Oh boy. Here we go. It's been almost a calendar year since my last entry into the made-up world of fantasy football reporting, and before you say it... yes it's been too long. For those of you who are new to these reports, this is your glimpse behind the grey matter of Jake's mind. Thankfully for me, I'm writing this after watching two of the greatest fantasy sagas draw to their epic finales. So my mental state has been subsequently blown and overloaded on reboot several times over. Take what you will from my insight on the first two rounds of our yet to be scheduled rookie draft and most importantly, enjoy.
1.1 – Josh Jacobs, Oakland
Tom-A-Hank
Beastmode has hung up the cleats again, leaving a chasm behind in
Oakland. The Raiders made a big splash in Free Agency to bolster the offensive
line as well as trading for explosive wideout Antonio Brown. Jacobs figures to
be the primary recipient of touches and should help take pressure off of Derek
Carr, whose stock should see a bump thanks to these weapons. Jacobs isn’t a
generational talent but the opportunity alone makes him the best pick in this
draft. He also addresses a potential need for Brady and that cheap rookie deal
is an added bonus.
1.2 – Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Name TBD
I think it’s safe to say the Cardinals will stick with this first round
QB, but what do I know? Murray is reunited with his former college coach (who
knows Sean McVay) and the comps to Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes are
already running rampant. Murray fills a need on Greg’s squad and if he follows
the same trajectory as the previous Oklahoma QB, he should start hitting his
stride down the stretch. Murray finds himself on a more talented offense than
Mayfield did (to start) but this is the NFL, not the Big XII, so anything is
possible.
1.3
– N’Keal Harry, Patriots
Snob Hill FC
The Patriots seem to be playing chess while the rest of the league is
stuck playing checkers. Once again, top talent falls to them in the draft in N’Keal
Harry. Harry is a perfect fit for the Patriots and their quick pass/screen
offense and should be the prime candidate to takeover for Julian Edelman when
he starts slowing down (hopefully soon).
1.4 – Hakeem Butler, Cardinals
Oles Team
It’s gonna be a whole new look in the desert this year. The addition of
Kyler Murray bodes well for the prospects of David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald’s
swan song, but the long term impact will be made with Butler. The Cardinals
made sure to get Murray a weapon in this draft that he can develop a chemistry with.
Ole has a plethora of picks so he could choose to draft from the shallower RB
pool, but Butler has the look of a solid fantasy contributor and a player you
can’t pass up.
1.5 – David Montgomery, Bears
Average Joes
Matt Nagy acquired a talented roster when he took over as the Bears Head
Coach, but he has quickly churned the roster to add players that fit his scheme.
David Montgomery is the Kareem Hunt-type player that Nagy wants/needs to run
his offense. DM has the size to holdup in the NFL and the pass catching prowess
to spell Tarik Cohen on 3rd downs. Mike Davis is no slouch, but
Montgomery is a more complete player and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the
bulk of the goal line carries. Joe currently has a bare cupboard when it comes
to ball-carriers, so this selection makes sense.
1.6 – Dwayne Haskins, Redskins
Ball Fondlers
After the gruesome injury to Alex Smith, the Redskins need a franchise QB,
the same can be said of the Ball Fondlers who only have Philip Rivers currently
under contract. But both hope to find their savior in Dwayne Haskins. The ideal
situation would be for the Redskins to roll out the carcass of Colt McCoy or
Case Keenum and allow the offensive line to gel and running game to coalesce
before Haskins starts taking snaps. It’s a tough division but there are
playmakers on offense and the Redskins for all their 2018 struggles just missed
the playoffs. Haskins is raw, but if handled correctly could have a promising
future in our Nation’s Capitol. Every ounce of me wants to pick the next guy on
this list, but this pick is about future stability.
1.7 – DK Metcalf, Seahawks
Average Joes
DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf is an Adonis. He’s a physical freak and
possibly the wide receiver that Pete Carroll has always dreamed about pairing
with Russell Wilson. Seattle has continually brought in over-the-hill BIG
wideouts only to have them flicker out. Braylon Edwards helped build the Wilson
hype train in preseason 2012, Sidney Rice was Wilson’s favorite target as a
rookie, Terrell Owens made a preseason visit, and of course last year there was
Brandon Marshall. What separates DK is that this is a young man not an old
soldier. Yes there are short area agility concerns and the neck issue that
sidelined him last year, but if he can hit the playbook as hard as he hits the
gym, this could be someone special.
1.8 – Miles Sanders, Eagles
Oles Team
With Ole having back-to-back picks, these are pretty interchangeable.
Then again, he has a history of trading away all of his draft picks just so he
doesn’t have to be involved… so hopefully that doesn’t happen. Miles Sanders
makes sense here even though he’s joining a crowded backfield in Philly. Howard
figures to be the heavy favorite for carries, but has always had a hard time
catching passes. Sanders did an admirable job filling the massive void in Happy
Valley left by Saquon Barkley and should find 3rd down work and
possibly a larger role should Howard’s nagging injury history pop up again.
1.9 – Marquise Brown, Ravens
Oles Team
I kind of feel bad for Marquise Brown. As if being related to Antonio
Brown wasn’t bad enough, he now has to play against Pittsburgh twice a year. It’s
true Baltimore doesn’t operate a high-flying offense, but Brown was brought in
to be Lamar Jackson’s go-to guy. John Brown and Crabtree never got off the
ground because the Ravens mishandling of their quarterback situation, but
having a full offseason with Jackson running the offense, Brown looks to avoid
that quagmire. Ole also has the benefit of multiple first round draft picks so
if Brown takes longer to develop, he can handle having him out of the starting
lineup.
1.10 – Darrell Henderson
Cap’n Salary
It’s too soon to overreact, but I think it was very telling that the Rams
selected a Running Back in the 3rd round with their very limited
stash of picks. Gurley will still get his touches, but if the offense maintains
their output of 2018, Henderson will get ample opportunity. We saw it with CJ Anderson,
and no slight to Anderson, but Henderson is a much more athletic individual and
should flirt with flex appeal weekly. Scott will look to bolster the RB corps
behind Saquon with (at this point) the most valuable handcuff out there.
1.11 – Deebo Samuel, 49ers
Rugby With Pads
This is a pick that just makes sense. Both teams need to replace Marquise
Goodwin, so why not have both select Deebo? Much like Pettis, the high draft
investment hints at a decent role in the offense that should be leaps and
bounds ahead of the one we saw last year. I also expect some regression from
Kittle who was locked on by both Beathard and Mullins, with the return of Jimmy
G. He’s a gifted WR but what makes Deebo so special is his rushing and return
ability. I don’t want to say the name Tavon Austin, so I’ll say think TY
Montgomery or Golden Tate.
1.12 – TJ Hockenson, Lions
Snob Hill FC
Rarely
do Tight Ends come into the league as rookies and set the world on fire, I mean
unless your name is Will Dissly. All jokes aside, Hockenson is already being
penciled in as the starting TE in Detroit Rock City which bodes well for Snob Hill
FC, who also has a vacant starting position. Hockenson and fellow Hawkeye Noah
Fant look as the surest bets to see meaningful snaps as rookies, the question
is will that translate to targets? Iowa has quickly become TE University, but
if you’re expecting George Kittle, maybe temper your expectations. Also, need
we remind you about Brandon Pettigrew or Eric Ebron’s tenure in Motown? (sorry,
this should have been a more glowing review)
Second Round – Quick Hits
2.1 – Forfeit
2.2 – Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
Keg
Stand: KC is a high-octane offense and needs a player who can KICK it into high
gear and BREAK the will of their opponents.
2.3 – AJ Brown, Titans
Snob Hill FC: AJ Brown is probably
more talented than Ole Miss team mate DK, but DK gets Wilson not Marcus
Mariota.
2.4 – JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Eagles
Oles Team: One of my favorite big receivers,
but unfortunately lands in a crowded superstar offense, which limits upside.
2.5 – Parris Campbell, Colts
Average Joes: Catching balls from
Andrew Luck is every rookie wideout’s dream, just a question of if he’ll
actually be on the field to do so.
2.6 – Damien Harris, Patriots
Keg Stand: He was drafted high for
a reason. Maybe there are concerns about continued health of Sony and Rex.
2.7 – Drew Lock, Broncos
Bless Them Knees: There’s a need
for QB and Lock has the upside to take over after 10 games or so if Flacco
flames out. The offense is loaded with young talent to grow with.
2.8 – Benny Snell Jr., Steelers
Keg Stand: Nothing wrong with
grabbing a handcuff to one of the most explosive halfbacks in the league on an
explosive offense.
2.9 – Noah Fant, Broncos
Cap’n Salary: Just gotta hope that
Fant doesn’t fall victim to the curse of the Bronco Tight End. Heuerman and
Butt carried promise, yet injuries lingered.
2.10 – Andy Isabella, Cardinals
Name TBD: Shifty slot guy who was actually
drafted higher than Butler but figures to be blocked by Fitzgerald to start his
career.
2.11 – Troy Pollard, Cowboys
Rugby With Pads: Potential handcuff
to Zeke Elliott and still has the strongest run blocking offensive line opening
up holes in front of him.
2.12 – Devin Singletary, Bills
Name TBD: Gore, McCoy, and Murphy
figure to block the path I year one, but the future implications here are
pretty promising.
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