The first round of the NFL draft is in the books, many casual NFL fans don't really know what the big difference is. Many people only play fantasy football, and don't know a huge amount about the rookies. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things to note to make sure you draft the best team possible to help you win your NFL fantasy league.
Here are eight fantasy situations that will appeal to each fantasy general manager.
1. Mike Evans
Mike Evans had a very productive rookie season after being drafted to the Buccaneers in the first round. The big wide receiver is expected to be even better this year, as most second year wide receivers are. The 6'5'' wide-out is a serious red zone target, meaning that he'll get a lot of touchdowns. In fact, much of his production last year was down to his touchdowns after his 12 touchdown and 1,051 yard season.
That was with a bum quarterback too. Big things are expected from Jameis Winston, the Buccaneers first overall pick this year. He's seen as an NFL ready quarterback, and while he might struggle in his rookie season, Evans will be one of the targets he relies on, and will be expected to carry a lot of the offense this season. He could be set for a big year bailing his new quarterback out over and over again.
Even if Winston is a bust, he'll still be better than Josh McCown was last year, and Evans proved then that he can be productive even if I was the quarterback behind that pourous offensive line.
2. Alfred Morris
It mightn't have been the greatest of seasons from Alf last year after his new head coach Jay Gruden didn't rely on him as much as the previous regime in the Shanahans. But a sign that Morris could be good in fantasy again is the drafting of a run-first guard.
Brandon Scherff was seen as a surprise pick from Washington. His strength is around the running game from guard, and he's expected to create holes for the Redskins running backs to burst through better than anything on the current roster.
While Morris may not reach the highs of his early career, he's certainly interesting now.
3. Kevin White
Kevin White is a beast. The rookie wide receiver is considered one of the most talented and safest picks in the draft. He's a big guy who can high point the ball over defensive backs, and as the video states, is a number 1 receiver.
Going the the Bears is an interesting move aswell. The Bears have a good offense already, and with Alshon Jeffery around, he won't be matched up against opponent's top corner backs. That means that White will be getting favourable matchups, and I'm expecting Cutler to target him a lot. There's a lot of production to take over after Brandon Marshall was traded to the Jets, and White is good enough and young enough to form one of the most devastating wide receiver combos with Jeffrey for the next 5-10 years.
4. Mark Ingram
Everything the Saints have been doing in the off season suggest that they are going to become a more run-based team. First, they traded Jimmy Graham for the best centre in the game Max Unger, and then they drafted Andrus Peat, a big tackle that is likely to kick inside to play guard and protect Drew Brees.
All this is very good for Mark Ingram. Fresh from a new contract, Ingram proved that he can handle being the feature back in New Orleans with some big games before he got injured. Now with even more of a focus on the run game, and less attacking weapons, the Saints are likely to lean on Ingram even more.
5. Melvin Gordon
The Chargers taking Gordon is probably my favourite pick of the draft.
With Ryan Matthews moving to the Eagles, running back was a position of need for the San Diego Chargers, and whoever came in was always going to end up as the starter. With Brandon Oliver the only challenger to Gordon, Gordon is in a great spot.
He's going to a good team, with a great quarterback, good offensive line and will get a lot of touches of the ball. And when he gets touches, he is devastating both between the tackles and out in the backfield catching passes.
For those who don't select two running backs in the first two round of the fantasy draft, Gordon is likely to be available in round 4 or 5.
6. Terrance West / Isiah Crowell
Let's look at the Browns from last year. Both rookies - Terrance West and Isiah Crowell were productive, impressing in their early season run that got them to 7-3. Then something happened and they finished the season 7-9.
What happened? Their centre Alex Mack got injured. Centres are there to push holes in the line for running backs to fly through, and Mack is as good as anyone at that. Their replacement not as much.
So Cleveland drafting another centre Cam Irving in case that happens again is only good news for their running attack which struggled without Mack last year. That collapse won't happen again for their talented running backs, who will get work while the Browns sort out their issues at quarterback.
7. Carson Palmer
Last year's NFL season was remarkable for the Cardinals. They suffered injury after injury in the defensive, before Carson Palmer and backup QB Drew Stanton. One reason for that is that their offensive line wasn't very good.
Which is why they draft one of the better left tackles available. This could be Arizona's franchise left tackle for the next decade, and he'll be looking to keep Palmer healthy and fantasy productive with weapons like Andre Ellington, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown to complete their amazing defense.
8. Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco is known for his occasional downfield bombs. His favourite target was Torrey Smith, but now Smith has gone to the San Francisco 49ers.
With new offensive co-ordinator Marc Trestman likely to get Flacco to throw even more, he needed a new weapon.
Step forward rookie speedster Breshaud Perriman.
This kid is quick. With a 40 metre dash that was timed at 4.25, he's one of the quicker receivers in the draft, but he's big. He can go deep and stretch defences which Flacco likes to do, or he can get a lot of after catch yardage. In the short term he will benefit Flacco immensely, and will only get better and better as he acclimatises to the league.
Flacco will get the immediate benefits, but it might be worth waiting a year or two on Perriman to be fantasy relevant.
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