10. Bishop Sankey, Running Back, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans didn’t want to open their wallets to pay for the pricy Chris Johnson to remain with the team in 2014, so that leaves them mostly to rely upon Shonn Greene, who just had knee surgery.
Drafting Sankey out of Washington, as their second pick, makes a ton of sense. I doubt the Titans are going to let a robust back like Sankey, who rushed for an amazing 1,870 yards and 21 rush touchdowns last year sit around and decorate a bench. Sankey could easily handle the full running back workload with numbers like this to back him up. Eventually, he will become a solid RB2 on your fantasy roster and possibily even a RB1.
9. Eric Ebron, Tight End Detroit Lions
Selecting a tight end as a first-round draft pick is a risky move that could bite you later in the end. However with a team like the Detroit Lions and quarterback, Matthew Stafford under center, who you can count on upwards of 5,000 passing yards from in a season, this pick could pay off.
Defenses will be focused mainly on Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, leaving things open for Ebron who at 6’-4” and 245 pounds could be a major threat in the red zone. If you’re the type to wait to select a tight end in fantasy football, Ebron could surprise with respectable fantasy numbers.
8. Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
If the Carolina Panthers chose any position other than a wide receiver in the first draft, we would have all been wondering what kind of smoke was floating around the draft room. An awesome first-round draft choice was made by selecting the 6’-5” Benjamin out of Florida State.
Keep in mind that the Panthers dumped nearly all their receivers in the offseason, so Benjamin will take on a primary role fresh in the water facing experienced corners, especially in the likes of Richard Sherman. Benjamin’s height combined with that of his quarterback Cam Newton, should be amazing to watch and he could evolve into a WR2 at some point in fantasy lineups.
7. Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lee, the second-round pick out of USC, is a prominent addition to the Jaguars depleted wide receiving crew. Justin Blackmon just can’t say no, has been suspended once again for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Lee could be working opposite rookie quarterback, Blake Bortles sooner rather than later, and that rookie combination should come out fighting.
Lee is worth a later round pick and stash with the possibility he could surprise with WR2 potential, and perhaps even help you win your fantasy league.
6. Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
There’s a reason the New Orleans Saints traded up for their first pick in the 2014 draft and that was to get their hands on Cooks the receiving threat out of Oregon State. Cooks posted 1,730 receiving yards in 2013 and 1,151 in 2012. Drew Brees throws the football like there’s no tomorrow, so do the math. With defenses fixated on the Saints taller threats like Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston, Cooks at 5’-10” could be a slippery target to catch.
If the Saints plan to utilize Cooks in the kick return role or rely on his flexibility to multi-task like Darren Sproles, whom the team let go to free agency, did for the team, Cooks could become quite the fantasy gem, especially in points per return (PPR) leagues. Keep an eye on Cooks as he has the makings to become a wonderful flex selection.
5. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected well here in Evans, who was projected to possibly come off of the draft board in the first five in last week’s NFL draft. Coming in close to that at the seventh overall pick of the draft, Evans out of Texas A&M surely warrants the high pick by the Buccaneers. Totaling 2,499 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his college career will give the Buccaneers another strong receiving option to play opposite star receiver, Vincent Jackson.
I know there’s a lot of doubters in newly signed quarterback, veteran Josh McCown, but I see potential dynamite between McCown, Jackson and Evans. Remember all the fantasy points earned between McCown, and the Chicago Bears wide receivers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery last year when they shared the field? Choose Evans and he could surprise you with WR2 points before you know it.
4. Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills
The Detroit Lions couldn’t pull off landing coveted Clemson product, Watkins, but the Bills had just the right pick and fully took advantage of making the wise choice to take this hot commodity off the draft board in the first round. Watkins in his last year at Clemson had a fantastic year with 1,464 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to add icing to the cake.
Watkins should be plenty capable in his first season as an NFL player, especially with the Bills veteran wide receiver, Stevie Johnson shipped off to San Francisco. The only issue I see here is the health and durability of the second-year starting quarterback, E.J. Manuel, who was more of a fizzle than a firework last year in his rookie season. For Watkins to develop into WR1 fantasy material, Manuel is going to have to stay healthy and improve in his role. Undoubtedly, Watkins makes fantastic dynasty league material as his full talent will shine under the optimum conditions.
3. Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Now to address the giant huge elephant in the room, this brings us to Manziel, drafted 22nd overall as the Cleveland Browns second selection in the NFL Draft. Reports are just surfacing from the Browns owner that Manziel is to act as if he is the backup quarterback to the team. Right. It’s all an act or is it not?
Are we really to believe the Browns want to move forth with starting the mediocre, Brian Hoyer? Even though Hoyer may start, there is too much hype and potential in the mobile Manziel not to let him get his horse into the race. Manziel, who completed 4,114 passing yards with 37 touchdowns, accompanied by 13 interceptions is worth a pick as your backup quarterback and could be a worthy start later in the season.
Unfortunately the likely season-long suspension of NFL’s overall No. 1 wide receiver from 2013, Josh Gordon, could cause Manziel stock to plummet. It looks like Gordon chose marijuana over Manziel for his 2014 fate, and this unfortunately will impact Manziel’s value tremendously, should the suspension occur. With no Gordon, Manziel will use his mobility to earn you fantasy points.
2. Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s like many of the rookies mentioned above, the Jaguars wouldn’t spend a precious first-round pick on a player, especially a quarterback they don’t intend to start. Chad Henne, get your padded pants on, because you will be on the bench very soon. The 6’-4” Bortles was chosen by the Jaguars, who could have picked Manziel, so it would appear they definitely have plans to use their Central Florida product, who had 50 passing touchdowns in his past two years, right out of the gate.
Speaking of Jaguars’ draft picks, their first two picks were offensive and spent on quarterback, Bortles, wide receiver, Lee mentioned above. Along with four-year wide receiver, Cecil Shorts, Bortles could be a fantasy sleeper going into 2014, and he’s probably worth a backup pick for a solid quarterback with a later bye week on your fantasy football team.
1. Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
Bridgewater, who may have been wondering whether he would be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, squeaked in as the 32nd pick. As we all know the quarterback situation in Minnesota is less than ideal with at best, Matt Cassel starting, or even worse, Christian Ponder. And, we’ll just erase that whole Josh Freeman fiasco which thankfully, was short-lived last season.
With nowhere to go but up, hopefully, the Vikings will get Bridgewater in that starting role, the sooner, the better. And, just look at Bridgewater’s supporting cast in Greg Jennings, Adrian Peterson, who could be utilized in more of a receiving scheme this season, and second-year receiver, Cordarrelle Patterson, who was just on the verge of a major breakout last season.
Bridgewater, out of the University of Louisville, who totaled just under 10,000 passing yards and 72 touchdowns between 2011-2013 should be a product who continues to rise up through his NFL career. Draft him as a backup, who could surprisingly produce QB1 numbers periodically throughout the 2014 fantasy football season.
All statistical and draft information comes from Profootballreference.com