Fantasy football mock draft: Predicting first-rounder’s fantasy potential
By Ryan McCloy
No. 5 – Cincinnati Bengals
Oregon OT Penei Sewell
- Sewell could be the best player in the draft, and fits a need. This one’s easy, and should help the stocks of every skill player on the offense, from Burrow, to Mixon, to WRs Boyd and Higgins.
Fantasy Spin: As mentioned above, the addition of Sewell could result in huge fantasy bumps for everyone on the Bengals’ offense, most notably Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon. With more time to throw, Burrow will be better suited to connect with deep threat Tee Higgins, who should see a fantasy uptick.
No. 6 – Philadelphia Eagles
Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle
- I said it was close between the top 3 WRs. Waddle gets the call here because he has one very specific skill that the others don’t have: his legs and quickness.
Fantasy Spin: Waddle would immediately step into an undisputed role as the Eagles’ WR1. That bodes well for any fantasy player, as that is almost always associated with higher volume. Other Eagles pass catchers, including TEs Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz – assuming they’re retained – would be slightly downgraded. The Eagles 2021 QB, currently expected to be incumbent Jalen Hurts, would receive a mild upgrade with the addition of a true number one wide receiver.
No. 7 – Detroit Lions
Penn State LB Micah Parsons
- The Lions need pretty much everything, and Parsons is a solid start in building a formidable defense. The Lions allowed the most points of any team in the league last year, could use an impact player like Parsons, who could have gone even higher if he’d played in 2021. Penn State’s defensive woes in 2021 shows how much of a difference Parsons can make.
Fantasy Spin: Let’s be honest, you’re not starting the Lions’ Defense in standard leagues unless drastic measures are taken this offseason. However, Parsons could be one piece of making this defense playable against a weak offensive opponent. Rookies don’t get much love in IDP leagues either, but Parsons has the upside to be a tackling machine early on in his career, with some short field coverage ability to add to it.
No. 8 – Carolina Panthers
Florida TE Kyle Pitts
- My assumption is that the Panthers go out and get their QB via trade or free agency. Either way, they’ve been lacking a threat at tight end since losing Greg Olsen. Here’s the best tight end to come out in years.
Fantasy Spin: Think Jimmy Graham on the Saints in terms of potential fantasy value here. Pitts is that special. His pro comparison is Darren Waller, who was TE2 this past season in Las Vegas. I’m not here to say that he’s a fantasy starter in week 1, as rookie TEs don’t often jump out of the gate like that, but he’s a huge upside stash, especially if the Panthers figure out their QB situation. The addition of Pitts should also open up the field for WRs Robby Anderson and DJ Moore, and give the QB – whoever it is – a solid receiving core. And let’s not forget, there’s still Christian McCaffrey, assuming he’s not included in a QB deal. I’m buying in on this Panthers offense.