Were it not for a torn ACL suffered in Michigan's Orange Bowl
loss to Florida State, Butt would have likely come off the board
in the third round. It would be the least bit surprising if he
begins the season on the PUP list or sits on IR in Year 1. Butt
is not nearly as athletic as the other top-ranked tight ends in
this class, but he is probably going to survive a long time in
the NFL because he has a great feel for how to get open against
zone coverage, makes the difficult catch, is fearless over the
middle and has very reliable hands. Unfortunately, he doesn't
give the Broncos anything different than A.J. Derby, so it might
be a while before owners can find imaginative ways to use his
last name to entertain their fellow league owners.
5.06 - TE Jordan Leggett, Jets
Leggett plays his best in big games, but there within lies his
biggest positive and negative: he has the ability to flip the
switch but doesn't bring it all the time. He doesn't face much
competition at his position in New York, but the Jets already
have a more dynamic tight end in Austin Seferian-Jenkins who is
inconsistent and doesn't bring much as a blocker. Leggett might
see some work as a dump-off and short-area option for a Jets'
offense that may find themselves in plenty of garbage-time situations,
but there isn't much upside here, even in dynasty.
5.28 - QB Nathan Peterman, Bills
Peterman isn't going to put any immediate heat on Tyrod Taylor,
but he gives Buffalo a very good backup option in 2017 and a potential
long-term starter if the Bills decide to move on from Taylor.
Peterman has been billed by some as this class' Kirk Cousins in
the sense he has the best chance among non-first round quarterbacks
to emerge as a quality NFL starter. He lacks the physical talent
of the quarterbacks likely to be selected ahead of him and isn't
going to wow anyone with his arm strength, yet he completed nearly
half of his throws of 25-plus yards because he possesses good
timing and anticipation. He doesn’t have any redraft value,
but deeper-league dynasty owners would be wise to monitor him.
5.32 - WR DeAngelo Yancey, Packers
Yancey flew under the radar at Purdue in large part because he
never topped 50 catches and the Boilermakers won a total of nine
games over the last four years. Green Bay is far too deep at receiver
to expect an immediate contribution, but general manager Ted Thompson
usually gets it right at receiver and Yancey is a capable downfield
threat, as Nebraska found out on two occasions over the last two
seasons. Deeper-league dynasty owners should keep track, as anyone
with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback will probably come into
fantasy relevancy at some point of his career.
5.39 - RB Aaron Jones, Packers
Green Bay double dips at the running back position and gives
itself something of a mix between the versatile Ty Montgomery
and powerful Jamaal Williams. The 5-10, 208-pounder is a better
inside runner than most backs his size and a pretty good athlete
(4.56, 37 ½" vertical, 10’7" broad, and
a 6.82 three-cone). Jones isn't in the same class from an elusive
standpoint as backs such as Tarik Cohen or Donnel Pumphrey, but
he gives the Packers more of it than they have from any other
back they have on the roster. Jones would benefit and be somewhat
fantasy-relevant if Montgomery fails to build upon 2016 or gets
injured, as he would probably inherit the same role. UTEP's all-time
leading rusher can be avoided at the moment in redraft leagues,
but he will be an interesting high-upside, late-round option in
rookie drafts.
6.17 - TE Bucky Hodges, Vikings
Kyle Rudolph owners need not panic despite the fact Hodges is
a size/weight/speed specimen at 6-6 and 257 pounds with 4.57 speed,
a 39-inch vertical and a 12'2" broad jump. He does, however,
represent incredible value in the sixth round and has the potential
to be as good of a matchup tight end as this class has. Pure and
simple, he is an offensive weapon. His snaps will need to be managed
throughout the early part of his career because he doesn't block
a lick, but he should make up for it many times over with his
ability to tower over smaller defensive backs on deep balls and
simply present a bigger target than anyone can realistically be
expected to guard in the end zone. He is an intriguing late-round
option in rookie drafts.
6.32 - QB Brad Kaaya, Lions
The addition of Kaaya serves two purposes: 1) protects Detroit
should it not be able to get something done with Matthew Stafford
in his contract year and 2) gives the Lions a serviceable, heady
backup to Stafford should he miss a game or two for the first
time since 2010. Kaaya wilted a bit against the rush in 2016 -
Pro Football Focus gave him a 59.2 passer rating "under pressure"
as opposed to 113.0 when he had a clean pocket. In his defense,
Miami (Fla.) didn't help him much like giving him a poor offensive
line and using him often in RPO (run-pass option) situations,
as Kaaya is more of a pro-style pocket quarterback. He's going
to be a long-term at best with Stafford in Detroit, but he will
give the Lions an upgrade over Jake Rudock and their playmakers
a chance to be useful in fantasy should Stafford miss time.
7.35 - QB Chad Kelly, Broncos
Give Denver credit, as Mr. Irrelevant rarely ever has a shot
to be fantasy-relevant. Kelly will likely not play at all in 2017
due to a wrist injury and has an off-field history that can be
described at less than desirable. However, Kelly is more talented
than Trevor Siemian and would probably have been an early Day
2 pick at worst if he was not such a red flag player. He doesn't
possess great size, but he and Deshaun Watson seemed to be about
the only quarterbacks with the ability to have any level of success
against Alabama in their college careers. Let's be realistic:
Kelly probably will never start in Denver so long as Paxton Lynch
develops. But if Kelly can clean up his act, he could make Siemian
a possible trade chip down the road. Kelly is a worthwhile gamble
with the last pick in this draft and could develop into a NFL
starter down the road.
Doug Orth has written for FF
Today since 2006 and been featured in USA Today’s Fantasy
Football Preview magazine since 2010. He hosted USA Today’s
hour-long, pre-kickoff fantasy football internet chat every Sunday
in 2012-13 and appears as a guest analyst on a number of national
sports radio shows, including Sirius XM’s “Fantasy Drive”.
Doug is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.