Round 3
3.01 (Tommy) – Chase Claypool – Pittsburgh Steelers
If there is any team I trust when it comes to evaluating wide receivers that fit in their system, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. While I am not as high on Chase Claypool, he does bring a skillset and profile that is different than the other guys they have. His large body and shocking speed allow him to step into the WR3 role for the Steelers. The other point with Claypool is they could view him as a tight end. If he were called a tight end before the draft, he would have been the TE1 for dynasty. There is versatility with this pick, and something I like to find in later rounds.
3.02 (Frosty) – Adam Trautman, TE – New Orleans Saints
I was targeting Claypool with this pick, but Tommy sniped him a pick ahead, so I decided to take the first tight end off the board. Just as I had said in our previous mock, I felt that Trautman was the best fantasy tight end to take in this class based on the landing spot. In Neal’s mock, he landed in New England, but in reality, he landed in New Orleans, which is just as good.
3.03 (Corey) – KJ Hamler, WR – Denver Broncos
This offense has the opportunity to be nasty! Hamler is the second-fastest WR in this year’s class and it shows up time and time again on film. He has nice hands, ball-tracking skills, and good enough route running to be effective in the NFL. Hamler will play slot and be the defense stretcher for Drew Lock and company, so he will have bust games, but I expect Hamler to have some games of pure fantasy explosion every year.
3.04 (Jordan) – Jordan Love, QB – Green Bay Packers
I was aiming for Hamler here as the last wide receiver remaining with Top 50 draft capital, but I got sniped at 3.03 by PFN’s Corey Ashburn. Selected to be Green Bay’s heir-apparent to 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers, a future starting quarterback like Love is a nice consolation prize in the third round of a Superflex league.
3.05 (Dennis) – AJ Dillon, RB – Green Bay Packers
AJ Dillon was a workhorse for Boston College, finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Dillon is built like a tank but is explosive with a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical at the NFL Combine. His bruising style makes him ideal in short-yardage situations. Dillon, who is non-existent in the passing game, enters the Packers’ backfield playing behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, but Jones is entering the final year of his contract so Dillon could be the starter in 2021.
3.06 (Andrew) – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR – Cleveland Browns
At this point, I almost took Cole Kmet, just because that Chicago Bears’ offense will likely lean on the short passing game, and I think Kmet is one of the best talents at the position in this draft, but I can’t pass up Peoples-Jones. I think DPJ is a potential stud on an offense in need of some pizazz. Add in the late draft capital and crowded receiving room, and I see why he fell, but grabbing him at 3.06 seems like a great value to me.
3.07 (Tommy) – Jacob Eason, QB – Indianapolis Colts
While the draft helped other positions in fantasy, initial reactions appear that it hurt the quarterback position. There is a significant tier drop after the Big 3, and for me, Jacob Eason is the next player to draft if you feel you might need production soon. Jordan Love is locked behind Aaron Rodgers, and Jalen Hurts is the backup behind Wentz. What is interesting about Hurts is the Eagles have an out after the 2021 season and can save $63 million in future payments to Wentz. Just a thought to remember when doing your rookie drafts if you don’t need someone right now.
3.08 (Frosty) – Joshua Kelley, RB – Los Angeles Chargers
After going wide receiver back-to-back, it was time to snag a running back before there was nothing left for the taking. If it wasn’t obvious already, Austin Ekeler is the clear RB1 in Los Angeles. However, Joshua Kelley could battle Justin Jackson for the RB2 spot and may have the edge to win it despite the praise the Chargers have given Jackson as of late.
3.09 (Corey) – Van Jefferson, WR – Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson is a very impressive route runner, which is key for the Rams’ offense, who just lost Brandin Cooks. If Sean McVay and Jared Goff can rekindle the magic they have shown in the past, Jefferson could turn into a very solid WR2-3 going forward. I loved this landing spot.
3.10 (Jordan) – Darrynton Evans, RB – Tennessee Titans
Darrynton Evans was one of my favorite prospects to watch in the pre-draft buildup, and he landed in a Titans’ offense built to establish the run. I know 2019 leading-rusher Derrick Henry is a significant detriment to Evans’ year-one fantasy points, but the former App State running back could be a potential lottery ticket in 2021 and beyond. Barring Tennessee and Henry coming to an agreement on a long-term deal, Evans could be the Titans starting running back as a second-year pro.
3.11 (Dennis) – Tyler Johnson, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tyler Johnson should make an immediate impact on the Bucs’ offense led by Tom Brady. Johnson will have the opportunity to be WR3 behind one of the best WR duos in the NFL of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Johnson had 29 touchdowns and back-to-back seasons of over 1,100 yards receiving the last two years. The Bucs should have a dynamic offense with plenty of options and an improved run game. Johnson should have the luxury of finding plenty of soft spots in the defense and be a significant fantasy contributor in 2020.
3.12 (Andrew) – Eno Benjamin, RB – Arizona Cardinals
For this team, starting WR/QB means I should probably try to get some RB value if there is any left available, and I see Eno staring me in the face. I get it, he has flaws, but that Cardinals’ offense seems like a pretty good fit to me. Anyone at the end of the third is basically a flier, and there’s a big gap in tiers for me at RB after Benjamin.