Good morning everyone, welcome to the Pot Cakes Dynasty League Rookie Rankings. I felt that there was not enough action in the first round to really dive into a summary so I am just going to get right into the rankings. We will go through the top 64 rookies and add the top 5 free agents.
- – Bijan Robinson – RB1 – Atlanta Falcons
5’11 – 220 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd.1 Pick 8
There should be no surprise here. The Texas RB went as a top 10 pick to the #1 rushing team in the NFL last year. He’s a complete back and should be able to do it all for the Falcons this year. He should be able to. Bijan was the Doak Walker Award Winner for the best back in the NCAA last season. This year it is an easy one. Bijan went to a place where he’s the clear bell cow and his biggest competition will be fighting for a WR2 spot this season. Bijan is the #1 pick by a mile.
2 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR1 – Seattle Seahawks
6’1 – 196 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 20
This is where things get interesting. Wide receivers have a longer shelf life in fantasy than RBs. JSN went to a team that has their WR1 in D.K. Metcalf and a solid WR2 in Tyler Lockett. Lockett is 31 and has an out after this season. The Ohio State product could slip into the WR2 spot by mid-season. There is no doubt about that. Seattle also added an RB to the mix. The Seahawks are a complete team. That is why you could make the argument against JSN as the #2 rookie, but you have to trust the talent. JSN was the first WR off the board at
3 – Jahmyr Gibbs – RB2 – Detroit Lions
5’9 – 199 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 12
I think a lot of people were surprised with the Bama back with this pick. That does not matter for fantasy football. All that matters is that this guy can play and now he has a first round draft pick to force him into the lineup. Gibbs can do it all. He can run between the tackles, but his ability out in space is what fantasy dreams are made of. The Lions just gave David Montgomery a 3 year deal in the offseason and after drafting Gibbs traded away D’Andre Swift. The Lions got it done on the ground last year with Jamaal Williams. The Lions will look to do the same with Monty and Gibbs. I do not know what the Lions will do with Gibbs, but he will get a lot of passing work. If there is one thing that you want in a dynasty RB is the guaranteed passing work. Gibbs will give you that. Gibbs is part of the Lions future, take him and wait to see what that means long term.
4 – Quentin Johnston – WR2 – Los Angeles Chargers
6’3 – 208 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 21
This TCU WR was the WR1 in the draft for some analysts. Falling to a team like the Chargers keeps him in the mix. Keenan Allen is 31 and has an out after this year. Mike Williams is 29 and has an out after this year. Justin Herbert has a rocket arm, Quentin made a season out of running down the field and having Max Duggan passing him the ball. I mean Max is great, but I think Johnston will like the QB upgrade. Big body, long arms, and a red zone threat. Take the chance on Johnston and the possibility that he walks into either Allen or Williams spot in the seasons to come.
5 – Jordan Addison – WR3 – Minnesota Vikings
5’11 – 173 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 23
Addison tore it up at Pittsburgh and then USC. Adam Thielen is gone and leaves 70 receptions available for the next WR. There is no doubt that Justin Jefferson remains the WR1 for the Vikings. With questions of whether or not Dalvin Cook remains on the team could move Addison up 1 spot on these rankings. Addison will also have to compete with K.J. Osborn and Hockenson for targets assuming Addison steps into the WR3 spot. Addison will likely take over as the WR2 as soon as he figures out how to play in the NFL. Addison is probably the last safe pick of the top two tiers of these rookies.
6 – Zay Flowers – WR4 – Baltimore Ravens
5’10 – 182 lbs. – 22 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 22
Flowers is a shifty WRs from Boston College. Why does he fall outside of the top two tiers, well the Ravens have not hit on a WR in a long time. Lamar has a new deal, rumors swirl of DeAndre Hopkins being traded to Baltimore. Baltimore already added OBJ, Nelson Agholor and has Bateman and Mark Andrews already on the roster. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Baltimore and how does Zay enter the mix? I think the shifty slot WR will help the Ravens and Lamar with underneath help as plays break down. I don’t think it’s a question of whether or not Zay produces in the NFL, it is only a question of how much in the Ravens offense.
7 – Jonathan Mingo – WR5 – Carolina Panthers
6’2 – 226 lbs. – 22 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 39
Mingo suffered a foot injury in his junior year at Ole Miss and did not have a monster senior year. Mingo’s size and landing spot should help him. Mingo’s competition is Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, Terrace Marshall, Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. There are a lot of WRs in the room, but Thielen is the only proven man. Mingo could easily overtake the WR2 spot. It will take a while, but the Panthers are going through a mini rebuild. The Panthers still have all the pieces needed to compete for the NFC South title. It is a complicated matter. But a team that is trying to win, taking a WR this early in the draft, means that he is a part of the bigger picture. That is why Mingo is worth the mid to late first round selection in a dynasty draft.
8 – Kendre Miller – RB3 – New Orleans Saints
5’11 – 215 lbs. – 20 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 71
This is an interesting pick here. The former TCU back finds himself in a spot that could result in increased playing time if Kamara is suspended. Kamara has an out after this season with the Saints. Kamara will be 29 next year. Jamaal Williams has a two year deal and then an out with the Saints. Williams is 28. Miller is the youth of the backfield. Williams has never been the lead back for an NFL team. I do not see the Saints only using Williams if Kamara is suspended. This is solely a year 2 move here. The Saints may have Miller as their back of the future, they may also draft a back to be their future next year. Late in the first you are taking a chance on a future RB and that is all you can do here.
9 – Zach Charbonnet – RB4 – Seattle Seahawks
6’1 – 222 lbs. – 22 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 52
Charbonnet finds himself in a 1-2 punch situation. The former Michigan and UCLA RB has the size advantage over Kenneth Walker, so that should bode well for goal line work. The Seahawks love to use their backs. I think the Seahawks run these two backs in the same way. Walker and Charboneet should have a balanced workload next season. This is both good and bad. You will go week to week not knowing which RB to play, but that does allow for the chance for Charboneet to hit each on a given week. Charboneet will play and you have to hope that he turns into the goal line back for Seattle.
10 – Jayden Reed – WR6 – Green Bay Packers
5’11 – 187 lbs. – 23 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 50
Reed the former Michigan State WR finds himself on a team that needs WR help with a “rookie” QB. Jordan Love has plenty of weapons on the team now. You will see more of the Packers weapons in these rankings. Reed will play opposite of Christian Watson and provide a lot of underneath help for Jordan Love. Reed should be able to rack up a lot of receptions on this Packers squad. Watson will still provide big plays but if the Packers want success they will have to control the ball. Reed can be that option for Green Bay, now it is on the shoulders of Jordan Love to get Reed in the papers.
11 – Tayjae Spears – RB5 – Tennessee Titans
5’9 – 195 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 81
This Tulane RB finds himself as the heir apparent to Derrick Henry. Henry has to stop at some point right? If for some reason the Titans decide to go full rebuild and trade Henry in the offseason then Spears finds himself as the new RB1 for a team. Spears is the pick here solely for the basis of need. Spears may be a year wait but you have to take that chance. Henry is in the last year of his deal, the team took Will Levis, everything is pointing to a rebuild, let Tayjae spearhead the rebuild.
12 – Marvin Mims Jr. – WR7 – Denver Broncos
5’11 – 177 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 63
Mims runs a 4.3 and the Oklahoma WR should take over Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler for the WR3 position. The Broncos have Sutton and Jeudy. Sutton has an out after this year and Jeudy has two years left on his rookie deal. I do not know how the cap works, full disclosure, but the Broncos should move forward with Jeudy and let Sutton test free agency if they run into money problems. That is good news for Mims. Either way, this part of the draft you have to take your chance on the round selection over the fit. Mims is a high value pick and should see production during the second half of the season at worst.
13 – Rashee Rice – WR8 – Kansas City Chiefs
6’0 – 203 lbs. – 23 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 55
The SMU wideout finds himself in a crowded WR room. The only good news is that he could come out on top. I do not know that anyone is sold on MVS, Toney or Moore. The Chiefs did not use Moore a ton last year, Toney was traded from the Giants, and MVS was part of a weak free agency class. Rice was a pick later than Moore, so the Chiefs have a similar investment in the draft pick. Moore only produced 250 receiving yards last season. While it is obvious the Chiefs passes go to Travis Kelce, at some point a Chiefs WR has to hit right? I mean they cannot keep winning by throwing the ball to Kelce and then just a little here and there right? Take the late first round pick on a highly draft WR on an explosive offense and hope he gets on the field.
14 – Anthony Richardson – QB1 – Indianapolis Colts
6’4 – 244 lbs. – 20 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 4
The Florida Gators QB is the most athletic NFL prospect of all time. Richardson has the most upside of any of the QBs in the draft and he can scramble. Richardson’s rushing upside is why he is worth the gamble. We are now through all the “guaranteed” production guys. Now you look for best upside. Coach Steichen and Jalen Hurts now Coach Steichen and Richardson. I mean that is what we are all hoping. Let’s see if it works out. Richardson is the QB1 of the draft as he has the most fantasy upside.
15 – Dalton Kincaid – TE1 – Buffalo Bills
6’4 – 246 lbs. – 23 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 25
I am anti-tight end, but this former San Diego and Utah TE was taken in the first round by a team that needs an additional pass catching option. Kincaid is rumored to be in the mix for a slot type role for the Bills. People say that Kincaid is more receiver than tight end, but he runs a 4.7 40. I get that he will be a matchup nightmare and that Josh Allen is pumped to have him. We will see, you have to follow the draft capital. The AFC East is stacked with talented defenses, maybe the mismatch at tight end will be exactly what the Bills offense needs.
16 – Roschon Johnson – RB6 – Chicago Bears
6’0 – 219 lbs. – 22 years old – Rd. 4 Pick 115
The other Texas RB, Roschon is a bruising back. You want to talk about a complete gamble, we have no idea who the lead back will be for Chicago this season. Foreman, Herbert and now Roschon to the mix. If you want the upside pick, Roschon is it. He can be a 3 down back if needed, but it’s probably a shared workload this fall.
17 – Devon Achane – RB7 – Miami Dolphins
5’9 – 185 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 84
I know what you are all saying. I’m trying to bury this pick here so JD3 can potentially draft him with the 25th pick. Maybe. But in reality he’s so small. He’s in a great spot, Mike McDaniel lost his mind when this pick was made. The Texas A&M back runs a 4.3, he’s a burner. The Dolphins have a full backfield. Mostert and Wilson both signed 2 year deals, but I’m pretty sure they both have an out after this year. You have to assume that Achane is going to be used in McDaniel’s offense with how much he loves speed guys. Achane is fast, but how fast will he become a part of the Dolphins offense.
18 – Michael Mayer – TE2 – Las Vegas Raiders
6’4 – 265 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 35
The Notre Dame tight end was a lot of people’s TE1 entering the draft. He falls to the perfect spot. The Raiders need a TE, Michael Mayer happens to be a tight end. Mayer set a reception record at Notre Dame for the tight end position. All the guy did was produce, he has all the tools to produce at the NFL level. Jimmy G threw the ball to Kittle, we will have to see if that trend continues with Mayer.
19 – C.J. Stroud – QB2 – Houston Texans
6’3 – 215 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 2
Stroud had his best game when Ohio State played Georgia. He was able to throw and run. His running ability is what keeps him ahead of Bryce Young. Stroud and Young are the two NFL ready QBs, but the upside of Richardson is just too much.
20 – Nathaniel “Tank” Dell – WR9 – Houston Texans
5’8 – 165 lbs. – 23 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 69
C.J. Stroud wanted one guy, that guy was Tank Dell. Tank fell in the draft due to his six. He is an Alabama A&M, Independence Community College, and former Houston WR. Dell is a burner at 4.3. The issues being his size obviously, but the Houston WR room is wide open. Nico, Metchie and Bob Woods are all there but none of their spots are locked in. Stroud has his best connection with Dell and that helps going into a rookie season.
21 – Jalin Hyatt – WR10 – New York Giants
6’0 – 189 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 73
We are getting into it now. We find the former Tennessee stand out that benefitted from a good “offense.” Somehow Hyatt is the only WR in the draft that suffered from being productive. If I had a Coach in mind to put a gadget WR on the team it would be first Andy Reid and then Brian Daboll. Daboll has drafted two WRs. Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson. Kadarius Toney was the previous coaches pick and Daboll traded him. Daboll will play his guys, that is why Hyatt sneaks into the back of the second round. He produced in college and found his way to a team that has a coach that can create a scheme to utilize him.
22 – Josh Downs – WR11 – Indianapolis Colts
5’9 – 171 lbs. – 21 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 79
The former Tar Heel capped off his college career with back to back 1,000 yard seasons. The guy was good in college and projected to go earlier in the draft. Here we are, just sneaking into the early third round category. Downs is small, pretty fast, produced, and is on a team with a new QB. There is no precedent for who the WRs will be here. You have to think that Pittman and Pierce solidified their spots as productive WRs in the NFL. But a new coach, new QB, Isaiah McKenzie and Josh Downs, Josh could sneak into the starting lineup if he and Anthony Richardson hit it off during rookie camp.
23 – Sam LePorta – TE3 – Detroit Lions
6’4 – 249 lbs. – 22 years old – Rd. 2 Pick 34
The former Iowa TE went before Mayer in the draft. The moment he lands in Detroit, he is the tight end one for the team. He has no competition. The Lions are without Jameson Williams for 6 games. The Lions will need to make up for that empty projected target share. This is where LePorta can make some noise early and establish a relationship with Goff that carries through the season. Iowa has only produced quality tight ends. Here at the end of the second round, LePorta is a no brainer.
24 – Michael Wilson – WR12 – Arizona Cardinals
6’2 – 209 lbs. 23 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 94
The Stanford Cardinal becomes an Arizona Cardinal and we wait to see if DeAndre Hopkins is traded before the season starts. Wilson was injured pretty much all of his college career. Kyler is going to be out the start of the season, so Wilson does not need to be ready Week 1, he just needs to be ready for when Kyler is healthy. Wilson is a long play but he has the NFL size. Now we just have to see if he can get it done.
25 – Cedric Tillman – WR13 – Cleveland Browns
6’3 – 215 lbs. – 23 years old – Rd. 3 Pick 74
Tillman and Hyatt were teammates at Tennessee, picked back to back in the draft, yet Tillman is much lower on the dynasty draft boards. Tillman has great size, but he lands in a spot that is not great. The Browns love to run the ball. The Browns have Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Champion-Jones, Elijah Moore, and last years pick David Bell. It is a crowded room. While this is a great move for the Browns, it is not a great fantasy football move for us.
26 – Bryce Young – QB3 – Carolina Panthers
5’10 – 204 lbs. 21 years old – Rd. 1 Pick 1
The former Bama QB was the first pick for a reason. Without having any sure things left on the board, follow the pick. Stash Young on your bench. Young will have value in the NFL, if he’s a hit then you will be able to trade him or trade your starter. If he is a miss just look at the choices made around this pick and you will likely feel ok with following the high pick value. Young more than likely will be an incredibly safe QB, think Kirk Cousins like. Decent fantasy production but nothing that is going to win you the week. If you do not have a QB, Bryce is an ok pick while you search the waiver wire each week for some upside.
27)- Cartavious “Tank” Bigby – RB8 – Jacksonville Jaguars
6’0 – 213 lbs. – Rd. 3 Pick 88
Tank was the SEC Freshman of the year, then hat a 1,000 yard season, and then just missed 1,000 yards. I mean Tank has a shot at getting in the mix. Etienne is smaller and was banged up last year. Tank should see some touches. Hasty is a speed guy but should be mixed in the passing game. Tank has a chance at the RB2 spot on a team and this late in the draft, that is all you can ask for.
28)- Chase Brown – RB9 – Cincinnati Bengals
5’9 – 215 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 59
Now Chase has an uphill battle here. He runs a 4.4 and put up 25 reps. He’s a lot of power in a little body. He seems to have solid hands out of the back field and steps right into the Gio Bernard role that the Bengals are missing. That is what you have to hope for. It is a reach, but sometimes you have to take your shot.
29)- Derius Davis – WR14 – Los Angeles Chargers
5’8 – 168 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 125
Davis runs a 4.3 and is a little burner. The Chargers are missing exactly that. They have big fast guys, mix in a little one underneath. Davis has all the same potential upside that Johnston has for getting in the mix. I mean less of a chance but still a chance. He gives the Chargers a different look, but all you have to do is get down field and let Herbie throw you the ball.
30)- Tyler Scott – WR15 – Chicago Bears
5’10 – 177 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 133
Let’s not get too crazy here. Scott was picked earlier than most, he is on a team that has D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney. His odds of starting are not great. But, he has a chance to be the first guy off the bench. Tyler Scott’s competition is Equanimeous St. Brown or Velus Jones Jr. As we get this far in to the draft, you have to grab guys that are closet to the field, Scott provides that.
31)- Justin Shorter – WR16 – Buffalo Bills
6’4 – 223 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 150
I mean this is a large human being. Diggs and Gabe Davis have a lock on the field. Trent Sherfield is the slot but if you have the option to run two big WRs and Diggs, wouldn’t you have that package as well? At 6’4 running a 4.55 is pretty solid. I mean Shorter was able to catch passes from an inaccurate AR15, Allen has a monster arm too. I think he should be able to adjust and see some Gabe Davis type big plays for the Bills
32)- Evan Hull – RB10 – Indianapolis Colts
5’10 – 215 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 176
Hull is in an interesting spot. He has JT in front of him obviously. Behind JT is Zack Moss. I mean if you are a rookie RB, wouldn’t you like the guy in front of you to be Zack Moss? I would. Hull had a decent rushing total and some good reception work. He seems to be a complete back. That should give him a good shot at getting in the mix.
33)- Luke Musgrave – TE4 – Green Bay Packers
6’6 – 253 lbs. – Rd. 2 Pick 42
Packers invested a lot in Musgrave. Packers need a TE. Packers have a young QB. Tight ends struggle early. This is a long play and is something that you will have to hope for the best, whether or not it pans out we do not know. But in the third that is as good of a chance as any. Use your early picks on skill positions and take your TE later. This is the gamble that’s worth it.
34)- Will Levis – QB4 – Tennessee Titans
6’4 – 229 lbs. – Rd. 2 Pick 33
Levis has a decent shot at starting in the middle of the season. You have a shot at a backup QB here in the late third or you can take a chance on a hopeful starter in a couple years. I think if you are a QB needy team, Levis is worth the gamble. Big arm and D-Hop, what more could a rookie need.
35)- Puka Nacua – WR17 – Los Angeles Rams
6’2 – 205 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 177
With decent size and a decent depth chart, Puka has a shot. Ben Skowronek and Van Jefferson are fine, but they could be overtaken. Cooper Kupp is the only for sure option. There are rumors of Kupp being traded. If he is gone that opens up the door for Puka. Could you imagine the future of the Rams in Stetson Bennett and Puka Macua’s hands.
36)- Kayshon Boutte – WR18 – New England Patriots
6’0 – 195 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 187
We finish out the third round with an absolute hit. This LSU product had success when Chase and Marshall sat out. He ran a 4.5 and doesn’t have a great vert. He did not finish well without Burrow. But Bill knows that there was something there once and with only Juju, Devante Parker and Kendrick Bourne in front of him, maybe he sees the field. These are the risky prospects you have to go after this late in the draft and I still have to find 19 more picks.
37)- Zach Evans – RB11 – Los Angeles Rams
6’0 – 215 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 215
The Rams backfield has been a mess. Let’s add Zach Evans to the mix. Cam Akers and Kyren Williams are the 1-2 punch for now. Evans just has to be available to get on the field. I am not sure how much faith McVay has in Akers. I have no clue how much faith McVay has in Williams. While there are plenty of free agent backs available that could cause an issue for Evans hopes, you have to take the chance on Evans here.
38)- DeWayne McBride – RB12 – Minnesota Vikings
5’11 – 209 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 222
All McBride did was have 1,300 yards his second year at UAB and 1,700 yards his last year. That is a lot of yards. Vikings waived Dalvin Cook. Alexander Mattison is the RB1, Ty Chandler is RB2, Kene Nwangwu is RB3 and DeWayne McBride is RB4. Now that is not great. But weirder things have happened. McBride could easily jump into the RB2 spot. Vikings love to run the ball, give the guy a chance.
39)- A.T. Perry – WR19 – New Orleans Saints
6’3 – 205 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 195
I mean when is the last time Michael Thomas has played? Chris Olave is a lock for the Saints WR1. Rashid Shaneed is the other WR to worry about. On the bench there is Bryan Edwards and Tre’Quan Smith. So A.T. Perry does have a lot of average WRs to go up against. But he has a shot. That is all we can work with in the 4th round. A.T. Perry was a two time first-team all-ACC. That’s good. He has decent size, decent speed, maybe we have something here.
40)- Xavier Hutchinson – WR20 – Houston Texans
6’3 – 205 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 205
I mean Xavier is a backup on the Texans. Texans have Nico Collins, Robert Woods, John Metchie and Tank Dell. Everything is open. We do not know who will make it out of the Texans WR core, but as a late round flyer, why not take the chance on a guy that has some potential to end up in the mix.
41)- Israel Abanikanda – RB13 – New York Jets
5’11 – 215 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 143
First-Team All-American in 2022. Breece Hall was injured, Michael Carter has been injured, and Israel is athletic. This late you have to just hope and see. Israel is fast and could be part of a rotation going forward.
42)- Eric Gray – RB14 – New York Giants
5’10 – 210 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 172
Eric Gray could be the backup. Saquon is on a one year. Breida is the other back. I like my odds if I’m Eric Gray and the competition is Breida. This may be the steal of the draft. Eric Gray is not a real speedster, but you have to go with opportunity.
43)- Luke Schoonmaker – TE5 – Dallas Cowboys
6’5 – 250 lbs. – Rd. 2 Pick 58
You have to trust the draft capital here. Jake Ferguson is the Cowboys current TE1 for the Cowboys. Taking a TE in the second round should make Schoonmaker the starter by the end of the year. While no TE should produce in year 1, Schoonmaker is a good choice for the long play.
44)- Charlie Jones – WR21 – Cincinnati Bengals
5’11 – 175 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 131
Small and fast. The Bengals are one of the best WR cores. I do not see a way for him on the field. But the Bengals are going to have to pay some WRs soon, if they let any walk, then Jones has a shot.
45)- Hendon Hooker – QB5 – Detroit Lions
6’3 – 221 lbs. – Rd. 3 Pick 68
Hendon is behind Goff. Hendon needs to get healthy. Give him the one year on your Taxi and see what happens. That all the pick is here.
46)- Trey Palmer – WR22 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6’0 – 192 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 191
Palmer runs a 4.3. He has to see the field for some packages. Palmer can do the Scotty Miller role. Maybe he produces more than Scotty Miller. Mike Evans is up there in age, Chris Godwin has had some injuries, and Russell Gage is there. I think they have to make some plays for Palmer, this division is wide open, the Bucs will need to get creative to win some games.
47)- Parker Washington – WR23 – Jacksonville Jaguars
5’10 – 212 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 185
Washington had an injury in 2022 that had him sit out the season. Take the mystery here and hope it works out. Washington did not ever have a monster season, so you have to trust the scouts making this pick.
48)- Stetson Bennett – QB6 – Los Angeles Rams
5’11 – 190 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 128
There is a chance that Stetson takes over. There is another chance that Stafford retires. We don’t know what is going on for the Rams. But Stetson is a good long play this late. Another QB throw on your taxi and see if anything happens.
49)- Darnell Washington – TE6 – Pittsburgh Steelers
6’7 – 265 lbs. – Rd. 3 Pick 93
Washington is big. Steelers will likely go back to running the ball a lot which will be a lot of play action. They have Freiermuth and Pickens, but I mean 6’7 is a lot of receiver to throw at. I think Washington has longevity in the league as a redzone threat. He’s just so big.
50)- Tucker Kraft – TE7 – Green Bay Packers
6’5 – 259 lbs. – Rd. 3 Pick 78
Packers doubled down on TEs. Kraft is athletic but he went to a small school. We have no idea who the Packers will focus on next year, but with a young QB you have to think that TEs going to get some work. Take Kraft late and hope that he gets more work than Musgrave.
51)- Chris Rodriguez Jr. – RB15 – Washington Commanders
5’11 – 224 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 193
I mean he’s a big boy. He played 8 games and had 900 yards last year. The year before he had 1,300. I mean this is a lot of man, and we don’t know if the Commanders like Antonio Gibson. B-Rob and Rodriguez could be the 1-2 powerful punch that Ron Rivera want to work with. Ron Rivera wants to grind it out and control the game, these two backs give him that option.
52)- Deuce Vaughn – RB16 – Dallas Cowboys
5’5 – 179 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 212
Vaughn is going to make the team he has too, his dad is a coach. Vaughn is small. He produced a lot at Kansas State, he can catch out of the backfield. It is Pollard then Malik Davis. Pollard is on a 1-year deal. Maybe Vaughn ends up being part of next years backfield, we don’t know. This late in the rounds, I have to think Vaughn makes the team and then you have to hope.
53)- Tre Tucker – WR24 – Las Vegas Raiders
5’9 – 182 lbs. – Rd. 3 Pick 100
Tucker is buried on this depth chart. But he was a high pick. Tucker runs a 4.3. I have no clue how he plays or why the Raiders picked him. Either way, Tucker can’t be one of the many Raiders’ busts right?
54)- Dontayvion Wicks – WR25 – Green Bay Packers
6’1 – 206 lbs. – Rd. 5 Pick 159
Packers went in hard on the offensive positions this draft. Two TEs and two WRs. Wicks is a backup. He’s behind Reed, Doubs, Watson and maybe Toure. Who knows. Take the guy and hope him and Love have a connection.
55)- Elijah Higgins – TE8 – Miami Dolphins
6’3 – 234 lbs. – Rd. 6 Pick 197
Higgins played WR at Stanford and runs a 4.5. He is undersized for TE but Mike McDaniel is an offensive mind, so wait and see what he draws up.
56)- Colton Dowell – WR26 – Tennessee Titans
6’3 – 212 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 228
Runs a 4.4 and is UT Martin’s all-time leader in receiving yards. It’s Burks and D-Hop and no body else, maybe Dowell has a connection with Levis and works his way in the lineup.
57)- Antoine Green – WR27 – Detroit Lions
6’2 – 199 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 219
Not a lot to say here. He’s a backup, Lions don’t have a lot, maybe he sees the field. We are running out of options.
58)- Jalen Brooks – WR28 – Dallas Cowboys
6’2 – 205 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 244
Not very promising, but we are running out of options. He was second on the Gamecocks in receptions and yards in 2022. That seems ok.
59)- Ronnie Bell – WR29 – San Francisco 49ers
6’0 – 192 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 253
Yeah, Bell is pretty normal. He peaked his last year with almost 900 yards. Not a lot to work with, maybe the 49ers see something in him.
60)- Lew Nichols III – RB17 – Green Bay Packers
5’10 – 220 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 235
Lew buried on the depth chart. Jones is likely gone after this year, A.J. Dillon on the last year of his deal, and Lew could replace him. We don’t know where the Packers will go in the next couple years, they could be facing a total rebuild, Nichols being a young back could be the future. That is very hopeful thinking, but that is where we are at.
61)- Jake Haener – QB7 – New Orleans Saints
6’0 – 207 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 127
This guy did a whole photo shoot for his rookie picks. That’s all I got for you.
62)- Kenny McIntosh – RB18 – Seattle Seahawks
6’0 – 210 lbs. – Rd. 7 Pick 237
This guy is a winner, put him on your team. He’s a dual threat so I think he will find work somewhere in the NFL. He is slow, but a winner.
63)- Aidan O’Connell – QB8 – Las Vegas Raiders
6’3 – 210 lbs. – Rd. 4 Pick 135
Aidan is QB 3 behind Jimmy G and Hoyer. That is why you take him.
64)- Mitchell Tinsely – WR30 – Washington Commanders
6’1 – 205 lbs. – Undrafted Free Agent
Tinsely is the best undrafted free agent. It is unlikely he makes the team but we are out of draft picks with a better shot, maybe Tinsely finds his way on an iffy Commanders Depth Chart.
That does it for the rookies. There are some top end rookies, but I don’t know what it is about this year. It seems like a lot of good guys ended up in bad situations. That makes it tough to really buy into some of these guys. Now we are on to the top 5 free agents.
1)- Derek Carr – QB – New Orleans Saints
There are not a ton of options, Carr has a new opportunity to throw the ball to Olave. That is the only thing really separating him from the rest of the QBs that are still available.
2)- Matt Breida – RB – New York Giants
Again, not a lot of options. Breida is the only back that should get work out of the group of free agent RBs. Saquon should get a lot of the work, but how much does Saquon want to play? I thin Breida may be in the mix more even though all of his contract incentives are tied to the playoffs.
3)- Russell Gage – WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gage is the ony starter of the free agents at this point. Gage has shown flashes and with Godwin being injured here and there and Evans getting up there in age, Gage may see some extra touches in a given week.
4)- Austin Hooper – TE – Las Vegas Raiders
Hooper has been on this list for awhile. He had a huge season back on the Falcons but has shown minimal flashes here and there. We seem to be super thin in the free agent market this year.
5)- Foster Moreau – TE – New Orleans Saints
Jujuan Johnson should be the TE1 for the Saint. But he has familiarity with the Raiders Derek Carr. I would think that there is a connection there as Carr gets familiar with Saints offense. It may be a hit in a TE depleted league.
Well that does it, we have 69 players, 64 rookies and 5 free agents. The Pot Cakes Dynasty Draft is taking place this Sunday and we cannot wait to get back in the mix. A recent trade has taken place between Pistol sending Skyy Moore to Bruce for a second round pick. I hope you all have had the chance to soak in the summer sun as we are getting closer to the football season. Best of luck and I hope you and yours have a better tomorrow.
Let’s Go!
JonnyDIII
DIII Digest 