By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Published May 10, 2017
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
2.01 Josh Norris — Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
Curtis is a bit raw as a route runner, but used well in the Panthers’ offense, he should be able to put up numbers early in his career and possibly develop more as a receiver as his career moves forward.
2.02 Chris Burke — JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
Smith-Schuster didn’t land in the best spot to start soon, but he’s a good enough receiver to do just that. He’ll likely be able to pass Sammie Coates, but will have trouble beating out Martavis Bryant as a rookie. Of course, Bryant has plenty of baggage, and if he screws up, Smith-Schuster will be ready to take over that starting spot. And if Smith-Schuster shows some aptitude for the slot, he could also beat out Eli Rogers for work. I like Smith-Schuster’s ability enough to find out.
2.03 Josh Norris — Taywan Taylor, WR, Titans
Taylor has some amazing skills, but he’s also not grounded in the basics, whereas Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe are more fundamentally sound and should be able to stay atop the depth chart. Taylor will likely need to win over some coaches and stick with the team for a while before he can break out.
2.04 Chris Burke — Carlos Henderson, WR, Broncos
Henderson, like many of these rookie receivers, will need some development in the NFL, but at least in Denver, he should be able to compete for the No. 3 spot, as Cody Latimer has not lived up to expectations. And a quarterback would be helpful as well.
2.05 Josh Norris — Marshawn Lynch, RB, Raiders
Lynch is the oldest rookie ever! Oh, he’s been in the league and retired, and now he’s back, and that makes him a rookie? Wait, oh, someone dropped Lynch because he retired, and we can grab anybody in the player pool in this draft. I was hoping he would fall to me in the second round, but alas, no. I probably need to stay young, as my team is old as the hills as it is. And that’s where the Lynch dilemma comes forth. If he’s available in your rookie draft, you know he’s got one, maybe two years left and then he’s gone, or maybe he gets hurt before he does anything. Who knows, but if you need a starting running back for this season, be sure he’s on your radar.
2.06 Nick Mensio — Joe Williams, RB, 49ers
Williams has a lot of ability and could be the Tevin Coleman to Carlos Hyde’s Devonta Freeman or something like that. Of course, the 49ers aren’t in the same place as the Falcons, and yards and touchdowns aren’t going to be hanging low to pick, but we know Shanahan can, and if the 49ers can put together a strong offense under him over the next few years, there’s good upside here.
2.07 Sigmund Bloom — Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs
Godwin has the skill set to be a starter early on if he can fit in the slot this year. He’s not passing Mike Evans or DeSean Jackson on the depth chart, but he’s too good not to see some playing time after those guys.
2.08 Ryan Van Bibber — Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
Watson has the stuff to develop into a fantasy quarterback, but it isn’t a given. The good news is that he’ll be able to cut off some of his learning curve as far as statistics go, if he can find Nuk Hopkins much more often than Brock Osweiler.
2.09 Chet Gresham — Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers
I have Williams in my top-10 because I believe he is the best suited to lead the Packers at running back this year. Of course ,there are many variables that could veer him off that track, but he’s a sound all-around back and should fit the bill in that offense, while Ty Montgomery would stick to catching passes.
2.10 Seth Trachtman — Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
Mack needs a lot of work, but he has big-play ability while Frank Gore has grind-it-out ability at this point. Gore will likely average less than four yards per carry again this year, while Mack likely sees less work, but makes bigger plays.
2.11 Sigmund Bloom — James Conner, RB, Steelers
Conner was on track to be a top running back in his class before he had to take on cancer, so now he’ll need to work to regain his place in the football pecking order. There are plenty of questions about him after beating cancer, but since we were able to see just how good he was earlier in his career, I’m happy to take a risk on him in a rookie draft. Le’Veon Bell isn’t going to be beaten out, but if Bell makes too big a stink about his contract, I could see the Steelers moving on from him earlier than they’d like, which would give Conner a shot.
2.12 Raymond Summerlin — Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
Jones will need to compete with Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams for playing time, but is skilled enough to carve out a role for himself, especially in the receiving game. Williams should have the upper hand due to better pass protection and a bit more power between the tackles, but Jones is no slouch, and any injuries to his competitors could easily vault him into the lead.
2.13 Mike Clay — D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans
Foreman could likely compete with Lamar Miller from day one if we’re just talking about rushing the ball, but Foreman comes into the league a little behind on pass protection, which will likely keep him as a backup to Miller for much of this season. I could see Miller losing touches to Foreman in the second half of the season though.
2.14 Pete Prisco — Josh Reynolds, WR, Rams
Reynolds might have the rawest talent of any rookie receiver this season, but unfortunately, the Rams drafted him. He’ll need to keep his head down and work hard for his shot when either the Rams’ offense perks up or he moves on to a better team.
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