Fantasy: 2019 NFL Draft instant analysis - Round 2-3

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

theScore's Justin Boone provided immediate breakdowns and early projections for every fantasy-relevant selection in the second and third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

You can view his fantasy outlooks for all the skill position players drafted in Round 1, here.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 38 receptions, 513 receiving yards, 4 TDs

This is a bit of a reach for Samuel, with several high-end receivers still available like Hakeem Butler, A.J. Brown, and D.K. Metcalf. The landing spot is soft from a fantasy perspective though, as Kyle Shanahan has had no problems generating offense in any of his NFL stops and managed to produce a top-15 passing attack despite a slew of quarterback injuries in 2018.

Samuel is an outstanding route runner and displays excellent run-after-catch ability. He's a quality addition to a receiving corps that needed help, but the real winner here is Dante Pettis, who is solidified as the Niners' top target. When Pettis' volume increased late in his rookie campaign, he averaged 85 yards and a touchdown over a four-game stretch from Weeks 12 to 15. Pettis is now comfortably in my top-30 fantasy wideouts heading into the season.

Samuel will be a player to monitor; however, you shouldn't expect anything more than WR4/WR5 fantasy numbers in year one.

Stock Up: Pettis, Jimmy Garoppolo
Stock Down: Jordan Matthews, Marquise Goodwin

Drew Lock, QB, Broncos

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Joe Flacco for at least one year

For the second straight year, poor Joe Flacco will enter training camp with a rookie passer breathing down his neck, but this time his competition is even more of a project than Lamar Jackson was in Baltimore a year ago.

That means there's a good chance we see Lock spend the year learning behind his veteran starter, similar to Daniel Jones and Eli Manning in New York.

Lock needs to improve his footwork and speed up his reads if he's going to emerge as an eventual franchise passer. His overconfidence in his arm didn't hurt him as much in college as it will in the pros, so hopefully, he's given the time to work on those areas before he sees the field in Denver.

This is smart real-life selection for the Broncos, especially in the second round, but John Elway has yet to prove he can identify quarterback talent. Lock has a long way to go before we can trust him as a fantasy asset.

Stock Up: Courtland Sutton (long term), DaeSean Hamilton (long term)
Stock Down: Flacco

Irv Smith Jr., TE, Vikings

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 28 receptions, 291 receiving yards, 2 TDs

This is a shocking landing spot for the third-best tight end in the class. The Vikings are loaded at the skill positions with receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, running back Dalvin Cook, as well as one of the more reliable tight ends in the league in Kyle Rudolph.

Rudolph will turn 30 years old in November and on the NFL Network draft broadcast, Daniel Jeremiah questioned whether the veteran has played his last down in Minnesota. That would be an unexpected roster move, but Smith Jr.'s presence does increase the odds of it happening.

Tight ends almost always take a year or two to acclimate themselves to the pro game, and Smith Jr. fits that trajectory. He's a quality receiver and willing blocker who would benefit from focusing on his route running as a rookie. In a couple of seasons, we might be talking about him as a TE1 in fantasy, but you can take him off your board in re-draft leagues.

Stock Up: Kirk Cousins
Stock Down: Smith Jr., Rudolph

A.J. Brown, WR, Titans

Star potential: ★★★★★
2019 projection: 45 receptions, 576 receiving yards, 4 TDs

Brown was one of my favorite receivers in this class and is someone I’m confident will evolve into a steady contributor in the NFL. Lining up anywhere in the formation, the Ole Miss product consistently creates separation and has sure hands.

Brown profiles as more of a No. 2 receiver, making him a perfect complement to Corey Davis. Perhaps he’ll be able to finally help take some of the defensive attention off the former first-round pick. With Delanie Walker returning from a season lost to injury, Tennessee will have a dangerous pass-catching corps for the first time in a while.

This move could signal a final push for Marcus Mariota to show he’s the quarterback the Titans thought they were getting when they drafted him second overall in 2015. If Mariota can’t produce with this group, Tennessee might be in the market for a new starter at this time next year.

Tennessee’s offense isn’t the most fertile of soils for fantasy receivers to grow, especially if the Titans continue to feed Derrick Henry like they did late last season. But be patient with Brown, his time will come as a WR3.

Stock Up: Mariota, Davis
Stock Down: Walker, Adam Humphries, Taywan Taylor

Drew Sample, TE, Bengals

Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah for at least a year

Sample was not high in my rookie rankings since he lacked college production and graded out as a better blocker than receiver. Needless to say, his fantasy ceiling isn’t nearly as high as the first three tight ends drafted this week.

The Bengals are an intriguing team for a tight end to join, with injury-prone Tyler Eifert and underwhelming C.J. Uzomah topping their depth chart. Even so, Sample is a project that will take a few years to provide a return on investment, if he ever does. I’d push my chips elsewhere for fantasy.

Stock Up: Sample
Stock Down: Eifert, Uzomah

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles

Star potential: ★★★★★
2019 projection: 193 carries, 984 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 3 FUMs
26 receptions, 234 receiving yards, 1 TD

It took a couple of hours, but we finally have a possible first-year fantasy star from these second-round picks. This is one for fantasy owners to circle if they’re interested in winning titles in 2019.

Despite the trade for Jordan Howard, the Eagles are an ideal destination for a running back and Sanders has the talent and athleticism to deliver. Unlike Howard, Sanders offers a full three-down skill set, giving the rookie a shot to start in Week 1. My main knock on him in college was his tendency to hesitate before choosing a lane, something that should be easy to correct in the pros.

As you can see in my projection, I envision Sanders as the lead back coming out of training camp, with Howard serving in a secondary role. If that occurs, Sanders will be an RB2 in fantasy and someone I’ll be looking to draft in the third or fourth round.

Stock Up: Sanders, Wentz
Stock Down: Howard, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams

Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 45 receptions, 694 receiving yards, 5 TDs

With Tyreek Hill's future with the Chiefs in doubt, the front office found another speedster to fill the void that'll be created when Hill is suspended or released.

Hardman's blazing 4.33-second time in the 40-yard dash was undeniable and yet somehow he went underused in Georgia's offense. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound wideout plays with a very smooth athleticism and has good hands for a field stretcher. Expanding his route tree will be the first item on the agenda when he enters the facility in Kansas City.

Looking ahead, Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins are first in line for increased targets, leaving Hardman to battle it out with Demarcus Robinson. Fantasy owners in best-ball leagues would be wise to draft both Hardman and Robinson in the later rounds, locking in their Patrick Mahomes-induced production. Re-draft owners will be able to follow their progress throughout the offseason, but my bet is on Hardman to post the better fantasy finish in 2019.

Stock Up: Hardman, Patrick Mahomes
Stock Down: Hill, Demarcus Robinson

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Eagles

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 31 receptions, 407 receiving yards, 3 TDs

Recent reports that the Eagles are looking to trade Nelson Agholor make sense now with the arrival of Arcega-Whiteside, who profiles as a big slot receiver in the pros despite spending most of his time lined up outside in college.

Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and JAW make a formidable trio whose skill align extremely well. With Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert also in the mix, the ultimate winner here is Wentz.

Arcega-Whiteside doesn’t have the speed or fluidity to become a top-tier receiver, but he’ll be a steady weapon for Wentz and a touchdown-dependent WR5 in fantasy until we see how he transitions to the NFL.

Stock Up: Wentz
Stock Down: Jeffery, Goedert

Parris Campbell, WR, Colts

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 51 receptions, 478 receiving yards, 4 TDs

As we get deeper into the draft, the fantasy ceilings begin to lower for receivers. Campbell is a prospect I liked more than most because too many people saw his speed and then counted his lack of deep production against him. That’s not his game. He's more of a short-to-intermediate threat than a deep-ball specialist.

Picturing Campbell catching slants and crossing routes from Andrew Luck, then tormenting defenders in the open field is a football fan’s dream. Think of Golden Tate or Percy Harvin and add that to an already stacked Colts offense.

Campbell can score from anywhere, but it’ll be hard for him to turn in consistent fantasy numbers with so many weapons in Indy. He’ll be a better best-ball or DFS play than a re-draft option early in his career.

Stock Up: Luck
Stock Down: Deon Cain, Eric Ebron, Chester Rogers

Andy Isabella, WR, Cardinals

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 29 receptions, 414 receiving yards, 3 TDs

The Cardinals are building an exciting offense with Kyler Murray, David Johnson and a receiving corps that features Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald, and now Isabella.

The newest Cardinal has outstanding deep speed that allows him to win downfield, though he’s equally dangerous in the screen game due to his acceleration. His hands could be a problem, since he had a habit of readjusting his grip on catches and pro defenders may not provide the time to secure those balls.

Even though Kliff Kingsbury is expected to implement a more high-volume passing attack, Isabella will struggle to see stead targets behind the crew mentioned above. Keep your fantasy projections in check for him.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Chad Williams, Kevin White

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seahawks

Star potential: ★★★★★
2019 projection: 39 receptions, 568 receiving yards, 4 TDs

The Seahawks ended Metcalf’s slide, taking him with the final pick of the second round. When ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Doug Baldwin’s career could be in jeopardy due to the “cumulative effect” of his injuries, we found out why.

A team that has dedicated itself to the run still needs playmakers on the outside and Metcalf is an intriguing addition across from Tyler Lockett. His size, straight-line speed, and impressive adjustments to the ball will give him a chance to win downfield from Day 1.

However, the Seahawks are getting more of a project than some may realize. Metcalf has a very limited route tree and primarily played on one side of the field at Ole Miss. His agility scores at the combine were concerning for long-term outlook and his field awareness needs to improve.

For the price of the 64th overall pick, Metcalf is well worth the risk for the Seahawks. Fantasy owners looking to secure his rights should follow their lead and avoid the impulse to pay up even though he has No. 1 receiver upside.

If Baldwin is truly done, Lockett will be positioned as the new top target in Seattle, locking him in as a WR2 in fantasy.

Stock Up: Lockett, Russell Wilson
Stock Down: David Moore

Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 16 receptions, 202 receiving yards, 0 TDs

With the Steelers' track record of unearthing receivers in the mid-to-late rounds, who are we to question their selections?

Johnson didn’t stand out in the pre-draft process and won’t see the field much as a rookie unless he earns a job as a returner on the special teams unit. As they’ve done with so many others before, the Steelers will allow him to develop behind their starters, in the hope that he can mature into an impact player down the road.

Now that he’s a part of one of the best receiver factories in the NFL, Johnson is worth a flier in the middle rounds of rookie dynasty drafts.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Johnson

Jalen Hurd, WR, 49ers

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 11 receptions, 130 receiving yards, 1 TDs
6 carries, 29 yards, 0 TDs

Hurd is a versatile playmaker who combines a ball-carrier background with natural receiving skills. Shanahan will find a way to maximize those abilities in San Francisco.

At worst, Hurd can be a younger version of Cordarrelle Patterson; however, if given a real chance, his ceiling is much higher. Hurd is someone I’ll be aiming to stash on dynasty benches in the hope that he can battle his way to a starting role.

Stock Up: Hurd, Garoppolo
Stock Down: None

Josh Oliver, TE, Jaguars

Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Geoff Swaim for at least a year

The tight end depth chart is thin in Jacksonville with free-agent signing Swaim slated to start.

Oliver is a good athlete who makes intuitive adjustments to the ball and can win contested catches. His blocking could hold back his playing time in a Jags’ offense built around a power run game. Don’t reach for him in dynasty drafts.

Stock Up: Nick Foles
Stock Down: Swaim

Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 62 carries, 318 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 0 FUMs
10 receptions, 96 receiving yards, 0 TDs

A year ago, the Rams drafted one of my favorite 2018 running back prospects John Kelly, only to bury him on the depth chart behind Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and eventually C.J. Anderson.

This year, they’re making it a tradition by selecting Henderson, thus preventing him from going to a team where he could compete for a starting role.

The one wrinkle here is Gurley’s knee issues that cost him time late in the season and sapped his effectiveness when he did return in the playoffs. Gurley’s days of being a workhorse could be over, with the Rams likely planning to spell him with some combination of Henderson, Brown, and/or Kelly.

The backup battle will be one to watch, with the victor holding league-winning upside if Gurley were to go down.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Henderson, Gurley, Brown, Kelly

David Montgomery, RB, Bears

Star potential: ★★★★★
2019 projection: 231 carries, 964 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 1 FUMs
22 receptions, 176 receiving yards, 0 TDs

We knew coming into the draft this was a weak year for skill position players, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that there have been so few fantasy bright spots to this point.

Montgomery is definitely one of them though, ending up in Chicago where, barring a complete faceplant in OTAs and training camp, he’ll emerge as the starter alongside the dynamic Tarik Cohen.

Playing behind an atrocious offensive line at Iowa State, Montgomery would not be denied. The 5-foot-10, 222-pound back led the FBS in broken tackles two years in row and displayed an uncanny balance through contact. Don’t worry about his lack of breakaway speed, he’ll make up for it with a well-rounded skill set that includes dependable hands and a hardworking approach.

In the Bears’ ascending offense, Montgomery will be an RB2 in fantasy as he pushes for Rookie of the Year honors. The Mike Davis era was short-lived in Chicago.

Stock Up: Montgomery
Stock Down: Mike Davis

Devin Singletary, RB, Bills

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: Buried on depth chart until further notice

Singletary was one of the biggest losers of the pre-draft testing period. We’ve seen players overcome poor scores before; however, it tends to lower their odds of succeeding in the pros.

In Singletary’s defense, he did seem to play faster than his combine numbers suggested and he’s a very elusive runner with great wiggle. He was able to break a lot of tackles for a 5-foot-7, 203-pound runner, a trend that might not continue when the defenders increase in skill and size.

As a below-average pass-catcher and weak blocker, the negatives outweigh the positives on his resume. Hopefully, spending a year behind LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, and perhaps even T.J. Yeldon will help him elevate his game.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Yeldon, Gore

Jace Sternberger, TE, Packers

Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 26 receptions, 259 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Jimmy Graham has very little left to offer in real life or fantasy. Injecting Sternberger into the lineup, even as a rookie, could be a major boon for the Packers’ offense.

Sternberger was the clear TE4 in this rookie class, as he lacked top-shelf athleticism. His receiving skills and run-after-the-catch ability are worth noting, however, and they could help him steal snaps from Graham in 2019.

Don’t plan on Sternberger cracking your fantasy lineup this year, but he’s a very exciting dynasty stash.

Stock Up: Sternberger, Aaron Rodgers
Stock Down: Graham

Terry McLaurin, WR, Redskins

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 26 receptions, 367 receiving yards, 1 TD

McLaurin, who was overshadowed by his teammate Campbell, posted a 4.35-second 40 time at the combine. At 24, he’s older than many prospects, which may have caused some teams to knock him down their boards.

The Redskins called his name in the third round and in doing so reunited him with his Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

McLaurin profiles as a Ted Ginn clone. Whether he can enjoy the longevity that Ginn has remains to be seen, but he’ll definitely be plagued by the same unpredictable weekly fantasy totals.

Stock Up: McLaurin, Haskins
Stock Down: Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson

Kahale Warring, TE, Texans

Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Buried on depth chart until further notice

Warring was one of my sleeper tight ends, but his landing spot is a bit head-scratching. The Texans drafted Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins in 2018, only to invest another early pick on Warring this year.

Natural athleticism won’t be enough to get Warring on the field in Houston, so he’ll need to make big strides as a route-runner and receiver if he hopes to stick with the Texans.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Warring

Damien Harris, RB, Patriots

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: Buried on depth chart until further notice

Did the Patriots need another running back? After stunning the draft community by taking a ball carrier in the first round of 2018 draft, Bill Belichick comes back and spends a third rounder on Harris.

Though some are fond of his Alabama tape, Harris came across as a fairly average talent and projects to be a two-down thumper in the NFL.

Sony Michel is as locked in as any Patriots back can be to the starting job and James White has become integral to their passing attack. Maybe the versatile Rex Burkhead isn’t long for New England, since it’s tough to see the Pats cut a third round pick before the season. Or maybe this tells us the Pats are going to run the ball a ton in 2019 to protect Brady.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Harris, Burkhead

Miles Boykin, WR, Ravens

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 23 receptions, 287 receiving yards, 2 TDs

This might be the saddest moment of the night for me as Boykin had all the makings of a star wideout in my evaluation, only for him to be banished to receiver purgatory in Baltimore.

We saw Marquise Brown suffer the same fate in the first round on Thursday.

It’s possible Lamar Jackson improves over the offseason, but I’ll need to see it before I’m willing to invest in any Ravens pass-catcher.

Stock Up: Jackson
Stock Down: Boykin, Brown, Willie Snead, Chris Moore

Dawson Knox, TE, Bills

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 21 receptions, 207 receiving yards, 1 TD

The Bills are following the blueprint laid out by the Eagles, Rams, and Bears in recent seasons, and surrounding their sophomore quarterback with fresh talent.

Knox has a long way to go before he’s an NFL starter or a fantasy option, but the potential is there. You wouldn’t know it from his production at Ole Miss, where he was buried behind a receiving corps filled with future NFLers.

Buffalo’s previous tight end plans featured Jason Croom and recently signed Tyler Kroft. That is to say, the door is wide open for Knox if he can develop. He’s well off the re-draft radar, but firmly within dynasty sleeper consideration.

Stock Up: Knox, Josh Allen
Stock Down: Croom, Kroft

Will Grier, QB, Panthers

Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Cam Newton indefinitely

Grier is a solid addition for the Panthers as they nurse Newton back to health.

At worst, Grier can be an upgraded backup in Carolina who will excite fans with his risk-taking. Despite lacking a strong arm, Grier is always willing to challenge defenses.

If Newton isn’t ready for the start of the season, Grier gives the Panthers a contingency plan. Unless that timeline plays out, you won’t need to worry about Grier for fantasy.

Stock Up: None
Stock Down: None

Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings

Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 59 carries, 253 rushing yards, 1 TD
7 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 0 TDs

With Minnesota’s newfound interest in running the ball, the No. 2 back behind Dalvin Cook will be valuable to fantasy owners.

While it’s too early to rule out Mike Boone beating out Mattison for backup duties, the arrival of a third-round rusher tilts the odds towards the rookie. Roc Thomas and Ameer Abdullah are also on the roster, but will struggle to climb the depth chart against Boone and Mattison.

Get ready to follow this position battle throughout the offseason.

Stock Up: Mattison
Stock Down: Boone, Thomas, Abdullah