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With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, it's anybody's guess where the top skill position prospects will land come draft day. With all of the news reports and smokescreens sent out by teams, it is virtually impossible to decipher the true motives of the majority of the franchises going into the draft.
While the actual draft weekend will be a source for excitement from dynasty and redraft players alike, the days leading up to the event can be just as fun as the lack of true knowledge and amount of speculation will fuel the ambitions of fantasy owners going into draft weekend and the rest of the offseason.
Although I do not profess to know where players will land on draft day, here are some of my ideal fits for players leading up to the NFL draft.
Ideal Draft Spots for Fantasy Football
Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville) 1.12 Overall to the Bills
Louisville quarterback and former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson has been one of the most polarizing athletes throughout the entirety of the NFL draft season. Jackson is clearly an elite athlete who has shown that he has what it takes to be a quarterback at the next level, but analysts have him going anywhere from the top five overall to not even being selected in the first round. Wherever Jackson goes, it is likely that he will have to work on his mechanics before he is deemed ready to play. However, we have seen young quarterbacks take center stage in recent years, with the emergence of Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson last year a leading example.
From a fantasy perspective, Jackson's dual-threat ability and big arm are what make him the most relevant to fantasy owners out of the gates. If Jackson could land a starting gig this season, his rushing ability and potential for high touchdown numbers would be truly game-changing on the fantasy gridiron. After rushing for over 1,500 yards in each of the last two years and scoring 39 touchdowns on the ground throughout this time period, Jackson showed off his legs throughout his tenure as the Louisville starting quarterback. Furthermore, through the air, the signal caller improved his completion percentage each year without much of a supporting cast (receivers or backfield) and through for over 3,500 yards in each of the last two seasons. Add to that his good touchdown to interception ratio and you have the potential for an elite fantasy contributor out of the gates.
Although many draft analysts have Jackson going to the Saints, Jaguars, or Patriots in the backend of the first round, I believe that his ideal fit would be with the Buffalo Bills. If they do not trade up into the top five, the Bills could take Jackson at the 12 spot and have their starting quarterback of the future. Assuming Jackson beats out A.J. McCarron for the starting job, the duo of Jackson and LeSean McCoy would be deadly for opposing defenses to read. Furthermore, Jackson has a big target in Kelvin Benjamin who he can through to - if the Bills also upgrade at receiver through the draft, we could see Jackson have an easier time through the air than he otherwise would. If Jackson starts for the Bills, watch out - we could have another fantasy star on our hands sooner than you would expect.
Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State) 1.07 Overall to the Buccaneers
Although the majority of mock drafts have Barkley - quite possibly the top overall prospect in this year's draft - going within the first five picks, there is a world where Barkley falls to the Buccaneers after a run of quarterbacks early in the draft. This would be perfect for the former Penn State running back who ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his three collegiate seasons. With 18 touchdowns on the ground in back to back seasons and 54 receptions (for 632 yards) last year, Barkley is a true three-down back who has the potential to be a generational talent. Barkley even scored two return touchdowns and through for a score last year - this kid can really do it all.
With a 4.4 40 time, a 41 inch vertical, and 29 bench press reps, Barkley's combine was one of the best performances in the last decade. It seems like he would be a perfect fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who play in the electric NFC South. Quarterback Jameis Winston needs a reliable workhorse in the backfield to help take pressure off of himself, and Barkley would get a chance to be in an offense with All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans, deep threat DeSean Jackson, and highly touted tight end O.J. Howard. If Barkley goes to the Buccaneers, you can almost guarantee an RB1 finish for the young tailback, making this a match made in heaven for fantasy owners.
Ronald Jones II (RB, USC) 2.02 Overall to the Giants
Despite having a relatively poor offseason, Ronald Jones has proven that he is one of the top running back prospects coming out of college in what is a remarkably deep pool this year at the position (although perhaps not as electric as last year's). In his junior season, Jones rushed for over 1,500 yards and had twenty total touchdowns as he proved he was one of the better players in college football. Although he is a borderline first/second round prospect, the depth at his position and team needs will likely mean he goes after the first 32 picks in the draft.
However, if Jones went to the Giants, he would likely have a backfield all to himself. With Jonathan Stewart and second year pro Wayne Gallman presenting the only realistic threats to his workload, Jones would likely start the season off in a timeshare but eventually earn the full workload as he is arguably far superior to both of the aforementioned players. If Jones goes to the Giants, we could see a resurgence of the team's offense as Eli Manning attempts one final run for the postseason supported by wideouts Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard.
Christian Kirk (WR, Texas A&M) 1.16 Overall to the Ravens OR via trade
Although 16th overall is a bit high for the speedy wide receiver, Christian Kirk going to the Ravens would be exactly what the team needs. With Michael Crabtree and John Brown lining up outside, an elite slot presence would help the Ravens boost their passing game from last season, giving Kirk a huge opportunity to put up big numbers for himself and the team in his rookie campaign. After being a solid receiver for Texas A&M in his three years at the program, Kirk figures to be one of the top wideouts off the board. If the Ravens trade down to the later picks of the first round, they could get Kirk at his true value and have not only a dynamic option out of the slot, but an elite return man going into the 2018 season.
More NFL Draft Analysis
