet spot.

• Roschon Johnson: Chicago Bears

  • I love this marriage between Roschon Johnson and the Bears. Johnson is a hard physical runner that was overshadowed by his college teammate, Bijan Robinson. Despite the fourth-round draft capital, Johnson has a real shot at becoming the lead dog in Chicago in an unproven running back room that contains D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert. He's one of the better values in the late second to early third round with starting upside.

• Tank Bigsby: Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Before the NFL draft, Doug Pederson said he wanted to add another running back to their team. Pederson is known for featuring a running back-by-committee approach and it'll be no different in Jacksonville. Travis Etienne is the lead back, but when he went down with an injury and then played less than 100% down the stretch, the other backs just weren't effective. That's where Tank Bigsby comes in to play second-fiddle and take some of the mileage off Etienne. These two complement each other perfectly and each has different styles that Pederson can utilize. I think Bigsby will have more of a real-life impact for his team than in fantasy, but I can see him getting at least 100 touches a season.

• Tyjae Spears: Tennessee Titans

  • I pondered putting Tyjae Spears in the third tier but decided to put him in the second. Don't get me wrong, Spears is a universally talented back that'll fill in that Dontrell Hilliard role. Great pass catcher and playmaker with the ball in his hands. My concerns for Spears are injury concerns. The reports stated his one knee doesn't have his ACL intact and many think he could be out of the league before his first contract is up. That's a scary asset to invest in while you're drafting. Playing behind Derrick Henry could be the best thing for Spears' career, but still, use caution when selecting this player in your drafts. High upside, but a low floor and questionable longevity.

• Zach Charbonnet: Seattle Seahawks

  • The consensus RB3 before the draft landed in a less-than-ideal spot going to Seattle. We as analysts preach "talent over situation", but this is a scenario where it's hard to pinpoint just how the Seahawks backfield will co-exist with Kenneth Walker already at the helm. Pete Carroll loves to run the ball, so maybe he's just preparing to lead the league in rushing attempts. Regardless, Zach Charbonnet is still a talented running back and likely, at best, will be the 1B in the lineup. We've seen teams implement two high-end fantasy backs before, Seattle could very well roster the next duo. If he were to slide into the early second round, it'll be a steal.

• Zach Evans: Los Angeles Rams

  • Zach Evans is an interesting case. He was the darling of many analyst leading up to the draft but found himself slipping into the sixth round. I think Evans is in a prime position to make an immediate impact as his main competition for touches is Cam Akers, who found himself in the dog house multiple times, benched, and held inactive for two games during the 2022 season. Akers had a stout showing down the stretch last season, but the Rams have gone with a running back by committee in recent years and Evans could work his way into a 100+ touch season in a murky backfield.

TIER THREE:

• Chase Brown: Cincinnati Bengals

  • Everybody's concerned with the off-field drama of Joe Mixon, but let's be honest, Mixon is not going anywhere until proven guilty. The Cincinnati Bengals are Super Bowl contenders and aren't going to part ways with their star RB, but they did lose a player in free agency that will be missed. Samaje Perine was a solid backup to Mixon and even started in a few games. His veteran presence will be missed, but there is now a void at the RB2 spot. Besides Joe Mixon, Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams are the only other RBs on the team from last season and they combined for 11 total touches in 2022, while Perine had 133 alone. Someone has to step up and my money is on the rookie.

• Deuce Vaughn: Dallas Cowboys

  • What a feel-good story between Deuce Vaughn and his father during draft weekend. That's a special moment both with remember for the rest of their lives. Regarding Vaughn as a football player though, he was a do-it-all man for Kansas State. He may be small standing at 5'5" and coming in at a sub 180lbs, but that didn't stop him from getting 1,936 total yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. The Dallas Cowboys moved on from long-time RB Ezekiel Elliott, so there are a lot of touches to go around. The majority of them will be absorbed by Tony Pollard, but the rest will be split up between Vaughn, Ronald Jones, and Malik Davis. He's got a chance to make a name for himself this season and be a part of the offense moving forward.

• Eric Gray: New York Giants

  • The New York Giants are either going to ride out the remaining contract of Saquon Barkley and use and abuse him until he falls apart or extend him. The latter would be the best-case scenario for Eric Gray as it'll mean the Giants would be more willing to reserve their star running back while giving opportunities to others, like Gray. He's not a world-beater by any means, but he's a solid RB that can carve out a role and be in the flex consideration for your fantasy team soon.

• Sean Tucker: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Oddly enough, over the last decade, there's only been one season an undrafted RB wasn't able to score at least200-points. I'm not saying it's guaranteed, but of all the undrafted RBs I like Sean Tucker's chances the best to achieve fantasy success at some point during his career. He's worth a last-round dart throw.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

TIER ONE:

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Seattle Seahawks

  • The WR1 to many didn't go as high as anticipated, but was still the first receiver to go off the board. Seattle wasn't the best spot, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba goes to an already strong WR room with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. JSN has elite traits and will see the field, even if it's not right. I believe he's still the top WR in this class when it's all said and done. Don't let him slip, he'll be a top asset soon enough. Talent always finds a way onto the field, especially first-round players.

• Jordan Addison: Minnesota Vikings

  • Jordan Addison was my biggest post-draft riser. First-round draft capital and going to the Minnesota Vikings will certainly push you up the rankings. I'll admit, I wasn't as high on Addison as others were. He was constantly being mocked by teams that needed an "Alpha" WR or a #1, and I just don't see him fulfilling that role. I pegged him as a "Beta" or a #2 guy and playing next to Justin Jefferson is absolutely a perfect landing spot for him. With Adam Thielen now in Carolina, that opens up an immediate impact role for Addison, and will be a viable fantasy starter on day one!

• Quentin Johnston: Los Angeles Chargers

  • You either love Quentin Johnston or you don't. Hardly anyone is indifferent to him, but that's just where I was pre-draft. I think he's the best Yard After Catch or YAC, specialist in this draft class. He's simply dangerous with the ball in his hands. I had him compared to a Cordarrelle Patterson/Deebo Samuel-type player. Better playmakers, rather than Wide Receivers. At first, I wasn't overly pleased with the landing spot, but then I got thinking during the very next commercial break. Austin Ekeler is in a contract dispute with the Chargers and even requested a trade. Ekeler is in the final year of his contract and wants an extension. What does that have to do with QJ you ask? Well, Ekeler gets a lot of dump-offs, and short passes thrown his way around the line of scrimmage. What if the Chargers want to transition away from Ekeler and put Johnston into that role in the future? Coincidentally enough, the two players I compared QJ to (Patterson & Samuel) utilized them in a "Wildcat" like role. Short screen passes, jet sweeps, and slants are where QJ will make his bread and butter. Let's see if this comes to fruition.

• Zay Flowers: Baltimore Ravens

  • Not a lot of people are buying the Baltimore Ravens' claims of wanting to pass the ball more. The switch from Greg Roman to Todd Monken is going to be a monumental difference in playstyles and I believe the intentions are true. Lamar Jackson needed receiving weapons on top of Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman, so the Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round. In a recent interview, Jackson said he wanted to throw for 6000 yards and he has the weapons to at least get close. Flowers was an absolute stud last season at Boston College and will get plenty of targets his way in Baltimore.

TIER TWO:

• Cedric Tillman: Cleveland Browns

  • I like this landing spot for Cedric Tillman. He won't be pressured into producing right away and can learn from Amari Cooper. There weren't many "X" receivers in this draft class, but Tillman is certainly one of the better ones. He runs crisp routes and has strong hands. He'll have stiff competition for targets his rookie season, but give it some time and he could be a real stud for Cleveland.

• Jalin Hyatt: New York Giants

  • We all knew the Giants would take a receiver in the draft at some point, but most figured it'd be in the first round. After an offseason filled with an abundance of WR signings for New York, they seemingly want to continue adding talent to their pass catchers. Jalin Hyatt is a speed demon and a field stretcher. He'll add a different element to this offense and open up things for the other offensive players. Unfortunately, I think he'll be more valuable to the Giants' offense than to fantasy managers. I think Hyatt has a limited skillset and won't be a high target earner - which won't produce fantasy points. The occasional deep bomb for a long touchdown will be fun though!

• Jayden Reed: Green Bay Packers

  • The name of the game this year was getting Jordan Love weapons! It's somewhat funny how Green Bay neglected to spend much draft compensation for Aaron Rodgers and his surrounding cast, but they just used three of their four top-100 selections on a WR and two TEs to start the Jordan Love era. It's going to be a new-look offense for Green Bay and we'll finally get to see Matt LaFleur's vision as head coach. LaFleur already has "his" QB in Love, an RB in AJ Dillon, and a few WRs with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and now Jayden Reed. We'll see how it plays out this season. Looking at just Jayden Reed, he has the tools to become a star receiver in the league. If falls to you in the late second to early third, that's an automatic smash draft button!

• Jonathan Mingo: Carolina Panthers

  • There was a lot of confusion when the Panthers made this selection. Of all the WRs on the board, they went ahead and drafted a player many had a round later. Yet, here we are now and the Panthers are already giving their new franchise QB playmakers. Jonathan Mingo comes from a long line of Ole Miss WRs being highly drafted. Over the last decade, excluding Mingo, we've seen five WRs from Ole Miss go within the first three rounds of the draft: Donte Moncrief (2014: 3rd round), Laquon Treadwell (2016: 1st round), AJ Brown (2019: 2nd round), DK Metcalf (2019: 2nd round) and Elijah Moore (2021: 2nd round). That is a pretty modest track record. I know a lot of fantasy analysts don't love the player, but Carolina does and they'll give him every opportunity to succeed. Shoot, even Panther legend Steve Smith was hyping him up. If Mingo slides in your draft, he could be a steal for you.

• Josh Downs: Indianapolis Colts

  • I was shocked at how far Josh Downs slid. I assumed he'd go early to mid-second round, but sometimes good players fall into perfect situations. The Colts needed another receiving weapon outside of Michael Pittman Jr and now get an eager Josh Downs with a gigantic chip on his shoulder to help take the load off. Downs can do it all and will give Anthony Richardson another weapon to utilize. Don't let him slide in your rookie drafts too, you'll live to regret it as much as the other NFL teams will.

• Marvin Mims: Denver Broncos

  • Don't let the Mims name fool you. I know some of you probably got burnt over his brother Denzel, but Marvin Mims won't let history repeat itself. Unlike his brother, Marvin Mims was drafted to an offensive-minded guru that always gets the best out of his players. In his first draft as Broncos head coach, Sean Payton selects a receiver when he already has the likes of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick on the team. Talk about a confidence boost. Before the draft, there were trade speculations involving both Sutton and Jeudy, which are still being discussed. The Denver offense missed that deep-threat in their offense last season and Mims will bring that energy to the team. Not only can he burn you on a go route, but he's capable of running almost a full route tree. Payton is going to like his versatility and give Russell Wilson a new Tyler Lockett. At least that is the hope.

• Rashee Rice: Kansas City Chiefs

  • Another draft, another receiver the Chiefs hope produces for Patrick Mahomes. Since Mahomes became the full starter, Rashee Rice will become the third WR Kansas City has taken within the first two rounds. Mecole Hardman didn't live up to expectations and is now a member of the New York Jets and last year's rookie Skyy Moore hardly made an impact. The Chiefs are bound to hit on one eventually, maybe it'll be Rashee Rice.

• Tank Dell: Houston Texans

  • Nathaniel "Tank" Dell played college ball for the Houston Cougars, so he didn't have to go very far in the NFL. The Houston Texans probably have the worst WR room in the whole NFL, so really anyone can come in and make a name for themself right away. We're going on year three hoping Nico Collins can make the next stride, Robert Woods isn't the player he used to be and John Metchie has yet to play a snap in the league. This is mostly a very young and inexperienced WR room and anyone can emerge into the spotlight. I'll give Tank Dell the edge because he was hand-picked by CJ Stroud and that speaks volumes.

TIER THREE:

• Kayshon Boutte: New England Patriots

  • How the mighty have fallen. Before the 2022 season, Kayshon Boutte was being valued as one of the top WRs in the class. He has most of the traits teams are looking for in a pass catcher. However, a lackluster campaign and a horrible showing at the NFL combine pushed him down a lot of draft boards. Despite the low draft capital and poor showing over the last year, Boutte goes to New England where the WR talent needs improvement. JuJu Smith-Schuster is locked into one of the top WR slots, but everything else is up for grabs. I think Boutte's upside is good and worth a last-round dart throw. The only thing I'm concerned with is the passing game in New England doesn't inspire confidence.

• Michael Wilson: Arizona Cardinals

  • You'd think most teams would want a third-round selection to contribute on offense or defense right away. Arizona elected a different route selecting Michael Wilson. He had a modest career at Stanford, but truthfully I don't see him making an impact as a receiver. His biggest role will be on special teams and not many of those players become fantasy assets.

• Puka Nacua: Los Angeles Rams

  • Cooper Kupp and? Yeah, no one has stepped up since the Rams moved on from Robert Woods. Van Jefferson has shown flashes, but is inconsistent and can't stay healthy. Tutu Atwell is a gadget player at best and Ben Skowronek tried his best Cooper Kupp impersonation last season and just didn't work out. The Rams miss that quality WR2 and funny enough Puka Nacua has received comparisons to the man they dearly miss, Robert Woods. Nacua not only can make plays in the passing game, but he's also a good run blocker which Sean McVay values in his receivers with the number of bubble screens and short passes they covet. There isn't much behind Cooper Kupp, so it's anyone's game on who will be lined opposite of Kupp on gameday.

• Tre Tucker: Las Vegas Raiders

  • Another puzzling receiver selection within the first three rounds. I get it, Tre Tucker is fast and can stretch the field, but he's not that type of player. He'll be more useful as a kick returner than on your fantasy team. Let someone else waste a draft pick.

• Tyler Scott: Chicago Bears

  • Back-to-back Cincinnati Bearcats. They must be feeding those players electricity in a bottle because both Tre Tucker and Tyler Scott can flat-out fly. I like what Tyler Scott brings to the table for Justin Fields and Chicago. He's a field-stretching deep threat that'll open things up for the offense compared to last season. The Bears will probably never be a high-volume passing team as long as Fields is their quarterback, so Scott won't ever be a high-target player, but he can offer boom games. Just be prepared for the low-scoring bust games too.

• Xavier Hutchinson: Houston Texans

  • Like I said for Tank Dell, the Houston Texans don't have a bona fide #1 receiver or a guaranteed lock at the position in general. It's anyone's spot to take, so why can't Xavier Hutchinson get in on the action? I'll always favor the hand-picked players of a new coaching staff over the struggling roster bubbles of the old regime.

TIGHT ENDS:

TIER ONE:

• Dalton Kincaid: Buffalo Bills

  • The Buffalo Bills have lacked that second playmaker behind Stefon Diggs and now they finally get one for Josh Allen. Many call Dalton Kincaid the baby Travis Kelce and honestly, the playing styles fit. Kincaid was a target hog at Utah and was always the best player on the field. He'll soak up targets and be a huge red-zone target for Allen and the Bills. He'll have to jump Dawson Knox on the depth chart, but once he does, watch out! Not many tight ends go in the first round, but when they do, typically they have a top-12 fantasy season fairly early in their career.

• Michael Mayer: Las Vegas Raiders

  • For over a year many claimed Michael Mayer as the TE1 of the class. He's a good blocker and can make contested catches anywhere on the field. It was a bit surprising to see him fall into the second round, but the Raiders got themselves a talented playmaker. Josh McDaniels is going to utilize his new shiny toy and you shouldn't hesitate to draft him.

• Sam LaPorta: Detroit Lions

  • There's just something in the water at Iowa. Some of the top TEs in the league have come from Iowa (George Kittle, TJ Hockenson, and Noah Fant) and Sam LaPorta could be the next. Hawkeye replaces Hawkeye. LaPorta has big shoes to fill as he'll replace former Detroit Lion TJ Hockenson after a midseason trade to the Minnesota Vikings last year. Right now there are plenty of targets up for grabs in the Detroit offense. They've lost D'Andre Swift (70 targets) and DJ Chark (52 targets) on top of TJ Hockenson (43 targets) in the passing game. Generally, rookie tight ends take a year or two to fully become fantasy assets, but Sam LaPorta has an early path to success.

TIER TWO:

• Luke Musgrave & Tucker Kraft: Green Bay Packers

  • I've packaged these two together because they're both players with day two draft capital and player in the same position for the Packers. This situation gives me serious Hayden Hurst-Mark Andrews vibes when the Baltimore Ravens took Hurst in the first round and then Andrews in the third. The Packers let Robert Tonyan walk in free agency and now need to find a new starter. These two will compete and one of them will be victorious in becoming a fantasy asset. If it works out like it did for the Ravens, I'm sure Green Bay will be ecstatic, and the fantasy managers who took the superior player. My money is on Tucker Kraft if I had a horse in the race.

TIER THREE:

• Brenton Strange: Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Evan Engram is on the franchise tag this season and reports indicate they're currently not close to an extension. Brenton Strange, primarily a blocking tight end, doesn't offer much competition to Engram though. Doug Pederson ran a lot of 12 personal (two tight ends) during his time in Philadelphia, so the selection isn't surprising. If Pederson goes back to his roots, Strange will certainly have a role, but I foresee him mainly being in a blocking role. Strangely, I'm fading.

• Cameron Latu: San Francisco 49ers

  • Many tight ends in this class just got stuck in a spot that already has a solid starter in front of them. George Kittle has missed time over the last few years, but when he's on the field he's one of the best in the business. I don't expect him to let the rookie take meaningful snaps away as long as he's healthy.

• Darnell Washington: Pittsburgh Steelers

  • The talk of the NFL combine slid down into the third round. Some health issues got flagged which caused some teams to pass on the Georgia product. Darnell Washington had a stellar performance at the combine with some athletic catches and dragging a tackling dummy a good 10+ yards. However, from a fantasy perspective, he's just not a player you want to target, especially at the cost. For one, the Pittsburgh Steelers already have Pat Freiermuth leading the way. Secondly, you want your tight ends to catch passes and Washington is now referring to himself as the "6th offensive lineman". Not ideal for a player that needs receptions for points. I think Darnell Washington is going to be a very good football player overall, but sometimes that doesn't translate to fantasy points.

• Luke Schoonmaker: Dallas Cowboys

  • Similar to the Jaguars' pick with Brenton Strange, I wasn't too fond of this selection. Jake Ferguson showed flashes last year as a rookie and is even younger than his newly added teammate. I know Dallas lost Dalton Schultz in free agency, but Luke Scoonmaker isn't the answer. He's capable of making plays in the passing game, but scouts gave him a better grade in his blocking assignments. Just doesn't make sense why you'd take a primary blocking tight end in the second round, but Dallas has had a good history of taking tight ends, so we'll see how this pans out. For me though, I'm fading Schoonmaker altogether.

KICKERS:

• Chad Ryland: New England Patriots

  • Something about New England just brings out good fantasy kickers. Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski, and recently Nick Folk. All three were consistently kicking top-12 performances. If Chad Ryland can outlast Nick Folk for the job, he could be looking at a top-12 kicking season if Bill Belichick continues putting his kickers in prime positions to score.

• Jake Moody: San Francisco 49ers

  • The San Francisco 49ers moved on from Robbie Gould and drafted Jake Moody in the third round. Might've been an overdraft, but if you get your guy, you get your guy. Moody joins a top contender in the NFC and has a very good offense. Kyle Shanahan hasn't had any issues putting points on the board. No matter who's under center, this offense will click and score points which means the kicker will score points.