Fantasy: Which Day 3 draft picks will make the biggest impact?
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theScore's Justin Boone provided breakdowns and early projections for the most important fantasy-relevant selections from the fourth to the seventh rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Fantasy analysis
Hakeem Butler, WR, Cardinals
Star potential: ★★★★★
2019 projection: 34 receptions, 498 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Butler was the first pick taken on Day 3, which ended a surprising slide for the player I had ranked atop my dynasty rookie rankings entering the draft. The fourth-round draft capital isn't ideal, but the landing spot is since the Cardinals need an outside presence in the receiving game.
He will join budding star Christian Kirk, late-career Larry Fitzgerald, and second-round pick Andy Isabella to form a very exciting and interchangeable receiving corps for Kyler Murray. All four wideouts can play in the slot or on the outside, including the 6-foot-5, 227-pound Butler, who posted one of the best height-adjusted speed scores among receivers at this year's combine.
After the Cardinals finished near the bottom of the league in pass attempts and passing yards in 2018, new head coach Kliff Kingsbury will bring his Air Raid offense to Arizona in hopes of establishing a more imposing aerial attack. The increased volume is reason enough to be hopeful for Butler's fantasy outlook, though he may struggle to see consistent targets in his debut campaign.
Despite his draft-day fall, I'm still a believer in Butler as a physical and explosive weapon whose natural adjustments to the ball help him win contested catch battles. He won't be the top player in my next rookie rankings update, but if he ever reaches his No. 1 receiver upside, we could be talking about him as a top-15 fantasy wideout in a season or two.
Stock Up: Murray
Stock Down: Isabella, Chad Williams
Bryce Love, RB, Redskins
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: May sit out rookie season rehabbing torn ACL
The Redskins' backfield is as crowded as can be at the moment with sophomore Derrius Guice, veteran Adrian Peterson, and pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson. That's fine for Love, since it will allow him to take his time recovering from a torn ACL.
Don't be shocked if the Stanford star doesn't see the field as a rookie and instead focuses on a return in 2020 when Peterson and Thompson might be gone. Love is an average receiver and his pass protection leaves a lot to be desired, but he could be an interesting change of pace and fantasy handcuff behind Guice in the long term.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Thompson (long term)
Justice Hill, RB, Ravens
Star potential: ★★★★☆
2019 projection: 86 carries, 457 rushing yards, 3 TDs
22 receptions, 153 receiving yards, 1 TDs
The Ravens can't offer Hill a starting role, but Baltimore's run-heavy offense has more than enough volume for him to put up flex numbers while spelling Mark Ingram.
It's fitting that Hill found a home with the Ravens after I compared him to another undersized Baltimore running back, Justin Forsett. That's because Hill plays with a fight and determination that will allow him to serve as a lead back if the opportunity arises.
For now, Hill can use his smooth pass-catching skills and dangerous open-field shiftiness to win the No. 2 job, shaving the top off Ingram's stats and sending Kenneth Dixon and Gus Edwards further down the depth chart. Assuming he captures backup duties, he'll be an Ingram injury away from fantasy stardom.
Hill didn't get much hype during the pre-draft process, but he'll stand out in practices and preseason games, so expect his ADP to climb between now and Week 1.
Stock Up: Hill
Stock Down: Ingram, Dixon, Edwards
Riley Ridley, WR, Bears
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: Unlikely to see field much unless starter gets injured
Ridley was one of the hardest evaluations this year. His game tape gives you the impression he can be a future starter with solid routes and an ability to create after the catch. However, his lack of college production and disappointing athletic testing makes you question his upside in the pros.
The Bears already have three quality receivers in top target Allen Robinson, promising slot man Anthony Miller, and speedster Taylor Gabriel. That puts Ridley in an uphill battle for playing time, pushing him off the re-draft radar and into dynasty stash territory.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: None
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: 21 carries, 92 rushing yards, 0 TDs
14 receptions, 125 receiving yards, 1 TD
Ezekiel Elliott is a true workhorse, so Pollard isn't going to see enough offensive touches to be fantasy relevant in Dallas. His main contributions will come on special teams. It's still a positive environment for him to be drafted into after Rod Smith left in free agency, which clears a path for Pollard and seventh-rounder Mike Weber to compete to be Elliott's immediate backup.
Don't waste your time handcuffing here, but keep Pollard and Weber on your watchlist as potential season-changing pickups off the waiver wire if Elliott misses any time.
Stock Up: Pollard
Stock Down: Darius Jackson
Foster Moreau, TE, Raiders
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 20 receptions, 234 receiving yards, 1 TD
If Moreau turns into a starter in the NFL, it will be mostly based on his landing spot.
The Raiders had yet to replace Jared Cook before this selection, which gives Moreau a chance to earn snaps right away in Oakland. Unless, of course, you're concerned with players such as Darren Waller, Luke Willson, Derek Carrier, and Lee Smith providing stiff competition at tight end.
Moreau plays slower than his athletic scores would suggest and isn't very fluid in his routes, so I remain skeptical of his long-term outlook. The opportunity ahead of him is undeniable, but he might make more of impact as a blocker than a pass-catcher, especially with the revamped receiving corps led by target hog Antonio Brown.
Stock Up: Moreau
Stock Down: Waller, Willson, Carrier
Ryquell Armstead, RB, Jaguars
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 108 carries, 397 rushing yards, 2 TDs
12 receptions, 76 receiving yards, 0 TDs
Familiarize yourself with Armstead's name, as it's important for fantasy owners to know Leonard's Fournette's backup prior to every season.
Fournette has missed 11 games over his first two NFL campaigns and can't seem to escape the nagging lower-body injuries that plagued him during college. Outside of best-ball leagues, it's hard to trust him for fantasy.
That makes Armstead more interesting as a creative runner with a physical, aggressive style. Jacksonville's offensive line is built to bully and I'm projecting at least three starts for Armstead, who shouldn't have a problem moving ahead of the stable of mediocre veterans the Jags have collected behind Fournette. By August, everyone will realize Armstead is stash-worthy in re-draft and dynasty.
Stock Up: Armstead
Stock Down: Alfred Blue, Thomas Rawls, Benny Cunningham
Qadree Ollison, RB, Falcons
Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith
Smith has the inside track on stepping into Tevin Coleman's vacated role as Freeman's sidekick. Ollison is getting mentioned here only because Atlanta reached for him in the fifth round.
A power back would be a new wrinkle in the Falcons' offense and could lead to some goal-line carries, but Ollison's limited skill set will likely prevent him from moving ahead of Smith on the depth chart.
Stock Up: Ollison
Stock Down: Smith, Brian Hill
Jordan Scarlett, RB, Panthers
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 36 carries, 140 rushing yards, 1 TD
3 receptions, 18 receiving yards, 0 TDs
Christian McCaffrey proved himself durable by dominating the Panthers' backfield touches in 2018. At 5-foot-11 and just 205 lbs, McCaffrey's frame still makes you question whether he's destined to break down while playing the game's most punishing position.
Carolina has very little running back depth, making Scarlett an instant candidate for the backup spot. That role didn't produce much in the way of fantasy numbers a year ago but could be extremely valuable if McCaffrey suffers an injury.
Stock Up: Scarlett
Stock Down: Cameron Artis-Payne
Trayveon Williams, RB, Bengals
Rodney Anderson, RB, Bengals
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard
Somehow, the Bengals were able to draft two running backs in the sixth round that I'm fond of.
The worries around Anderson all stemmed from his health. Three season-ending injuries in college - including a torn ACL in 2018 - have put his once-promising career at risk. The fact he was available this late tells a concerning story about how NFL teams viewed his medicals.
Williams isn't a back who can create in traffic. He needs a good line in front of him to open holes, or designed plays to get him in space. He's at his best in the screen game.
The two rookies will compete to be Bernard's future replacement, but neither is going to threaten Mixon's workload. This is a disappointing landing spot for both players.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Bernard (long term)
Dexter Williams, RB, Packers
Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams
Dexter Williams is a solid all-around back but isn't speculator in any one area. In Green Bay, he may pose a problem for Jamaal Williams, though he's unlikely to challenge Jones' touches.
The stars would have to align for Dexter to emerge as a re-draft fantasy asset. However, dynasty owners might want to stash him until we see how this offense shakes out under new head coach Matt LaFleur.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: Jamaal Williams (long term)
Travis Homer, RB, Seahawks
Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny
Another tough landing spot for a sleeper prospect. Similar to Williams, Homer doesn't have many weaknesses in his game. He's a steady yard-gainer, good pass-catcher, and an impressive blocker for a 201-pound back.
Unfortunately for Homer, the Seahawks are set when it comes to impact rushers with Carson and Penny locked into the top two spots.
Stock Up: None
Stock Down: C.J. Prosise, J.D. McKissic
Kelvin Harmon, WR, Redskins
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 23 receptions, 309 receiving yards, 1 TD
Once considered a borderline first-rounder, Harmon was exposed during the pre-draft process and suffered one of the biggest falls of any prospect. There is a bright side, as Harmon finds himself on a roster with a potential new franchise quarterback in Dwayne Haskins and a wide-open receiving corps.
Veteran tight end Jordan Reed will still be heavily involved as a pass-catcher, but Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson have never been more than role players and Trey Quinn is a slot receiver. That means Harmon and third-rounder Terry McLaurin have an opportunity to carve out significant roles on the outside.
For Harmon to do that, he'll need to show more aggressiveness and find a way to create separation, something he struggled with during college. Back-shoulder catches will be an integral part of his early career success if he can get on the same page as Haskins.
Stock Up: Harmon, Haskins
Stock Down: Richardson, Doctson, McLaurin
Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs
Star potential: ★★★☆☆
2019 projection: 26 carries, 127 rushing yards, 1 TD
24 receptions, 288 receiving yards, 2 TDs
We knew the Chiefs would take a back at some point in the draft but didn't expect they'd wait until the sixth round. That should give fantasy managers with Williams some confidence that he'll be given a real shot to continue as the lead runner and a potential top-15 fantasy option.
Thompson is a souped-up third-down back with quick feet who has shown an ability to handle a heavier workload when the situation calls for it. He plays with a level of fearlessness and fight that should endear him to his new coaching staff, if it hasn't already.
He's a long shot to take over as the starter in Kansas City, but we can't rule it out. My prediction is that Thompson's elusiveness earns him change-of-pace snaps and eats into Hyde's touches more than Williams.
Stock Up: Thompson, Williams
Stock Down: Hyde, Darrell Williams
Myles Gaskin, RB, Dolphins
Star potential: ★★☆☆☆
2019 projection: Will back up Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage
Gaskin ended up on a team with a backfield that isn't exactly set in stone, with Drake and Ballage trying to impress a new coaching staff. In theory, that gives Gaskin a shot to rise the depth chart. The only problem is he doesn't have the tools to accomplish the feat.
Though his college resume is filled with production, Gaskin is an uninspiring prospect with a smaller frame and average receiving ability. You could also make the argument that the volume he accumulated at Washington will actually be a negative for his longevity in the NFL, since he doesn't have the build to be a bell cow in the pros. Fantasy owners can look elsewhere for late-round dynasty sleepers.
Stock Up: Gaskin
Stock Down: None