🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Way Too Early Dynasty Mock Draft Analysis - Rounds 2-3

The Rotoballer fantasy football crew got together recently to run a mock dynasty startup draft. Here, I'll give some analysis of the second and third round selections. Make sure to check out yesterday's first-round recap as well.

The second and third rounds are, for me, the sweet spot where player values aren't quite as well defined as they are in the first round, but top-flight players are still available. Let's take a look at the selections, then I'll give some thoughts below the table.

Ed. Note: For continual coverage of NFL free agency news and its fantasy impact, keep tuned to RotoBaller!

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

Rounds 2-3

For those keeping score at home, that's two tight ends, six running backs, and 16 wide receivers. The second round started with a big run. The first eight picks, and eight of the first nine, were receivers. Thereafter our selections were much more equitably split. Ten of the 16 WRs were the top target on their team last year. The rest are a mix of players in high volume offenses that can support multiple fantasy WRs (e.g. Davante Adams), and players expected to break out in 2017 (e.g. Corey Coleman). Five of the RBs were top 15 finishers last season, while one was a rookie. The TEs are two of the best, although both come with big injury concerns.

I really like the succession of T.Y. Hilton, Stefon Diggs, and Brandin Cooks. None fit the mold of a "traditional WR1," but all are real-life WR1s. I also liked getting Demaryius Thomas in the third round. He's gone over 220 PPR points in five straight seasons, including last year, when his quarterback situation was far from ideal. He's as close to a sure thing as there is.

Keep in mind this is subjective based on my perspective, and that I'm not privy to the overall strategy my colleagues employed. There are definitely arguments in favor of other players.

 

Best Picks

T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND) - Did you know Hilton has more 1,000-yard seasons (four) than either of the players taken ahead of him? Alshon Jeffery has just two, while Dez Bryant has three. Unlike the other two, Hilton has missed just two games in four seasons and is attached to Andrew Luck. He's as solid as they come, which is what you want in the early stages of any draft.

Davante Adams (WR, GB) - A top-10 WR a year ago, he lasted until WR 21 in our draft. He's still just 24 years old, has a great QB, and plays in an offense that can support multiple WRs. Speaking of those other WRs, Randall Cobb's performance has declined two straight years, Jeff Janis isn't happening, and Ty Montgomery switched positions. Adams should get all the work he can handle in 2017.

Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA) - He's older and has less of a draft pedigree than Adams, but there's no denying he's the top WR in Seattle. The Seahawks have been trending towards more passing volume, and there's not much threat behind Baldwin on the depth chart. Tyler Lockett's numbers were down before a major leg injury, and Jermaine Kearse is "just a guy." Baldwin may not score 14 TDs like he did in 2015, but coming off back-to-back 100 target / 1,000 yard seasons, he's a great pick at this part of the draft.

 

Biggest Reaches

I actually like all three of these players, just not at these prices.

Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI) - Jeffery landed in Philadelphia where he'll arguably be the team's top WR and, if healthy, could earn a WR1 workload. The catch is that I'm not sure yet how good Carson Wentz is. I'm also not sure how healthy Jeffery will be. I think he can be very effective for the Eagles, I just think a few of the WRs taken later are more sure things.

Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Howard was insanely efficient (over five yards per carry) as a rookie, but efficiency isn't very sticky from year to year. It's reasonable to expect he'll be less efficent. The Bears may lose Jeffery and end up with a retread or rookie QB. That offense could be very bad, which means fewer drives, and fewer scoring opportunities. Add in the elevated positional injury risk, and I think safer options with similar upside can be found.

Dalvin Cook (RB, FA) - Without knowing how he tested (our draft was pre-combine) or where he'll play, I would go in a different direction. Not every great RB prospect is a hit. For every Ezekiel Elliott there's a Trent Richardson. Now that the combine has happened, and he tested poorly, there's a little more risk with this pick.

Look for the next segment of our dynasty draft recap tomorrow and stay tuned to RotoBaller for the rest of our mock recaps throughout the coming weeks!

 

More 2017 Mock Drafts & Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Trae Young

Questionable Monday With Quad Contusion
Kirill Marchenko

Scores Twice in Sunday's Win
Josh Giddey

Expected to Suit Up Monday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Could Miss Another Game Monday
Justin Brazeau

Pots First Career Hat Trick Sunday
Anthony Davis

Listed Questionable for Monday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Collects Season-High Three Points in Sunday's Loss
Jalen Suggs

Poised to Miss Seventh Straight Game
Eeli Tolvanen

Continues Scoring Surge With Three-Point Effort
Grayson Allen

Misses Sixth Straight Game Monday
Jack Eichel

to Remain Out Monday
Adam Fox

Nearing Return, Considered Day-to-Day
Josh Morrissey

Considered Day-to-Day After Missing Practice
De'Aaron Fox

Questionable Against the Cavaliers
Bam Adebayo

Expected Back on Monday Night
Kon Knueppel

Won't Suit Up Against Milwaukee
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Still Out on Monday
Parker Washington

Leads Jaguars in Targets, Receptions, and Receiving Yards
Wan'Dale Robinson

Posts Season-High 11 Receptions in Week 17
Josh Allen

Seen Limping From X-Ray Room, Says Foot Injury Didn't Affect Him
Geno Smith

Diagnosed With High-Ankle Sprain
John Collins

Won't Face the Pistons on Sunday Night
Trey McBride

Sets All-Time Tight End Receptions Record
Geno Smith

Exits Early With Ankle Injury
DJ Moore

Suiting Up Against 49ers on Sunday Night
Ricky Pearsall

Officially Active for Week 17 Against Bears
George Kittle

Officially Inactive for Week 17
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags Two Touchdowns in Week 17
Geno Smith

Questionable to Return With Ankle Injury
Chris Godwin Jr.

Goes Over 100 Yards in Loss to Miami
Matthew Tkachuk

Returns to Practice
Chris Olave

Extends Touchdown Streak in Win Over Titans
Linus Ullmark

Takes Leave of Absence
Travis Sanheim

Good to Go Against Kraken
Kyshawn George

Ruled Out on Sunday
Zach Charbonnet

Scores Twice in Lead-Back Role on Sunday
Nick Foligno

Set to Return Sunday
Chase Brown

Finds End Zone Twice in High-Volume Role on Sunday
Jock Landale

Out Again on Sunday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Scores Twice, Plays Major Pass-Catching Role
William Nylander

Out Against Red Wings
Stefon Diggs

Enjoys Another 100-Yard Performance in Week 17
Jared McCann

Available Sunday
Vince Dunn

on Track to Return Sunday
Breece Hall

Not Concerned About Knee Injury
Blake Lizotte

Activated From Injured Reserve
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Not Expected to Fire Todd Bowles?
DK Metcalf

Steelers Won't Void the Guarantees in DK Metcalf's Contract
Drake Maye

Throws for Career-High Five Touchdowns in New York
Tyler Herro

Showing Progress but Still Without Timetable
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
Zach Collins

Exits Late With Lower-Body Injury
Chris Boucher

Ruled Out Sunday for Personal Reasons
Gabe Vincent

Out Again Sunday With Back Issue
Jrue Holiday

Remains Out Sunday Against Celtics
Collin Murray-Boyles

Unlikely to Play Sunday Due to Illness
Andrei Svechnikov

Extends Scoring Run With Three-Point Effort
Auston Matthews

Bags Three Points Saturday Night
Alex Laferriere

Records First Career Hat Trick
William Nylander

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Saturday
Zach Werenski

Unlikely to Play Sunday
Jake Evans

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Ajay Mitchell

Cleared to Return Sunday
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic Ruled Out for Sunday
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP