The NFL Draft has been and gone. The mystery as to where the next crop of fantasy heroes and fantasy busts are going to be playing next season is over. However, the fun only just begins as many fantasy football players around the world will now be getting into the excitement of rookie drafts in their fantasy leagues over the coming weeks.
It’s that wonderful time of year where struggling fantasy owners can add a marquee piece or two to their teams as they try and avoid missing the playoffs for another year. Whilst fantasy champions will feel this class will make it harder for them to add too many contributors in 2022.
However, how does the landscape change when we make it a Superflex draft and add tight end premium into the equation? Well, let’s find out.
What is the initial reaction to Superflex in this draft?
The 32 NFL teams gave their verdict on this set of quarterbacks this past weekend and it is fair to say, they did not view them to be difference makers at the next level. That is, with the exception of Kenny Pickett (QB – PIT), who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in round one on Thursday night.
With no other quarterback taken until the mid-third round, there does not seem to be a clear path to many of these guys being relevant in the NFL, and therefore, for fantasy football. That is why we see Pickett go at the 1.06 in this draft, and no other QB go until the 2.08, where we get a late flurry of the quarterbacks taken in round three of the NFL draft. This is extremely unusual for a Superflex draft to see so few quarterbacks be taken in the top 20 picks. However, given the NFL general managers and head coaches’ verdicts on them, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
If you, as a fantasy player, are desperate for a quarterback coming into this draft, you can still look to players with a strong need and trade your first-round pick for a quarterback. I am sure there is someone in your league looking to move on from Jameis Winston (QB – NO), Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN) or Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN) for that first-round pick. Therefore, this will appear to be your best route for a quarterback in this draft.
Due to the late run at the end of round two, I decided to pass on a quarterback in this draft. If you are picking in the top five of a Superflex rookie draft, this is probably the approach you are likely to adopt, as the value is just not there to select them in the first or second round.
What the initial reaction to Tight Ends are in this draft with a premium aspect?
As you can see above, I decided to reach and grab Trey McBride (TE – ARI) with my early second-round pick due to him being a premium and the best tight end in this draft. It is a slight reach, but not a huge one. Mcbride walks into an offense that has lost DeAndre Hopkins (WR – ARI) for six games due to the league’s anti-doping policy. We expect Arizona to line up a fair bit in 12 personnel (two tight end formations). Not to mention, Zach Ertz (TE – ARI) is coming to the end of his illustrious career. McBride has a path to be relevant early, before becoming a dominant pass catcher in the Cardinal’s offense.
He might not be Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) but expect McBride to carry some relevance in his rookie year. Especially in a tight end premium format.
However, the rest of the class fell pretty far. As a result, I was able to get myself a bargain with Cade Otton (TE – TB) in the fourth round. At this point, he is second on the depth chart behind Cameron Brate (TE – TB). And, should Rob Gronkowski (TE – FA) return for one more year in Tampa, as I expect he might, then he still makes the roster. However, his path to relevance next year is extremely clear. Otten is very much worth a stash on rosters, especially in a tight end premium format.
Any other surprises?
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA) going at the 1.02 was a huge shock in this draft. It did mean I was very fortunate to take Drake London (WR – ATL) with the 1.03 pick. However, the rest of the first round didn’t have too many surprises and should be what you expect in your rookie drafts this month.
The biggest surprise in this draft was seeing Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL) fall into round three. Given the team he is on and now the release of Mike Davis (RB – FA), there is a great opportunity for him to be a fantasy-relevant back in 2022 and beyond.
There was also a shock at the number of quarterbacks taken. Especially in round five. However, some of this was determined by team needs in the mock draft, which should not be how you conduct your draft. It is unusual to only see 18 wide receivers go in a rookie draft. Your rookie drafts will see 20 plus go off the board if it is five rounds long.
Final Thoughts
This rookie draft really bottoms out around picks 25 through 28, depending on the format. If you have picks after this range, either try and trade back into next year, where the class projects to be deeper. Or, try and trade up earlier and pick a high upside player. It is going to be hard to find late fourth/fifth-round guys adding any true value to teams in this draft. Therefore, don’t just pick where you are. Try and be aggressive. And, if that doesn’t work, look to find a way to make something out of those picks.
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Adam Murfet is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Murf, check out his archive and follow him @Murf_NFL.