Instant Fantasy Analysis - Rounds 5-7

[The Football Guru 211]

TE Jake Butt, Broncos

 

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.

[The Football Guru 211]

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.