Even though this draft class isn’t the strongest we’ve ever seen, it will still have an impact on many veterans. Some veterans’ fantasy value has been helped, while others have been severely hurt.
Helped:
1. Tony Romo and Cowboys receivers
We all saw what kind of year the Cowboys offence had fantasy-wise with a healthy Romo, Murray, and Bryant. They have two out of those three pieces this year, but may have found the last piece of the puzzle. Taking Ezekiel Elliott, running back out of Ohio State, may have been the best draft pick imaginable for fantasy owners. With Dallas’ top tier offensive line, Elliott will have tons of holes to run through. This means that defences will have to pay close attention to the running game, which will leave open spaces for receivers. While Dez may still be double-covered, other receivers such as Jason Witten and Terrance Williams could be brought back from the dead this season.
2. Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning, New York Giants
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When the Giants took Sterling Shepard, receiver out of Oklahoma, and Paul Perkins, running back out of UCLA, it pushed both Manning’s and Beckham’s fantasy values up. Most people would have never thought that Odell’s value could rise any more than it has over the past couple years, but believe me, it has. Shepard brings speed and quickness, and lots of it. Running a 4.48 40-time was top 10 amongst receivers, and that doesn’t demonstrate his ability to make quick cuts to get up the field. These aspects will pressure defences to cover Shepard, which will give Beckham the space he needs to do what he does best, score touchdowns. Sterling also gives Eli one more good target to throw the ball to, without the worry of a drop. Paul Perkins also helps the passing game with his elite pass blocking ability.
3. Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins
Many people expected the Dolphins to select a running back in the first couple rounds. When the Dolphins waited until the the third round to select Kenyan Drake, Jay Ajayi owners could breathe easy. No one expects Drake to be able to beat out Ajayi, which means Drake will be a third down back at most. Any for sure starting back is valuable in fantasy, especially one that has the faith of his team. Another item of the draft that will assist Ajayi in a big way is the Dolphins taking Laremy Tunsil in the first round. Tunsil has had some off-field issues as we know, but that doesn’t change the positive from Ajayi’s perspective. We all know that on the field Tunsil was the best tackle available, and the Dolphins were able to snag him with the 13th overall pick. A bulked up line will help Ajayi’s numbers a lot.
4. DeAndre Hopkins and Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans
The Texans took Will Fuller out of Notre Dame with the 21st overall pick, which made both Texan fans and fantasy owners very excited. Fuller was by far the fastest receiver at the combine, and the second fastest overall. This speed will force defenders to pay close attention to him. This will give Hopkins the opportunity to get open for big gains. Hopkins was really the only receiver on the Texans last year, now Osweiler has the option to throw to Hopkins, Fuller and Braxton Miller from Ohio State. Expect every part of the Texans offence to be putting up big numbers this year.
Hurt:
1. Nick Foles, QB, Los Angeles Rams
This could possibly be the most obvious prediction on this list, but has to be said. When the Rams traded up to get the first overall pick, everyone in the world knew they would be taking a quarterback. Foles’ worst fear came true on draft night when the LA Rams took Jared Goff with the first overall pick. Goff was the more NFL ready of the two, and had all the makings to be the franchise quarterback, being a California boy. Enough said… Foles is done in LA.
2. Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick’s fantasy value took a big hit on draft day. Many believed that Kaepernick would be traded, and most believed it would be to the Broncos. Denver would have been a very good place for Kaepernick. He would have had two solid receiving options and a decent run game. But that isn’t going to happen. When the Broncos selected Paxton Lynch in the first round, it was clear they were no longer looking at Kaepernick. This non-move means one thing to the fantasy world, Kaepernick is still irrelevant.
3. Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants
The draft was good for most of the giants offence, except for one member, Victor Cruz. Coming off of injury everyone thought Cruz could be big like he was a few years ago, but that won’t be the case. Cruz will most likely lose his slot position and will be pushed outside. I believe he will become Manning’s third target, which isn’t very good fantasy- wise. Unlike the first two players on this list, he hasn’t completely lost his fantasy value, it has just diminished substantially.
4. DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans
Our final veteran hurt by the draft is DeMarco Murray. When he moved to the Titans everyone believed it would be a great fit. He would be the feature back behind a growing offensive line. But after the puzzling second round pick by the Titans, Derrick Henry out of Alabama, Murray’s fantasy value took a blow. Murray will still be the feature back in week one, considering Tennessee spent $25.5 million, $12.5 million of which is guaranteed. But the Titans wouldn’t have taken Henry if they weren’t planning on playing him for four years. This means that Murray and Henry will be fighting all season for the starting job. The competition may be good for Murray, because he will have to show up and dominate every week to keep his job. However, it could also be devastating. We have all seen the insane talent that Derrick Henry posses. He has a 6’3, 247 pound frame, yet still ran a 4.54 40-yard dash. He also has the power and elusiveness to easily break tackles and get extra yards on every play.
Dream Team Fantasy 