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Arizona Cardinals
Chad Williams (WR) Current ADP: 325 overall (WR110)
Most have already forgotten about last year’s third-round draft pick, but rumors have started to fly that he may be the team’s No. 2 wide receiver to start the season. While many are drafting Christian Kirk as the No. 2 wide receiver in this offense, he’s projected as a slot receiver, which is where Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald plays.
Atlanta Falcons
Mohamed Sanu (WR) Current ADP: 193 overall (WR64)
Look, there wasn’t a bigger Calvin Ridley fan coming into the draft, but why is he affecting the stock of Sanu as much as he is? Sanu is the primary slot receiver whose role is locked-in, while Ridley likely gets an extended Taylor Gabriel role. In fact, the addition of Ridley likely hurt Austin Hooper more than anything. In PPR formats last year, Sanu posted WR3 or better numbers in 67 percent of his games, which ranked 13th among wide receivers.
Baltimore Ravens
Hayden Hurst (TE) Current ADP: 174 overall (TE21)
We all know rookie tight ends often let you down, but Hurst is a rare one. He’s a former pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is 25 years old. When the Ravens selected him in the first-round, it’s likely because they knew he was ready to play from the get-go, as he’s extremely polished as a receiver. The Ravens have targeted Dennis Pitta, Ben Watson, and others at the tight end position 285 times over the last two seasons, one of the highest marks in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills
Chris Ivory (RB) Current ADP: 214 overall (RB73)
You’ve likely heard about LeSean McCoy‘s off-the-field question marks, so seeing Ivory here shouldn’t surprise you. He’s not the most talented running back in the world (I’m actually not a fan of his game), but he’s the only other player on the depth chart capable of touching the ball 15-plus times per game. To get a running back who may start outside the top-200, even on a bad team, I’d consider that a win.
Carolina Panthers
D.J. Moore (WR) Current ADP: 161 overall (WR50)
When you spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver, especially when you have other needs (the Panthers really do), you’re going to use him in year one. While Devin Funchess was the go-to receiver last year, it’s only a matter of time before talent wins here, and Moore is the more talented wide receiver. He’s going to be inconsistent due to who’s throwing him the ball, but he’s definitely worth a pick late in drafts.
Chicago Bears
Mitch Trubisky (QB) Current ADP: 165 overall (QB26)
New offense with one of the young premier offensive play-callers (Matt Nagy), upgraded offensive line (James Daniels, Kyle Long is back), upgraded pass-catchers (Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Trey Burton, Taylor Gabriel). Seriously, what’s not to like? There are so many parallels between Trubisky and Jared Goff in 2017 that it’s ridiculous, only Trubisky offers you more upside with his legs. Did you know that he was the No. 14 fantasy quarterback over the final five weeks of 2017? That was before all the upgrades around him. Runner-up: Anthony Miller (WR)
Cincinnati Bengals
John Ross (WR) Current ADP: 301 overall (WR101)
Last year’s No. 9 overall pick is reportedly 100 percent healthy heading into 2018 and has been working with T.J. Houshmandzadeh this offseason to become a more well-rounded route runner. Battling Brandon LaFell for the No. 2 wide receiver job isn’t a very tall task, and don’t forget what Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones were able to do alongside A.J. Green while with the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns
Corey Coleman (WR) Current ADP: 239 overall (WR82)
Should Josh Gordon‘s time away from the team extend to the regular season, Coleman is suddenly in line for a lot of targets. While most have written him off, don’t forget that Coleman has flashed with Robert Griffin III and DeShone Kizer as his quarterbacks, finishing with 53 or more yards in six games over the last two years on minimal targets. The upgrade to Tyrod Taylor/Baker Mayfield could put him back on the radar.
Dallas Cowboys
Michael Gallup (WR) Current ADP: 195 overall (WR65)
You can get the player I project to be the leading receiver for the Cowboys outside the top 190 players drafted? After losing both Dez Bryant and Jason Witten this offseason, the Cowboys need someone to step-up and be “the guy” for Dak Prescott. Gallup miraculously fell to the Cowboys in the third-round, though most believed he was worthy of a high second-round pick. I’d fully expect his ADP to rise as the season nears. Runner-up: Rod Smith (RB – he’s Ezekiel Elliott‘s handcuff)
Denver Broncos
Jake Butt (TE) Current ADP: 238 overall (TE32)
He was someone who I compared to Jason Witten during the draft process last year, though he suffered a torn ACL early in 2017 which knocked him out for the season. The competition for targets in Denver is light at tight end, as he’ll have to beat out Jeff Heuerman and Austin Traylor for the starting job. Early reports from new quarterback Case Keenum is that Butt “continually wants the ball,” which he loves. He may not be a top-five tight end with all the wide receiver talent they have, but he could be a streamer.
Detroit Lions
Kenny Golladay (WR) Current ADP: 151 overall (WR51)
I didn’t want to put Golladay here, but he’s the only one outside the top-150 on the Lions that I felt had the possibility to have a breakout season. He’s still the No. 3 option at wide receiver, but one sign pointing to it being spread out more than most think is the splits that Marvin Jones had with Golladay in/out of the lineup. Jones averaged 9.8 targets per game with Golladay on the sideline, compared to just 5.3 targets per game with him on the field. Should Jones or Golden Tate miss time, Golladay will have a big role.
Green Bay Packers
Geronimo Allison (WR) Current ADP: 200 overall (WR66)
I’ve been saying he’s fantasy football’s best kept secret this offseason, though that’s coming to an end now that there’s reports about him starting for the Packers. If you’ve been paying attention, it’s what we expected all along. Outside of Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, nobody else in this offense has the chemistry that Allison does with Aaron Rodgers, which means a lot. With Cobb playing the slot more often than not, Allison could technically be considered the No. 2 wide receiver on the team.
Houston Texans
Keke Coutee (WR) Current ADP: 253 overall (WR77)
A human highlight reel waiting to happen, Coutee wound up in a crowded wide receiver corps, but he’s quickly ascended up the depth chart after a massive mini-camp. He’s got the on-demand speed that can turn any play into a touchdown, similar to Tyreek Hill. While many are reaching to snag DeAndre Hopkins and/or Will Fuller, Coutee might provide the most value in relation to where he’s being drafted.
Indianapolis Colts
Ryan Grant (WR) Current ADP: 346 overall (WR102)
Can someone please tell me why there are three wide receivers on the Colts who are being drafted ahead of Grant? Seriously, Chester Rogers? Grant won the No. 2 job in the Redskins offense last year, despite Terrelle Pryor being paid to hold down that job. He was then offered a massive contract by the Ravens, who got out of it in a shady way. The Colts signed him almost immediately after that to a one-year, prove-it deal where he’ll be the starting wide receiver opposite T.Y. Hilton. If Andrew Luck proves to be healthy, Grant could be an upgrade on Donte Moncrief, who was continually drafted as a top-30 wide receiver with Luck. Grant is one of the better late-round steals. Runner-up: Eric Ebron (TE)
Jacksonville Jaguars
T.J. Yeldon (RB) Current ADP: 212 overall (RB65)
I’ve been on record as saying Yeldon should be considered in the RB35-RB40 range of running backs, as he’s got standalone value without a Leonard Fournette injury, but would become a must-play RB1 should Fournette miss time. By drafters taking him as the RB65, it says that they view him as third-string, which is laughable. Even with Chris Ivory on the roster last year, Yeldon racked up 41 targets in just 10 games, and passed Ivory as the starter when Fournette was out.
Kansas City Chiefs
Spencer Ware (RB) Current ADP: 209 overall (RB64)
Flip-flopped from last year, Ware is sliding down draft boards while Kareem Hunt is taken in the first- or second-round. Truth be told, both have plenty of value in Andy Reid’s offense that has produced an RB1 in 10 of the last 14 seasons. Ware’s relevance does rely on a Hunt injury, but as we saw with Ware last year, things happen.
Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams (WR) Current ADP: 156 overall (WR60)
It’s rare to find Philip Rivers‘ potential leading touchdown scorer outside the top-100, let alone the top-150. Williams was drafted at No. 7 overall last year, stands 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, and with Hunter Henry out of the lineup, he’s likely the best red-zone target for Rivers. After missing much of camp last year with a back injury, Williams is all set to jump into the starting lineup in 2018.
Los Angeles Rams
John Kelly (RB) Current ADP: Undrafted
It blows my mind that nobody is drafting the running back who is the handcuff to the No. 1 running back in football. Fantasy points for running backs are often tied to their offense and the Rams have a great one. Kelly was one of the best pass-catching backs in the draft this year and can play on all three downs. Runner-up: Gerald Everett (TE)
Miami Dolphins
Albert Wilson (WR) Current ADP: 257 overall (WR86)
I’m a huge fan of DeVante Parker this year, but that doesn’t mean that you should ignore Wilson, who is walking into the role that used to be occupied by Jarvis Landry and netted 150-plus targets per season. I’m not saying he’ll see Landry-type targets, but they obviously felt the need to spend $24 million to get Wilson under contract. He’s going to have a role and he’s absolutely free in drafts right now.
Minnesota Vikings
Laquon Treadwell (WR) Current ADP: Undrafted
Many have forgotten the former No. 23 overall pick, likely because he’s caught just 21 passes over his first two seasons. But as we head into 2018, it appears Treadwell has worked his way into the starting lineup alongside Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. While he’s not going to be a big-time fantasy producer with those two healthy, he’s someone who would step into the top-40 wide receiver conversation if either of them was to miss time.
New England Patriots
Jordan Matthews (WR) Current ADP: 211 overall (WR70)
Knowing that Brandin Cooks was traded and that Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four games, you’d think Matthews would be drafted much higher. On top of those players, it appears that Malcolm Mitchell may not play once again this season, meaning Matthews would be a starter all season long. If that’s the case, he’s being severely overlooked in fantasy, especially considering he’s got multiple top-24 seasons under his belt.
New Orleans Saints
Ben Watson (TE) Current ADP: 188 overall (TE23)
While he’s 37 years old, Watson is coming off a season in which he finished as the No. 15 fantasy tight end while playing with the ineffective Joe Flacco. He caught 77 percent of his targets, which was higher than any other tight end with at least 20 targets, so there’s still a competent player in the uniform. The last time he suited up with Drew Brees (2015), he tallied 74 receptions for 825 yards and six touchdowns. I’m not expecting that, but someone to fill your tight end slot in a good matchup? Oh yeah.
New York Giants
Eli Manning (QB) Current ADP: 169 overall (QB28)
When you have a running back inside the top-five because of his pass-catching ability, two wide receivers ranked inside the top-40, and a tight end that’s ranked top-five, where’s the disconnect with their quarterback? While some will be overvalued, it’s not crazy to think Manning returns to the quarterback he was pre-2017 when he finished top-15 in eight straight seasons. The addition of Pat Shurmur did wonders for Sam Bradford and Case Keenum in Minnesota.
New York Jets
Elijah McGuire (RB) Current ADP: 291 overall (RB74)
It’s not too often you find a running back outside the top-250 players who has a chance to earn the starting job, but I believe that’s the case with McGuire. Despite Matt Forte and a one-year-younger version of Bilal Powell on the roster, the Jets gave McGuire 105 touches as a rookie. Sure, they replaced Forte with plodding Isaiah Crowell, but McGuire is the one that running backs coach Stumpy Mitchell has continually praised this offseason, and even threw out a comparison to LaDanian Tomlinson, saying, “he can do it all.” There’s sleeper potential here, though the lack of scoring in the offense could limit his upside. (Editor’s note: McGuire suffered a foot injury at the start of training camp, so you’re best off looking to the runner-up) Runner-up: Quincy Enunwa (WR)
Oakland Raiders
DeAndre Washington (RB) Current ADP: 353 overall (RB98)
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t want to put anyone on the Raiders, because they’re all being somewhat over-drafted. Doug Martin would be here if he was outside the top-150, but he’s moved up recently. Washington is behind two 29-plus-year-old running backs but has a top-five offensive line if he somehow gets a shot. In the limited carries he’s had throughout his career, he’s been impressive, but apparently not enough with the signing of Martin.
Philadelphia Eagles
Mack Hollins (WR) Current ADP: 298 overall (WR98)
The signing of Mike Wallace definitely deflated the hope for Hollins to breakout in 2018, but the dream shouldn’t be dead just yet. Wallace will be 33 years old when the season starts, so it’s possible that he was signed simply for depth. It was clear that Hollins had chemistry with Carson Wentz last year, as he turned 22 targets into 16 receptions for 226 yards and a touchdown. As a 2017 fourth-round pick, expectations for him should be to start sometime soon.
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Washington (WR) Current ADP: 293 overall (WR96)
Rookie wide receivers have gotten a bad rap over the last few seasons, but do you know two of them who actually produced? JuJu Smith-Schuster, who produced 917 yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 games last year, and then Martavis Bryant, who totaled 549 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games his rookie season. Washington was likely the best deep-ball tracker in the draft class and should fill Bryant’s role seamlessly. If Smith-Schuster or Antonio Brown were to miss any time, he’d be an every-week starter. Runner-up: Vance McDonald (TE)
San Francisco 49ers
Matt Breida (RB) Current ADP: 179 overall (RB58)
If you’ve watched Jerick McKinnon on first- and second-down while with the Vikings, you likely understand why Breida is here. McKinnon is a great receiver, but there’s a reason that he lost the workhorse job to both Matt Asiata and Latavius Murray while in Minnesota. Breida was involved last year, and more so when Carlos Hyde was struggling, as he totaled double-digit carries in four of the last five games. You can argue that Joe Williams should be alongside Breida in this paragraph, but Breida was beating him out last year prior to Williams suffering a year-ending injury.
Seattle Seahawks
Nick Vannett (TE) Current ADP: 333 overall (TE49)
There are so many wide receivers who are fighting for a spot on the Seahawks that it’s hard to land on one of them, though Jaron Brown deserved consideration for this spot. But going with Vannett makes sense to me because I’m not automatically handing the starting tight end job to a 31-year-old career backup that was signed on the cheap in free agency (Ed Dickson). Vannett has been with the team for three years now, has some rapport with Russell Wilson (15 targets last year turned into 12/124/1), and was a third-round pick, so the Seahawks obviously saw something in him, enough to let both Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson walk via free agency. In each of the last five years, Seahawks tight ends have accounted for at least 757 yards and four touchdowns, which included multiple seasons without Graham.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin (WR) Current ADP: 272 overall (WR90)
It was said this offseason that Godwin deserves a spot in the starting lineup, though there’s reportedly a competition between him and Adam Humphries. Godwin should win that, as he showed what he could do late in the season last year, compiling 16 catches for 295 yards and a touchdown over the final four weeks of the season, and was the No. 14 fantasy wide receiver in that span. He’s someone who should be moving up the draft boards really soon.
Tennessee Titans
Taywan Taylor (WR) Current ADP: 289 overall (WR94)
While everyone is expecting a breakout from second-year wide receiver Corey Davis, most are overlooking the impact that Taylor could have in the offense. He was drafted in the third-round last year and the Titans decided to let Eric Decker walk in free agency because of their confidence in Taylor, who showed some big-play ability out of the slot last year, averaging 14.4 yards per reception. With Delanie Walker getting up there in age, Taylor could start to become the safety valve over the middle of the field.
Washington Redskins
Josh Doctson (WR) Current ADP: 163 overall (WR61)
I was shocked to see Doctson this low in early ADP, as he flashed at times last year in the same offense he’s currently in. Despite seeing some of the best cornerbacks in the league once he became the starter in Week 9, Doctson was the No. 35 wide receiver from Week 9 through Week 16. His quarterback situation has changed, though I’m not one to automatically say that Alex Smith is a downgrade from Kirk Cousins. When Doctson was drafted, his current head coach said that he wants Doctson to be their version of A.J. Green. While that doesn’t seem likely at this point, he was widely considered as the No. 1 wide receiver in his class. He’s healthy heading into camp for the first time in his NFL career.
https://www.fantasypros.com/2018/07...il&utm_term=0_b55a1ac4b6-21730c3533-461246869
