Fantasy: Ranking the most intriguing Day 2 picks
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Fantasy analysis
A deep crop of talent was still available on Day 2 after only 10 skill position players were taken in the opening round of the NFL draft.
Below, we ranked the offensive rookies selected in Rounds 2 and 3 from most to least intriguing now that we know their draft capital and landing spots.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Panthers (39th) - Mingo is someone who's been higher in my rankings throughout the draft process and it was exciting to see him get some buzz as the event approached. Comparisons to A.J. Brown are overblown, but he's one of the few talented big-bodied receivers in this class who has a chance to develop into a star. Joining a Panthers' depth chart that lacks a true No. 1 option is also a stroke of luck that could vault Mingo into fantasy relevance quicker than expected. Early second-round draft capital will likely cause him to rise in most people's rankings into the range where he belongs as a late-round option in redraft and a strong second-round rookie selection in dynasty.
Will Levis, QB, Titans (33rd) - After sliding out of the first round, Levis quickly found a home on Day 2 when the Titans traded up to get him. Last year's third-round pick Malik Willis has already fallen out of favor with the organization, so Levis immediately becomes the new heir apparent to veteran Ryan Tannehill, who's time in Tennessee may be coming to an end soon. A succession plan at QB is good news for Treylon Burks and company, but Levis has a long way to go before he can be trusted as an NFL starter - and even further before fantasy managers can consider putting him in their lineups.
Hendon Hooker, QB, Lions (68th) - While the Lions spent their two first-round picks on lower-value positions, it's hard to argue with what they've done to improve their roster - that's the benefit of trading down and acquiring more picks. After getting tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch in the second round, they potentially found a QB of the future in Hooker in the third. The 25-year-old Hooker can take his time recovering from a torn ACL and learn behind Jared Goff this season, before eventually competing for the starting job down the road. Hooker has the tools and enough rushing ability to be a fantasy star with the right development. This is the perfect landing spot for him.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions (34th) - Tight end was one of the only offensive positions where the Lions had a major need and they filled it with one of the class' better pass-catching options. LaPorta instantly becomes the favorite to start in an explosive Detroit offense, given the early second-round draft capital invested in him. With the incubation time for rookie tight ends shortening, it's possible LaPorta could make a fantasy impact as early as this season. Put him on your late-round stash list as a low-end fantasy TE2 with upside.
Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders (35th) - Moving on from Darren Waller isn't easy, but the Raiders' front office has done a good job restocking the shelves with an array of tight ends. Austin Hooper is a savvy veteran, O.J. Howard is a post-hype sleeper capable of stepping in if called upon, and Mayer is a legit all-round talent who'll quickly rise to the top of this depth chart and should stay there for the next decade. Whether that translates to fantasy success will depend on how many targets he can earn playing alongside volume hogs like Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. It's hard to view Mayer as anything more than a fantasy TE3 entering his rookie campaign, but his long-term outlook is very positive.
Devon Achane, RB, Dolphins (84th) - Achane doesn't play like a 5-9, 188-pound back, which makes it difficult to project his value in the pros. Normally a runner his size would take a significant hit, since no team is going to hand him the keys to its backfield. But his speed, burst, and pass-catching skills are all coveted by modern franchises. And we've seen smaller, lightning-quick backs have success in the system Mike McDaniel runs. Becoming a gamebreaking PPR fantasy starter on limited touches is within Achane's range of outcomes, and if he's going to do it, Miami was the right place to land.
Kendre Miller, RB, Saints (71st) - Miller was my RB6 in this year's class, but might move up a spot or two depending which other backs get Day 2 draft capital. He provides good vision and contact balance in a prototypical frame, making him a late-round sleeper to target in redraft and a worthy second-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts. The New Orleans landing spot also offers some intrigue given the uncertainty around Alvin Kamara's legal trouble. If Kamara misses time, Miller could find himself earning value snaps alongside grinder Jamaal Williams.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks (52nd) - It's a bit of a shock to see Seattle use another early selection on a running back after last year's second-round pick Kenneth Walker (41st overall) excelled during his rookie season. This might be a case of Charbonnet being the highest-graded player left on the Seahawks' board, especially since he was rumored to be a potential late first-rounder entering the draft. He'll give the Seahawks a strong one-two punch in the backfield and should be viewed as a high-end backup with league-winning fantasy upside if Walker misses time.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans (81st) - Though Spears is on the smaller side at 5-10, 201 pounds, he's an explosive home-run hitter who could turn into a fantasy star even in a committee role with a bigger back. Derrick Henry doesn't share many touches, but the 29-year-old bruiser is on the backside of his career. If Henry were to break down, Spears would be in the running to take over the lead back role - and that's a scenario we could see play out in 2023. Spears will be a backup to target heavily in fantasy drafts.
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants (73rd) - Once rumored to be a borderline first-round value, Hyatt ultimately went off the board as the 10th receiver in the class. Teams might be scared off by the fact his college numbers were inflated thanks to the Volunteers' scheme, but Hyatt has elite speed and regularly displays an ability to snatch the ball away from defenders. Giants head coach Brian Daboll has got the most out of the offensive talent on his roster and he'll find ways to get Hyatt the ball. The bigger concern is whether Hyatt can become a consistent producer in a packed receiver room with many solid players but no real stars. It's worth the risk to find out in fantasy.
Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos (63rd) - The Broncos scooping up Mims with the final pick in the second round is one of my favorite values so far in this year's draft. He adds an explosive element to Denver's offense that it likely wouldn't have had this season due to KJ Hamler's injury. The only speed bump on Mims' path to fantasy relevance is a crowded passing attack that features Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick, as well as tight end Greg Dulcich. Russell Wilson will also have to prove he can rebound now that offensive guru Sean Payton has taken over the team. Either way, Mims should earn snaps out of the gate as a much-needed field-stretcher who can develop into a quality long-term starter in real life and fantasy.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers (50th) - Reed has a chance to be this year's surprise star at receiver - though the surprise might be spoiled now that he's a top-50 pick. The 23-year-old should find an immediate role in the Packers' three-receiver sets as a dynamic slot weapon, and he can also make noise outside and as a returner. His arrival will help make life easier for new starter Jordan Love, increasing the odds the young QB rises up the fantasy ranks. Unfortunately, Reed's presence could be problematic for wideout Romeo Doubs' fantasy future.
Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs (55th) - Rice fell down my board during the draft process due to his lack of a defining trait that will allow him to consistently win in the pros. However, seeing the Chiefs make a move to acquire him this early in the draft does force me to reconsider my evaluation. Any pass-catcher attached to Patrick Mahomes is worth rostering in fantasy, and it's not out of the question Rice earns a role based on the current state of Kansas City's WR depth chart. Even so, it remains unlikely he emerges as a fantasy star at the next level.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers (42nd) - Musgrave is an impressive athlete who should develop into a quality NFL tight end if he can overcome some of the injury issues he dealt with in college. The 22-year-old will replace Robert Tonyan, who left in free agency, and should give the Packers their most dangerous playmaker at the position in a long time. He's a name to monitor in training camp as a fantasy TE3 who could turn into a waiver wire pickup during the season.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Cowboys (58th) - It's fitting Schoonmaker went to the Cowboys, since he profiles like a more athletic Dalton Schultz - the man he'll likely be replacing. The next question that will need to be answered is whether Schoonmaker can draw the same kind of target volume as Schultz, now that Dallas has added Brandin Cooks to a receiving corps that already features CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Tony Pollard. But dynasty managers would be wise to stash Schoonmaker and see if he can become Dak Prescott's new security blanket. Those holding on to Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot in hopes they'd survive the draft and compete for the starting job knew this was a possibility and will likely need to make other plans.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Browns (74th) - One pick after his college teammate Jalin Hyatt was selected, Tillman found a home with the Browns. On paper, Tillman looks the part of a difference-making pro receiver, and may have gone higher if injuries didn't limit him. His next challenge will be overcoming a depth chart that already features Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Elijah Moore. Fantasy managers interested in Tillman will need to play the long game and wait for him to emerge.
Josh Downs, WR, Colts (79th) - Downs is one of several undersized wideouts in this class who wins with route-running and quickness. He's an excellent fit on the Colts, slotting in between their big-bodied outside receivers Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. But can he generate enough targets to be a fantasy factor in an offense that projects to be run-heavy early in Anthony Richardson's career? The answer is probably no, so approach him with caution.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars (88th) - Bigsby profiles as more of an early-down grinder, but that's exactly what the Jags will be looking for. If he can get the coaches to believe in him, Bigsby will slide into to a complementary role behind Travis Etienne - and may even siphon some valuable touches away from his highly regarded teammate around the goal line. For now, Bigsby is a deeper stash until we see if he can beat out D'Ernest Johnson and JaMycal Hasty for the No. 2 job.
Darnell Washington, TE, Steelers (93rd) - Washington fell further than many expected and now joins a roster where he'll play second fiddle behind Pat Freiermuth, and that puts a serious cap on his fantasy outlook. But he's a prospect who likely needed some time to develop anyway, so he might eventually pop up on the fantasy radar in a couple years.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Packers (78th) - In classic Packers fashion, the front office chose to address a position by spending multiple picks on it in the same draft. Kraft has starting-caliber potential, but he graded out well behind his new teammate and fellow rookie Luke Musgrave. It's a camp battle worth monitoring, but my chips are on Musgrave to handle starting duties in Green Bay and be the fantasy option among the duo.
Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals (94th) - While Wilson's injury history set him back, it's clear teams weren't deterred since he came away with Round 3 draft capital. His mix of size and route-running ability is enough to entice fantasy managers into stashing him for a season or two to see if he can translate those skills to the pros. His path to playing time could open up if the Cardinals ultimately trade veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins, but for now, Wilson will need to make due as a part-time player who'll see most of his snaps on special teams.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jaguars (61st) - Strange isn't the most exciting prospect taken in the second round. He has the makings of a quality No. 2 tight end in the pros and someone who can be a versatile real-life player for an already loaded Jacksonville offense. With Evan Engram locked in as the starting tight end, Strange is unlikely to make a fantasy impact in the near future - or perhaps ever.
Nathaniel "Tank" Dell, WR, Texans (69th) - Dell would be an excellent receiving prospect if his size (5-8, 165 pounds) wasn't such an issue. Sadly, the history of wideouts who find NFL success with his frame is almost nonexistent. His future in Houston will likely be as a gadget player on offense and special teams. He's not someone you need to worry about in fantasy.
Tre Tucker, WR, Raiders (100th) - Tucker is a smaller speedster who'll have a hard time cracking the starting lineup early in his career - and maybe ever. His biggest contributions could come on special teams.
Cameron Latu, TE, 49ers (101st) - Latu is a deeper prospect and one that isn't likely to threaten for meaningful snaps anytime soon. Even if something were to happen to George Kittle, Latu will almost certainly begin his career behind Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. He's not someone you need to worry about.
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