All dynasty rankings for fantasy football keeper leagues published before the NFL Draft are fake. But dynasty leaguers want rankings, so dynasty rankings services like PlayerProfiler.com are obliged to deliver year-round dynasty rankings. With the 2017 NFL Draft now complete, we must re-formulate our dynasty rankings based on projected post-draft depth charts movement. While hundreds of collegiate players were drafted, and over a hundred more signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents, only a handful of draft picks significantly impacted the dynasty stock of established NFL veterans.
Cameron Brate was never the long term answer at tight end in Tampa. A move tight end without in-line blocking capability, Brate was a mere stop-gap after Austin Seferian-Jenkins flamed out. Brate filled the massive target share void after the Buccaneers lost Charles Sims and their No. 2-4 wide receivers to injury in 2016, Vincent Jackson most notably.
I like Rob Kelley. His name is Kelley. Jay Gruden also LOVES him some Rob Kelley. Ultimately, Samaje Perine is more talented and possesses Kelley’s “anti-Matt Jones” intangibles, expect Perine to cannibalize Kelley’s precious red zone touches as the season progresses.
Every football fan knows the Kansas City Chiefs won’t win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith under center, and now we know the Chiefs know this. Patrick Mahomes was the best quarterback in the draft based on both production and physical tools. First round rookie quarterbacks rarely sit for long, so expect the pro-ready Mahomes to take over for Smith by midseason.
Never forget that Deshaun Watson‘s throw velocity topped out at 49 MPH. How is Watson going to hit Will Fuller in-stride on the go routes? He won’t, because he can’t.
Most fantasy football analysts were ranking Lamar Miller higher before the NFL Draft, but most fantasy analysts are not Matt Kelley. We never thought highly of fake bell cow Lamar Miller, and apparently, neither did the Texans. Houston burned a third round selection on speedy grinder D’Onta Foreman. Foreman is a better runner than Miller, and second year scat back Tyler Ervin is a better receiver than Miller, who will feel the touch squeeze pain starting in week 1.
Draft Day Winners
1. Ameer Abdullah, Running Back & Eric Ebron, Tight End, Lions
The Lions were rumored to be interested in both David Njoku and Joe Mixon, but Detroit did not select a single running back or tight end of consequence in the 2017 NFL Draft. It’s officially wheels up for Ameer Abdullah and Eric Ebron in 2017.
Marcus Mariota‘s passing game is officially stocked with exceptional route runners after the Titans invested heavily at the wide receiver position by adding Corey Davis (No. 5 overall pick) and Taywan Taylor (Corey Davis lite). Davis and Taylor perfectly fit Mariota’s mistake-free style, who looks the part of an ascending fantasy quarterback in 2017.
So you think Mitchell Trubisky was bad for Cameron Meredith? I suggest reviewing Mike Glennon‘s profile honing in on his abysmal 54.9 (5th percentile) QBR and anemic 49 MPH (3rd percentile) throw velocity. Trubisky will likely start more games than Glennon in 2017 and is a clear upgrade for all Bears wide receiver, particularly No. 1 option Meredith.
This is unfair. Jameis Winston already won free agency when the Buccaneers added arguably the most talented receiver and the best field stretcher in a decade, DeSean Jackson. Tampa Bay doubled down on Winston’s ability on draft day. The team further bolstered its passing game weaponry by selecting consensus top rookie tight end O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin, a top-5 wide receiver based on advanced metrics.
The Bengals tipped their hand this offseason. By allowing key members of the offensive line to sign elsewhere in free agency and investing in offensive weapons John Ross and Joe Mixon on draft day, the Cincinnati revealed their offensive intentions: uptempo, high volume vertical attack. With Ross forcing opposing safeties to cover more ground, A.J. Green‘s total targets and efficiency should rise in 2017. Green possesses the ability to convert voluminous opportunities into prolific fantasy production.
