Now that the draft is long gone and training camp is imminent, we’re learning more about the roles of these young athletes. What curious fantasy football minds are wondering if there are any players worth a draft day heist? The best we can do is speculate based on the strengths of the player, and the strength of the team. Thanks to the Fantasy New Guys guideline, you can opine to your heart’s content (inspired by the military use of FNG, but I’ll let you figure out that acronym)! There are a ton of hopefuls and longshots out there so let’s get down to business.
Fantasy New Guys: Wide Receivers
I sent a prayer to the fantasy gods last night. My wish was for a repeat of last year’s jaw-dropping rookie wide receiver production. You can thank me if it works. I accept payments in wampum and retweets.
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
No one can deny the dead pan look in Cooper’s eyes after Goddell hailed him to the podium to don the Raiders draft cap. Classic dreaded fate. Sad face emoji. Cooper is a unique talent who can make more shakes than a malt shop bar hop. Everyone knows that one’s collegiate career transfers to the pros like a wish is granted from a fountain, but when your quarterback, Derek Carr, chucks the ball 599 times in his rookie performance (seventh most in the NFL last year), you have to think that Cooper can mirror some of that production.
Draft Status: WR3/4
Kevin White, Chicago Bears
Bears head coach John Fox took over a team that was already primed for offensive success, question mark on Jay Cutler, but adding Kevin White has sweetened the pot. We already know that the top dog in Chicago is Matt Forte even though Alshon Jeffery not far behind. With Brandon Marshall transplanting to the Meadowlands, Kevin White has room to shock the nation.
Draft Status: WR3/4
Devante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Although Parker was the 14th gent off the draft boards, I’m not in love with his situation. Ryan Tannehill is receiving a ton of praise and was just handed the keys to the offense for the next five years, so the weight of Parker’s gold hinges on Tannehill’s performance. Parker also has to fight for scraps with burgeoning talent Kenny stills, veteran Greg Jennings, and “comes in box marked fragile” Jordan Cameron. A lot of hungry mouths will leave fantasy enthusiasts emaciated.
Draft Status: WR4
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
One thing is certain, Agholor has break-neck speed; the kind of speed that isn’t anywhere to be seen in an Eagles jersey. The real question here is how will he fare opposite an NFL cornerback? If you can’t break out of a jam and get beyond the five yard marker life is going to get tough. Just ask Cordarelle Patterson. Some concerns include Chip Kelly’s shiny toys, Jordan Matthews, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Matthews, and Darren Sproles. Agholor needs to make an impact in training camp to bump the needle in fantasy.
Draft Status: Pass
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
Perriman has been lauded for his speed, but concerns for holding onto the ball are real. What isn’t real is the competition for Perriman to start day one. Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken. I’m sorry, yes they are real people, but no, they’re about as much of a threat as a Pomeranian on a retractable leash. Perriman will stretch the field with big armed quarterback Joe Flacco chucking the ball. Clearly “Ice Up Son” Steve Smith Sr. is the big dog (technically smaller, but I wouldn’t say that to him) and Perriman will serve as second fiddle. Expect a lot of feast or famine coming from Perriman this year.
Draft Status: WR5
Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts
During Organized Team Activities Phillip Dorsett cruised ahead of Donte Moncrief. Which is great and all, but how can the Colts manage to feed him enough to warrant a fantasy pick with the likes of TY Hilton and Andre Johnson commanding a major portion of targets. Quarterback Andrew Luck is one of the heaviest pure passers in the game though, so who knows how Dorsett will mix in with the crowd.
Draft Status: WR4
Devin Smith, New York Jets
Had Smith been drafted to a prolific passing team, maybe the bit on him would be a little different. But no, the Jets selected him. Now, if Fitzpatrick takes the snaps starting week one, there may be fantasy implications given Smith’s knack for going deep, but the fact remains that no matter who will start, the playbook will be designed to rely on the veterans Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Back to the drawing board here.
Draft Status: Pass
Dorial Green-Beckham, Tennessee Titans
Similar to Randy Moss, Green-Beckham is flight by foot and has the height to boot. One question fantasy inquirers have is if his spare time will consist of the issues he entertained in college. The same issues that cost him the 2014 season of his collegiate career are akin to the ills that have marked Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon as cautionary tales. He’ll be another wasted talent if he keeps up the charade, but we can hope his dastardly ways have been subdued and he’s off to a more honest and lucrative lifestyle. Otherwise, yes, his talent is worthy of a snatch on draft day.
Draft Status: WR4
Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers
Looks like the Panthers are pairing up Kelvin Benjamin with another big physical receiver. It’s about time they took a conscious effort at building an offense for Cam Newton to lead. Funchess, a name built for fantasy nicknaming, has been praised from the clamoring Carolina coaching staff, and can’t wait to see him, Benjamin, and tight end Greg Olsen comprise a triple threat. The competition is thin on the opposite side of the field, so Funchess should get to work right away.
Draft Status: WR5
Deep Reach
Jaelen Strong, Houston Texans
The Texans finally granted old man Andre Johnson’s farewell wish and let him go. This left a gaping hole for the team and they patched it up with an average, but oft-injured player in Cecil Shorts III. My guess is that Shorts doesn’t make it to the regular season, and even if he does he’ll be hobbled in some manner. Insert Strong alongside DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has skyrocketed on fantasy draft boards which I’m still on the fence about him, but Strong is a distant thought in most minds.
Draft Status: Pass, but keep your eye peeled for Strong on the waiver wire this year.
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