The Draft is a joyous occasion for all fans. The time of year that makes us all think what would we do? This article is targeted toward 5 players who’s stock (fantasy value) rose after the NFL draft either due to their teaming adding players or not adding competition. I believe these 5 players went from questionable to must-haves on your draft boards.

Corey Davis-Wide Receiver, New York Jets

It finally feels like the Jets are going in the right direction. With the 2nd pick in the 2021 Draft the Jets selected young gunslinger Zach Wilson from BYU. Then the Jets took their 14th overall pick (traded with the Vikings) and did something smart, they drafted Alijah Vera-Tucker. Lots of fans wanted to see a Najee Harris or Travis Etienne pick, but the Jets instead took the most versatile offensive linemen in the class. The 2nd round pick for the Jets yielded talented Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore, someone who could be used in the slot and maybe the number 2 wide receiver.

However, the biggest benefactor in my opinion after the draft is Corey Davis. This guy is now assured that his quarterback will have a solid pocket to throw from. Which is excellent for Davis who will now be allowed to run his routes and go up and catch those contested balls. Davis owns the 2nd highest percentage of contested catches at 68% since 2019. You know where that comes in handy…the red-zone. Coming off his best year yet, Davis put up 984 yards (yds), 5 TDs, on 65 receptions (recs). Davis’s red-zone stats last year were 5 recs, 4 TDs on 7 targets, showing off how efficient he can be when it counts. The Jets lack of a good tight end should all but ensure that Davis will be the big bodied target inside the red-zone, giving him a high ceiling for TDs this year.

Davis signed a 4 year deal, and wants to be able to show off his first round pedigree, and the Jets have drafted well enough to give him every opportunity to show his worth. Overall, I’m excited for Corey Davis’s prospects this upcoming year. His average draft position (ADP) should go up, but if it doesn’t go snag this guy up in the 12th round and win your league, everyone.

Clyde Edwards Helaire- Running Back, Kansas City

Clyde Edwards-Helaire was last season’s hype monster. Every format including Redraft had the 2nd year back going top 15 for running backs and in some leagues, he was taken in the 1st round. Edwards-Helaire had a solid rookie season, finishing as the 20th best RB after 13 games. He put up 803 rushing yds and 4 TDs along with 297 receiving yds and 1 TD on 36 recs. Those numbers don’t scream round 1, but some factors to consider was the Chiefs o-line was either injured or in one case opted out due to COVID-19.

The Chiefs decided to revamp their line in the draft this year. First, trading the 31st pick for an established right tackle named Orlando Brown Jr., an excellent pass blocking talent who has progressed in his run blocking while being on the Ravens. The Chiefs also acquired guard, Joe Thuney, who had the 2nd lowest blown run block rate amongst guards in 2020. Austin Blythe was also another big addition to the Chiefs interior line, ranked as the 13th overall center in the NFL, while grading out as the 9th best run blocking center. The final 2 additions are recently unretired guard/tackle, Kyle Long, and the Chiefs 2nd round pick interior lineman, Creed Humphrey.

This year, Clyde Edwards-Helaire may not have as much steam behind his hype train, but with the Chiefs rebuilding their line Edwartds-Helaire may become a serious low end RB1. Look out for Clyde Edwards-Helaire to potentially be a breakout star in 2021.

Jalen Hurts- Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have started to look like the early 2000’s Lions, drafting wide receiver every year until they get it right. I think they finally found their Megatron, Devonta Smith. He may not be built like Calvin Johnson, but he is definitely a special player. Smith’s crisp route running and overall ability to be playmaker will assure he is the day one starter. This is amazing news for Jalen Hurts, who will be scrambling a lot and needing a wide receiver to come back on their routes to get open. Eagles 2nd round pick, Landon Dickerson, looks like a physically dominant interior lineman that played all 5 positions in college. The one thing that the Eagles seemed to never have was a healthy o-line last year, which may have driven the desire to add Dickerson.

To me, these picks show that the Eagles are invested in Hurts for this year, and hopefully beyond. If they weren’t then they would’ve selected Mac Jones or a 2nd round QB, especially with a notoriously weak QB class next year. I think Hurts transferring to Oklahoma and learning from Lincoln Riley made him a confident thrower and playmaker. Last year this shined through in 4 games he started, as he put up 1,061 yds, 6 TDs and 4 ints through the air and ran for 354 yds and 3 TDs. He’s going to need to be a playmaker every game, because his defense is a year older and not that great.

Add in Devonta Smith, a healthy Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert, and the worst division in Football (NFC East). I think we might have a recipe for an MVP-like season for Jalen Hurts. I think Hurts is a solid QB2 and will play to QB1 levels.

Myles Gaskin

Going into the draft it seemed inevitable that the Miami Dolphins would find Myles Gaskin‘s replacement. Instead of going RB, Dolphins selected Liam Eichenberg out of Notre Dame to shore up the right tackle position. Next, they selected Hunter Long out of Boston College to come in on two tight end sets as a blocking tight end. The Dolphins have also signed free agent center, Matt Skura, to a one year deal. So, it is safe to assume that the Dolphins have put effort into building a line that should be better than their 28th overall ranked o-line last year.

Myles Gaskin has all the tools to be a three down back in the NFL. He shows great vision and deceptive open field speed. Gaskin’s pass catching ability was on display last year, putting up 388 yds and 2 TDs on 41 catches. The Dolphins offensive line is essential to Myles Gaskin fantasy value, and his future value with the Dolphins.

Gaskin was selected in the 7th round of the 2019 NFL Draft, producing a solid outing of 10 games. Injuries and draft capital seemed like the two major reasons to replace Gaskin. Instead, the Dolphins doubled down on their young running back and gave him some talented linemen. Gaskin has potential to be a Flex player/RB2 with upside.

Chase Edmonds-Running Back, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals want Chase Edmonds to be their guy. Edmonds, the speedy running back who’s solid pass catching abilities resemble that of a slot receiver. He is the guy they want in their spread offense, someone who is a consistent threat with ball in hand. Going into the 2021 Draft there were doubters of Edmonds status as RB1 pre-Draft. With plenty of chances to grab a running back the Cardinals continued to show their allegiance to Edmonds. The Cardinals helped Edmonds this offseason by adding All Pro Center, Rodney Hudson, to the interior of the offensive line. They also brought in James Connor on a one year deal, to be a change of pace running back.

Edmonds stat line last year was good for the back up running back. He ran the ball for 448 yds and 1 TD on 97 carries averaging 4.6 yds/car. Edmonds receiving numbers were damn good with 53 recs , 402 yds and 4 TDs, averaging 7.6 yds/rec. The Cardinals have faith that he can translate these numbers to his new role as the primary back. I see Edmonds putting up more of a 2019 Austin Ekeler-type season, having more receiving than rushing yards. Arizona got a glimpse of what Edmonds could do as the starter against the Dolphins. Edmonds had a poor outing, but obviously the Cardinals saw something in him that they wanted to push. Edmonds has flex position written all over him, but he’ll be potentially a solid RB2 throughout the season.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Mike Davis-RB, Atlanta Falcons
2. Drew Lock/Teddy Bridgewater-QBs, Denver Broncos
3. Sam Darnold-QB, Carolina Panthers
4. Zach Moss/Devin Singletary-RBs, Buffalo Bills
5. Matt Ryan-QB, Atlanta Falcons

Conclusion

I love the NFL Draft because it’s the ultimate game of what if, and every year we take the results and start looking into who will be affected. The NFL Draft is why you don’t draft fantasy squads until at least May because you just don’t know what’ll happen. I hope this piece helps with some draft decisions you’ll be making this year and helps you guys win your respective leagues.

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