By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
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Jared Goff, QB, Rams The Rams traded up to pick Goff, and with the quarterbacks currently on their roster, there’s no reason he won’t get the nod come Week 1. The trouble, even in 2QB leagues, is that the Rams will focus on running the ball with Todd Gurley and playing strong defense. Los Angeles’ receivers are middling at best, especially when you factor in the offense and a rookie quarterback. Tavon Austin should continue to be a boom-or-bust player as he’ll get rushing attempts and screens, which Goff can facilitate, but unless the Rams’ defense falters considerably, Goff will not be asked to throw the ball often.
Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles Wentz has the makeup to be a fantasy asset, and I personally would rather risk my dynasty pick on him than Goff based on his potential. But we may not see a lot of Wentz in 2016 unless Sam Bradford just forfeits millions to sit at home, Bradford’ll most likely be Philadelphia’s quarterback Week 1. And if Bradford does end up being traded or sitting, Chase Daniel would likely win the job early in the season. If Wentz is coming along with the offense and the Eagles are floundering, then he will be thrown in the mix, but we aren’t going to get 16 games from Wentz.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys The biggest fantasy pick of the night went to the Cowboys when they selected Elliott. It can be argued that it was the wrong pick for the franchise, but it can’t be argued that Elliott isn’t a top fantasy player now. The questions will surround playing time with Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris in the mix, but Jerry Jones and Scott Linehan aren’t going to limit their best running back more than any other three-down starter in the league.
Even last season when they were losing, the Cowboys still focused on running the ball with their dominant offensive line and it worked, and in 2014, DeMarco Murray had a whopping 449 touches. The good news is that Linehan throws to his running backs and Elliott is a good receiver, plus he is probably the best blocking back in the draft this year. So when other rookie running backs are on the sidelines because they can’t pick up a blitz, Elliott will be right in the fray.
I am not going to worry about Morris or McFadden when drafting Elliott in the second or possibly first round this season. He has all the skills to start Week 1 and has the offensive line and offensive coordinator to make him a force all 16 weeks.
Corey Coleman, WR, Browns Coleman was the first receiver off the board, and even though he wasn’t the favorite of draftniks, he found one of the best landing spots in the league for playing time for this season. The Browns have most likely lost Josh Gordon for the year again. They lost their best receiver from last year to free agency, and what they have left on the roster is frankly pitiful. Coleman should be their No. 1 receiver from the get-go, which might not mean a ton in the Browns’ offense this season, but it still makes him draftable. I’m also a big believer in Hue Jackson and think his presence at least gives them a chance to compete in games they wouldn’t have last year.
Will Fuller, WR, Texans Fuller is blazing fast and should be used in Houston to keep offenses from shrinking the field when DeAndre Hopkins runs intermediate routes. As a rookie, Fuller will most likely just be a deep threat, and with Brock Osweiler at the helm and the offense running through Lamar Miller and Hopkins, I’m not too optimistic that Fuller can bring enough to the table this year in fantasy.
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins Doctson has a ton of upside in dynasty leagues and was at the top of many draft gurus’ lists. Unfortunately for this season, he’s stepping into a pass-catching group of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed. Doctson could be the best receiver on the team this year, but he’s not going to be guaranteed playing time unless there are injuries. He’ll be high on my dynasty rankings, but low on my 2016 redraft rankings.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings Treadwell was probably the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft this season, and unfortunately, he went to the Vikings. I love the pick for them, but not for Treadwell’s fantasy outlook this year. Stefon Diggs led the Vikings in targets last season with 84. Yes, 84. Of course, he wasn’t a full-time player to start the season, but when you throw the ball just 454 times all year – last in the league -, there aren’t going to be enough opportunities to be a successful fantasy wide receiver. The Vikings should give Teddy Bridgewater a little more freedom to throw the ball this season, but he’s not going to be pushing 600 attempts anytime soon. Treadwell is draftable, as I think he’ll push for the lead in targets on the team, but I also see him going earlier than he should based on his name.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Broncos Despite his horrible facial hair, Lynch is just as, or more, intriguing than Goff and Wentz for fantasy this season. All Lynch’ll need to do is beat out Mark Sanchez and he’ll be starting Week 1 for the Super Bowl champions, and I expect that to happen. Of course, the Broncos are going to concentrate on defense and the run game to win, but unlike the Rams, the Broncos do have two top-notch receivers to work with. I don’t expect miracles from Lynch this season, but I do think he’s worth a third-quarterback spot in your 2QB leagues.
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
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2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
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